I don't blame you...23 pages is a ton to read!

The return is split three ways; one to the left, one to the right and then the waterfalls (which is also split 3 ways). However, there is a closed loop (intake on the back left and return on the back right) that has a 1/3 HP chiller in-line.

That's it for flow.

Like that there are no powerheads hanging on the glass look.

This was a consideration from day one. I personally try to set up most tanks without them anyway, but the driving reason was "no crab escape options!"

Plus, with out a traditional "rock wall" along the back, water flow is handled much simpler.

Yea, well it looks awesome.
Can you recap on filtration/skimmer/refugium stuff? As there probably has been some since first post and saves going through so many.
how tall do the mangroves grow, if that's what those are?

I haven't signed into this site in a while, but I couldn't pass on the opportunity to congratulate you on one of the most awe-inspiring tanks I've ever seen. It's magical, breathtaking, and captures the imagination of all reef lovers. Truly awesome job my friend. I would love to have some high-res shots of your tank if you have any.

Thanks for the awesome comments!
Any that you like, let me know.....



Simple sump/skimmer (G2) set up...nothing special. No refugium, as the mangroves (yes they are) do the job. Real simple. I have the chiller and and lighting ballasts plumbed/wired out to a waterproof shed outside for heat and noise reasons.

Mangroves will grow ridiculously tall...as they are trees. Now, in captivity, they won't grow like trees, but I will most likely have to remove them in a couple of years.

I am comtemplating running PAR38 LED lights as spot lights to replace the halides. If so, that will allow for much stronger growth as the heat from the halides is starting to impare the growth of the mangroves since they have grown 3 inches in 3 months. The leaves are starting to burn. I was not expecting so much growth, but I feed the tank a TON due to the crabs, anemone and fish. that produces a ton of waste and the mangroves are just eating it up!

So, we'll see. Does that answer your question? (1500 words later!)

So, this carpet anemone is ridiculous! It is a little hard to gauge on the photo, and i turned the pumps off to try and help with the photos...but this thing is enormous. Now...it is fully extended, which they tend not to do so much, but still. It measured (approximately since it was curved) 13.5”! CRAZY!

I also took a shot of the bird’s nest fragmentation I got two months ago....kind of a cool measurement to date.

Thanks for looking, as always!











So, for comparison’s sake...here is the anemone about a month after I got it (which was December 13th, 2009), so this shot is January-ish....




(It doesn't even get to the rock where the zoanthids are, much less cover 65% of them! Also notice the mangrove on the left side as well...there is about an inch or so space on the before and the anemone is past it by about 2.5" on the after.)


Now, here is the Bird’s Nest coral now, and the before picture follows. That also was taken around January. I am pretty happy with the growth on this guy.






And what would a Volcano Tank picture update be with out a crab picture?

New pictures are awesome! That carpet is absolutely huge!
Do you ever run into aggression problems between the 3 clownfish pairs?

No aggression, but the Sebae's don't like the Black Ocellaris near their anemone. I am very happy with the order of introduction....as I think that saved the temperment of the tank.

Just too cool!

that has to be the best tank ever!

I can't express how much I really like this tank one little suggestion is creating a livestock list to add on to this thread if you don't already have one please ...

Thanks!

It's hard to manage the thread!

Here is the current list though!!

Once again You have pleased the Gods and made him very happy!



Seriously though, Congrats on the magazine write-up! I also think it's great when fellow Nano-Reefers get and receive recognition on other reef web-sites. It all just goes to show that Nano-Reef members really know their "shnit"!

Thanks!

I absolutely LOVE your picture! Man alive....that is AWESOME!

Is it your tank? Do you have before and after pictures?

No it isn't my pic. But I couldn't resist using it, it really fits your theme! This would be easy to do. Buy a statue and use a frag of green slimer acro and let it encrust and grow!! (Hint, Hint)!

Wow! and may I say again wow! I don't visit over here too often (not sure why, since technically almost all my tanks qualify as nanos), but whenever I stop by I always have to check out your thread. Simply amazing.

And don't be a stranger!!

Hey sweet tank. I have a question though. Can you give a quick break down on equipment?

Go to www.konolua.com/volcano and I have it all broken down there...also, somewhere in the teens on this site, I have pictures of it up.....

Let me know if you have questions!

This tank looks like so much fun!

So does your avatar.

to N-R!

Such a awesome tank. I am gonna upgrade my tank to something like this(40x20x10) so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the best tank on Nano Reef!!!!!

You really should do a statue in there. I can see a sunset monti covering it now. I'd lay it flat though, that way it doesn't look weird from the side. When looking at it top down, it'll look awesome.

A lot of people of inquired as to how the Volcano structure was formed, and it is created from 5 piece of large lace rock. I needed to service the overflow, so I thought I would take a couple of pictures with the top off. Here you go....









So, you can see the valve for the waterfalls, and the drain pipe. I had to cut egg crate to keep the crabs from venturing down. I also have a huge drain strainer on the intake as well incase they get through the egg crate (only happened once with a small guy, so I put the strainer in after that). There is a dead waterfall tube, which is the turquoise one in the middle, along with the blue one (I am not sure why I have not cut that....I just noticed it looking at the picture).

The main line is T’d on the left and feeds the upper waterfall that empties above the anemone, and the other end of the T is T’d again, to reduce water travel to another that empties on the anemone side, but above the zoanthid rock. Lastly, the one that is wrapped around and was pouring on the valve is the one that supplies the top of the volcano and then feeds the “basin” rock that now has the starting of a couple of zoanthids.









Of course, the elbow T right here in front is from the sump pump returning to the tank.

Hope some of this makes sense.....though it does look Mickey Mouse’d, it actually took a lot of thought. For instance, T’ing the waterfall line in a different order results in different water pressures....and I wanted the right waterfall to equal that of the left. The second waterfall on the right (that is behind the big one) is more to just keep the rock moist..which is perfect. That is where all the copepods and amphipods hang out. Ideal!

Got a video up! Take a look!

I simply set up the camera for 2 and half minutes. I fed too to get some activity. I will try again in the next few days to get a video with the crabs coming out of the water for everyone to see...

New Videos!

Omg, you are a really artist man I wish some day I get as good as you
well i dont know if anyone cares, but this is my blog where im going to post my new nano
http://bloginthebox.com

That volcano is the coolest idea ever


I'll definetly check it out later on!

I don't think I can agree enough with everyone else who has posted praise on this setup. Congradulations on the tank, if that term even applies.

This is one of the sweetest tanks ever! Great job...love it!!!

how are we going to get this submitted as a tank of the month?

I'd love too! What an honor it would be! There is a thread for nominations, but I am not sure if that is the right way!

Oh well, I shall keep my head down and make this tank even better!

The smell is almost non-existant because I used dry lace rock instead of liverock. Given the fact that it has the waterfalls on it, the algae and "live" part of the rock grew very quickly only on the watered part of the exposed rock, so there is no smell associated with it. Well, short of the same "ocean" smell all open top tanks give off (which frankly is a selling point for me...

Doesn't nano reef have a gallon limit on the TOTM? Not to poke holes in any ones plans, but it is a Nano site.

Any who, I may be blatantly stealing this idea and putting a twist on it so I can say it was my idea. Bwahaha?

Many people have also asked about whether or not the crabs come out of the water, and that can be put to rest with this video. It is not the best in the world (as my tripod is missing for some reason) but it does get the point accross. I took a 35 minute video and sped it up to a 3:30 minute video. You can see some cool stuff.....

Anyway, hope you enjoy it and that it was worth your 4 minutes to watch!

Sped-Up Volcano Tank

"This video is private"

Well, it says "Tanks under 40 are preferred" though I personally always thought that nano's were less than 100g (which is why I posted here in the first place), though I have of course found out that is not the case. So preferred isn't the same as disqualifying the Volcano Tank, is it? Oh well, regardless, it is a blast posting on this site and chatting with other reefers. (the people on this site as a whole are far better than any other reef site out there in my opinion...I like calling NR home)

But hey, compared to the ocean, anything is a nano right? Eh? Eh?



Oops. Man, why is that the default?

Hang on.



Okay, should be good to go. It did say that the video is still processing so the quality may be low. Still learning this youtube stuff....

Hahah when I'm diving I see little 6 by 6 foot islands of rock with a whole reef(SPS, tangs etc),
then there is nothing but sand for a few thousand feet.
Now that's what I call a nano reef compared to the ocean

The video is awesome! A blur of clownfish, tangs and huge crabs! Didnt realize how big some of them were! Wow!
So jealous of that tank!

That crab is HUGE

I know! I have another one of that size...but it didn't come out during the video shoot. It was sulking in the back.....

can't see the video it's private but send me a friend request i'm veritas21885

Off private now. That is the 3rd time in a row I did that! Sorry. All videos have link now in my signature too....

Thanks for looking!

That vid is a awesome. I like the way the sailfin tang makes feeding excursions and the the crab uses the mangrove like a fireman's pole!

This is the most amazing aquarium I've ever seen.

Wow.

I am in love with the crabs!!!

I cast my vote for you for TOTM! Very well deserved indeed!

+1!!!