michael_cb_125 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Hello Everyone.I just found this forum, and I dont see many Biotope aquariums around, so I figured I would share mine.This is a very basic setup. Rimless 58 gallon aquarium Stand Sump Maxspect Razor Koralia powerhead. I do have an Octopus Diablo skimmer, but I do not run it, as I am able to maintain water quality with simple water changes of 20 gallons per week. This tank is still very young and has much growing and filling in to do, but I am happy so far.Everything in they system was collected in the Florida Keys Sorry for the terrible pictures.~Michael Link to comment
JLynn Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Looks like it is off to a great start! Nice collection of anemones and gorgonians! Link to comment
Mr. Microscope Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Brilliant tank! Love the biotope theme. Following! How old is it? Can we get a sump shot? I think I see a cleaner shrimp, and are those trimma gobies? to Nano-Reef! Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 From the FTS it looked like sun corals with the rock flowers (which would still technically be Caribbean since they now live all over the Atlantic) but the rock flowers are just that puffy Link to comment
Mirya Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Not terrible pictures at all! Following this tank. Your gorg and RFA collection is amazing. I'm hoping my gorg in my Florida biotope tank can get half that good! Link to comment
gena Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Gorgeous! I love Caribbean biotopes! I didn't know grandis grew in the Florida Keys . Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I didn't know grandis grew in the Florida Keys . Yep, that's the only place they're found Link to comment
TheElysia Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Unbelievable. This is an amazingly spectacular display. I love the fact that it is directly from nature, with a variety of life beyond just corals and fish. Maybe add in some native macroalgae, just a suggestion? Absolutely amazing. Link to comment
FlowerMama Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 LOVE your rock nem island!!!! And the extras here n' there. You'll see I'm in love with them myself! And Welcome!!! Link to comment
gena Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Yep, that's the only place they're found That is so cool! I think my next tank will be a caribbean biotope and it will definitely have the grandis . What is the disc shaped thing on the left jutting out above the sponges? Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Looks like some kind of wing oyster. Link to comment
Kylebeano Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Michael, your tank looks great! Where do you get all your gorgonians? Ecogorgs? What is the disc shaped thing on the left jutting out above the sponges?I think it's a pen shell, atrina rigida Link to comment
FlowerMama Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I was curious about that disc thing too. Do tell! Link to comment
gena Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I think it's a pen shell, atrina rigidaI think you're right! It does look like that...very cool! Link to comment
michael_cb_125 Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Hello Everyone, Thanks for the kind comments. This tank has been up and running for only two months. It is still very young and has much growing to do. My ultimate plan for the tank is to have every square inch of rock covered with life of some sort. I want to see natural competition for space, and corals and invertebrates mingling as they do in the wild. As of now the livestock includes the following, just ask if you would like latin names. Masked Gobies x9 Royal Gramma x1 Sailfin Blenny x1 Rock Flower Anemones x12 Beaded Sea Anemones x2 Pederson's Cleaner Shrimp x1 Spotted Anemone Shrimp x3 Sexy Shrimp x1 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp x1 Blue Leg Hermits x3 Scarlet Reef Hermit x1 Orange Leg Hermits (unidentified) x5 Pen Shell x1 Orange Ruffled Sponge x1 Red Ball Sponge x1 Orange Tree Sponge x2 Purple Frilly Gorgonian x3 Purple Knobby Gorgonian x1 Purple Candalabra Gorgonian x1 Rusty Gorgonian x2 Red Sea Whip x2 Golden Frilly Gorgonian x1 Purple Split Pore Gorgonian x1 Knobby Sea Rod x1 Red Tree Gorgonian x1 Ridcordea florida x12 St. Thomas Bubble Mushrooms x8 Zoanthus sp. x2 Palythoa grandis x1 colony Protopalythoas sp. (Green Buttons) x1 colony Feather Duster x1 I have several Mermaid Fans and Shaving Brush Algaes arriving soon. My ultimate stocking plan for fish is pretty basic. I plan to add one more masked goby, to make an even ten. I will add two of the following gobies: Blue Neon, Green Banded, Yellow Line and Peppermint.I want a butterfly in the display, and I am only fond of a few Caribbean species, and go figure they come from deep water. So my butterflyfish will be a Bank's Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aya.). I have kept this species in the past and they are extremely interesting to watch and are mostly reef safe. I want another cryptic basslet species, and what better choice than Liopropoma carmabi (Candy Basslet). I have also kept this species with great success. IME over time they become a true reef pet. I plan on adding a collected pair. That is is for the fish. As for coral and invertebrates, anything that I find that is interesting will be added as I am lucky enough to find it!!Let me know if there are any questions about my little tank.~Michael Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Very nice set up! 35% water change weekly? Wow! Link to comment
michael_cb_125 Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks tibbay07.As much food as I add to this system, I would have a kelp forest without the heavy water changes.The corals and inverts love the food, but so does the algae .I am working on getting some photos worth sharing. Link to comment
michael_cb_125 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Hello Everyone.I made a new addition over the weekend, a little teeny slipper lobster. I have yet to see him during the day, but he sure scoots around at night. Here are a few pictures that I just snapped. I am using a camera phone so the quality is not great. I hope everyone enjoys. ~Michael Link to comment
FlowerMama Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 He is so tiny and pretty. And your tank is so wispy and lush with gorgonians love it. Link to comment
Coolhandreefer Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Beautiful tank and really nice addition. Link to comment
michael_cb_125 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Thanks everyone. I probably should have mentioned that I was unable to get a photo of the lobster. LOL. He looks like a rock. ~Michael Link to comment
CronicReefer Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Really beautiful tank dude, I love all the Florida corals. I must see a picture of your lobster as soon as you are able to snap one. I learned that mine doesn't really mind red lighting so I can see him at night without making him run for cover. Link to comment
michael_cb_125 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Yup, most invertebrates cannot detect red light wave lengths. This is how I have pulled many worms out of my systems.Thanks for the kind comments.~Michael Link to comment
JoeDigiorgio Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 FOLLOWING. btw...the green palys in the back behind the grandis polyps...did you collect those yourself? Because I got mine in the keys too if you did lol Link to comment
michael_cb_125 Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 Thanks Joe. Yes those plays are from the keys! ~Michael Link to comment
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