Okey, I have finally gotten around to post my new tank specs...
I tried the mixed reef thing for a couple of months, but my heart lies with NPS Coral. I then decided about 2 or 3 months ago to get rid of all things that need light, and go to where my heart lies...
So, I would like to introduce you to my second attemp at a dedicated Non Photosynthetic System. I learnt alot from my previous mistakes, and have also grown alot in knowledge and wisdom since then (last year this time...)
This tank is quite young, and there are still a great deal of improvement planned ahead - as and when finances allow for it.
So without further ado; let me introduce you to my latest NPS Dedicated Tank...
Tank Spec:
Dimensions: 700 x 450 x450
Sump:610 x 310 x 310
The reason for the smaller tank is quite simple; $$$!!! However much I would like to have a 3000litre tank, dealing with 80% water change weekly and also the flow required for such tank, skimmer size etc would just be too costly for me.
Filtration Methods:
* I have built my own DIY Recirculating skimmer, that really works well and is a key part of my system. The reason I opted for a recirculating skimmer, is that all the water from the tank will go directly into the skimmer reaction chamber, thus only clean(er) water will flow back into the system. The skimmer is set to run only for 12hours a day, and switches off with the return pump. The tank is thus without filtration for 12hours in which I feed, this gives the NPS coral enough time to feed as much as possible, and then the water is cleaned before it can go off in the DT and cause NH4 and NO3 problems.
* I do at least 10% water change twice a week. That gives me an 80% water change per month, and I have found this water change is key to helping to deal with the high amount of food I feed, and it helps reduce nitrates.
* I have a DSB made from playsand, and onto of the DSB I have Arag Alive and also mineral mud. With this I have some cheato to assist me further with nutrients and also help the pod population thrive, as pods are also crucial in assisting with food waste.
* I have around 15kg's of LR in the tank that are very healthy and is covered in life.
Lighting:
Because I only keep non photosynthetic coral I do not require any light at all. I do however run one 24W Actinic T5 just for viewing purposes, and I am modifying a Cree LED unit of mine that will give a bit more aesthetic to the tank. I only switch the lights on when I get home at night, or when I need to do something in the tank. This has helped alot with algae as I do feed alot, and algae may get the better of the situation with other lower Kelvin ligths present.
Feeding:
My main course for the evening is live brine nauplii. I am amazed to see the health of my coral since I have been feeding them live brine nauplii. This is something I did not do on my previous tank, and I am almost confident that this is quote key to a healthy NPS System. I do however supplement the live brine with Cyclop-Eeze; a name that has come up on every article or website I have read of people keeping NPS. Cyclop-Eeze really does also help alot with the coral health, and the reaction from the coral when cyclop-eeze is introduced to the tank is uncomparable to any other food. Then for the smaller polyped corals I feed Reef Snow, and Tropic Marin's Phyton and Zooton. Aminomega is also mixed with the food in small quantities.
At the moment, I feed daily, every evening. I am however busy experimenting with DIY auto feeders in a few ways. I will elaborate on the path I have chosen once I have done all my experiments. The plan is however that I will manually feed the coral between 17h00 and 18h00 in the evenings. Then the tank will be fed as soon as lights go out and fish go sleepy sleepy. I will then feed throughout the night until around 05h00 am, at which time the skimmer and the return pump will kick in to "clean" the water.
The amounts of food varies from type of food, but also will be adjusted as the tank is stocked. The more coral there is, the more mouths to feed, and the more food I will administer.
Flow:
One of the most important aspects about NPS is the flow. Too much and the polyps cannot grab the food particles rushing past it, yet too slow and the polyps will not expand to feed. Also, good flow assists to remove wasted food that might be on the coral tissue, and cause nutrient build up.
I have two pumps, one 3300 l/ph SunSun and one Seio Prop at the same volume. They are carefully adjusted and the corals were placed accordingly. I would however like to upgrade to two Nano Stream Tunze pumps, as they are smaller and the flow they generate is IMO a little better - but for now the combination of flow works very well.
Stocking Plans:
I already have many different NPS species, but ultimately I would like to have at least one of each. My focus would be more towards Gorgonians. Fishwise I do not have any fish in yet, as I would like to go all deepwater species.
My first introduction of fish would however be Sunburst Anthias (2). Then I would like to have a Golden Angel, and one Odontanthias Borbonius as the ultimate fish. If I can get some Ventralis (Longfin) Anthias that would also be great, but a tank that size will not be stocked with more than about 6 fish in total.
So, that is the read-up of the tank... I will now post some photo's as this is what you are here to see right?
FULL TANK SHOT:
FROM THE RIGHT SIDE:
FROM THE LEFT SIDE:
TUBASTREA MICRANTHA (Black Suncoral)
TUBASTREA FAULKNERI
This coral has was from the very first tank I had and I got it as a baby with only three heads. My father has been taking care of it so kudo's to him!!! Please note the before picture taken one year ago and the current photo taken last night...
BEFORE (December 2009) 3 heads
AFTER (December 2010) 16 heads
More pics to follow...
I tried the mixed reef thing for a couple of months, but my heart lies with NPS Coral. I then decided about 2 or 3 months ago to get rid of all things that need light, and go to where my heart lies...
So, I would like to introduce you to my second attemp at a dedicated Non Photosynthetic System. I learnt alot from my previous mistakes, and have also grown alot in knowledge and wisdom since then (last year this time...)
This tank is quite young, and there are still a great deal of improvement planned ahead - as and when finances allow for it.
So without further ado; let me introduce you to my latest NPS Dedicated Tank...
Tank Spec:
Dimensions: 700 x 450 x450
Sump:610 x 310 x 310
The reason for the smaller tank is quite simple; $$$!!! However much I would like to have a 3000litre tank, dealing with 80% water change weekly and also the flow required for such tank, skimmer size etc would just be too costly for me.
Filtration Methods:
* I have built my own DIY Recirculating skimmer, that really works well and is a key part of my system. The reason I opted for a recirculating skimmer, is that all the water from the tank will go directly into the skimmer reaction chamber, thus only clean(er) water will flow back into the system. The skimmer is set to run only for 12hours a day, and switches off with the return pump. The tank is thus without filtration for 12hours in which I feed, this gives the NPS coral enough time to feed as much as possible, and then the water is cleaned before it can go off in the DT and cause NH4 and NO3 problems.
* I do at least 10% water change twice a week. That gives me an 80% water change per month, and I have found this water change is key to helping to deal with the high amount of food I feed, and it helps reduce nitrates.
* I have a DSB made from playsand, and onto of the DSB I have Arag Alive and also mineral mud. With this I have some cheato to assist me further with nutrients and also help the pod population thrive, as pods are also crucial in assisting with food waste.
* I have around 15kg's of LR in the tank that are very healthy and is covered in life.
Lighting:
Because I only keep non photosynthetic coral I do not require any light at all. I do however run one 24W Actinic T5 just for viewing purposes, and I am modifying a Cree LED unit of mine that will give a bit more aesthetic to the tank. I only switch the lights on when I get home at night, or when I need to do something in the tank. This has helped alot with algae as I do feed alot, and algae may get the better of the situation with other lower Kelvin ligths present.
Feeding:
My main course for the evening is live brine nauplii. I am amazed to see the health of my coral since I have been feeding them live brine nauplii. This is something I did not do on my previous tank, and I am almost confident that this is quote key to a healthy NPS System. I do however supplement the live brine with Cyclop-Eeze; a name that has come up on every article or website I have read of people keeping NPS. Cyclop-Eeze really does also help alot with the coral health, and the reaction from the coral when cyclop-eeze is introduced to the tank is uncomparable to any other food. Then for the smaller polyped corals I feed Reef Snow, and Tropic Marin's Phyton and Zooton. Aminomega is also mixed with the food in small quantities.
At the moment, I feed daily, every evening. I am however busy experimenting with DIY auto feeders in a few ways. I will elaborate on the path I have chosen once I have done all my experiments. The plan is however that I will manually feed the coral between 17h00 and 18h00 in the evenings. Then the tank will be fed as soon as lights go out and fish go sleepy sleepy. I will then feed throughout the night until around 05h00 am, at which time the skimmer and the return pump will kick in to "clean" the water.
The amounts of food varies from type of food, but also will be adjusted as the tank is stocked. The more coral there is, the more mouths to feed, and the more food I will administer.
Flow:
One of the most important aspects about NPS is the flow. Too much and the polyps cannot grab the food particles rushing past it, yet too slow and the polyps will not expand to feed. Also, good flow assists to remove wasted food that might be on the coral tissue, and cause nutrient build up.
I have two pumps, one 3300 l/ph SunSun and one Seio Prop at the same volume. They are carefully adjusted and the corals were placed accordingly. I would however like to upgrade to two Nano Stream Tunze pumps, as they are smaller and the flow they generate is IMO a little better - but for now the combination of flow works very well.
Stocking Plans:
I already have many different NPS species, but ultimately I would like to have at least one of each. My focus would be more towards Gorgonians. Fishwise I do not have any fish in yet, as I would like to go all deepwater species.
My first introduction of fish would however be Sunburst Anthias (2). Then I would like to have a Golden Angel, and one Odontanthias Borbonius as the ultimate fish. If I can get some Ventralis (Longfin) Anthias that would also be great, but a tank that size will not be stocked with more than about 6 fish in total.
So, that is the read-up of the tank... I will now post some photo's as this is what you are here to see right?
FULL TANK SHOT:
FROM THE RIGHT SIDE:
FROM THE LEFT SIDE:
TUBASTREA MICRANTHA (Black Suncoral)
TUBASTREA FAULKNERI
This coral has was from the very first tank I had and I got it as a baby with only three heads. My father has been taking care of it so kudo's to him!!! Please note the before picture taken one year ago and the current photo taken last night...
BEFORE (December 2009) 3 heads
AFTER (December 2010) 16 heads
More pics to follow...
