2Likes
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
*** January 2012 TOTM - Aaron ***
*** TOTM - JANUARY 2012 - Aaron ***
It gives me great pleasure to introduce this months TOTM winner is Aaron. Aaron after writing this for the SB had a disaster with the tank and what appeared to be a split in the tank. While the tank is no longer with him, we feel it only right to still run the TOTM article he wrote. Aaron is already on with his new build and I'm sure the time and dedication put into this tank will be emulated in your new system.
Congrats buddy
Introduction
I'd like to start by saying what I great honour it's been to have my tank chosen to be TOTM, I nearly spat my drink over the computer screen in shock when I received the PM from cdurkin.
I'd just like to say thanks to all the Mods that voted for me, I really had no idea that I'd even be considered for this let alone have my tank featured as there is some awesome systems out there.
The tank is unfortunately no more, on the 15th of December the base split, resulting in me having to break the system system down, re-home the fish and corals temporarily. However being awarded TOTM is a fitting way to end a system that I've had so much enjoyment from and learnt so much. I will be back, bigger and better. The pressure is already on to create something better than this tank. RIP Betta Lifespace 680.
It has now been replaced by a 36x36x24 sumped tank which is well on it's way to having my original stock back in.
The tank was started on the 27th of March 2011 and is my second ever marine tank, my first was a Kent Bioreef which i bought in January 2011 when I began reefing... Within 2 months I craved something bigger. Being still fairly new to reefing I like to keep things as simple as I can, although I've learnt a hell of a lot in the last 12 months some stuff goes over my head still.
The tank originally had a completely different aquascape when I first started it, however thanks to a bulldozing Urchin I ended up with a pile of rubble. Looking back, the Urchin did me a huge favour.
The system is predominantly LPS with a few SPS and softies. I love the aesthetics and movement LPS gives so it was a personal choice to go down this route. Also I'm not a twig lover, however there are some fantastic SPS systems on here. It's whatever floats your boat though.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x640.
The Tank
Betta Lifespace 680 in silver
Dimensions - 680mm x 550mm x 560mm (L x D x H)
Black background
Left hand side weir
Standard Betta 680 sump and pipe work
Volume after displacement is around 230L
Lighting
I started off using a 6 x 24w cheapo T5 unit, wasn't that impressed by it and I've always liked the shimmer metal halide gives so I switched to an Arcadia 150w halide unit and i run a 20K BLV bulb.
Circulation
I had two MP10W ES running at 60% and anti-synced on lagoon mode. The corals seem to love the flow. For my return I was running an Eheim Compact 3000+.
Filtration
Mechanical filtration consisted of a Bubble Magus NAC6 (fantastic skimmer) and a TMC V2 reactor. I ran Fauna Marin Ultra Phos in the reactor which I really rate. It's very clean as there is no rinsing required and it gives a visual indication when exhausted.
I had Chaeto lit 24/7 and ran carbon in a stocking in the sump.
Sump layout consisted of the following...
1st chamber - Skimmer and carbon.
2nd chamber - Two large pieces of live rock, Chaeto, heater and ATU water feed.
3rd chamber - Return pump, reactor, ATU sensor, salinity and PH probes, pump for Vecton 600 UV.
Heating and cooling
Heating was done via an Aqua Medic 300w Titanium heater and controlled by an ATC300. For cooling during the summer months a clip on fan was used between the halide and water surface. I was contemplating a chiller before the summer but the highest temperature the tank went was 28c so I got away without having to purchase one.
Supplementation
I didn't dose that much and what was dosed was done manually. I find the RSCP salt I use has good levels of Calcium, Magnesium and dKH. I used to check the levels around the 3rd or 4th day after my weekly water change and dose with Calcium Chloride and Bicarbonate of Soda if needed for the rest of the week. Magnesium never seemed to significantly drop enough between water changes to warrant dosing. I also added liquid iron after my water changes and added Phyto twice a week.
Maintenance
My maintenance regime consisted of weekly, fortnightly and monthly tasks.
Weekly - A 25L water change, emptying and cleaning out skimmer cup.
Fortnightly - Replace PO4 media and clean out reactor.
Monthy - Replace carbon and harvest Chaeto.
Problems Encountered
Oh my! Where to begin, I guess most people get problems at some point... I've had a few. The worst being Bryopsis Plumosa, the most evil algae going IMO, I nearly broke my system down over this stuff. It started off as a small patch as I didn't realise what it was and I was ripping it out by hand, to cut a long story short it spread everywhere. I tried raising the Magnesium levels, big water changes, upping the CUC, Sea Hare's, reduced feeding and lighting, nothing worked. Eventually I caved in to using a chemical attack against it as a last resort. The Fauna Marin Algae X cleared the lot and I've not looked back since.
Other than the Bryopsis, a few fish loses and coral loses when I first started things have been plain sailing.
Fish Stock and Feeding Regime
Peacock Wrasse (Macropharyngodon Bipartitus)
Chalk Basslet (Serranus Tortugarum)
Pair of Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion Percula)
Dracula Goby (Stonogobiops Dracula)
Flymo Blenny (Salarias Fasciatus)
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Exquisitus)
Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides Dimidiatus)
Bi colour Chromis (Chromis Margaritifer)
Scarlet Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus Armatus)
I fed a frozen mix once daily which consists of blister packs of Mysis, Krill, fish eggs, chopped Mussels, Artemia and Cyclopeeze thawed out, mixed together and re-frozen in bags. I also fed New Era flake once a day. I used DD Reef Paste couple of times a week and once every couple of weeks I feed live Bloodworm.
Coral Stock
I have 27 LPS colonies, 4 SPS colonies and one softie colony.
LPS wise I have, Euphyllia's, Blastomussa Wellsi, Acans, Favia, Fungia, Duncans, Lobophyllia, Acanthophyllia Deshayesiana and Caulastrea's.
SPS wise I have plating Montipora, Stylophora and Pocillopora.
Softie wise I have a small Zoanthid colony.
Invertebrates and Critters
Maxima Clam
Pom Pom crabs
Green Bubble Tip Anemone
Rose Bubble Tip Anemone
Pincushion Urchin
Tiger Pistol Shrimp
Boxing Shrimp
Hermits - Red, Blue and Halloween
Turbo Snails
Nassarius Snails
Green Mithrax Crabs
Parameters
Salt - Red Sea Coral Pro
Temp - 25.3
Salinity- 35.5PPT
Calcium (DD) - 450
Magnesium (DD) - 1450
Alkalinity (DD) - 9.6
PO4 (DD) - 0.04
Nitrate (API) - 0
Nitrite (API) - 0
Ammonia (API) - 0
Equipment List
Digital PH/Salinity meter
Seneye
150W Arcadia MH unit
Bubble Magus NAC6
Eheim compact + 3000
TMC reactor
300W AM Titanium heater
25L reefloat ATU
2 x MP10w es
TMC v2 Vecton 600
Eheim compact 600
Acknowledgements
Firstly I'd like to thank my partner for being supportive of the hobby, couple of times I've felt like quitting, she's been the voice of reason and forked out for my new upgrade. I'd just like to say thanks to all the people who have given me advice, pointers and tips in the last 12 months with reefing as well as the photography side of the hobby(especially thanks to Mick as my photos would still be dire!), I've learnt a great deal from you all and it's made my tank what it was.
Also, I'd to thank Adrian at Marine Life UK, he's sorted me out some lovely bits for my tank, provides a top service and was kind enough to take in my corals and some critters when my tank split open. Can't thank him enough and I wish more businesses operated like his. Also my LFS (World of Fishes) who provide me a great service and have helped me out no end, especially getting hold of a new custom built tank at the drop of a hat when I had this one fail.
Video
Here's a short video of the tank.
In HD.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RqfUXfFSLA"]Lifespace 680 Reef 11 - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RqfUXfFSLA"]Lifespace 680 Reef 11 - YouTube[/ame]
for reading.
RIP Betta Life Space 680.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Aaron_
