The start of my 300Gal starfire SPS tank

[copperband]

Your tank is awesome.

[beareef19]

Amazing pics but they do not do your tank justice this tank is just amazing I could of just stared at it all day long but I think Brian and Christina finally kicked me out and said that they were tired and had to go to sleep........JK BEAUTIFUL TANK as always Thank You for sharing info with me and letting me into your home to see your wonderful piece of the reef.


Barry

[greenmako]

Ok onto random shots

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245791746-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792031-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792168-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792441-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792623-L.jpg

Caferacermike's Efflo and Duncan's
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792988-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793127-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793228-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793314-L.jpg

[BioCube14]

SWEET tank I think its the best i have seen by far very clean setup those sps are amazing

[greenmako]

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793400-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793423-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793954-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245794601-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245794893-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245794952-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245795816-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245795918-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245797877-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245796042-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245796086-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245796519-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245796354-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245796421-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245796559-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245797858-L.jpg

[greenmako]

Ok my fingers are tired and I think I broke the "bracket", "i" ,"m", "g" key's on my computer.

I also had my 1/2hp Chiller act up on me so for the last two days I plumbed in a 1hp chiller which will work much better for the tank. The 1/2hp just had to work to much on my tank. I will post up some after pictures of the new chiller.

I also got a new calcium reactor same as my other deltec just much BIGGER
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245798094-M.jpg

I haven't plumbed it up yet but its on my list of chores to do.

I'm also going to slowly replace the sand in my tank with new sand, as well as I'm going to try Radiums very soon to see how I like them.

I have a lot of Coral's hitting each other but none of them are out right killing the others. Some are growing onto others which is pretty cool.

[greenmako]

Is your pm box empty? it wont be for long.. awesome
LOL I'll check and see


Absolutely jaw-dropping. All I can say is "WOW".
Thanks

lol plug and play. :)

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245794460-M.jpg
LOL thats funny it is plug and play as I'm trying to find a good home for it


Those are some of the most amazing corals I have ever seen!!! I can't wait til the frag swap!!!
lol yea I have my own frag swap everyday almost lol lots of corals get broke with large fish



Simply amazing!
Thanks man!


Your tank is awesome.
Thanks!


Amazing pics but they do not do your tank justice this tank is just amazing I could of just stared at it all day long but I think Brian and Christina finally kicked me out and said that they were tired and had to go to sleep........JK BEAUTIFUL TANK as always Thank You for sharing info with me and letting me into your home to see your wonderful piece of the reef.


Barry
LOL Thanks Barry for coming out it was great to have you over it had been a long time. Hope your tank is doing great!


SWEET tank I think its the best i have seen by far very clean setup those sps are amazing
Thank you very much!

[hobogato]

i bet the totm people at rc will be around your house before long :wink_smile:

[TexasTodd]

100% perfect.

Great job Brian and Chrissy!

Todd

[jaustiniv]

That is one sweet Tank, your hard work is really paying off!

Congrats!

[erikharrison]

Seriously Brian, my girlfriend and I are both in such awe. She takes pictures all day and night and we are always floored by your uncanny ability to get the shots that you get. I absolutely love those clam shots, they are gorgeous. Again, kudos, you humble us all!

[cpreefguy]

Brian, remind me what camera/lens you use...

[JeffCo]

Fantastic shots, love the growth rate in your tank.

[captexas]

Incredible pictures! It's amazing to see the growth in your tank over a year's time. It's a shame all of our ocean's reefs aren't as beautiful as that. I think Mother Nature needs to put Brian in charge of rebuilding the reefs! :shades:

Have any of your pics been published? I would expect some of the hobby/trade magazines to jump on them.

[MissT]

Brian, incredible as always. Your photography almost does the corals justice :wink_smile:

[stoneroller]

WOW!!!! Quite eye-opening, I never knew that hard corals could grow that fast in a man-made system.

Just curious, how well do zoanthids do in your tank. I can spot at least one colony.

[KyleV]

omg!

[Mr_Cool]

If I hadn't been to a meeting or two at your house in SA, I wouldn't believe the pics! Just amazing!

[greenmako]

i bet the totm people at rc will be around your house before long :wink_smile:

:ph34r:I'm watching out for them LOL



100% perfect.

Great job Brian and Chrissy!

Todd

Thanks man couldn't have done it without you, thanks for the awesome deal on the coral and equipment!



That is one sweet Tank, your hard work is really paying off!

Congrats!

Thank you!



Seriously Brian, my girlfriend and I are both in such awe. She takes pictures all day and night and we are always floored by your uncanny ability to get the shots that you get. I absolutely love those clam shots, they are gorgeous. Again, kudos, you humble us all!

Thank you for the complements I truly applicate them!


Brian, remind me what camera/lens you use...

Do I have too.....LOL Cannon Digital Rebel Xti with Cannon 100mm macro lens


Fantastic shots, love the growth rate in your tank.

Thanks love your tank, one of these days I would like to see it in person


Incredible pictures! It's amazing to see the growth in your tank over a year's time. It's a shame all of our ocean's reefs aren't as beautiful as that. I think Mother Nature needs to put Brian in charge of rebuilding the reefs! :shades:

Have any of your pics been published? I would expect some of the hobby/trade magazines to jump on them.

Thanks lol, yea I have had two or three of my photo's published as well as put on some reef products.


Brian, incredible as always. Your photography almost does the corals justice :wink_smile:

LOL thanks!


WOW!!!! Quite eye-opening, I never knew that hard corals could grow that fast in a man-made system.

Just curious, how well do zoanthids do in your tank. I can spot at least one colony.

They would do a whole lot better if I didn't have my Regal Angel if the zoo's stay open they are fine but if they close for any length of time he eats them.



omg!

:rofl:Thanks


If I hadn't been to a meeting or two at your house in SA, I wouldn't believe the pics! Just amazing!

Thanks!

[greenmako]

This is a messy shot of the new chiller (old chiller on the ground next to it). My next project is to hide the chiller so that it isn't ugly lol will post pictures when I get that done
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/247021748-L.jpg
and here is an updated plumbing shot from under the tank
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/247021773-L.jpg

and here is a new full room shot I took tonight
http://www.greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/247021459-L.jpg

[Bill S]

Wow, Brian, I thought my plumbing was insane... My wife says I can't die 'cause she wouldn't know what to do with the plumbing!

Is the old chiller any good, and how big is it? What did you replace it with?

[lhoy]

My wife has just asked who she should call if I die!! Too funny Bill. If Brian goes Christina can just keep the tank going. Hmm, sounds like Brian needs to sleep with one eye open then!!

Lee

[Bill S]

Yeah, when someone asks me for my "Emergency Contact", I give them Ace's number.:rofl:

[greenmako]

Wow, Brian, I thought my plumbing was insane... My wife says I can't die 'cause she wouldn't know what to do with the plumbing!

Is the old chiller any good, and how big is it? What did you replace it with?

lol yea my wife doesn't know it the plumbing that well either and actually John (thedude) and I know all of it lol. But now John has some catching up b/c I added a lot of plumbing lol.

Yea I think the old chiller is fine I just think it was having to work to much during the day with my tank it is a 1/2hp Pacific coast model. I replaced it with TexasTodd's old chiller its 1hp I've had it for over 9months now but just been lazy about plumbing it in. But I would rather plumb it in during winter than summer lol

[thedude]

Great now I have to learn more plumbing haha.

One thing to mention is that you probably haven't ever cleaned your chiller (acid) which makes it less effective over time. Once a year or so you should take a compressor and blow out the chiller then fill it with a strong muriatic acid solution to eat away any calcium deposits.

John

[greenmako]

My wife has just asked who she should call if I die!! Too funny Bill. If Brian goes Christina can just keep the tank going. Hmm, sounds like Brian needs to sleep with one eye open then!!

Lee

LOL!! Brian sleeps with both eyes open, a light on, his shoes, on, and his speed dial is set for 9-1-1. He's still just not fast enough though:ph34r: He'll actually have to load the guns too, if he doesnt cover up that chiller and all that 'crazy plumbing.':bighug::bighug::bighug:
-christina

[JimD]

Ok onto random shots

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245791746-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792031-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792168-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792441-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792623-L.jpg

Caferacermike's Efflo and Duncan's
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245792988-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793127-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793228-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245793314-L.jpg
Wow Brian! The tanks really maturing nicely, very very nice!

[greenmako]

Thanks JimD!

[greenmako]

got the new reactor working and producing good numbers here is a shot of the beast rocking and rolling

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/254933239_8DLwy-O.jpg

Mike (Mojo) came over and brought his PAR meter with him so I got to get some PAR numbers on my tank. Following what Mike told me did on his picture, numbers that are larger are closer to the front of the tank vice versa

I didn't make an image with values for when the VHO's were the only bulbs on but the numbers are:

72" VHO above water value was: 425
just below water value: 180
24" VHO above water value was: 250
just below water value: 156

Below values on the FTS are with all VHO's and MH's on. I did the readings with both Radiums and 10k reeflux bulbs both were very similar in numbers.

Starting from right to left the ballasts go regular electric, 430 electric, 430 electric, regular electric.

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/256723756_8nJai-O.jpg

Thanks Mike for coming over and chatting reef and taking some par values!

[stoneroller]

Real cool. Can you remind us of your lighting schedule... And are you going to adjust it based on these readings?

[JeffCo]

What kind of media is that in your reactor. I don't think I've ever seen media that's black/white.

Also, are you using a combo of radium and reeflux or are you going with all radiums?

[greenmako]

Real cool. Can you remind us of your lighting schedule... And are you going to adjust it based on these readings?
VHO's on for 12hrs

MH's on for 6hrs

I'm not going to adjust anything I liking the growth I'm getting now.



What kind of media is that in your reactor. I don't think I've ever seen media that's black/white.

Also, are you using a combo of radium and reeflux or are you going with all radiums?

Its 84 lbs Rowalith C+ reactor media by Deltec:bigsmile:

I'm running every other bulb as a Radium and the others are 10k's I really like the look of the tank with this combo.

[JeffCo]

now that's alot of media..............I think I need to upgrade......
Let me know if you see a difference in the coral color. I've been thinking about trying the radiums as well, but I love my 10k's.

[sharkboy]

What kind of par meter was used?

[greenmako]

now that's alot of media..............I think I need to upgrade......
Let me know if you see a difference in the coral color. I've been thinking about trying the radiums as well, but I love my 10k's.

I will let you know I like the mix of both so far all of them as radiums looked good but was really blue


What kind of par meter was used?
I don't know what brand it was he told me but I forgot lol

[greenmako]

Took some shots of whats growing behind the rock work.

I don't have a lens that can take the picture without me being pressed against the wall so the pictures are a little out of whack.

http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374580_9hDe2-XL.jpg

http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374474_SGPDd-XL.jpg

http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374745_8WeQC-L.jpg

http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374783_uJpWF-M.jpg

Texas Todd's Green Table
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374866_VoiRF-L.jpg

Half of my Mike Paletta's Lovelii
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374932_tgfdJ-L.jpg

Samoensis and Bali colony growing together so far in harmony
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374968_bYBdq-L.jpg

Leng Sy
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375043_KxY69-L.jpg

Blue Catspaw
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375196_zmGHy-L.jpg


and here are some other shots I took

Pink Lemonade
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375445_kjNgT-L.jpg

bali table, Mami orchid, Meridiana
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375472_TuhRD-L.jpg

Turaki
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375288_EHr99-XL.jpg

coral island
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375345_fmmrz-L.jpg

http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375411_8xfEF-L.jpg

Green and Blue Tenius
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375381_Ntbmm-L.jpg

[cpreefguy]

Wow, I hope my tank looks as good as the back of yours lol
Nice shots as always, I think that pink lemonade needs to be fragged :D

[greenmako]

and the softies in the tank which are also in the back LOL They are some of Christina's favorites and some of my worst enemies:ph34r::rofl:

These remind me of a reverse superman
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374699_HMUuD-XL.jpg

Tongan Bullseye
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374633_3K2tM-XL.jpg

Huge green pipe organ, that has been fragged in half 3 times now lol
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271374672_b9KKA-L.jpg

super huge frilly mushrooms and a galaxia (blurry one)
http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375072_LghXS-L.jpg

http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375123_m5ndp-L.jpg

http://www.greenmako.com/photos/271375161_Esbto-L.jpg

[C.Mydas]

Yeah, I have to walk around the back and remove the black panels if I wanna look at my corals...lol.

:ph34r:The mushrooms, however, seem to be spreading throughout the tank.:ph34r: Serves him right for trying to hide them:bigsmile:

-christina

[MissT]

awesome, as always!

[greenmako]

Thanks!

[RayAllen]

friggin sweet

So on your light schedule you posted 12 hours VHO and 6 MH.

Is it safe to assume you Start of day 3 hours of VHO, Mid day Combo of VHO/MH for 6 and End day with 3 hours of VHO.... Im interested and thinking of adding a pair of VHO or T5 along with my MH and your growth is amazing so I figured why not give it a shot.

[greenmako]

thanks, yes that is almost exactly how my lighting works now especially since the time changed lol now my MH's come on at 2pm

[greenmako]

haven't updated the thread in a while been super busy but here is an updated FTS. I re-did the bulbs I'm now running: Radium, 10k, 10k, Radium.

I also raised my lights up to slow the growth down a bit but it hasn't seemed to stop it lol


Shot from March 14, 2008
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245798184_bjRfn-L.jpg

New shot from today May 21, 2008
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/299259634_quKSG-L.jpg

[ErikH]

Awe-inspiring tank fine sir. You have a coral factory on your hands! So.... whatcha gonna do next :bigsmile:

[LoneStar]

Nothing but great comments from the reef geeks up here where I work Brian!

[greenmako]

Awe-inspiring tank fine sir. You have a coral factory on your hands! So.... whatcha gonna do next :bigsmile:

I think I'm going to do a goldfish tank LOL


Nothing but great comments from the reef geeks up here where I work Brian!

Thanks!

[p00num3lli]

dude.... if i owned your tank i would be the happiest guy on EARTH. your tank makes mine look like dirt:bigsmile:.

love the birdsnest.. biggest ive ever seen, and love the rockwork. i cant get my rocks in the way i like at all, i try and try but i never like it,lol. but when i see other peoples tanks im like i love there rock work:bigsmile:

[greenmako]

dude.... if i owned your tank i would be the happiest guy on EARTH. your tank makes mine look like dirt:bigsmile:.

love the birdsnest.. biggest ive ever seen, and love the rockwork. i cant get my rocks in the way i like at all, i try and try but i never like it,lol. but when i see other peoples tanks im like i love there rock work:bigsmile:

Thanks my tank makes me happy as well:)

[JeffCo]

nice, you can really see the growth from the corals on the right side of the tank.

[SoLiD]

Off Topic: How did Sean (CPReefguy) Take over this thread??? :confused:

[blueboy]

i love the regal angel, one of my favorites.

[LoneStar]

Off Topic: How did Sean (CPReefguy) Take over this thread??? :confused:


When we transfered software on MAAST (new website design) a lot of Brian's posts got lost in the process.

[greenmako]

I have been honored with winning TOTM on ReefItalia you can check it out here:

http://www.reefitaliascience.it/magazine/2008-3/vascamese.html

[sharkboy]

Wow!! Awesome translation...congrats!!

[LoneStar]

Congradulations! Bello carro armato Brian!

[DrMark]

Wonderful, Brian.
mark

[cpreefguy]

Way cool Brian!

[Kristy]

Wow! Such a huge honor... always knew you (and your tank) were world class, now others are recognizing it too!

[apedroza]

Now your internationally known!!! WAAAY cool!!! Great job Brian and Christina!!

[greenmako]

Thanks everyone!

[RayAllen]

Wow! Next thing you know people are going to be flying you from place to place to speak on reef tanks. Your aquarium is truely amazing.

[greenmako]

lol that would be fun!

[greenmako]

Haven't updated in a long time and took a few shots before work this morning. Tank has been doing pretty well considering me not really paying any attention to it. I've move a few colonies around, sold a few and lost a couple do to me not seeing that I was out of C02 and a couple other mishaps.
Recently I generally upset a lot of them with low alk so I'm just now getting color back and a few still need a lot of coloring back up.
Also still dealing with bryopsis but now I just let it grow for a while then pick it out.

well on to the pic's:
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424068803_pcgsT-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424068734_KMPdw-XL.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424068867_F95pW-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424068924_aYnh8-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424070122_ELCEP-O.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424068993_cJ7HR-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069052_kzF9S-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069121_VQPjH-M.jpg

[greenmako]

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069188_HyCYh-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069276_AcB6B-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069378_jKikF-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069436_mEZez-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069490_VuyPp-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069577_gBNPi-XL.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069628_PKghA-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069734_noEiR-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069812_AmiFD-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069871_mjJQ7-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069923_hVNQ3-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424069982_PiDt9-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424070040_JCHfN-L.jpg

Full Tank Shot
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424070860_Gqs6H-XL.jpg

[cpreefguy]

It is so grown in that it looks completely different!
Awesome, awesome stuff :D

[JimD]

Lookin good!

[sharkboy]

WOW!! Sean was right on the money...

[DrMark]

glad you updated, I think it looks fantastic

[aquasport24]

Another WOW....can't stop drooling.

[Mr Cob]

Man...that is just SICK!!! Absolutely beautiful! So many colors.

[txav8r]

That is amazing!! My hat's off to you!

[stoneroller]

Looks great!

[greenmako]

It is so grown in that it looks completely different!
Awesome, awesome stuff :D

Thanks man, yea looks a lot different from when it was first setup


Lookin good!

Thanks Jim


WOW!! Sean was right on the money...

Thanks!


glad you updated, I think it looks fantastic

Thanks its been awhile since I updated but I'll try to keep it up.


Another WOW....can't stop drooling.

LOL thanks


Man...that is just SICK!!! Absolutely beautiful! So many colors.

Thanks, but I had better colors a few months back but it looks to be on the come back


That is amazing!! My hat's off to you!

thanks!


Looks great!

Thank you

[mikedelgado]

you could charge admission to view that bad boy!!!

[roscozman]

WOW. That gives me motivation to keep up with this hobby...

[Noober]

That is straight off the hook.... man one day mabe my tank will look 1/4 that good and It will blow away any tank I've ever seen even then lol.... great work, let me know when you need to trim it back and i'll be your trash can for the frags hahaha..... lots of work i can tell but looks like it was well worth it, you should be mighty proud!

[Nunzy]

That is one nice tank. Congrats on a job well done!

[greenmako]

I've had a great run....but as of late I find I just don't have the time nor the passion I once had for my tank. I had a rough last couple of months and b/c of alk issues I have lost quite a bit of coral. So very soon I will have everything for sale. I may be out now but I'm sure I will be back in the future, as I just need a break now.

Peace out and happy reefing!
-Brian

[LittleReef]

I'm looking at my dream tank! B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.


Also, no! :'( i like gasping at pretty pictures of pretty tanks. :(((((

[BIGBIRD123]

Give me a call...I'll change your mind...You're my "Ambassador Kwan"....

S

[hobogato]

******.

[DrMark]

wow, major surprise, sorry.
i think for most this hobby is a big cycle.......

[aquasport24]

I've had a great run....but as of late I find I just don't have the time nor the passion I once had for my tank. I had a rough last couple of months and b/c of alk issues I have lost quite a bit of coral. So very soon I will have everything for sale. I may be out now but I'm sure I will be back in the future, as I just need a break now.

Peace out and happy reefing!
-Brian

It be sad to see you break that beautiful tank down , i've seen that alot with past RC TOTM did the same thing. Thank you for sharing and you had represented us well on RC and all over the world.

[Texreefer]

Thats a bummer...

[apedroza]

I don't believe it!!! Brian and Christina were one of the first people I got frags from when I started on MAAST. Your tank has always been an inspiration. Hopefully you won't stay out too long!!

[cpreefguy]

I know how you feel. I'm sure that whatever you decide will be the right decision for you.
Still sad to see it go...

[sharkie]

That sucks.

I met you a couple of years ago and picked up some frags for my 45. Your tank was awesome and the corals looked even better. I still remember talking to you about your oregon blue tort, and how the new anemone you got better not get to close or it was going back to aquatek.

The frags I got from you thrived and grew really large over the last couple of years. Unfortunately, when I moved houses a few months back, I lost a lot of them.

Anyways, good luck, and I hope you make it back to the hobby.

BTW, I call dibs on a frag of the oregon blue tort, if you still have any. :)

But seriously, you and your tank will be missed.

-- chiu



I've had a great run....but as of late I find I just don't have the time nor the passion I once had for my tank. I had a rough last couple of months and b/c of alk issues I have lost quite a bit of coral. So very soon I will have everything for sale. I may be out now but I'm sure I will be back in the future, as I just need a break now.

Peace out and happy reefing!
-Brian

[brewercm]

Brian,
I wish you the best in what you decide to do in the long run and I'm sure it will end up that way. Your tanks just always look the best. I hated seeing my large 135g tank (nano compared to yours) go but love the easier to deal with smaller footprint. It made it feal like a hobby again instead a second job.

[LoneStar]

Good luck with your future endeavors Brian!

[gjuarez]

Hey there brian, hate to see ya tear down that tank but you gotta do what you gotta do. Its simply amazing. Good luck with everything and hopefully it wont be long term. How bout a FOWLR for now?

[Marlin]

Wow!! You have the most beautiful reef tank I have ever seen. Sorry to hear you're shutting it down. Best of luck and hope you'll get back into it soon.

Rick

[greenmako]

Thanks for all the kind words, I'll be back eventually but a little break will be nice as well as a normal electricity bill to boot lol.

I still have plenty Oregon Blue and will be fraggin and sell coral soon.

I thought about a FOWLR but I would still be eating massive electric bills. When I come back my tank will be a much smaller foot print.

Thanks again,
Brian

[JimD]

Brian, let me know if you have any cool deepwater bottlebrushes, I might know someone who may be interested in them..... I sure understand the taking a break thing, sometimes it just gets to ba all consuming and a lay off does wonders for your interest,. Smaller tanks can be equaly as interesting, just not as demanding, a lot of it is addiction though. lol....

[Bill S]

Brian, I know EXACTLY how you feel. We've really, really simplified ours - and our electric bill for the tank is down about 60%. Still in the rebuilding stage, as I'm still cycling rock back to the tank.

I've been in and out of this hobby for over 35 years. The crazy part is that RIGHT after you decide to downsize/get out, you start planning the next one. It's an addiction.

[sharkboy]

Wow! I'm sure you guys have thought about this long and hard but it stinks to see such a phenomenal tank broken down...come back soon!

[greenmako]

Brian, let me know if you have any cool deepwater bottlebrushes, I might know someone who may be interested in them..... I sure understand the taking a break thing, sometimes it just gets to ba all consuming and a lay off does wonders for your interest,. Smaller tanks can be equaly as interesting, just not as demanding, a lot of it is addiction though. lol....

I lost all of my deepwater acros with the alk swing, I'm looking forward for a little time off, and I agree about the smaller tanks



Wow! I'm sure you guys have thought about this long and hard but it stinks to see such a phenomenal tank broken down...come back soon!

Yes it was a long and hard decision but at this point I want the coral to be healthy and in the care of someone who has the time.


Brian, I know EXACTLY how you feel. We've really, really simplified ours - and our electric bill for the tank is down about 60%. Still in the rebuilding stage, as I'm still cycling rock back to the tank.

I've been in and out of this hobby for over 35 years. The crazy part is that RIGHT after you decide to downsize/get out, you start planning the next one. It's an addiction.


Yea I already know what my next tank will be lol, but yes I will LOVE to have a normal electric bill, as last month we paid $700 and its not even hot yet.

[gjuarez]

I know its not the best time to ask this but did those people eater's morph? I see they have some speckles, I had never seen any like that

[greenmako]

only have a couple like that now, its what happens when you put them in high light.

[Bill S]

Brian,

I really, really considered getting rid of the tank. I got real close. Now, I'm glad I didn't.

I wanted a low-maintenance, low ongoing cost, high-reliability system, and wanted fish and whatever else would work with the above.

Right now, we run the MH for only about 3 hours a day. VHO Actinics run 10 hours. Chiller kicks on just a few times a day, for just a few minutes. Electric bill is down about 70%. I have no Ca reactor, no Kalk reactor. I have my ACII set up to run fans if the temp gets too high - in case of a chiller failure - and an alarm if it gets above 82. I do a 37 gallon water change every 2 weeks. That's it.

I just didn't want to tear everything down, and then repair the walls/ceilings. And, we really like the tank with actinics in the master bedroom.

[sly fox]

sorry to hear you are going to take a break...one of my favourite tanks ive seen pics of...

[camaroracer214]

dude...don't do it!!! that tank is way to freaking gorgeous.

[greenmako]

she is finally clean here is a short life story of my 300gallon:

start:

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/114797287_Eo3F8-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/120891988_du2Hv-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/122968495_gMjCh-L.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/126334809_dfzY8-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/127273475_xUBGm-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/129914280_nvnKX-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/132941290_jFB3R-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/137173319_EFKze-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/145671868_c4JZe-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/160805280_Jm2EN-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/190823544_gh2HM-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/245798166_7fL64-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/299259502_e4pqr-M.jpg

http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/424070860_Gqs6H-L.jpg

the end
http://greenmako.smugmug.com/photos/538130512_nSA4g-M.jpg

[sharkboy]

Now what? what are you gonna do with the fish room?

[Big_Pun]

:cry_smile: really sad, hope it works out for you
good luck

[OrionN]

I've had a great run....but as of late I find I just don't have the time nor the passion I once had for my tank.....
Peace out and happy reefing!
-Brian
From some one who had a 400 g tank, I totally understand your feeling. Small tanks are great, and they are so much easier, and cheaper to care for.

[apedroza]

You had and amazing run Brian. Hopefully you and Christina will be back soon.

[greenmako]

Now what? what are you gonna do with the fish room?

Once the tank is sold it will be turned back into a regular room as well and I will be tiling the whole downstairs as well.


:cry_smile: really sad, hope it works out for you
good luck

thanks it will, yesterday we didn't have power for for over 3 hrs and I kept saying to myself "thank God I don't have the tank running". lol


From some one who had a 400 g tank, I totally understand your feeling. Small tanks are great, and they are so much easier, and cheaper to care for.

yup I agree


You had and amazing run Brian. Hopefully you and Christina will be back soon.

thanks man!

[stoneroller]

You and yours and the tank were a great inspiration for many who tagged along or had the chance to visit. Seeing the growth rate of coral was astounding and left an impression on me I'll never forget. In particular, it leaves me hope that reefs around the world will rebound if given the chance. Thanks.

[gjuarez]

Yup, a great inspiration to all of us. Hope you guys come back soon, even if its a small tank. Christina always built some awesome nanos. Sorry Brian, but she had more talent than you with the aquascaping. LOL. See you guys soon, hopefully sooner than later. Here's a tequila shot in memory of the tank.

[greenmako]

You and yours and the tank were a great inspiration for many who tagged along or had the chance to visit. Seeing the growth rate of coral was astounding and left an impression on me I'll never forget. In particular, it leaves me hope that reefs around the world will rebound if given the chance. Thanks.

Thanks I appreciate the compliments


Yup, a great inspiration to all of us. Hope you guys come back soon, even if its a small tank. Christina always built some awesome nanos. Sorry Brian, but she had more talent than you with the aquascaping. LOL. See you guys soon, hopefully sooner than later. Here's a tequila shot in memory of the tank.

thanks!, and yes very true she always will be better at that then me LOL