Our 210g reef tank thread - still going 2013!

[Kristy]

Well this was the weekend that we upgraded our 100g to the 210g and boy are we exhausted today. (If we had known what we were getting ourselves into, would we have done it?.... probably!)We captured a couple of photos to share the experience.FTS of our 100g (Before photo)http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank upgrade/Tankmovephotos.jpgEmpty 210g tank in our kitchenhttp://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank upgrade/Tankmovephotos001.jpgSide by side comparisonhttp://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank upgrade/Tankmovephotos002.jpgLivestock waiting for their new home (in Anthony's awesome tub!)http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank upgrade/Tankmovephotos003.jpg

[ErikH]

Now, it gets fun.... :p

[RayAllen]

They have already moved into the 210 but shes teasing us! Come on Now!

[Kristy]

Okay, so here is how it all turned out. Realize that we don't have all our lights in yet and these are heavy on actinic. (We are having some delivered tomorrow hopefully and then we still may have to play with them to decide if we have enough light). I am also still going to play with the rockwork, just had to get stuff in to get started, but we still have a big tub of live rock we could add.


FTS 210g
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank%20upgrade/Tankmovephotos004.jpg

Left end of tank
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank%20upgrade/Tankmovephotos006.jpg

Middle tank
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank%20upgrade/Tankmovephotos009.jpg

Middle tank, low
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank%20upgrade/Tankmovephotos010.jpg

Left end
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/tank%20upgrade/Tankmovephotos011.jpg

[Kristy]

So I tried to resize these photos and to rotate the last one, but apparently I linked the original and not the edited version, so that will have to do for now.
Will try to update with a couple more photos in a few days when all lighting is in, maybe a couple of shots of under the tank with fuge and sump, etc.

Just wanted to extend LOTS OF THANKS to everyone who helped with this project... Ray hooked us up with a great tank and helped to move it, Ace was good enough to help move the tank, loan us a barrel for water, and drill our fuge and plumb it to our sump, Tony was quick to volunteer to help move the tank and to drive his truck even though he'd never met us, Anthony let us use his great tub, Bernie transported the tub back to us from San Marcos, and Damon showed up to offer help every step of the way in every capacity.... what a guy! Can't express enough gratitude to everyone for their willingness to step up and help out!

-Kristy and Mike

[RayAllen]

Looking Good! I spy a powder blue tang.

[dannyv]

Kristy-

Nice setup, did you find a place for the lights i sold you?

[tony]

looking good!!!

[Kristy]

Kristy-

Nice setup, did you find a place for the lights i sold you?

Yep, they're in there (side by side with the 48" T5s we already had)! We knew we were just going to have enough lighting to get started, but figured we could look around and find more after the transfer. Of course now we are anxious to see it all REALLY lit up!

[apedroza]

Looking good!!!!

[ErikH]

I had a sneaking suspicion that y'all already had water in it! Looks like y'all took Ray and Ace's "How to do a tank build in ten minutes flat..."

[RayAllen]

I had a sneaking suspicion that y'all already had water in it! Looks like y'all took Ray and Ace's "How to do a tank build in ten minutes flat..."

LOL, if you do it enough you get pretty good at it.

[D_and_A_Custom]

It looks great guys!

It is easy to help people as wonderful as you guys.It made it a pleasure and i am also lerning alot from you too.

thanks

[stoneroller]

No more overflow!! Looking great ya'll.

[Kristy]

Yeah, shortly you will see an overflow or two in the for sale/trade section. :)
______

Thanks for all the compliments from everyone!

[Kristy]

Well, Erik asked me how our tank was doing and it occurred to me that we are way overdue for an update. The tank is about to be 6 months old. We've had a few struggles with cyano and other nuisance algaes and lots of general adjustments, but overall things are really starting to grow in and look happy.

Please excuse the mediocrity of my photography skills.

FTS more or less

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08015.jpg

[Kristy]

Side view(s)
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08008.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08005.jpg

Miscellaneous views
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08012.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08014.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08020.jpg

I've heard people complain that their yellow watchman is really shy. Ours is out most of the time. You can see him peeking out of his cave here.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08013.jpg
And less bashful here!
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08010.jpg
Our gorgonian is budding a new branch! Guess it's not dying a slow death after all...
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08026.jpg

Hardest working member of our reef: diamond goby
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08025.jpg

Thanks for looking!
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210glateAugust08002.jpg

[aquasport24]

very nice tank and nice pictures. You should put in for TOTM.

[Mr Cob]

very nice tank and nice pictures. You should put in for TOTM.

I second that!

[coraline79]

Kristy, Yalls tank looks great!!! Pming you a question.

[ErikH]

Looks fantastic! Y'all have done well!!! :)

[hobogato]

outstanding! it is really looking nice :)

[roscozman]

Looks Great Kristy...

[dustint21]

REEFTASTIC!!

[RayAllen]

I knew you two would turn that aquarium into something special. Well done.

[Kristy]

Thanks so much for all the huge compliments! That really is a thrill. The tank has grown and changed so dramatically over the past six months. Hard to imagine where we will be in six more months.

We are really just starting to get the hang of certain reef cheimistry concepts, like controlling pH, calcium, etc., which is helping us to feel a little more optimistic about the care of our reef. The learning curve in this hobby is steep! Maybe someday soon we won't feel like such reef-tards (but don't count on it)! :)

[RayAllen]

Reef-tards, love it. HAHA

[rg]

nice pictures

[topsoil]

I definitely have to swing by and see this tank!

[Kristy]

You totally should! We are right around the corner and will be around quite a bit this weekend.

Sending pm.

[neogenix]

No updates pics ?

[Kristy]

Thanks for inquiring. I am the world's worst about taking photos.... both in quality and frequency. Actually, Mike is the world's worst and I am the second worst. His photos often feature someone without a head in the shot and/or his finger in the corner. He inherited his photography skills from his mom who used to always capture someone in the worst possible moment like bending over, etc. We actually forgot to take photos of our daughter's high school graduation and had to re-stage the event later in a cap and gown.

Anyhoo.... surely we have some photo updates since 2008! That's kind of disgraceful! I will look for some / try to take some and post them up asap.

[Mr Cob]

Yeah....I've been waiting for updated pics since last time I commented. Aug 26, 2008.

No hurry though. Take your time. lol

[Big_Pun]

tank tour pics???

[Kristy]

tank tour pics???

Which tank tour.... 2009 or 2010?!? :D
There are a few really good photos of our tank in the archives, some from Tank tour pics by princer7 and also some from Pennies2cents.

[ErikH]

I need to get by there, just have been super busy with work.

[txav8r]

I need to get by there, just have been super busy with work.
well there you go. Problem solved!

[neogenix]

:D I blame Erik!

[ismvel]

Just came from there that tank is looking amazing. Very active tank with all the big fish and pumps swaying the anemones around.

[Mr Cob]

great....now we need video

[Mike]

Talk to Jack, he was just here and saw it. He can tell you all about it. Also, you are welcome anytime you want to come see it in person. No photos needed. :)

[ismvel]

His fish are gorgeous, has the prettiest Blue Hippo I have seen for that size. Usually at that size, they are all mangled looking, this one must be eating some steak - like meals cause it looks good. That GSM Clown is the biggest one I had ever seen and loved messing around with the diamond goby. The diamond goby would be hard at work sifting sand and the GSM would come and throw sand everywhere making that goby put in the work again. LOL....

That's it, it's settled. Tank watching party at Mike and Kristy's. Just please no more document revising ... LOL

P.S.
Mike you need an Achilles Tang... ;0)

[Mike]

The powder blue is the boss of that tank... maybe we should ask it if we should get an achilles... oh and thanks for the kind words on the tank. :)

[FireWater]

What's up with no updates Kristy and Mike? Still have water in it?

[hobogato]

here is a pic from the tank tour - really a mesmerizing tank!

http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12471&d=1317567252

[Kristy]

We are both terrible photographers, so thanks Ace for bringing our thread up to date!

[Mr Cob]

wow....Ace, got a larger pic?

[hobogato]

wow....Ace, got a larger pic?

bigger:

http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12471&d=1317567252

really bigger:

http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12578&d=1318286433

[Kristy]

No updates pics ?


Yeah....I've been waiting for updated pics since last time I commented. Aug 26, 2008.

No hurry though. Take your time. lol


tank tour pics???


What's up with no updates Kristy and Mike? Still have water in it?

Guess what, guys?? CoryDude dropped by the other day and gave us the greatest gift ever.... updated photos! He took about a million and emailed me 54 awesome photos, but I will post my favorite few to bring our thread up to date! :) Eternal gratitude to Cory!

[Kristy]

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g reef pics by Cory Jan 2012/DSC_6802.jpg


http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g reef pics by Cory Jan 2012/DSC_6899.jpg

[Kristy]

Some favorite fish photos...

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6747.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6696.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6614.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6570.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6800.jpg

[Kristy]

The same 4 tangs we had when we started this tank 4 years ago...

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6674.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6556.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6577.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6690.jpg

[Kristy]

And some corals, anemones, etc.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6743.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6588.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6539.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6634.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6922.jpg

[Kristy]

Just a few more!

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6926.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6943.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6846.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6871.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/210g%20reef%20pics%20by%20Cory%20Jan%202012/DSC_6826.jpg

[Zack]

Those green palys are BEAUTIFUL!

[BSJF]

Very nice pics. I always love seening your tank!

[hobogato]

that is one of the best looking tanks i have seen in a long time. great pics also cory

[alton]

Love the pictures, thanks for posting

[allan]

Love the colors, Kristy. Seems like chalices are cool, or do you just make it seem so? :)

[Europhyllia]

beautiful! What's the purple-pink stuff?

[Kristy]

Thanks guys for the kind words. Cory's photo skills don't hurt with that either!


beautiful! What's the purple-pink stuff?
That's a rainbow brain that I bought off Mizeny a couple years ago. She bought it from B&B when Jeremy got in that big Australian shipment. It actually has some yellow/green too on the edges.

[Europhyllia]

that's very cool looking!

By the way the 'easy SPS' I got in my elephant gift is actually still alive. You must have drenched it in some magic elixir while it was in your tank. lol

[grouch]

Beautiful tank Mike n Kristy. At the tank tour if you noticed I just sat at your table and couldn't take my eyes of it.

[Mr Cob]

I LOVE the "blended" coral look. Amazing. Love seeing all of the corals growing within one another.

[cowboy572]

Awesome tank! Love the tangs, makes me miss my Powder Blue from 110. Trying to get Sheila (kitkat72) to come by and see ya'lls tank.

[Bill S]

Reminds me I need to see this tank again. It's been way too long...

[Kristy]

Thanks for all the praise you guys! I was hoping you'd notice this thread, Rob, since you've been patiently waiting for some updated photos! :) Good to hear you've had luck with that SPS, Karin.


Reminds me I need to see this tank again. It's been way too long...
You are welcome at our house any time, Bill! It would be great to visit with you.

I often comment on how our tank doesn't change much, but looking back over this thread from the beginning, yeah, well... I guess it has just a bit!!

[kkiel02]

Tank tour to Kristy and Mikes! :)

[txg8gxp]

:applause: looking good....

[rrasco]

Tank looks awesome.

[CoryDude]

It's a fish dominant tank...no it's a coral tank...no it's a sps tank. That's what I enjoyed so much about y'alls tank. You really can't fit this tank in any one mold. A nice mix of just about everything. I think the only thing I didn't see in there was a clam. What's up Kristy, no love for the bi-valves?

BTW, the efflo and that rainbow brain are my two favorite corals in your tank.

[kkiel02]

I think she had the same problem as me with clams- Flame tail Benny. Cute fish but it's a terror to clams, brains, acans, etc. At least they had one last time I was there...

[CoryDude]

I kind of figured that. With that many different fish in there, there's got to at least one nipper amongst them.

[RayAllen]

Beautiful aquarium Kristy & Mike.

[Regric25]

WoW this is a stunning tank!!! Beautiful photography work as well Cory. I need to take lessons from you man!

[350gt]

More impressive in person..... Very nice tank

[Monica25]

You have a beautiful tank. I love all the colors looks like when I went snorkling,in hanauma bay Hawaii! And I love the Midas Benny!

[Kristy]

Thanks for all the kindness, everyone. Hanauma Bay... I've got some great memories from there!! And the Midas blenny has been such a great addition! I had read that sometimes they will school with the anthias since they are colored so alike. Sure enough, they get out there and swim in the current together and it is a beautiful sight to see!

[Kristy]

I think the only thing I didn't see in there was a clam. What's up Kristy, no love for the bi-valves?


I think she had the same problem as me with clams- Flame tail Benny. Cute fish but it's a terror to clams, brains, acans, etc. At least they had one last time I was there...

Yeah, we still have Osama the flame-tail terrorist and he gets a taste for all sorts of soft and pretty things, including clams, then seems to move on to something different. Still can't come up with a way to get him out of his caves and tunnels. But if we ever tear this tank down, I'm going to have to restrain myself on the retaliation. Thanks again, Erik for that little hitch-hiker bonus gift!! :)

This tank really seemed to come together at the one-year mark but has been surprising me lately (~4 years) with its nice growth and coloration.

[BSJF]

So, is it like a brand new tank without the bulb boxes on top? Need a new pic!

[Kristy]

It's been almost a year since the last update to this thread. Biggest ordeal of our reefing history happened with the tank crash in the beginning of June (lost several fish and almost all inverts, SPS, and LPS), and then I spent the whole summer in Guam as Mike moved heaven and earth to stop the loss of lives and stabilize things. We waited months before we added anything new, just to make sure we had fully turned the corner and even then we have been slow with the additions.

It's funny because when I asked Cory to come photograph the tank last year, I said, "things are just about as close to perfect as they are going to get, so let's get some pictures before things start to go wrong." Who knew how wrong they would go? Anywho, how about some updates?

Coral changes:
Added a nice frogspawn colony in the same spot we used to have two great big glorious ones
Some of the common soft corals that survived the crash have been thriving and without other neighboring corals keeping them in check, they have gained some real estate. Slowly but surely I am beginning a plan to reclaim my reef. If this doesn't work, I may have to get a new tank! Need to add more caps, turns out they were instrumental in keeping my stupid teal palys contained.

Fish changes:
long-nosed butterfly - had to replace the one we lost in the tank crash, just love this fish
rather than replace the yellow and powder blue tangs we lost, we added a sohal tang instead, it's a gorgeous flash of color even if it is a little crazy!
And....

[350gt]

I loved your tank when I first saw it.......

glad things are turning for the better....

Now where are the pics?

[Kristy]

Sunday we dropped by Elegant Reef for salt and saw an AMAZING selection of wrasses. We bought two that I fell in love with, but left a couple that were just as stunning for someone else (ahem, Sherita?). Then came home to do a nice slow acclimation drip, repair my mesh tops (they are wrasses, after all) and introduce them after dark. I couldn't be happier with the newest additions to the reef!

Here they are the first day checking out their new home. I put the net in the tank to block off that end of the tank as the pink skunk clownfish were being pretty nasty as the welcome committee (think they are about to lay another clutch of eggs) and threw a couple of PVC pipe pieces that I had offered them for hiding during acclimation as a therapeutic transitional object! Or another place to hide that none of the other fish can claim as their usual turf.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/photo_zps2f12b6a2.jpg

My gorgeous Labout's fairy wrasse:

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/photo_zps64605d85.jpg

And the ruby headed fairy wrasse I first saw a year ago in Denver and have been searching for since: (this guy is still spending a lot of time in the shadows, so forgive the lousy photo, it wasn't easy to get)!
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/photo_zpsf8c5de94.jpg

[CoryDude]

I think your tank looks as great as it did last year. Different direction, but great none the less. That ruby head wrasse has always been one of my favorite wrasses. Give him a few weeks and he'll be all over the place and in your face!

[350gt]

amazing

[Kristy]

Thanks Cory and Tony. The wrasses were a bit of a splurge - well the Labouts was anyway. But how often do you find livestock like that locally? And they eat like pigs so I felt good about their chances.

The tank turns five next week so it was a nice way to celebrate.

[hobogato]

happy bithday tank! great looking fishes :)

[Mr Cob]

Beautiful wrasses, great looking system...still.

Sent from my HTC VIVID using Tapatalk

[Louis]

Those wrasses look awesome! Congrats & happy birthday!

[Paul28]

very nice love the color in those guys

[Scutterborn]

Great turn around, Kristy and Mike. It looks really great. I can't wait to come over and see it!


-Ben-

[Kristy]

Those wrasses look awesome! Congrats & happy birthday!
I truly appreciate you carrying such high-end livestock. These were a great find!!

I appreciate the compliments Ace, Rob, and Paul. We lost a little color in our tank when the tank crashed, so these guys are sure bringing it back!!

[Scream311]

My gorgeous Labout's fairy wrasse:

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/photo_zps64605d85.jpg



Check Out that WRASSE !!! Glad to See Some Color Return to this Lovely Glass Cage of Life :-)