TOTM February 2011 - txg8gxp

[BSJF]

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/MAAST_2011_02_Stephen_TOTM_Pics/totmfebcurved.jpg

For February, we are getting to know the 57-gallon Oceanic Illuminata system of Stephen Thompson. Stephen is relatively new to saltwater tanks, having been a MAAST member and saltwater tank owner for just over a year. The attached file is a multi-page article highlighting his tank setup.

This thread is devoted to Stephen, so come and sit for a while and ask him questions about his setup. If this isn't enough for you, we will also be highlighting video of his tank at our 1st Quarter TOTM Social.

-- TOTM Committee

11081

[Europhyllia]

Congratulations Stephen! Beautiful little tank :)

[CoryDude]

Way to go Stephen. This was an awesome tank to see in person. I'll post again when I can think of a good question.

It seemed larger than 57 gallons.

[BSJF]

I'm wondering when he is going to add a misting cycle to the tank?

[Europhyllia]

LOL
Stop it. You make me want to get a chameleon...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/MAAST_2011_02_Stephen_TOTM_Pics/P2260372.jpg

[txg8gxp]

^hahahaha he's looking at me like I can't catch him

[BSJF]

He was really hard not to include in the article. Had to slap myself a few times for trying to slip him in.

[CoryDude]

My 3 year old was talking about the "frog" and "ribbit" after Stephen let him play with it, all the way home.

Yeah Stephen, when are you going to install the subwoofers so you can get a rumble going during the lightning storms?

[allan]

LOL
Stop it. You make me want to get a chameleon...
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z113/bluespotjawfish/MAAST_2011_02_Stephen_TOTM_Pics/P2260372.jpg

Every time I see steve I want ask him where is Silent Bob?

Really nice tank dude.

[Scream311]

Congratulations Stephen.
I've had the luxury of seeing this Tank in Person and I must say it is a Breath Taking Setup so Much Life and Color in a well spaced Scape. Great Work Comittee

[txg8gxp]

I think I might just cheap out and add a thunderstorm mp3 file on my tv. It wont be all intergrated that way, but hey...how hard is it to push a play button.

My 3 year old was talking about the "frog" and "ribbit" after Stephen let him play with it, all the way home.

Yeah Stephen, when are you going to install the subwoofers so you can get a rumble going during the lightning storms?

[txg8gxp]

Thanks everyone

[BSJF]

What's going to be your next addition to this tank? And what are your plans for that empty tank you have sitting next to it?

[txg8gxp]

I don't really have any plans for new additions. Sps for sure, I have space for one or two more things then thats it. The nano will be a zoa only tank once I can get a light for it

[Mr Cob]

man, great tank Stephen!

Awesome job on the article too. Great pics and great read! Good job committee!

[ramsey]

Congrats Stephen! I can't believe how much your tank has progressed in such a short amount of time. It looks amazing! I think I need to start using the waste water from your water changes as my "fresh" water for my water changes. You're obviously doing something right! :P

[BSJF]

Stehen, do you ever have fish jump out of your rimless tank?

[aquasport24]

Congrats man. You guys should see this tank in person if you have not done so already. It looks very simple,but very effective. I love the extra flow from those MPs and the light effect is out of this world. Keep up the good work man, will stop by to look at this awesome tank again soon.

[BSJF]

Anyone notice there isn't a chiller on this tank? Impressive.

[txg8gxp]

Congrats Stephen! I can't believe how much your tank has progressed in such a short amount of time. It looks amazing! I think I need to start using the waste water from your water changes as my "fresh" water for my water changes. You're obviously doing something right! :P


Congrats man. You guys should see this tank in person if you have not done so already. It looks very simple,but very effective. I love the extra flow from those MPs and the light effect is out of this world. Keep up the good work man, will stop by to look at this awesome tank again soon.
Thanks guys


Stehen, do you ever have fish jump out of your rimless tank?
I have had a few chromis jump. When I would try to add new ones the psuedo would mess with them


Anyone notice there isn't a chiller on this tank? Impressive.
Chiller.....Don't need no stinkin chiller. hahahaha

[Texreefer]

There are some seriously good looking tanks on here these days.. good Job

[Big_Pun]

congrats Stephen, glad to see all your hard work and going against traditional setup and equipment paying off!

[alexdmg]

Congrats bro! Really nice tank!

[TexasTodd]

Congratulations Stephen, man that is a clean, nice looking tank!

I'm glad the club got this forum going again, there sure are some sweet tanks around.

Todd

[hobogato]

definitely a unique tank. great job stephen!

[txav8r]

Glad to see this tank here! A very impressive system!

[justahobby]

You have progressed in leaps and bounds over the last year! Great job Stephen!

[Bill S]

Wow. Just 1 year. Congrats - an amazing tank. Can't wait to see it at age 2!

[txg8gxp]

Thanks everyone....

[CoryDude]

Forgot to ask you, are those led's turned up to their full power setting? Just wondering because I've heard that some people that switch from halides have problems with led's burning their sps corals from the increased intensity. The lights are so intense in your tank, that I had problems trying to underexpose the pictures we took.

[txg8gxp]

Yes, during the mid part of the day (2-8) my lights are at 100%

[Bill S]

How long have the LEDs been on the tank? How much of that SPS growth came from that light, I guess is my question.

[txg8gxp]

If I remember right...I set the tank up last may, put the t5's on in april and ran it for about 3 months or so then I got the AI led system. Most if not all of my growth is from the leds. I didn't have much sps before I put the new light on the tank, and what I did have didn't show much growth at all under the t5's. This is a video from may26 and the tank was still empty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoMN5GeM_ZQ This is a video from sep14, most of the coral in this video is still small frags. Hopefully in another 6 months My tank will start looking full. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7RWP1cB5bM

[Bill S]

Wow. Seriously, you are the first person I know of that got great SPS growth from LEDs...

[BSJF]

Bump

[CoryDude]

I was still amazed at the lack of heat directly under the light banks. It was no more than a low watt flour. bulb.

[BSJF]

Me too, and with this tank being in a bedroom, the lack of heat is a great thing!

[SirReal63]

This is one amazing and beautiful setup. I had a hard time keeping my eyes off of it. I have seen some very clean and perfectly set up tanks in the past 10 years, this is one of the best. Excellent job Stephen!