My new 18 Gallon Reef tank.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 04:34 AM

Here are some pictures of the reef tank I am setting up in my apartment. It's been 2 weeks since setup, though I have had Rock and sand curing in one of my parents tanks for a few months now. The coral frags are also taken from thier 200 gallon reef(only way I can afford it as a college student). Tank is an AquaVia 680 setup. Live Rock, Live Sand, and a Red Sea Prizm skimmer for filtration. 1 powerhead moving about 150 gph. All levels are looking fantasic on it and everything seems to be as healthy as can be so I just had to share to photos.

inhabitants:
2 ocellaris clown's (pair)
1 Yellow Clown Goby
1 cleaner shrimp
1 sand-sifting starfish
1 red-legged hermit
1 blue-legged hermit
1 Mexican Turbo snail
8-9 Pacific turbo snails

Corals:
Pulsing Xenia
Green Star Polyps (pachyclavularia viridis)
Single Rodactis musroom
Purple Discosoma mushroom
Green button polyps

Here is the tank on the day I set it up.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 04:35 AM

And Here it is today 2 weeks later.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 04:37 AM

Here is a side view.. I liked this photo. I'm new to photoing tanks so hopefully they will get better with time.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 04:39 AM

This is the Xenia I posted a thread about last week. I used some super-glue gel to stick him back on a rock that I positioned in the tank.. 4-5 days later he had crawled off his rock onto my live rock and is content and pulsing away in his new home.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 04:41 AM

Green Star Polpys. You can also see I have a lot of sarragasm growing on the live rock right now, but the hermits are busy pruning it back. I've noticed the same thing in other reefs i've set up and it seems to all go away after a few weeks.. I expect the same here.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 04:43 AM

I know you guys are probobly tired of pictues, but here is one last one if anyone know what is it.. I've found this in several places coming out of my live rock. Just searching the rock is always an adventure but this one has me stumped. If anyone know what is it let me know.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 04:44 AM

ok, last one.. Thanks for looking all. See you on the boards.

ShirleyM · 01-13-2003, 04:52 AM

ThunderTurtle,
Thanks for sharing! I've not seen an 18 gallon tank before and yours is very nice! And isn't it nice to have your reef to relax with while you're in school?! Loved the pictures!
Shirley

P.S. Welcome to TRT!!

MontanaRocknReefer · 01-13-2003, 04:58 AM

With the pic with the green circle on it:

These are probably foraminiferans. These little creatures are basically shelled protozoans, one celled organisms (Subphylum: Sarcodina - the amoebas). They form shells primarily composed of calcareous material, with siliceous material from sponges, or other organic material. They are mostly sessile (non-moving), but can move with the use of temporary structure called a "pseudopodia". This little "arm" reaches out and pulls the rest of the critter along. In any event, they are harmless bacterial/detrital consumers.

ThunderTurtle · 01-13-2003, 01:08 PM

Thanks for the compliment and the ID on that critter. I had been wondering about it. The tank is definitly relaxing, that is unless i'm balancing my checkbook, but it's all worth it.

icebear · 01-13-2003, 01:57 PM

LOL, i have the same checkbook issues!

Great looking tank!