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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/3/2009 6:49:25 AM
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| Hi Mr. Calfo I want to build a reef flat biotype in my 60 gallon cube. This is what I would like to keep: A. gemmifera, humilis, globiceps, secale, millepora, valida, nana, pulchra, s. pistilatta, p. damicornis, porites sp., goniastrea sp., and perhaps some zoanthids. What wattage mh ballast and bulb would i need to satisfy the corals if I wanted to have the rock cover only the bottom 6 inches of the 24" depth. What products (tunze, seaswirl, surge tank, closed loop) would best replicate the type flow of a reef flat environment? I have read that reef flats are subject to a great deal of surge. How big a surge tank would i need to build in order to satisfy the requirements of the corals? would surge alone be enough? What type of fish hang out in the flats, and are any small enough to keep in a 60 gal? Aside. I read the reef flat info on wetwebmedia but it was about the red sea and it is difficult enough to get the species i want here in Canada. The info does not translate into equipment either. However, it did say that the flow was not as intense on red sea reef flats due to the sea's position and shape. I envy the states, you guys have so much more selection. I especially like liveaquaria because they list the genus and species name. I think it is important to know what you are buying so that you can provide the ideal conditions for it and so that you can have an authentic (as close as humanly possible) reef biotype. Any knowledge you can impart will be greatly appreciated.
To thine own self be true.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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| I do have some concern here thatthis tank is way too small to field the flow needed to better replicate this niche. I am also quite certain that you have waaaaay too many species of interest to be successful here (to the tune of 2X too many). If the corals you keep are healthy and thriving, the growth and competition will make you a slave at best to keeping the tank alive/thriving. I frankly think it will fal in the 3-5 year picture like so many other crowded frag manageries. To be clear... I am not picking on you here my friend. On the contrary, I admire your resolve to do a proper biotope display. But let me speak frankly here as such to give you my best advice. For lighting, you can easily illuminate this tank with two 150-175 watt MH lamps. No actinics are needed. You will also want/need very warm colored light (6500K ideally). In fact, you can save some money and give perhaps better light by use of a single 250watt 6500K Iwasaki on a moving light track (see my article on this topic listed under my sticky atop this forum "Fav links...") For water flow, you will want it it still be very dynamic... at least 3000 gph IMO For cheap... you can do two Tunze 6060 stream pumps. A bit better would be the controllable Tunzes, an Oceans Motion or SQWD on a CLM (see discussions and my article in the same sticky on this topic as well) kindly, Anthony
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/3/2009 6:49:25 AM
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Sorry, i realize that is quite the list of species for a tank that is 24X24x24. However, i only wish to keep about 4-6. Given the list of what i would like to keep, what species would best represent what is on the average reef flat? I need help narrowing it down, but still want to keep it authentic enough. I currently have a 10K hamilton 250 watt se mh with 110 watts of pc combined with it. I have no problems trading or purchasing something else that will be better, but,given that the tank is 24x24, would the one 250 with a good reflector(say lumenarc) do the trick? i would like to get 2 tunze 6000 on a controller to produce some more random flow. I would rather have a few very nice sized colonies of HEALTHY, HAPPY corals than have it packed and doomed for failure. Is a sand bed necessary?? I am not sure which method(s) you as a person subscribe to as i am relatively new in this seqment of aquaria. When i finish my nursing degree and buy a house(approx. 3 years) i would like to build a tank that is 6'x6'x30' and replicat this on a much larger scale. I will see how i do with this one first.
To thine own self be true.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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| no worries my friend... I think you are very much on track here. I'd recommend the practical approach for stocking here. Add small frags of about 10 of the species you like with the understanding that not all will fare as well as the best. In time, keep the 4-6 best species and trade away the others before they fail. You can then enjoy this select group and watch them mature into more natural and magnificent sizes (rather than have a frag menagerie) I agree with your water flow plan, and for lighting... simply swap that 10k K bulb for a warm daylight bulb (6500K) and I say you are done  Do keep the actinics if you like for aesthetics and to take the bite of the warm color from the MH is that bothers you. But rest assured that the 6500K lamp is THE best here for this biotope and for growing most corals in general.
. Anthony Calfo
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