jz's 60 Gallon Grow-Out Tank

thewackyreefer · Jan 8, 2011

Well, I've decided to take my system in a different direction. After months of not knowing which direction I wanted to take my tank I've decided to turn the tank into a grow-out system until I know what I want out of a display.

Let the games begin!

Here are the bottom 2 racks:

Oh yea, can you guess what I'll be focusing on? :bigsmile:

m and m · Jan 8, 2011

With just a picture of egg crate Im hoping coral.

clowns101 · Jan 8, 2011

Ive thought about doing the same thing!I mena really!I like to collect the rare things,and rare things grow slow,so it takes forever to grow them out into a colony,so why not just grow them to mini colonies in a frag tank!I like your idea!

I guess you will be doing nothign but acans,hahaha!

thewackyreefer · Jan 8, 2011

You're right, I will definitely be focusing on acans! Just placed an order with a vendor that included a couple cheaper chalices as well!

The tank has been set up for about 7 months now (had reefs for ~5 years now) and I've found myself caring more about collecting different corals than trying to build a beautiful display tank. I think the problem is that I only have room for a tank about this size and can't have both a display and frag/grow tank. That all may change in a month or two after I've converted the system and I've been thinking about doing this for quite a while now so it's not an idea I'm just jumping in to.

clowns101 · Jan 8, 2011

I see,I am a fan of acans!They do well in any system really!

I want to set up a little 48x24x10 system and just load it full of rare and cool frags,cause honestly,like you said,displays are hard to build up with chalices and acans.I cant keep SPS hardly at all anymore and Im not sure why,so I figured Id just set up a frag display.Hahaha!I really think it would be somthing Id like better than my display,but Id still like to have a nice SPS display later on down the road.

thewackyreefer · Jan 8, 2011

They really do! And we've got some sponsors on here with some HOT acans!

I hear ya on the SPS display, one day when I can put together a system like I want I'll have mine! Gotta save up for a shiny ring for the girlfriend first before I get the boot.

clowns101 · Jan 8, 2011

Oh,Ya!Acans are no problem here!We have awesome sponsors for really every coral you could ever want to be honest!

Nice!A sps tank is alot of time.All I can think of is the Zeovit tanks I see when I think of a SPS display!But oh well,it will come in time!I just think a frag display would work better for me at this point,I completly agree with what your saying on why you want a frag display!

thewackyreefer · Jan 9, 2011

Well, the tank was transformed today, trying to get all of the sand out of the display was fun. All rock was moved to the sump except a couple pieces with my maxi-minis and zoas/palys on them. Still haven't put the racks in as I'm going to wait another day for the paint to dry. Still happy with my decision!

Hungriee · Jan 9, 2011

oh my that beautiful scape you had ! i wana see the colorful collection on those racks.

thewackyreefer · Jan 9, 2011

That scape was hiding a dark secret, terrible bubble algae! Pics to come tomorrow, bout to order a macro lens for the T1i too!

clowns101 · Jan 9, 2011

LOL,You like your t1i!I love mine.I wont buy macro though,Im using extension tubes for macro work!Along with the nifty fifty lens.

thewackyreefer · Jan 11, 2011

Quick shot from the iPhone. Still have a TINY bit of sand i've got to suck out but I'm already loving the bare bottom, that's for sure! Found a little rack I had for my sump that fit right in the middle to get my mini-nem rock off the bottom as well.

shakenbake · Jan 11, 2011

looks good man

thewackyreefer · Jan 12, 2011

Thanks, I'll try to get some better pics with a real camera today. iPhone camera is decent and all but doesn't compare to the T1i obviously. :bigsmile:

thewackyreefer · Jan 19, 2011

Has anyone used the Donuts from The Alternative Reef? Curious is these would be good for growing out acan colonies and how big they actually are.

Here's an updated shot from tonight. Just got a few chalices and acans from Mr. Coral, pretty impressed for the price.

clowns101 · Jan 19, 2011

That looks so cool!I cant wait to get mine done!

thewackyreefer · Jan 23, 2011

So I've currently got a clown and a cardinal in the tank and they crap like crazy. Do you guys think I should keep them in there (everyone always says poop is good food for SPS), or should I take them out? Looking for pros and cons of both. Thanks!

thewackyreefer · Jan 26, 2011

Anyone have an opinion on keeping fish in a frag/grow-out system? ^^^

mizzoumed02 · Jan 26, 2011

I've known several people that have kept fish in their frag/grow out systems. I'm currently in the process of setting up a system and I plan on putting a pair of clowns in it and maybe a small yellow tang.
Fish poop is what I think of as coral fertilizer. I think as far as fish in your side system, it's more of a personal thing, just depends on what you want in your tank.

thewackyreefer · Jan 26, 2011

mizzoumed02 said:
I've known several people that have kept fish in their frag/grow out systems. I'm currently in the process of setting up a system and I plan on putting a pair of clowns in it and maybe a small yellow tang.
Fish poop is what I think of as coral fertilizer. I think as far as fish in your side system, it's more of a personal thing, just depends on what you want in your tank.

That's what I was thinking as well. Not a huge fan of my clown because it's so darn aggressive but if there's a point to keeping it I suppose I will.