Question about setting up reef tanks in a commercial setting

[Seawitch]

I have a question that's been nagging at me for a while. Please educate me.

We all know how long it takes to get a tank looking really good. Mature. With things actually growing and flourishing and all the kinks ironed out.

So, what happens when companies set up a reef tank like in an office boardroom? Does the tank look like dirt for months? Is that okay with the client?

 

[WV Reefer]

I have a question that's been nagging at me for a while. Please educate me.

We all know how long it takes to get a tank looking really good. Mature. With things actually growing and flourishing and all the kinks ironed out.

So, what happens when companies set up a reef tank like in an office boardroom? Does the tank look like dirt for months? Is that okay with the client?

Most tanks that I have seen in commercial environments used inserts. All fake stuff except the fish of course.

The only real reef I have seen was in a medical complex that belonged to one of the doctors and he maintained it himself and had quite a beautiful setup.

 

[rkpetersen]

There's one big company locally that does these kind of set it and forget it office tanks. Hardly reefs, just some fish and fake rocks and plants. Weak lights, cannister filtration. Often the fish don't look that healthy. I was looking at one yesterday in an ophthalmologist's office. Powder blue tang and Foxface rabbitfish in a tank that was too small for either, and no algae to eat anywhere. I'm sure they just swap fish out when they get sick or die. It's a cynical way to run a fish business. Sometimes I point out to office staff exactly why these kinds of aquaria are awful if I think they might be receptive, but I didn't yesterday.

 

[andrewkw]

At trade shows they setup reefs in a day.
If I were to move tomorrow the first thing I'd do is setup my reef tank.

You can setup a reef in a day / weekend if you have advance notice. A service company or even an expert reef keeper either resetting up an existing tank, or starting a new tank from established stock is a lot different then going to the fish store and buying everything including the tank and setting it up when you get home.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Where I work they have a large 300 gallon tank that has been setup for quite some time now. But everything is real, and it’s owned by one of the doctors. But he buys all the coral and has a local fish shop maintenance it weekly, daily, they are always there.

In terms of moving a tank, when my lfs moved my 125 to my new home and into my 240 it was a disaster. They ended up killing 90% of my fish and corals. To this day I have no idea what went wrong but I dread it.

I have recently had a 425 built and may not set it up until I have more time. But I have also been thinking about building a new house. My 240 is really thriving now, so really not keen on ripping it apart and starting over again.