Spike's 40 Gallon Lagoon

Aquabucket · Sep 29, 2009

After almost 6 years of having a mixed reef I made the choice to sell off most of my corals because I would have to travel more often. Rather than worry about a tank crash I decided to cash in. I did save the "bullet proof" corals I started with almost 6 years ago.

This new look lagoon type reef will feature more types of macro algae, fish and other critters. As usual there is no skimmer or sump just macro algae and an HOB with carbon for filtration.

Here is a shot of my 40 breeder in all its glory before I sold off most of my corals:

Here is what it looked like after the sell off:

The racemosa was only temporary and has been removed. I will be acquiring a variety of macros to fill in along the sandbed and will be keeping corals along the top ridge of the rock work.

I want to get a female mate for my pipefish and a couple of firefish. Right now I have 4 chromis a YWG and a male dragonface pipefish.

I know it does not have the awe factor of my mixed reef but I think its better than tearing down the tank completely.

subielover · Sep 29, 2009

Awesome before, awesome after. It looks like a well-thought out, mature tank. Very nice.

ahayes13 · Sep 29, 2009

glad to see you didnt completely get out because of the traveling. you did a great job with the coral seleciton you kept,and hope it all keeps going well for you. i think the tank looks great.

Blackhawk Fan · Sep 29, 2009

Great post Amanda, I couldn't agree more. I'm a euphyllia fan myself. Nothing looks better then a group of euphyllias waving in the flow.

starfish · Sep 29, 2009

What type of lighting are you using it looks really super and obviously the tank inhabitants love it too. Great looking tank.

johnanddawn · Sep 30, 2009

hey spike, it doesn't look like you changed the scape much - are you going to remove some rock to expose more sand for the "lagoon" look
it had to be hard to get rid of that chalice - i hope someone in the valley group got it

Russellaqua · Sep 30, 2009

Awesome tank! I love it.

Aquabucket · Sep 30, 2009

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

starfish said:
What type of lighting are you using it looks really super and obviously the tank inhabitants love it too. Great looking tank.

I am running 4 overdriven T5's @ 64 watts each. I have 1 of ech: ATI blue plus, ATI Aquablue Special, UVL superactinic, GE 6500K.

johnanddawn said:
hey spike, it doesn't look like you changed the scape much - are you going to remove some rock to expose more sand for the "lagoon" look
it had to be hard to get rid of that chalice - i hope someone in the valley group got it

There is quite a bit of sand exposed you just can't see it in the pics. I did not change the scape much at all.

I ordered a female dragonface pipefish today. Hopefully they have one in. I will know tomorrow.

plainrt · Sep 30, 2009

looks great.

Aquabucket · Oct 3, 2009

Thanks! It will be interesting to see what I can do with-out stocking any "exotic corals".

Here are my latest additions a pair of firefish and a pipe organ frag:

FTS:

I am looking forward to my macro order from reefcleaners but I won't be able to make it for a couple of weeks yet.

snk713 · Oct 3, 2009

looks nice and clean

ahayes13 · Oct 3, 2009

very nice, love the new firefish pair.

litenyaup · Oct 4, 2009

very nice mixed reef!!!

Aquabucket · Oct 4, 2009

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

I just got some pics from the owner of my corals new home a 120 gallon. The orange circles indicate the corals that came from my tank:

His picture taking skills need some work but you get the idea. After seeing the pics I recommended that he move the hammer to a lower light and flow location. The rest of the corals look like they are doing well.

Aquabucket · Oct 24, 2009

Just a quick update with a few pics. I acquired some macros locally and the red stuff I always had in my tank is getting re-established. Pod populations are high.

On a downer note I lost one of my firefish. Don't know what happened ~ it just vanished overnight.

I like the way the tank is very natural looking though. Here are a few pics: