What's Your Reef's Theme?

john.m.cole3 · Dec 12, 2016

Aside from things like SPS dominated, mixed reef, or softy tank... what is your reef's theme?

I was wanting to do a symbiotic relationship tank once. I gave up when my clownfish wouldn't go in either of my 2 BTAs. My next build I want to be a wrasse dominant tank. so let's hear it. What are your plans or ideas for a future build?

helen ann · Dec 12, 2016

I have went into my current building wanting a black/white theme in my tank ... however, this has been much more challenging than I had thought it would ... not that I am giving up but ...

M&M · Dec 12, 2016

Mine is deepwater, non photosynthetics. Low light, deepwater fish and NPS corals

john.m.cole3 · Dec 12, 2016

helen ann said:
I have went into my current building wanting a black/white theme in my tank ... however, this has been much more challenging than I had thought it would ... not that I am giving up but ...

that will lookl neat. I accidentally did a black and white theme once. I had a B&W clownfish, a bangaii cardinal, an engineer goby. My tang got sick and my firefish jumped leaving me the 3 listed above.

helen ann · Dec 12, 2016

john.m.cole3 said:
that will lookl neat. I accidentally did a black and white theme once. I had a B&W clownfish, a bangaii cardinal, an engineer goby. My tang got sick and my firefish jumped leaving me the 3 listed above.

Awwwwwwww, sorry about your fish

. The fish aren't so much my problem, its the coral.

Maritimer · Dec 12, 2016

Cool thought, Helen Ann . . . Not easy to find black & white corals, though! (There are some _very_ cool black & white fish!)

My goal with (what will be) Kingston & Zoey's Reef will be to fill it with as much diversity as possible, while maintaining some level of peacefulness - a place to explore endlessly, filled with the kinds of movements and colors that kids of any age from one to one-hundred can enjoy.

~Bruce

john.m.cole3 · Dec 12, 2016

helen ann said:
Awwwwwwww, sorry about your fish. The fish aren't so much my problem, its the coral.

yes B&W coras will be a toughy. esp when someone wants to give you a rainbow acan. OUCH!

helen ann · Dec 12, 2016

Maritimer said:
Cool thought, Helen Ann . . . Not easy to find black & white corals, though! (There are some _very_ cool black & white fish!)

My goal with (what will be) Kingston & Zoey's Reef will be to fill it with as much diversity as possible, while maintaining some level of peacefulness - a place to explore endlessly, filled with the kinds of movements and colors that kids of any age from one to one-hundred can enjoy.

~Bruce

john.m.cole3 said:
yes B&W coras will be a toughy. esp when someone wants to give you a rainbow acan. OUCH!

Thanks, yeah have started doing research on my hunt for the black/white fish.

Yeah, so far my only options on corals are the Black Sun Coral and a Black Torch.

The Dream was killed pretty quickly!!!

listen2bob · Dec 12, 2016

I was going to do a M&M tank, all Monti and Mille, but I don't have that much discipline when stocking

NewReefer42 · Dec 12, 2016

my current tank doesn't have a theme, but I already think I know what I want me next tank to be (already got approval from the CFO). I want a surge zone reef. I'm thinking a 6 or 8 foot long, with wave maker for default action, and timed vortechs to create super turbulent wave zones on the left/middle side, with water crashing on rocks, which may even extend above the waterline into the canopy. on the right side I want it to be a little more calm for some of the squishies. lots of tangs and hopefully some angels.

Lowstorm · Dec 12, 2016

Steam punk.

Okay, it's just decorated in the stand for now. But my super wonderful boyfriend is gonna make me a new stand (metal) and I'm gonna go for it.

So it's not "in the tank" but when I'm done I hope it will be amazing!

saltyhog · Dec 12, 2016

Wrasse! Of course I have a CBB so it won't be all wrasse. I would love to do a Caribbean tank some day.....gorgonians, brains, yellow head wrasse, queen angel, cherub angel, black cap basslet, lightning wrasse

Maritimer · Dec 12, 2016

Lowstorm said:
Steam punk.

Okay, it's just decorated in the stand for now. But my super wonderful boyfriend is gonna make me a new stand (metal) and I'm gonna go for it.

So it's not "in the tank" but when I'm done I hope it will be amazing!

20,000 leagues . . . Just make sure to keep the copper and brass away from the salt water, and this tank will be _epic_!

~Bruce

Lowstorm · Dec 13, 2016

Maritimer said:
20,000 leagues . . . Just make sure to keep the copper and brass away from the salt water, and this tank will be _epic_!

~Bruce

I know, right?!? Hardest part so far is doing anything other than just gluing crap to the stand. The new stand will have many more options!

Maddlesrain · Dec 15, 2016

Although not all critters will fall into this category, I'm thinking of incorporating a wide range of different symbiotic pairs into the rest of the reef for my upcoming build:
Clownfish + anemone
Pistol shrimp + goby
Acropora + acro crabs
Mini carpet nem + sexy shrimp
Filefish + Xenia
Clingfish + urchin/ or coral

Those are just a few of the cool critter combos I've been able to find so far

john.m.cole3 · Dec 15, 2016

Maddlesrain said:
Although not all critters will fall into this category, I'm thinking of incorporating a wide range of different symbiotic pairs into the rest of the reef for my upcoming build:
Clownfish + anemone
Pistol shrimp + goby
Acropora + acro crabs
Mini carpet nem + sexy shrimp
Filefish + Xenia
Clingfish + urchin/ or coral

Those are just a few of the cool critter combos I've been able to find so far

what do the filefish and xenia do for each other?

G8trBait16 · Dec 15, 2016

Well my current 75g tank is a building block (frag tank) for my larger in wall build I am planning (between 220g and 300g), seeing what the fiancée will let me get away with. But I would love to have a UF (University of Florida) themed tank with mostly Orange and blue with some green.

Maddlesrain · Dec 15, 2016

john.m.cole3 said:
what do the filefish and xenia do for each other?

I'm not 100% sure, as I haven't been able to find any clear facts or evidence. If I had to guess, I think it's mostly a benefit on the filefish's part as it uses the coral for protection, but that the coral is also somewhat in turn protected and fed by the fish inadvertently, a little like a clownfish with an anemone.

Maritimer · Dec 15, 2016

There are some filefish (not sure if they're available in the hobby . . . ) that are built and colored to use Xenia as a hiding place. Can make quite the interesting little community. I think ... Advanced Aquarist?? ... ran an article on it a while back. Have a look for it . . .

~Bruce

Maddlesrain · Dec 15, 2016

Maritimer said:
There are some filefish (not sure if they're available in the hobby . . . ) that are built and colored to use Xenia as a hiding place. Can make quite the interesting little community. I think ... Advanced Aquarist?? ... ran an article on it a while back. Have a look for it . . .

~Bruce

I think you're referring to the radial filefish, which are the ones bred by ORA, and the ones I'm interested in! Super cute little fish, and really interesting to see their camouflage!