Progression of an SPS Tank 2
 

Brad inspired me with his thread to dig up pictures. Crappy quality cause all these pics were taken with cell phones. But here it is. I've learned a lot and my tastes have changed over the years. I no longer like the look of a super crowded exploded over growing sps tank.

OFFICE SIDE
2009
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/e6u6yby6.jpg
2010
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/5yra8ugy.jpg
2011
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/unyreqan.jpg
2012
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/me3epy3y.jpg
2013
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/ysarybyq.jpg
2014
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/u5yvy3a8.jpg


LIVING ROOM SIDE
2009
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/5ytaseve.jpg
2010
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/jebadute.jpg
2011
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/usagegad.jpg
2012
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/e4a3upaz.jpg
2013
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/buqazuha.jpg
2014
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/zu3ave9y.jpg

Impressive stuff!! I hear ya on the super exploded growth, I'd follow your pattern but just can't bring myself to part with anything. I'm an SPS hoarder lol

I do like the more recent shots, more "artistic" I suppose...

If I could keep it at the 2010 year forever it would be nice, but then I'd get bored with it cause there's no change. I had the most variety then and the most colours. 2011 and 2012 were just crazy - I was giving so many colonies away cause they were too big causing the stuff under them to brown due to lack of light. It was tough to give away some of the more colourful corals. Those years were way too much work cause I was constantly removing corals so that the whole system wouldn't crash and become one big block of corals. 2013 was nice cause I freed up so much room, allowing corals to get big and take on their natural snap. I finally got the concept of "negative" space. I only have 20 or so colonies now but am perfectly happy cause they are HUGE and it's satisfying knowing that I grew my tank all from 1" frags. Definitely a great journey to be on.

Another gorgeous setup! I love the less cluttered look with the bigger colonies! That clam is massive!

Thanks for sharing! I asked Brad, so I'll ask you, dosing & water changes?? What's your maintenance routine?

Ya, it's got me thinking :razz:

My maintenance routine is to change about 110 gals of water once every month or so, fill the CA reactor when it's empty, feed the fish daily and use the glass magnet every 3 days. We really don't do much other than to enjoy it daily.

Soooo simple, great to know successful tanks don't need to be complicated! Easy to enjoy something so beautiful!

I made a comment about that last week. It's really simple to not mess around too much, do some water changes and just enjoy.

Haha, yeah, that was your LITFA comment.... Sounds like a good name for your next tank journal:twised:

For myself, and many of the rest of us, that is still an illusive dream...

I haven't tested anything other than salinity once a month (when doing water changes) for at least a couple of years. Who knows what my levels are at. Although I don't recommend this way of reef keeping for everybody.

I saw that comment, but the proof is in the pics:lol:! Mine isn't complicated...I don't think, it's just finding the time and putting in the effort. 2014 isn't going to be much different from 2013, so it's just about the effort. I bought a pump to push water up from the basement for water changes, once they are more consistent, I'm sure my tank will start growing. :biggrin:

Agreed. I have test kits unopened that have expired :)

I would have to say, the one real secret to this hobby is easy water changes. Mine take about 10 minutes and I drink coffee while it changes. If I had to pack buckets around, I'm sure it wouldn't get done.

Totally. This was the difference for me compared to my last set up. I can change 110 gals of water in 20 mins from the time I START mixing the salt. And I usually am checking canreef on my phone while doing it :)

Love your 2010 pic.

Thanks. That was definitely a "sweet spot" in the life of this reef.

I don't recall when I saw your tank but I seem to remember it looking 2010 ish. It's a struggle to choose a favourite look. 2010 was obviously amazing but I also love large colonies. I'm just missing sps in general these days so I'd kill for either at this point lol. Amazing stuff thanks for sharing.

Another thing to think about Brad, is removing rock. Over the last few years I've probably removed 50 lbs of rack from the display to allow the corals to grow taller without hitting the water surface. It is a huge pain but worth it I think.

I have surprisingly very little rock in there. Maybe 100 pounds total. I may look at removing a bit, although some of the colonies are well encrusted and I'm not sure I want to cut them off. I'll see what it looks like once I move some stuff out.

Dez/Brad, with the quick water changes guessing from the sump, do you ever siphon out display?

I siphon from the display only. I have a plumbing fixture that I hang over the side that drains down 50g worth. I drain this into the tub. I then connect the end of the hose to the MAG12 in my mixing tank and pump it back. Not nearly as high tech as Dez' setup.

I only get rid of water from my 75 gal dedicated water change tank and from the sump. As I'm draining the dedicated water change tank, water from the sump is still pumping into that tank, then l'll stop the water from the sump once it's reaches a certain level in the sump equalling 110 gals drained out. The entire system still runs while I do the water change.

Nice stuff..

Love the 2013 version Dez!!

love your clown tang and cowfish!!! beautiful tank, I like seeing what its grown into with the combo of corals and all those plates really look awesome!

quick question are you still using leds? love the cleaner look of the 2013

Still using the ol' AI sol blue LEDs. Thanks for the nice remarks.

WOW Just amazing the transformation of growth.

Congrats !