Putting too much rock in my 13.5. It's pretty much impossible for my go vacuum the sand since there isn't enough space. Right when I get my 90 up I'm taking out all the fish temporarily and rescaping it with caribsea rock
I think the tank looks great! If i can go back, i would rather have more tanks then one large one. I like species specific and its more achievable at a smaller scale
I think your tank looks great. I wish I had the room for a bigger tank. For me, I would have designed an aquascape and then select corals for it. Currently, I have various rocks dotted around the tank with corals on. It looks nice but it would be better to have a structure that resembles a reef system rather than a rock here a rock there etc 😊
I would love to see a video on how you even go about doing a tear down/revamp on a tank? What concerns you have with cycling rock etc. And/or how to go about moving various corals. I love the items that you discussed and I can see how that could be something others are thinking as well but are unsure of how you would execute that.
If I do it, i'll make a video. Last time, I put the new rock in my sump for a couple of months before I took the old bit out. I didn't test my kh enough the day after removing the coral covered rock which led to one of my colonies bleaching unfortunately.
@@ReefDork For me being really new to the hobby and just thinking about planning my corals I definitely have fear that I might choose wrong or want to change things, and then I get caught in.. but how do you aquasape, cure etc, without messing up my cycle? And how do you keep coral "under control"?
I love looking at your tank. I'm still debating getting into the hobby and your tank and videos are a huge part of why I think I could possibly make a reef tank work. Although I'll admit that right now I'm just in the planning/consideration mode, so videos like this one definitely appeal as they give me more to think about.
I love your tank but totally understand the love/hate of your setup. From a viewers standpoint I would really enjoy watching you kit out a whole new tank start to finish
I think a taller aquascape looks better because it hides some of the fish behind it at times. That way even though you see them it's not as crowded all the time
Interesting, I have gone with a negative space tank that is quite tall and I really like it. Adds a great dimension and the tank is about 750mm deep, although it makes it a little difficult to reach the bottom.
Great video. I am redoing my scape for alot of the same reasons… I am done with zoas and polyps taking over. Maybe I will get it right this time. The great part or this hobby is we can change things around!!!
One of my present regrets is having setup two tanks for SPS dominant, instead of mixing it up and going with one for SPS dominant, and one for LPS dominant.
Overall really love your tank! For me personally I wish I could go bigger. (Can't with my current apartment so 25 Lagoon it is) But while also I'm very glad I used real live rock, I almost wish I could have used rock that built up totally from nothing to do a full negative space aquascape and really "design" the shape of the rock more. I still feel like I've got too much rock in my tank but I also can't bring myself to go much lighter
I feel you need a couple more tanks to do everything you are trying to do in the one tank. Good job with the tank! I like what you have done it looks very established and happy.
Great video again Alex, personally I think your tank is one off the most stunning I've seen on CZcams the only thing I would've done differently is make the aquascaping taller but that's just a personal preference.
maybe he doesnt want sticks sticking out of the water wihtin a year or three.He's being wise and he can grow sticks,..So i guess having it lower would be unwise or cant grow sticks? :)
Started a 40 breeder a few years ago, took everything entirely too fast and wound up with so many problems I couldn’t juggle them all and my tank crashed. Now I’m in the process of buying my 125 gallon display and dry rock and I would LOVE any advice anyone has for me, consider me entry level I do know a good amount of it but relearning from step 1 is always helpful
Really enjoy all your content and I have decided to take the plunge and am awaiting a new Red Sea Reefer 250 G2 full setup (x2 red sea led 90s, x2 RS 25 waves, RS skimmer 300 and the reefmat is planned for once im up and running properly and to save some cost atm). It is a daunting task having just spent so much including RODI systems and all the maintenance equipment, pumps, heaters, skimmer, lights, wave makers, life rock and sand before any fish or coral! I was hoping I could get in a pair of Picasso clowns and a pair of black storm clowns but it seems that's not a good idea. As an IT contractor and PC enthusiast, having spent more on a tank than my 3090 graphics card was is crazy. I am already trying to work out how to mount all the power adapters neatly and nearly went for the 350 G2 but as its a first tank decided to try and keep it smaller (water change volume) while I learn over the years. I am trying to work out corals and placement for when it is time as well as the chemical needs of the water. A lot to learn but your content is brilliant 👏 . The gear all arrives over the next week or so then onto the build! I would love a yellow tang if it's possible in this tank. It's going to be a busy next 12 months I think 😀
Great video this is mate. Hindsight is a beautiful thing! I'll never have any montipora in future tanks for precisely that reason! I'm currently squirting 9% peroxide at patches of Digi I've removed and guess what...it won't die 🤬 I have to say the fish numbers are one of my favourite things about your tank so PLEASE don't change that 😂
I'd: 1. Have a taller stand that can accomodate a 5 gallon bucket underneath it as my ATO and which would be taller than my cat when he stands on his hindquarters. 2. Get at least a 70 if not 100 gallon tank so that I can have more species of fish including pygmy angelfish and smaller tangs. 3. Make sure my light is actinic! My current light is NOT actinic and I really miss the evening light show. 4. Focus on coral instead of fish at first and get my clownfish at the same time so that one isn't lonely.
Would me setting up a large refugium below the tank. And putting the lights on at night minimize the Ph swing? I’m in the middle on planning my build. And want to know if that will help.
Yes, running a reserve cycle fuge/algae reactor will somewhat reduce pH swings. This is because your macro algae will consume some of the excess carbon dioxide from your tank, in turn reducing carbonic acid and somewhat maintaining the PH levels.
I would find the tank you want. Save up. Get that new tank setup exactly how you want it. Transplant what you want. Sell the rest. Yes. You’ll lose money. You’ll be happier I think.
my whole goal with reef is to grow corals so much i have no space for anything else :D and then just maintain that :D i get what you mean about zoas tho i got a few random island pieces on the smaller size and now i'm wondering if i will make em pulsing zenia or zoas n pulsing zenia :D
Also buy less fish... Bit difficult to resist 😁 Btw, I think you have to feed your foxface more. It's a little bit on the skinny side. I also have one and it's so thick my Filipino wife is sometimes looking at it like she want to cook it 😋
Hey, do you not think a white bit of vinyl or wallpaper would look better on the wall at the back of your tank, would give a depth perception like the reef carries on and look more realistic over the current wallpaper
When I first set up my ninety gallon reef I didn’t know that the ugly brown palys would take over plus I have ugly brown star polyps that I have to scrub off the rock every week that I do a water change. I wish I would’ve known that when I first set the tank up I would’ve never put those in there. For everyone wanting to set up a reef tank stay away from the ugly brown palys and the brown star polyps.
I don’t care what you think because I think your tank is flipping gorgeous. You’re just the classic example of someone who strives for perfection but deep down you have come to the realisation that in reefing there is no “perfect” and it doesn’t matter what your scape, corals or fish are like and that even so you just can’t sit stop! In answer to your question about what I would do differently I would not get married, not have children and have a 1000g custom made tank in my house with a dedicated filter and quarantine/livestock room. I’d save a small fortune but be 100 times more paranoid than I already am!
My biggest mistake was putting pulsing Xenia in my tank. What a plonker for doing so. My clownfish love the biggest clump and I don’t want to ruin their house by taking it out. 😩😩
Hi please please reply to my comment 😁 I want to ask U how much fish do U have in this tank just asking 🤭😁 as am planning on opening up a 150x45x60 salt water aquarium
What are your biggest mistakes/regrets?
Not getting a bigger tank!
Not cutting out my filter sock holders and putting in a roller mat on day 1 🤦♀️
Putting too much rock in my 13.5. It's pretty much impossible for my go vacuum the sand since there isn't enough space. Right when I get my 90 up I'm taking out all the fish temporarily and rescaping it with caribsea rock
I think the tank looks great! If i can go back, i would rather have more tanks then one large one. I like species specific and its more achievable at a smaller scale
I think your tank looks great. I wish I had the room for a bigger tank.
For me, I would have designed an aquascape and then select corals for it. Currently, I have various rocks dotted around the tank with corals on. It looks nice but it would be better to have a structure that resembles a reef system rather than a rock here a rock there etc 😊
I would love to see a video on how you even go about doing a tear down/revamp on a tank? What concerns you have with cycling rock etc. And/or how to go about moving various corals. I love the items that you discussed and I can see how that could be something others are thinking as well but are unsure of how you would execute that.
If I do it, i'll make a video. Last time, I put the new rock in my sump for a couple of months before I took the old bit out. I didn't test my kh enough the day after removing the coral covered rock which led to one of my colonies bleaching unfortunately.
@@ReefDork For me being really new to the hobby and just thinking about planning my corals I definitely have fear that I might choose wrong or want to change things, and then I get caught in.. but how do you aquasape, cure etc, without messing up my cycle? And how do you keep coral "under control"?
I love looking at your tank. I'm still debating getting into the hobby and your tank and videos are a huge part of why I think I could possibly make a reef tank work. Although I'll admit that right now I'm just in the planning/consideration mode, so videos like this one definitely appeal as they give me more to think about.
so 7 months later, did you take the jump or not ?
I love your tank but totally understand the love/hate of your setup. From a viewers standpoint I would really enjoy watching you kit out a whole new tank start to finish
The tank looks great mate. You will never have perfection.
I think a taller aquascape looks better because it hides some of the fish behind it at times. That way even though you see them it's not as crowded all the time
Interesting, I have gone with a negative space tank that is quite tall and I really like it. Adds a great dimension and the tank is about 750mm deep, although it makes it a little difficult to reach the bottom.
Great video. I am redoing my scape for alot of the same reasons… I am done with zoas and polyps taking over. Maybe I will get it right this time. The great part or this hobby is we can change things around!!!
One of my present regrets is having setup two tanks for SPS dominant, instead of mixing it up and going with one for SPS dominant, and one for LPS dominant.
Overall really love your tank!
For me personally I wish I could go bigger. (Can't with my current apartment so 25 Lagoon it is)
But while also I'm very glad I used real live rock, I almost wish I could have used rock that built up totally from nothing to do a full negative space aquascape and really "design" the shape of the rock more.
I still feel like I've got too much rock in my tank but I also can't bring myself to go much lighter
Good day mate💪
I feel you need a couple more tanks to do everything you are trying to do in the one tank. Good job with the tank! I like what you have done it looks very established and happy.
Your channel is incredible. Keep up the great content!
Great video again Alex, personally I think your tank is one off the most stunning I've seen on CZcams the only thing I would've done differently is make the aquascaping taller but that's just a personal preference.
maybe he doesnt want sticks sticking out of the water wihtin a year or three.He's being wise and he can grow sticks,..So i guess having it lower would be unwise or cant grow sticks? :)
Nice job Alex! Gives me pause to think about making the right choices at the beginning... Perfect timing as I am setting up my tank. :)
I think you should start saving your cash and buy a nice big Waterbox.
Yes
Agree waterboxes are the cats meow
Personally I'd go Innovative Marine. ;)
Their larger tanks are great and while pricy you can't beat their stands
Started a 40 breeder a few years ago, took everything entirely too fast and wound up with so many problems I couldn’t juggle them all and my tank crashed. Now I’m in the process of buying my 125 gallon display and dry rock and I would LOVE any advice anyone has for me, consider me entry level I do know a good amount of it but relearning from step 1 is always helpful
Tank looks amazing
Really enjoy all your content and I have decided to take the plunge and am awaiting a new Red Sea Reefer 250 G2 full setup (x2 red sea led 90s, x2 RS 25 waves, RS skimmer 300 and the reefmat is planned for once im up and running properly and to save some cost atm). It is a daunting task having just spent so much including RODI systems and all the maintenance equipment, pumps, heaters, skimmer, lights, wave makers, life rock and sand before any fish or coral! I was hoping I could get in a pair of Picasso clowns and a pair of black storm clowns but it seems that's not a good idea. As an IT contractor and PC enthusiast, having spent more on a tank than my 3090 graphics card was is crazy. I am already trying to work out how to mount all the power adapters neatly and nearly went for the 350 G2 but as its a first tank decided to try and keep it smaller (water change volume) while I learn over the years. I am trying to work out corals and placement for when it is time as well as the chemical needs of the water. A lot to learn but your content is brilliant 👏 . The gear all arrives over the next week or so then onto the build! I would love a yellow tang if it's possible in this tank. It's going to be a busy next 12 months I think 😀
Hi Reef dork love your videos can u do one on fish parasite haw u keep them out of your tank plz happy Reefing 😊
Great video this is mate. Hindsight is a beautiful thing! I'll never have any montipora in future tanks for precisely that reason! I'm currently squirting 9% peroxide at patches of Digi I've removed and guess what...it won't die 🤬
I have to say the fish numbers are one of my favourite things about your tank so PLEASE don't change that 😂
Your tank is rocking.
I'd: 1. Have a taller stand that can accomodate a 5 gallon bucket underneath it as my ATO and which would be taller than my cat when he stands on his hindquarters. 2. Get at least a 70 if not 100 gallon tank so that I can have more species of fish including pygmy angelfish and smaller tangs. 3. Make sure my light is actinic! My current light is NOT actinic and I really miss the evening light show. 4. Focus on coral instead of fish at first and get my clownfish at the same time so that one isn't lonely.
That tank is perfect
Nice one Alex! 😀👍👍
That budget comment is spot on! 😉
Definitely one of the best reefs I've ever seen just remove some fish then imo it will be perfect your corals are stunning 🙂
Your tank is awesome!!! What lights are you running?
Thanks.
2x Evergrow IT5012 and 2x Kessil a360we
There's something very satisfying about that like button going from 999 to 1k.
Your tank looks stunning pal, keep up the good work and great content. Side note , your fox face abit under weight?
Yeah, he's lost a lot of weight in the last few months. I'm wondering if he might have worms...
Time to go bigger, think of all the videos you can make doing it 😎 Abs
Would me setting up a large refugium below the tank. And putting the lights on at night minimize the Ph swing? I’m in the middle on planning my build. And want to know if that will help.
I have heard mixed bag of results from that. I’m doing the same as you right now so hopefully someone with actual experience can chime in.
Yes, running a reserve cycle fuge/algae reactor will somewhat reduce pH swings. This is because your macro algae will consume some of the excess carbon dioxide from your tank, in turn reducing carbonic acid and somewhat maintaining the PH levels.
@@harrymilsom4347 Thanks. I heard that from Melevsreef and was wanting to confirm that it was the case before I started doing it.
Yes it will - has a significant impact (positively). I monitor pH continuously and it dips even if you remove a large chunk of your algae.
@@ReefDork Thanks❤️
Just start a new bigger tank
Budget goes out the window 😂😂😂😂
I would find the tank you want. Save up. Get that new tank setup exactly how you want it. Transplant what you want. Sell the rest.
Yes. You’ll lose money.
You’ll be happier I think.
my whole goal with reef is to grow corals so much i have no space for anything else :D
and then just maintain that :D
i get what you mean about zoas tho i got a few random island pieces on the smaller size and now i'm wondering if i will make em pulsing zenia or zoas n pulsing zenia :D
Amazing tank Alex! Do you know the name of the yellow Acro at 5:17?
Pikachu 🙂
@@ReefDork Absolutely gorgeous colour on it, Where did you get if if you don't mind me asking?
@@lukebolland85 Another hobbyist called Abbas - I made a video of his 1700l tank recently...
ditto on pretty much everything you mentioned.
what is that neon green sps coral at 5:54? it looks awesome
It's an anacropora
We all wants a few more inches of girth! 😂😉🐶
I love zoas but I'm a bit cautious of paly
The best I have seen the tank
Are there plate ones that are more manageable? They are a good reef look
Oh wait they’re LPS I ain’t ready for that lol
Also buy less fish... Bit difficult to resist 😁 Btw, I think you have to feed your foxface more. It's a little bit on the skinny side. I also have one and it's so thick my Filipino wife is sometimes looking at it like she want to cook it 😋
Agree with Zoa, starting to regret also……
Hey, do you not think a white bit of vinyl or wallpaper would look better on the wall at the back of your tank, would give a depth perception like the reef carries on and look more realistic over the current wallpaper
No, I love seeing through two panes of glass - looks really bright. I just need to paint the wall behind it white...
@@ReefDork yeaa I agree it looks much better, that was what I meant either paint it white or something aha
i spoke to 2 guys in four marks and they have said the exact same thing about the 'bastard montis' , i would love this to be a problem in my tank lol
Ed and Dave?!
@@ReefDork Pretty sure, nice guys
If I could go back I would’ve went bigger and picked different corals.
Why go for an off the shelf tank, they are soooo expensive. You could get a custom made tank to your spec for less than those.
Be patient! Lol
Wish I didnt go deep sandbed, 10 years in its kinda a headache now. Also wish i had more room for my giga clam.
Have you ever fragged zoas while they are still in the tank or can you remove yours on rocks
?
Yeah, I gently grab a few heads and pull the mat off
Feel free to send me any of your platting monti’s you don’t want 😉👍🏻 awesome reef aquarium 👍🏻
How many times per day do you feed your fish?
Two cubes twice a day
@@ReefDork Thank you. Sometimes it’s the simple things that help know you’re on the right track. I feed mine twice a day.
RL kicked the sponsorship lol :) only kidding buddy hope all is well
😁
What’s the fish at 7:00
Yellow headed jawfish - mine only has one eye though!
id remove the zoas haha
When I first set up my ninety gallon reef I didn’t know that the ugly brown palys would take over plus I have ugly brown star polyps that I have to scrub off the rock every week that I do a water change. I wish I would’ve known that when I first set the tank up I would’ve never put those in there. For everyone wanting to set up a reef tank stay away from the ugly brown palys and the brown star polyps.
Theres a third choice. Start another tank entirely 😁
I don’t care what you think because I think your tank is flipping gorgeous. You’re just the classic example of someone who strives for perfection but deep down you have come to the realisation that in reefing there is no “perfect” and it doesn’t matter what your scape, corals or fish are like and that even so you just can’t sit stop!
In answer to your question about what I
would do differently I would not get married, not have children and have a 1000g custom made tank in my house with a dedicated filter and quarantine/livestock room. I’d save a small fortune but be 100 times more paranoid than I already am!
I can’t get caps to grow for the life of me
Keep the fish. Without them the corals would suffer
My biggest mistake was putting pulsing Xenia in my tank. What a plonker for doing so. My clownfish love the biggest clump and I don’t want to ruin their house by taking it out. 😩😩
Hi please please reply to my comment 😁 I want to ask U how much fish do U have in this tank just asking 🤭😁 as am planning on opening up a 150x45x60 salt water aquarium
Here's my list...
Radiant wrasse
Silver belly wrasse
Fox face
Da Vinci Clownfish x2
Randall's goby
Scarlet hawkfish
Longnose hawkfish
Pygmy perchlet
Resplendent anthias x1
Royal Gramma
Yellow wrasse
Jawfish
Falco Hawkfish
Copperband
Starry blenny
White tail kole tang
Mandarin
@@ReefDork wow 18👏👏👏
@@kaveshlall4929 and a leopard wrasse...
@@ReefDork wow ok 😁
#ruggedReefDork
Will you be the first person to intentionally introduce monti eating nudis?!
😅 I was actually thinking of that the other day 🤣
A beautiful tank but that wallpaper needs to go