New Member

[Paul B]

Just wanted to say Hello. Been here about two days. Looks like a nice place.
My reef will be 35 years old next month, I collected most of my rock (It used to be legal) And I built the rest. I have been diving since the late sixtees and like to take underwater photos.
I am just going to browse around here for a while.
Have a great day.
Paul

 

[Curtswearing]

Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!!

Paul,

I'm sure that quite a few of us know your tank well. I know I've read about it many times. For those that are newer and may not have seen your tank before, could you please discuss some of the unusual features of your tank. Not only your reverse under-gravel filter, but also your different forms of LR.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul B]

Curtswearing, I forgot that I may know some people here. The tank still has the original reverse UG filter and dolomite gravel. About a quarter of the water is NSW from New York right near the City. Some of the rock is asphalt that was dumped in the sea to control erosion over fifty years ago. The oldest fish was a cusk eel that died in an accident after 18 years. All equipment is homemade. There is an algae trough above the water and to the rear, just under the MH lights, It is an experiment in hair algae control. The tank was always an experiment and since it was started when the hobby started, everything in it was an experiment. The fish seem to be immune to paracites (although I don't know why)
The tank was featured in "Marine Fish Monthly" about ten years ago.
I also use local New York codium seaweed.
I guess thats about it.
Have a great day.
Paul

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF Paul! Very nice tank indeed. Thanks for sharing and I hope you find our forum friendly and informative...

 

[S.Reef]

Welcome...woah, you have an Idol...awesome.

 

[mojoreef]

Hiya Paul!! the tank looks like it has had some changes since last I seen it, Looking good!!


Mike

 

[Paul B]

S.Reef, Idols are one of my favorite fish along with copperband butterflies.
I had this Idol a little over two years. Last year I went on a dive Vacation to Tahiti just to dive with them. Of course I told my wife it was just another vacation.
Paul

 

[Paul B]

Mike, I moved some rock around and removed some to make more room for the Idol. I also added some NY seaweed since the last time you saw it.
Paul

 

[mojoreef]

Yea it looks alot more open for sure, looks like you got a bit of a jump on that algae to, another good thing. Good to have you aboard buddy.


Mike

 

[dabears26]

Sweet pics paul .I been into reef for about 4 years i hope i can last as long as you have.salute!!!

 

[Paul B]

Mike, no more algae, I invented this algae trough that sits above the water and to the rear just under the lights. Water flows very fast through the 5' trough and it is brightly lit from the main tank lights. There is a plastic screen at the bottom of the trough that is infused with cement. Algae loves cement. Any algae is forced to grow on the screen and not in the tank. I clean it every few months and replace it in a year with a new cement infused screen. I want algae in the system and it is growing nicely where I want it to grow and keeping off where I don't want it to grow.
Paul

 

[Beckmola24]

Hi Paul! RF is great!! How's your Moorish Idol doing?? Still doing well I hope.

 

[mojoreef]

Yea kinda like a built in algae scrubber. I also have a trough built into mine and it does get some algae, but not really enough to be of any consequence.

Mike

 

[spongebob lover]

i just wanted to say that you got a really really nice tank and welcome to RF.

 

[NaH2O]

Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!! Your tank is looking great!

 

[dabears26]

i am also so new to the site does anyone know how i could get more info on the .Doughnut coral(Cynarina Deshayesiana) ?.....and sweet idea Paul with the infused cement design.....

 

[NaH2O]

dabears - check out this article, see if it helps: Doughnut, Cat's Eye, Knob, Beaker, Flat Brain, or Modern Meat? A review of what are Scolymia and Cynarina, with comments on their relatives and taxonomical status. Also, Mussids 2

 

[Elmo18]

Nice tank Paul!!

- Ilham

 

[Paul B]

OK I figured out how to post a picture here of that algae trough. This picture is the prototype, the new model is much neater.
Have a great day and thank you for the tank comments.
Paul