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Congratulations to you Mike, on being selected tank of the month. |
About the Tank
- 1 Blue Tang
- 1 Yellow Tang
- 1 Melanurus Wrasse
- 1 Mated Pair Gold Maroon Clowns
Experience in hobby
Q How long have you been doing this?
A I started in the summer of 2002. I moved to D.C. with a 75 gallon, and I upgraded to my 120 gallon in October 2005.
Q Who got you into the hobby?
A I got myself into the hobby after a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and a dive as an UNcertified diver. I got certified after that trip.
Q Who in the hobby most influences you?
A For plumbing and electrical issues that would be Bob Dewitt (cowrie) and for corals, etc. Robie Sayan (Robz). After I saw his tank in 2002 I knew I had something to strive for.
Tank setup and equipment
I have a 120 gallon oceanic tank, my lighting consists of 2 150 watt hqi's 10 k's, 4 actinic bulbs, 2 are t5's and 2 are vho's. I dose kalkwasser and use turbo calcium and a commercial 2 part. I have a SCWD on a closed loop with eductors on the output; skimmer is an AquaC 180.
- Acanthastrea sp.
- A. efflorescens
- A. exquisita
- A. formosa
- A. horrida
- A. hyacinthus
- A. humilis
- A. loisetteae
- A. millepora
- A. nasuta
- A. prostrata
- A. tortuosa
- A. valida
- A. yongeii
- Acropora sp. - "purple monster"
- Acropora sp. - bottlebrush
- Acropora sp. - purple table
- Blastomussa merleti
- Eunicea sp.
- Favia sp.
- Fungia sp.
- Lobophyllia sp.
- M. danae, digitada
- Pachyclavularia violacea
Green Star Polyps - Pavona sp.
- Pocillopora damicornis
- Ricordea sp.
- Seriatopora hystrix
- Stylophora pistillata
- Trachyphyllia geoffroyi - green, red
- Zoanthids
Q What is your maintenance schedule like?
A I do 30 gallon water changes every month. I clean the glass as needed. I change the carbon monthly (kent reef carbon).
Q What is your favorite item in the tank?
A My favorite piece in the tank is my 14 “ blue carpet anemone.
Q What are your future plans for improvement/upgrade of the tank?
A I am considering a downgrade though it isn't likely. I may finally hook up the calcium and kalk reactors. I have considered upgrading to 250 HQIs with better reflectors; I am also looking to install an Oceans Motions S-Squirt since my Sea Swirl just died.
Q What makes your setup special or unique?
A My setup is very low tech, and I think I have been able to achieve good results with minimal equipment and expense. And, you can't beat that carpet either.
Personal
Q What are your other hobbies?
A Diving, volleyball
Q What kind of music are you into right now?
A Virginia Coalition (rock)
Q Who would you most like to meet past present or future?
A Dr. Charlie Veron, formerly of the Australia Institute of Marine Science and author of Corals in Space and Time.
Q If you could go one place on earth where would it be?
A Raja Ampat and Lembeh Strait, Indonesia - marine diversity's apex.
Q Why did you choose the screen name you did?
A Oklahoma university, a snake lover, and byte as a play on words.
- Epicystis Crucifer - Rock anemone
- Macrodactyla doreensis
Long Tentacle Anemone - Stichodactyla haddoni
Carpet Anemone
Q What is the last book you read?
A The World Without Us by Alan Weisman.
Q Football or basketball?
A COLLEGE football.
Q Scotch or burbon?
A Yuck and Double yuck. Beer.
Q The piece of equipment you think is the best investment?
A Metal Halides - nothing beats the look - and Eductors for flow with no powerheads
Q Money wasted?
A Hydor rotating water deflector