Milt's 120g SPS reef

[Miltonic]

I think its now the time to start a new thread as my new project is about to begin. The tank is a standard oceanic 120g 48x24x24 drilled for a closed loop and a 40g breeder sump will be used.Im going in somewhat of a different direction with this reef and it will ultimately be a full SPS unlike my current reef which is a mixed reef. For this reason after some research I decided that a closed loop would be the best option for flow and aesthetic reasons, for those who dont know a closed loop is another way to provide flow for the tank without the need for powerheads.The display will also be sandless and a DSB will be located in my sump. All my other equipment will be coming from my current build which include a Reef octopus 200 skimmer, quietone 600 return, geo 112 ca reactor and ATI powermodule hoT5 for lighting. The tank woont be ready to set up until I get my plumbing done next sunday after that I will run the tank with water for a couple days and then move everything over! I will ultimately switch my lighting to two 400w Metal halide.

well heres some pics

tank right after getting drilled by my friend Mike who owns the most amazing system I ever seen I will make a thread about his system soon, I will say that his system is about 1,800 gallons!

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww50/fizhman/ericks%20drilled%20aquarium/ericksdrilledtank002.jpg
it needed 7 holes to accomplish the closed loop and overflow!

here it is now at his shop all done and ready to go
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww50/fizhman/ericks%20drilled%20aquarium/2.jpg

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww50/fizhman/ericks%20drilled%20aquarium/4.jpg

for my closed loop I will be using a blueline 150 pump and an oceans motions 4 way controller, the tank has two holes on each side that will alternate creating a natural wave motion and all detrius will stay suspended and ready to go to the skimmer!

[labnjab]

I can't wait to see this tank evolvethumbs2:

[R2 Ranch]

Another tank build!!! Awesomethumbs2: Keep the updates coming.

[EmmanuelJB]

Can't wait to see it finished!! Looks like its going great so far!

[Miltonic]

Thanks guys! sorry I havent been on lately but I have been busy to no end :(

The tank is up and running now I moved everything over from the other tank yesterday I must say that it was A LOT of work but all worth it!

here's some pics from a couple of weeks ago when a few of my friends brought the over the tank and helped plumb it!

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww50/fizhman/ericks%20drilled%20aquarium/ericksdrilledtank013.jpg

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww50/fizhman/ericks%20drilled%20aquarium/ericksdrilledtank014.jpg

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww50/fizhman/ericks%20drilled%20aquarium/ericksdrilledtank026.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_5786.jpg

[Miltonic]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_5789.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_5792.jpg

my friend holding plumbing for overflow

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_5799.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/100_5809.jpg

[BigMac]

Awsome, when I looked up this board the other day, I couldnt find your tank thread..

I'll be taggin along on this one llike ai did the first year of your last..

I' just started a 120 myself 7/4..

Looks great.. looking forward to updates.

[Miltonic]

its been a while guys but im back after a terrible power outage last year and losing just about everything heres an update!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETQCDEG0wAs&feature=colike

[Surfdog]

Wow, very beautiful, relaxing view. Well done especially after your disaster!

[Miltonic]

Thanks and yea it has def come a long way!

[hockeyhead019]

Can't wait to see this one come together... love the big tank build threads

[chrisfraser05]

sorry to hear about your probs :(

You got any recent pics?

[Miltonic]

yea heres a couple need more

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/6598c582.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/b977e0a1.jpg

[chrisfraser05]

looks nice mate. Is it that deep a blue colour or is it the camera?

What lighting are you using?

[Miltonic]

not sure on the camera since just using my phone.

My lighting is 2x400w mh 14k atm

[Miltonic]

few more pics guys!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/71721895.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/regalangelfishjune23.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/790b0aec.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/6598c582.jpg

[chrisfraser05]

wow!!!!! thumbs2:

[frefal13]

Awesome tank! I am insanely jealous! Good jobthumbs2:

[hockeyhead019]

awesome tank!! completely jealous

[Miltonic]

thanks a lot guys !!! :22:

[Miltonic]

changed out my bulbs to 12k Reeflux bulbs from 20k coralvue bulbs and all i can say is that the color is awesome and cannot wait to see the growth with this babies lol

heres an fts with new bulbs
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/fts7.jpg

sunset monti, my only surviving sps from previous build
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/sunset1.jpg

right side close up
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/48b91e23.jpg

[Cliff]

Your tank looks great

I can hardly wait for my tank to mature like yours has

Keep up with the photo up-dates

[Miltonic]

thanks a lot cliff with time and patience it will

in other news my clowns began hosting my rbta im soooo happy

heres the female
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/2fe456c3.jpg

male and female
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/74f71112.jpg

[hockeyhead019]

wow you're clowns dwarf that nem! awsome to have the clowns host though congrats! and your corals look amazing!

[Cliff]

Love your anemone. They have to be one of my favorite marine critters by far

It sure is nice to see clowns hosting.

[hockeyhead019]

Milt out of curiosity do you have a bare bottom?

[Miltonic]

Hopefully the next step for my clowns is to breed I would love to try raising the fry!

Yea hockey I have a bare bottom, it helps keep my tank cleaner for my Sps dominated reef, Sand is nice but it collects too much detritus over time.

[labnjab]

Awesome tank and great picturesthumbs2:

[Miltonic]

thanks man

heres a couple top down shots

Efflo
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/874cd594.jpg


keylime tabling acro, Sunset monti and couple others lol
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/1ccabb2e.jpg

[Cliff]

That's a beautiful looking Acro Milt.

Those are one of my favorite SPS

[Miltonic]

mine too i just wish i could get the right color with my camera it makes it look to white buts a baby blue color

[Miltonic]

well i got bored and took some pics enjoy


http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/94558c5a.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/2d9ae1fb.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/cd72fabc.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/7a4ec74d.jpg

[Cliff]

Looking nice as always

[hockeyhead019]

your sps growth is crazy! congrats on an awesome tank! love the hippo too haha

[chrisfraser05]

I've totally got tang jelousy..

I really want to get a bigger tank and a load of tangs!

[Miltonic]

thanks a lot guys, i really appreciated since ive put lots of work into this tank :22:

That hippo is my big baby ive had her for 2-3 years now and has gotten huge!

[Miltonic]

heres a little pic update!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/f74aae7b.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/bee25dbb.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/6dc81ce6.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/8c345c9d.jpg

[Ellen4God]

Looks great!!!!!

[Cliff]

Great looking SPS

[Miltonic]

thanks guys :22:

heres a little growth comparison my SPS are growing are pretty fast rate

taken 10/13
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/7a4ec74d.jpg

taken 11/24
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/83b984e4.jpg

[Cliff]

It sure can be amazing to see SPS grow when it's happy

[Miltonic]

yes thats my favorite part seeing a frag grow into a colony.

Its crazy cause you think they arent growing but you look back on pics and then you def see the difference lol

[Ellen4God]

What does SPS stand for?

[Cliff]

What does SPS stand for?

Small-Polyp Stoney Corals

[Ellen4God]

Ah. Thanks! :)

[Miltonic]

couple more pics, making up for the time wihtout updates lol

Crocea clam
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/61f67f1a.jpg

Acan Enchinata
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/7f76c76d.jpg

Ricordia
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/bdd8d1ed.jpg

Sunset Montipora,
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/b2db39fa.jpg

[labnjab]

Nice tank and nice sunset montie. They can be fast growers. Ours has really taken off since switching to leds

[hockeyhead019]

nice pics milt! tanks lookin good always love the sps corals

[Miltonic]

yea the sunset is very fast grower for me as well with the 400w mh, im still convinced with the LEDS i think i may bneed ot get another pendant for 37g tank which right now only has one AI Sol blue.

[Miltonic]

a lot has gone over the last month my clowns finally laid on a removable surface and im def ready to raise some babies :)

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/ce88a2ba.jpg

Acro island

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/1be1099a.jpg

FTS
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/38e0f270.jpg

[chrisfraser05]

Stunning! thumbs2:

[sheamurai]

ah, happy clowns! You are going to try to raise the babies?
Wow good luck and journal that! I've read its quite a process.

[Cliff]

Congrats on the spawn.

You tank is looking great, I love the pic up-dates

[Ellen4God]

Wow!!! I can't wait to see baby clowns!!! Good luck!

[Miltonic]

Thanks a lot guys and yes I will try to journal the step for raising clowns ive done quite a bit of studying so i think ready lol

[hockeyhead019]

best of luck on the baby clowns! definitely get us some pictures :)

[labnjab]

Congrats on the babies. Our clowns have been together going on 3 years and have not mated once, lol

[Miltonic]

you gotta get lucky since its very rare for them to breed in community reefs, mine have only been together a year before they bred.

[Miltonic]

hey guys i wanted update, well I was finally to get my hand and raising some clownfish fry and so far I have 3 clown larva at 5 days old in a 10g, im still not out of the wood with them until they go through metamorphoses in about 7-9days but for my first try Im happy i have gotten this far. I have to say this is the most awesome experience I have tried in this hobby so far! I have to get organized and get some time in my hands for some pictures and hopefully I can start a clown breeding thread.

[Cliff]

Glad to hear things are going so well

I hope you put together that clown breading thread. That would be a great read !!!

[hockeyhead019]

Tha't'd definitely be a great read and congrats on getting that far!!

[sheamurai]

Wow way to go!

[Miltonic]

thanks a lot guys my babies are now 8 days old and goign through meta right now one looks liek is already done since its first white stripe is forming :)

heres a little vid (click the image)

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/th_e71db6e4.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/?action=view&current=e71db6e4.mp4)

[Cliff]

Congrats again on the fry

I'm glad to see they are doing well and growing

[hockeyhead019]

That's so cool man! Keep up the good work with the fry!

[Miltonic]

thanks guys this is very exciting to me!!

[kaybee]

Very cool! :thumb:

[William]

Any update for us about the fry?
Will you try to save some of the new batch??

[Miltonic]

my fry are about 3 weeks old right now and doing great they are still small yet, im thinking about building a grow out system in my basement just for clowns! I also just gt a breeding pair of clarkii clowns aswell so yea im gonna have my hands full soon lol

[Miltonic]

time for some tanks pics, I went to a frag swap this past weekend and i came home with a looooot of frags and I made get shot for this here at home but i need a bigger tank lol

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/d1c06351.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/2dca80df.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/af54ff01.jpg

This a really neat Gorgonian I got at the swap I never had one before, its photosyntethic to make it easier lol

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/207cdb03.jpg

[Miltonic]

edit: o crap new page, guys go back a page for more pics!!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/ab7cac1e.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/ae6db4a1.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/miltonic/aefaa6f3.jpg

[Cliff]

Your SPS looks great

I always look forward to your pics

[hockeyhead019]

time for some tanks pics, I went to a frag swap this past weekend and i came home with a looooot of frags and I made get shot for this here at home but i need a bigger tank lol


Na not shot, you can just give me your old one! ;)

Tank is looking great man congrats on the new corals!

[Ashurbarnipal]

My goodness but that is gorgeous! Looking at it makes me want to get stuff I know I can't get yet!

[Old Marine]

Tank Looks Great. Thank You for sharing.

[patinthehat]

hows the baby clown fish doing?

[Miltonic]

thanks a lot guys i appreciate all the comments:22:

The baby clowns are doing great they are a little over a month old right now and as cute as ever very active, I love raising them.

heres a vid
5kOlVHjQOYE

[patinthehat]

thanks a lot guys i appreciate all the comments:22:

The baby clowns are doing great they are a little over a month old right now and as cute as ever very active, I love raising them.

heres a vid


that is awesome! so how many eggs were laid and how many babies did you end up with?

[Miltonic]

Lets just say they lay hundreds of eggs at a time but i only ended up with three survivors which is a great number for my first batch. Im hoping for my second which is on its way i get a lot more!

[William]

Cute little buggers. Hope you get more in the next batch.

[hockeyhead019]

The lil guys look great! So cool that you're doing so well raising them!! Congrats man you've got the full SW experience going on.