my little ocean - nano reef

[smartie2000]

I started a 10 gallon reef oct 2007 and its been running quite smoothly so far. I've spent quite some time reading up about them last year since I always wanted one. I took some photos today. Some snails decided to lay eggs and I have tons of babies on the glass now. Sorry I've loaded many photos

my clown goes into its torch coral host as soon as I get close for a picture. He's very attached to it now. I used the torch coral to substitute for an anemone, since anemones require larger systems

This is my fav. zooanthid colony. I love its colour

One of my two blue legged hermit crabs decided to get up close for a photo too.

My skunk cleaner shrimp gets really hyper when it comes to feeding. It even tries to clean my hands when I need to put them in there. Its quite sensory system is quite developed. I also have a Echinaster starfish that is hidden in a corner. Luckly it takes flakefood or it would starve slowly in such a small system.

I recently bought this Acanthastrea (a fragment from the great barrier reef). They are closing collection from the reef again in Australia according to the coral vendor and I noticed all vendors have imported from Australia currently. Hopefully it will colour up in the weeks to come b/c some are quite beautiful and become valuable

I also set up a 2.5 gallon pico reef for my desk recently. Sorry about the glare, it got sunny in my room and of course I keep orchids there too. My firefish goby is quite shy but I managed to get a photo of him. Its a newer tank so its not filled in yet.

...now time for my weekly water change

[Brutal_Dreamer]

So cool, Fren! How in the world do you have time to care for your orchids and reef tanks? You must stay very busy!!

Cheers,
BD

[Mehera]

Smartie, your efforts have really paid off; your tanks are so beautiful! I know from a relative, who also has one of these, that it is an expensive, time-consuming hobby--but oh so amazing. Left alone with her tank for awhile, and at different times of day, I was surprised how much things moved and changed as the day went on. Tentacles waved and floated, and next time, it would just be a hunk of rock! Quite fascinating. You have done a wonderful job!

[clintdawley]

Such a beautiful mini-ecosystem!

[smartie2000]

thanks it is all really fascinating to me
my corals, all expanded more later in the day when it was all sunny. I think they really like the sun even though they say sunlight promotes nuisance algae growth

[Jmoney]

very very cool!

[Phyrex]

That's a really pretty aquarium you got there. It's one of my father's life long hobbies and I should definately congratulate you and producing such a stunning mini-ocean.

[GiovannaD]

I've always wanted a reef aquarium...it's like you're staring at the actual ocean bottom! Have you named your clown fish Nemo or Marlin?

[scopinox]

Wow Fren. That is absolutely spectacular. I can't believe that you did that in 5 months. I know introducing anything into an aquaurium takes forever.

Just looking at the screen, I can imagine the whole system throbbing and swaying. That goby's tail against that purple/blue ?coral?? is gorgeous.

Is it possible to take a photo of the inner workings of the tank, seeing as you have a nano and pico. With all the junk on other forums, I just can't visualize it, especially for nanos and picos. I would really love to start reef keeping but lack of $$ (or should I say RR), and off course knowledge prevents me.

[pavel]

Very nice, Fren!

If I were to have a water tank, my desire would be for salt water. But way too much maintainence for me. [I understand that in many ways the smaller ones can be more difficult than the larger tanks]

Good thing your starfish isn't one of the coral eaters! Cute crab.

I didn't know Australia still allowed coral harvesting. Especially considering that corals worldwide are suffering from overharvesting, climate change, and human caused damage.