Post your established/old tank (i am talking 3+ years old)

[cilyjr]

That clam is massive

It was 15 inches long when I sold it. I broke down that tank when I moved across the country.

 

[Formulator]

Current tank around 3 yrs but rock sand and filtration is closer to 11 years active use

Nice! Where is your rock?? Do you use biopellets or something else for biofiltration? I’ve never seen a tank with such minimal rockwork.

 

[liddojunior]

It was 15 inches long when I sold it. I broke down that tank when I moved across the country

I wonder who was able to buy it, must be difficult to move safely. I would think once its that size, its not going to be moved

 

[VintageReefer]

Nice! Where is your rock?? Do you use biopellets or something else for biofiltration? I’ve never seen a tank with such minimal rockwork.

Under the corals
On serious note yes you are correct I went with less rock in my display this time because I wanted more space for fish and corals. I don’t use bio pellets, I don’t use a skimmer, I don’t do vodka dosing or any dosing, I don’t run socks or fleece rollers, I have zero mechanical filtration, and I don’t do water changes. I have no automation or controllers, I don’t even use an auto top off.

I do keep extra rock in my sump. My only filtration is a surf2 algae scrubber and a cryptic zone in my sump

As for in tank rock I tuned some lights up and took pics

These are all rock structures I built they are covered in coral

This gsp is fully encrusted over a massive piece of tonga branch, propped on other rocks

Far left side has some rock hidden under / behind the floating branch shelves

And took new full tank shots also cause why not show off what an established low maintenance, low tech tank can be

 

[texasreefer92]

Careful what you wish for...

Mature and established doesn't always mean good!

That was my tank at 3 years old.

Age is no guarantee of excellence.

It doesn't look that bad anymore, thankfully - but it took the better part of two years to get it from that to this:

Still not great, and it's gotten better since then... but yeah. If you fall behind on your maintenance, your tank's age won't save you.

Oh for sure! Our last tank my husband had going for 3 years prior to shutting it down but we just did not have the time for and we lost alot of livestock and coral because we were careless. We also just accepted the green hair algae like it was GSP lol! We took a 4 year break and now have more time for it

 

[texasreefer92]

3 years ago

Today (took picture with orphec lenses)

Gorgeous!!! Its pretty impressive what can change in 3 years!

Did you do mostly frags or did you buy colonies of corals?

 

[texasreefer92]

This was mine at about 5 years. I got lazy and had to restart recently, but hope to get back to where I was.

Do you still have the yellow tang? Love the Zoa garden & the leathers!

 

[TeamAquaSD]

Under the corals
On serious note yes you are correct I went with less rock in my display this time because I wanted more space for fish and corals. I don’t use bio pellets, I don’t use a skimmer, I don’t do vodka dosing or any dosing, I don’t run socks or fleece rollers, I have zero mechanical filtration, and I don’t do water changes. I have no automation or controllers, I don’t even use an auto top off.

I do keep extra rock in my sump. My only filtration is a surf2 algae scrubber and a cryptic zone in my sump

As for in tank rock I tuned some lights up and took pics

These are all rock structures I built they are covered in coral

This gsp is fully encrusted over a massive piece of tonga branch, propped on other rocks

Far left side has some rock hidden under / behind the floating branch shelves

And took new full tank shots also cause why not show off what an established low maintenance, low tech tank can be

KILLER TANK!!!
Love the floating branch shelf. Did you use a silocone to get it attached to the back glass panel?

 

[texasreefer92]

My 180 before I took it down was maybe 7 years running.

A BEAUTY !!! That Clam is amazing! I love everything about this tank the placement of corals, aquascape and fish! do you have any other tanks or out of the hobby now?

 

[JamesZ.]

 

[texasreefer92]

5 years

Okay where to start..... LOVE THIS! That Hippo tang is so vibrant and huge! your Candy Cane corals are absolutely amazing.... I know people view them as an "easy" coral but my green one is kicking my butt! your hammers i am ENVIOUS of! yet another coral i am struggling with. But i love how your tank is layered with them on the bottom. Absolutely amazing!

 

[VintageReefer]

KILLER TANK!!!
Love the floating branch shelf. Did you use a silocone to get it attached to the back glass panel?

It’s held in place with a ridiculous magnet. The branch has two removable shelves in a tier, it is rated to hold 15lbs at the farthest point of the branch (from the magnet). Its so strong I can’t even put other magnets on that section of the rear wall. I’ve tried. It holds my torch garden and some sps at the top

Since you guys chimed know I’ll give a plug. My Warpaint scoly is from asd and at least 4 years old

 

[texasreefer92]

Thank you. Other than those corals that you can’t buy as frags such as torches everything else started out as frags. These days colonies are so expensive and uncommon that frags are really the only way to go.
Love chalices, easy and great colors. Only issue is they are generally encrusters so it becomes a pain to try and contain them.

That is so encouraging to hear! I would love to have colony money but even some of these frags have me sweating, so its nice to see what can come from frags. I am underwhelmed with my chalices i have currently have and want to add some more colorful one. I am looking at Raja Rampage one. I think it maybe a cliché but i love how bright it is! Do you have chalice recommendation?

 

[Biokabe]

Oh for sure! Our last tank my husband had going for 3 years prior to shutting it down but we just did not have the time for and we lost alot of livestock and coral because we were careless. We also just accepted the green hair algae like it was GSP lol! We took a 4 year break and now have more time for it

That's exactly what it was. We went through some changes at work, the tl;dr is that it drastically cut down my income... and between finding ways to make it work out, spending money and time on the tank became a secondary concern. Not to mention, I was spending a lot of time on a woodworking project (ironically, for the very tank I was neglecting). And then, once it was covered in algae, things started dying and it just made me feel depressed, especially since I didn't know when I'd have the money to replace them. Which led to me spending even less time on the tank, which led to even more losses. It's a vicious cycle.

 

[texasreefer92]

inhabitants are over 3 years. But newer tank for themWga

inhabitants are over 3 years. But newer tank for them

Love it! What is the coral in the lower right corner?

 

[texasreefer92]

Current tank around 3 yrs but rock sand and filtration is closer to 11 years active use

VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! How do you like the coral frag stands? I have some jerks in my tank that keep tipping over my corals on the sandy bed so considering getting some. Raja Rampage i freaking love!!!!

 

[ryanjohn1]

Love it! What is the coral in the lower right corner?

Big pearl type bubble coral.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Love it! What is the coral in the lower right corner?

Nope sorry that’s candy cane

 

[texasreefer92]

Prior setup
Approx 4 years

Still impressive set up! I like the vibrant colors of your current one. What is the massive silver fish with the yellow fin? I have not seen that before!

 

[ryanjohn1]

Better shot