Solar dos Frades Reef v2 - 265g from Portugal!

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Meanwhile the tank is getting ready to be changed.

I am getting simpler and simpler by the day. And what I feel is that every time I simplify things the aquarium and the corals respond better. So the new tank is without inventions and a simple proven build!

The aquarium is smaller but actually I am going to get 20cm more of display.

Old: 230x80x60cm 12mm glass but due to the overflow boxes I only had 200cm

The new one is ready and the supplier sent me some pictures:

New: 220x80x60cm 15mm glass with clear on the front and coast to coast overflow.

The change is scheduled for next saturday. Which me luck!

All the best,
Rui

 

[Mikemccafe]

Well I may have explained me the wrong way. I need a license to collect Natural Sea Water. If I collect water without a license I risk a fine that can go up to 3000€.
My fish and corals come from LFS or Friends.



Thank you timhhl. Greetings!

All the best,
Rui

Thanks for the clarifications, aren't you afraid of pollutants from the water you collect, and the algae outbreak coming from the natural sea water I didn't notice do you have a U.V. sterilizer

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Thanks for the clarifications, aren't you afraid of pollutants from the water you collect, and the algae outbreak coming from the natural sea water I didn't notice do you have a U.V. sterilizer

Actually no. I used for a long time now. Almost 10y and never had problems.
I just filter twice the water with a 200 micron filterbag.

All the best,
Rui

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Meanwhile some of the last pictures before tank tear down!

Sorry for the noise in the pictures. I always have the water column full of debris but I hope the new aquarium design will solve that!

I am missing a FTS that I will do before tear down!

All the best,
Rui

 

[Mikemccafe]

Actually no. I used for a long time now. Almost 10y and never had problems.
I just filter twice the water with a 200 micron filterbag.

All the best,
Rui

That's awesome, my family is from the Azores, and I have seen various photos of fish from diving around the islands, have you ever collected wild fish from your local waters to put in your dt, I have even seen various wrasse fish in our local fish markets for human consumption imported from Sao Miguel there called piexe rei quite beautiful fish.

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

That's awesome, my family is from the Azores, and I have seen various photos of fish from diving around the islands, have you ever collected wild fish from your local waters to put in your dt, I have even seen various wrasse fish in our local fish markets for human consumption imported from Sao Miguel there called piexe rei quite beautiful fish.

Hello Mikemccafe, Thank you!
Yes our fauna and flora is actually beautiful but the temperature ranges are completely different. Our waters range from 15 to 18º Celsius which is not compatible with the 25º I maintain the reef!

All the best,
Rui

 

[VJV]

Rui, I believe I read in one of your posts that you use the ATI Powercone 250IS DC skimmer. Are you happy with it? I am looking for one of these as they are much cheaper than competition (Nyos quantum 220, BK Double Cone, etc) but read a lot of bad reviews on the ATI.

Also, would you say the skimmer is quiet? This is very important to me.

Obrigado!

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Rui, I believe I read in one of your posts that you use the ATI Powercone 250IS DC skimmer. Are you happy with it? I am looking for one of these as they are much cheaper than competition (Nyos quantum 220, BK Double Cone, etc) but read a lot of bad reviews on the ATI.

Also, would you say the skimmer is quiet? This is very important to me.

Obrigado!

You read it right. I am very happy with the skimmer. It's a beast.
I have the latest pump before they changed to DC and never failed me in 2 years.

It's as silent as any Royal Exclusive or Vertex.

The new DC Pumps are much more reliable and easy to replace!

For me the needle/mesh wheel they have is second to none!

All the best,
Rui

 

[VJV]

Thanks! [emoji1303]

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Thanks! [emoji1303]

Your welcome. Do you want some pictures of his performance? I can show you the gung it takes in just one week! Too bad I can't share the smell ....

 

[Don Lidtke]

Your photos of your fish and corals are amazing! Thank you for the time you have taken to write your story and all of the photos. I look forward to seeing more.

 

[VJV]

Your welcome. Do you want some pictures of his performance? I can show you the gung it takes in just one week! Too bad I can't share the smell ....

That would be perfect thanks! (Appreciate that it is not possible to share the smell [emoji4]).

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Your photos of your fish and corals are amazing! Thank you for the time you have taken to write your story and all of the photos. I look forward to seeing more.

Thank you so much Don! Appreciated. I will keep posting all the ventures and disventures.

That would be perfect thanks! (Appreciate that it is not possible to share the smell [emoji4]).

Here you go

Enjoy .... ARGHHHH!

Rui

 

[VJV]

Nice [emoji13]

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Nice [emoji13]

Nice because it's not you who have to clean it .... LOL!

 

[VJV]

[emoji51][emoji51][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[dragon99]

Beautiful tank! I have some of the same corals you do, and wish mine looked as nice. Good luck with the transfer, hopefully there won't be any BUGS this time. I can't imagine dealing with that many cracks and water spills. My wife would banish the tank.

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

Beautiful tank! I have some of the same corals you do, and wish mine looked as nice. Good luck with the transfer, hopefully there won't be any BUGS this time. I can't imagine dealing with that many cracks and water spills. My wife would banish the tank.

Thank you Dragon.
Why to you think I have the aquarium in my home office? If it was in the living room my wife would have put my bags at the door by now !!!

Funny that you are from Texas. I will be Dallas in a couple of weeks for work ... Any shop recommendations in Dallas area?

All the best,
Rui

 

[dragon99]

I'm closer to Houston, so I usually go there. I've heard good things about http://dallasnorthaquarium.com/ but haven't been yet.

 

[rui.manuel.gaspar]

I'm closer to Houston, so I usually go there. I've heard good things about http://dallasnorthaquarium.com/ but haven't been yet.

Thank you dragon99. I will have some time Sunday to go there!

Meanwhile the new tank arrived. Sorry I don't have pictures. I was with my hands full ... LOL

For Saturday I will try to put my GoPro to document the change!

All the best,
Rui