Pratt Reef --The Next Generation

[prattreef]

Some of you may know that the oldest of my reef systems ( the one in the backroom for those who have visited me at Pratt) crashed completely over the Summer--a total loss. As sad as it was, I was determined to make lemonade out of lemons. I decided to take the opportunity and rip out the soon to be 16 yr.old 125g. tank and stand and was given the opportunity to replace it with a custom 220g. with cabinet stand and canopy.

Well, the day has finally come and the system is up and running, rock work in place. I'm not entirely sure what I am going to do with the system, but I'm fairly certain it is not going to be a full-blown reef ( I have more than enough corals and clams etc in my other systems ) Likely, this is going to be a fish dominated tank--angels, butterflies, triggers etc---stuff I can't really keep in my other systems for obvious reasons. I'll likely add some corallimorphs, soft corals and maybe some gorgonians and if they get munched on so be it.

Specfics:

The tank is a custom glass build 5' x 30" x 30"

Lighting is 2 x 250W Ushio 14K DE MH in Luminarc Mini pendants

Skimmer is a SWC needlewheel

Return is an iwaki 40

Phosban and carbon in separate reactors.

I'm super happy with the rock work on the left side and almost happy with the branch "tree" on the right.

Enjoy

 

[dubs]

nice new setup love the right side that tonga branch looks really nice

 

[Lenny718]

Wow! Very nice tank Randy. Best of luck with it and its future inhabitants

 

[dynamictank]

Nice every week u should take a photo. Same distance everytime at the same time for a couple months and then make a fast video which would be sick awesome setup I def wanna take a look

 

[smoq]

So cool. The tank looks so awesome with the rock inside. Good idea to have it as FOWLR, gonna be eye-catching. I would like to see a moray eel and frogfish in there. Good job Randy, can't wait to see it in person.

 

[Wolverine57]

Randy..Looks great!

 

[KathyC]

Congrats Randy! The new tank looks great and happy to see that you are taking such wonderful advantage of such an upsetting loss.

 

[ming]

Congrats! Can't wait to see it stocked!

 

[Josh]

All that aquascaping is for nothing if you don't load it up with corals!

 

[prattreef]

All that aquascaping is for nothing if you don't load it up with corals!

Nah you have it backwards---in a FOWLR system the rockwork is the main design element. In a reef stocked with corals once they grow in, the rock work becomes pretty irrelevant

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Looks great. So nice and clean....:splitspin

 

[albano]

Very nice 'start', Randy...you should post a livestock 'wish list'...I am always getting offered stuff that I can't use...but a guy with a FOWLR would love!
:shhh: SECRET SANTA time!

 

[sillysidewinder]

hey randy. would still love to help out whenever you need.

 

[tentacles]

So cool. The tank looks so awesome with the rock inside. Good idea to have it as FOWLR, gonna be eye-catching. I would like to see a moray eel and frogfish in there. Good job Randy, can't wait to see it in person.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[rookie07]

Very cool...can't wait to see it come alive!

I would be happy to give you a few leather frags if they work in the tank, once you are ready for them.

 

[Gwiz3005]

I love seeing new tanks go up in my neighborhood! I would love to come by and see it some time.

You have inspired my new tank build!

 

[House of Laughter]

I see some really cool smaller fish coming too - hawks etc.

Nice work RD and T

Jim

 

[FaviaFreak]

looks great Randy! a pair of Semilarvatus and some other chaetodon sp. would be a great project

 

[NDY]

Nah you have it backwards---in a FOWLR system the rockwork is the main design element. In a reef stocked with corals once they grow in, the rock work becomes pretty irrelevant

+1
Awesome Rock Work GL with everything

 

[prattreef]

Thanks everyone, it is going to be a fun project.

Alfie-- A secret Santa is welcomed any time of year
Phil--thanks I might just take you up on that offer
Gwiz--you live in Clinton Hill? Have you ever seen the tanks on campus? drop me a note.
Kevin--Good call on the semilarvatus -- they are very high on the "featured fish of the system" list.

Jim-- small fish are good too

Marcin and Janine--eels and frogfish... ummm.. maybe... maybe not Go hang out with Dom for that stuff lol