Tank birthday, 40 years

[Paul B]

In a couple of weeks my reef will will have reached 40 years old.
Unfortunately I don't remember when I was 40 but I remember when I set it up. I was a skinny 22 year old just back from Viet Nam.
It is still running very well, still using the same reverse UG filter, same dolomite substrait but none of the fish are original. The oldest one, a fireclown is just over 16, all of the older fish died in an accident that was due to my carelessness.
The tank is mostly LPS, gorgonians, giant mushrooms and a few leathers.
There are only three SPS corals, two of which have been with me for a few years and are growing nicely.
I am not sure is any of the original NSW from the Long Island Sound is still in there or any of the original amphipods but maybe much later generations.
I still can't take a decent picture and the tank is not as blue as these pictures but it is what it is.

 

[albano]

still using the same reverse UG filter, same dolomite substrait

Congrats Paul...
BUT for real long term success, maybe, you should replace the dolomite!

 

[Paul B]

Good Idea, I think the dolomite is holding the tank back from being fifty. But I think it just cycled last tuesday

 

[ctxmonitor]

Congrat!! Nice and very mature tank,

What kind of wrasse is this?

 

[Arati]

thats a dragon wrasse.

congratz Paul love the tank! great pics.

 

[Paul B]

Thanks Arati. By the way I think the frag you gave me is still living.
Isn't it that green one near the front right?

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

congratulations that is very impressive. did you ever have to reseal the tank or rebuild the stand?

 

[SSV3NOM]

Two words.


Truly amazing.

 

[jr973]

Nice to hear I believ I have seen this tank on reef central also but congrats on the 40th anniversary Paul I'm sure u will b wineing your tank with viatmin c and dinneing with pe mysis on your big day lol

 

[Paul B]

Yes I really need to wine and dine the tank and maybe the person who built it if he is still alive. So far it has never leaked. The galvanized stand that I built is heavy construction steel much thicker than angle iron and the leg near the skimmer rusted badly. I scraped that leg down and epoxied it to protect it, another leg I could not get to as easily and I just bolted a new leg next to it to help suport it and I also epoxied that leg. The other two legs are like brand new.

 

[MarineLt]

Congrats.. Very nice Tank

 

[Macropora]

Congrats Paul B!

 

[Paul B]

She is about to lay eggs again. This large watchman gobi has been with me for many years along with her boyfriend. She has also laid eggs many times but all the times except once she laid them in places where I can't get to to take a picture. This time she picked a place in the back of the tank where I hope to get a picture of. She already uncovered my UG filter and is fat. I am hoping to see some eggs this week but you never know. She could also just have eaten too many Doritoes and just gotten fat.

This was another batch of eggs from her in another place where it is hard to get a picture

 

[Master Shake]

im impressed, the average life expectancy of a tank is 7-10 years

 

[dj ze]

congrats paul also how does that long nose butterfly behave with the corals in the tank does it nip at anything been tempted to get one myself

 

[Paul B]

The long nose does not nip at anything. He gets live worms and fresh clams every day and swims around smiling.
Master Shake the glass of my tank is only 35 years old, I moved everything to this larger tank in 1976

 

[Long-Island-Mike]

Congratulations Paul, truly amazing.

 

[Master Shake]

still 35 years is a long time for a tank, looks good

The long nose does not nip at anything. He gets live worms and fresh clams every day and swims around smiling.
Master Shake the glass of my tank is only 35 years old, I moved everything to this larger tank in 1976

 

[Breakin Newz]

Grats dude! 40's a long time!!!

 

[tentacles]

Very nice, Paul. Love the spawning gobies.