Oldest reef tank or fish only tank in our club?

[Greg Hiller]

> How long was Hiller's 110 running?<

Well, it started as a 125 acylic FOWOLR (that's fish only without live rock ) in '95, the old school method of bleached coral skeletons. I added sand and rock and started adding corals in about 97. When I added MH to the hood the tank started to crack and I did a rush job getting everything moved into a 110 Oceanic I got from Inland Reef. That was Sept of 98. I transferred the last of the corals to my 400 G around Xmas of '05. I didn't really change much in the way of rock or sand or anything from 98 to 05, so I guess that's at least 7 years. While I had various issues with the tank (floods, etc.) there was nothing 'wrong' with the system when I shut it down. Things were still growing well, but were very crowded. I still have the Maroon clowns that I purchased back in '95 from TI.

My 54 corner has not really been messed with much since '98. Most of the fish have died off over the years I think due to old age. My flame angel in that tank died recently I think at about 5-6 years.

 

[JMAC]

There are several people in the Boston area with pretty old tanks. A lot of them don't post anymore but still have tanks going that are 5 + years. Some even older.

I guess I fall in that category.

I did the freshwater thing since I was very young and wanted a new challenge. So, I started a 55 Gal reef in the end of '96 and moved the entire contents into my current 150 gal in 2000 when I moved. I still have a couple of the original corals and my first fish. A yellow tang and its still healthy and happy.

I only recently scaled back (and am still scaling back) do to many factors including lack of time.

Joe

 

[JCheung]

I did the freshwater thing since I was very young and wanted a new challenge. So, I started a 55 Gal reef in the end of '96 and moved the entire contents into my current 150 gal in 2000 when I moved. I still have a couple of the original corals and my first fish. A yellow tang and its still healthy and happy.

I have a story like that, i started with turtles though (I still have them). Then tried to keep turtles with some cool looking fish. That didn't turn out so great so i seperated them out. Then I went to South and Central American Cichlids. Then to Piranha which killed each other while i was buying my 90. Then i just decided to try my hand at the saltwater tanks.

 

[ReeferMedic]

My 210 was setup initially about 4 years ago last April. There have been alot of additional tanks added to the system since then at different times.

 

[origreefer]

I have a micro-reeftank (yes, micro is what they were called, not nano's) that has been running constant since 1992. It has been moved 3 times, but never broken down. It's self contained so easy to move. On the last move, I hadn't found a place to live yet, so I put the tank in my dad's cellar. Unfortunately, my mom, who at the time had the early stages of Alzhimers, unplugged it. I was only checking on it once a week, so by the time I checked it, I lost almost all that was in there. Devastating for sure. However, it's still running, although not at pre-disaster levels. It's an acrylic Sea-Clear tank, about 5 gallons, with two built in compartments, one I use for skimmer, the other for return pump and media. It was called the "Executive", the tank sits inside a wood cabinet, it's really meant for an executives desktop. I paid $220 for it back in 1992. It had just cheapo flo's back then, now I have 2-18w CF's under the canopy.

 

[jdeb101]

Greg how big is your maroon now? Ive had one for almost a year now and he doesnt look much bigger than when I first got him. JW how quickly they grow because Ive seen some quite large ones at the LFS's.

 

[JohnK]

My main system is about 2.5 yrs old, but most of the sand, rock, corals and fish came from my 75G and 58G tanks that were about 5 yrs old.

Tracing way back, I still have the LR I got in 97. I've had my maroon and perc clown pairs since 02.

 

[Cheetos]

I have a micro-reeftank (yes, micro is what they were called, not nano's) that has been running constant since 1992. It has been moved 3 times, but never broken down. It's self contained so easy to move. On the last move, I hadn't found a place to live yet, so I put the tank in my dad's cellar. Unfortunately, my mom, who at the time had the early stages of Alzhimers, unplugged it. I was only checking on it once a week, so by the time I checked it, I lost almost all that was in there. Devastating for sure. However, it's still running, although not at pre-disaster levels. It's an acrylic Sea-Clear tank, about 5 gallons, with two built in compartments, one I use for skimmer, the other for return pump and media. It was called the "Executive", the tank sits inside a wood cabinet, it's really meant for an executives desktop. I paid $220 for it back in 1992. It had just cheapo flo's back then, now I have 2-18w CF's under the canopy.

I believe they are called Pico tanks now! Pico tanks rule!

 

[Greg Hiller]

>Greg how big is your maroon now? Ive had one for almost a year now and he doesnt look much bigger than when I first got him.<

The female is a monster now 3-4" long? Fortunately, she's never been super agressive to the other fishes in the tank. She really does not like new corals being too close to her anemone though!

Chuck Smith's tank (first TOTM winner), if it's still running, has been set up a long time. I remember it as being one of the best tanks I've ever seen. Chuck I don't think has been around much on the forums for many years now.

 

[cobraz]

1990 - Still have an original Tomato Clown, 3 Stripe Damsel and Blue/Yellow tail Damsel in my soft tank which was upgraded in 2000 and has been running for 7 years. The tanks have been moved twice with no losses during the moves. Last fish lost was a Royal Gramma I had for 5 years... little fellow died with his mouth open at bottom of tank.. that was 1 year ago.

My tomato is also very aggressive.. she took to my toad stools and I have removed 2 since they have gotten hugh 6-7" across each. The last one is her's but she always thinks I am going to take it away and attacks my hand when I clean the tank now... the nip does not hurt - it just makes you jump when you do not see it comming...LOL

 

[Greg Hiller]

>1990 - Still have an original Tomato Clown, 3 Stripe Damsel and Blue/Yellow tail Damsel in my soft tank <

Dud, you have a 17 year old yellow-tail damsel? That's incredible. I had no idea they could live that long!

 

[Firefish]

My flame angel in that tank died recently I think at about 5-6 years.

was that the fish that I saw on saturday?! he looked good.. or did I see the replacement?

 

[Greg Hiller]

It was a replacement. I actually purchased a pair, but as flames will do, the male died in only a few weeks. My experience with flames (and most dwarf angels) is that it's really touch and got the first 6 weeks or so. Get past that point and you are usually good for many years. Now I have to decide whether to try and purchase another male before this female goes male.

 

[Firefish]

the 2 tanks I have now have been up since october 04 and december 04.. and considering the bigger tank has been built into the dividing wall of my livingroom and dining room it isn't going anywhere anytime soon!
before that I had my tank in Tennessee set up from 00 to 03

 

[Firefish]

ohh... sorry about your fish greg

 

[BrianMac]

It was a replacement. I actually purchased a pair, but as flames will do, the male died in only a few weeks. My experience with flames (and most dwarf angels) is that it's really touch and got the first 6 weeks or so. Get past that point and you are usually good for many years. Now I have to decide whether to try and purchase another male before this female goes male.

Greg,

How can you tell the sex of a Flame Angel? Also I was in Rumfords a few weeks ago and they had some very small Flame Angels, about an inch of so long.

 

[alarmtek29]

I Have Had My 300 Gallon For 2 Years And Before That A 55 Gallon For About 4

 

[Greg Hiller]

>How can you tell the sex of a Flame Angel?<

Any very small fish is supposed to be female. They morph sex, just like clownfish, but in the opposite way.