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WAMAS Tank of the Month




Mike Henley (OUSnakebyte)

Congratulations to you Mike, on being selected tank of the month.


About the Tank










Fish
  • 1 Blue Tang
  • 1 Yellow Tang
  • 1 Melanurus Wrasse
  • 1 Mated Pair Gold Maroon Clowns

Experience in hobby

How long have you been doing this?

I started in the summer of 2002. I moved to D.C. with a 75 gallon, and I upgraded to my 120 gallon in October 2005.

Who got you into the hobby?

I got myself into the hobby after a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and a dive as an UNcertified diver. I got certified after that trip.

Who in the hobby most influences you?

For plumbing and electrical issues that would be Bob Dewitt (cowrie) and for corals, etc. Robie Sayan (Robz). After I saw his tank in 2002 I knew I had something to strive for.

Tank setup and equipment

I have a 120 gallon oceanic tank, my lighting consists of 2 150 watt hqi's 10 k's, 4 actinic bulbs, 2 are t5's and 2 are vho's. I dose kalkwasser and use turbo calcium and a commercial 2 part. I have a SCWD on a closed loop with eductors on the output; skimmer is an AquaC 180.

Corals
  • Acanthastrea sp.
  • A. efflorescens
  • A. exquisita
  • A. formosa
  • A. horrida
  • A. hyacinthus
  • A. humilis
  • A. loisetteae
  • A. millepora
  • A. nasuta
  • A. prostrata
  • A. tortuosa
  • A. valida
  • A. yongeii
  • Acropora sp. - "purple monster"
  • Acropora sp. - bottlebrush
  • Acropora sp. - purple table
  • Blastomussa merleti
  • Eunicea sp.
  • Favia sp.
  • Fungia sp.
  • Lobophyllia sp.
  • M. danae, digitada
  • Pachyclavularia violacea
    Green Star Polyps
  • Pavona sp.
  • Pocillopora damicornis
  • Ricordea sp.
  • Seriatopora hystrix
  • Stylophora pistillata
  • Trachyphyllia geoffroyi - green, red
  • Zoanthids

What is your maintenance schedule like?

I do 30 gallon water changes every month. I clean the glass as needed. I change the carbon monthly (kent reef carbon).

What is your favorite item in the tank?

My favorite piece in the tank is my 14 “ blue carpet anemone.


What are your future plans for improvement/upgrade of the tank?

I am considering a downgrade though it isn't likely. I may finally hook up the calcium and kalk reactors. I have considered upgrading to 250 HQIs with better reflectors; I am also looking to install an Oceans Motions S-Squirt since my Sea Swirl just died.

What makes your setup special or unique?

My setup is very low tech, and I think I have been able to achieve good results with minimal equipment and expense. And, you can't beat that carpet either.

Personal

What are your other hobbies?

Diving, volleyball

What kind of music are you into right now?

Virginia Coalition (rock)


Who would you most like to meet past present or future?

Dr. Charlie Veron, formerly of the Australia Institute of Marine Science and author of Corals in Space and Time.

If you could go one place on earth where would it be?

Raja Ampat and Lembeh Strait, Indonesia - marine diversity's apex.

Why did you choose the screen name you did?

Oklahoma university, a snake lover, and byte as a play on words.

Inverts
  • Epicystis Crucifer - Rock anemone
  • Macrodactyla doreensis
    Long Tentacle Anemone
  • Stichodactyla haddoni
    Carpet Anemone

What is the last book you read?

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman.

Football or basketball?

COLLEGE football.

Scotch or burbon?

Yuck and Double yuck. Beer.

The piece of equipment you think is the best investment?

Metal Halides - nothing beats the look - and Eductors for flow with no powerheads

Money wasted?

Hydor rotating water deflector



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