PackLeader's 200 gallon Reef

That is because, even in pictures, you don't find SD. SD finds you!

 

The left side island is giving me the finger...

 

Where are you in your cycle? Sorry, didn't wanna read back through like 50 pages..lol

 

50 pages ago he didn't even have a stand
i think he is almost done or done because he is moving over some hardier corals

 

Finished as of Monday I believe it was. But, regardless of the readings, 4 weeks is too fast for me, which is why I still haven't added fish. Just some of the corals (a few zoas/palys, some shrooms, and xenia), one of my maxima clams, and the clean-up crew. Both the xenia and maxima have been having trouble since the bristle worm attack, so I figured maybe moving them might help. Too early to tell with the maxima, but the xenia does seem to be improving.
Over the course of the next few, I will test a few more time to make sure evertyhing is still stable, then slowly start moving in the rest of the corals/rock/fish from the 40. First will be the clown pair, then my blenny. Then I will probably do the firefish, mandarin, and tang at the same time since capturing any of those means stripping down the 40 anyways.

 

SD IS in those pictures (thank you, Jason)! I could hardly see him - that tank is HUGE! SD kind of puts the tank size all in perspective - one of his many talents besides tank cycling and causing mass terror for future tank inhabitants!

 

So here is my current wish list:
The current inhabitants of the 40 which are:
Clown Pair
Mandarin
Hippo Tang
Firefish
Starry Blenny

And I would like to add:
Either an Achilles or Powder brown Tang
Copperband Butterfly

And right now that is about it. This of course is not including who knows what in corals and inverts, but they really don't account for much. So for the most part a pretty minimal bioload for this sized system. I am too lazy for much more Coral wise, I am going to get a few marquee/LE zoos/palys, and then probably go nuts with the SPS.
Interestingly, maintenance/consumption with this tank has been a lot less than I expected. I have been running the lights full bore for this whole week as well (12 hours actinic, 6 1/2 MH). The most interesting part has been top offs. The 200 is only losing a half gallon more a day than my 40, even with the lighting. The skimmer is a beast, and maintenance is easy, I am very happy with my choice in it.
The lighting on a full schedule is only raising the temp of the tank by 1 degree, which was my main concern. It only reached a maximum of 79.2 on a day it got to over 100 outside, so I am VERY happy; no chiller needed.

 

"I won't put anything in the tank for at least 10-12 weeks..."

QFT

 

Two of my favorites! Our LFS had an Achilles tang that I fell in love with - it wouldn't quite work in my 46. They're both beautiful fish!

 

Well worth waiting for IMO Packleader

those tank shots taken yesterday are great - I can see SD in the photo (2nd one down) and as Triplemom rightly says it puts the tank size into perspective

Sreve