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Reeflections: Incredibly Simple By: Iwan Lässer
Tank Introduction:
First, I would like to thank the Reefland community and Reef Hobbyist Online for honoring my system. Since I was a little boy I was fascinated by the life found on coral reefs. I have always observed aquatic life whenever I had the opportunity. To increase my ability to view aquatic life, I began to care for fresh water aquaria. Later in life I learned to dive and was able to experience the beauty of the oceans very closely.
Because Switzerland isn't really located by the sea, I have tried to fetch the sea and bring it to Switzerland with my reef aquarium. From that grew my first step towards a saltwater aquarium.
Tank Details: - Tank Size:
220 Gallon Aquarium
- Lighting:
Pure T5!!
2x54 Watt ATI Aquablue Special
2x54 Watt ATI Blue Plus
4x80 Watt ATI Aquablue Special
4x80 Watt ATI Blue Plus
For a total of 856 Watts. The lamps are changed every 6-8 months.
- Water Changes:
10% weekly changes with Reverse Osmosis water.
Tank Inhabitants: - Corals:
99% of the corals in this tank are SPS and LPS corals, 54 in all. Most of the corals in the tank started as frags, many from local reefers. When I first started in the hobby I have cared for soft corals. As time passed, however, I have replaced these with stoney corals. When I first started with stoney corals I was a little sceptical; I doubted whether I was able to keep stoney corals successfully. My passion was soon clear: Stoney corals in all colors and forms. I love their growth forms and the variety of their colors.
- Fish:
I try to reconstruct a natural coral-reef in my small tank. So of course fish and invertebrates are also included. My fish population:
2 Zebrasoma flavescens
1 Zebrasoma veliferum
20 Pseudanthias squamipinnis
11 Chromis virdis
3 Amphiprion ocellaris
2 Oxycirrhites typus
2 Synchiropus splendidus
2 Labroides dimidiatus
1 Salarias fasciatus
1 Gobiodon okinawae
2 Gobiodon histrio
Advice For Others:
In my opinion the most important ingredients for successfully keeping sensitive sea animals are:
Committ the time, much time and watch the animals closely.
Changes to the system must always be done slowly. Fast changes usually have negative impacts.
Carry out five measures after each change as two changes are parallel!
Don't overlook the fact that most of the available animals and decorations (LR) are taken from the oceans.
As a diver in tropical waters I enjoy swimming in untouched coral-reefs, full of great and small life. The ability to do this in an incomparable system is very important to me.
As a diver there is an unwritten law: "Grasp nothing, do not carry anything forward... Except photos and memories." The thought to put animals from this singular habitat into an artificial biotope seems grotesque.
The uniqueness of the habitat "coral reef" is dependent on every resident. Every organism is a small, important part in the success of this wonderful world.
It is necessary to understand and be conscience of these.
I try to offer my animals an adequate and natural habitat.
If possible, I always give after-cultivations and coral fragments the advantage.
My topmost aim is keeping corals and fishes and not have to replace them. Unfortunately, there are reef keepers who replace the fishes and corals once in a while. Simply, unsuitable conditions and a lack of experience/interests are the reasons for it. I personally disassociate myself with those that do not care. The preservation of the natural coral-reefs isn't only a thing for the governments, everybody can and should make their own contributions.
You can learn more about my reef on my home page: www.hausriff.ch
