180 Gallon Florida Coral Reef Aquarium Build at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center

[Brandon McHenry]

I've had them for almost 2 years and haven't really had a problem so far. I have a bonded pair of banded coral shrimp and they've never bothered them. I add ghost shrimp whenever the sargassum comes through and they do a number on those but they're usually really small.

Has it ever gone after snails/crabs? I had a blue headed wrasse in another tank once that decimated everything. Ive been looking for some more fish for this tank that wont get too big, eat coral, eat inverts or fight with other fish lol.

 

[fishybizzness]

My snails usually disappear over time but I think it's mostly the hermits that eat them. I had some crabs but had to remove them because they wouldn't let my Duncan open up. They are now sump monsters! When they were in the tank the wrasses never bothered them, but they are wrasses so that could change at any time.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

My snails usually disappear over time but I think it's mostly the hermits that eat them. I had some crabs but had to remove them because they wouldn't let my Duncan open up. They are now sump monsters! When they were in the tank the wrasses never bothered them, but they are wrasses so that could change at any time.

I figured it would still be a risk. Good to know he’s still a good citizen lol!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Been super busy trying to graduate so I have t posted much but I was able to take a few pictures the other day and wanted to share. Hope you all enjoy!

Some new macroalgae

Our new Christmas tree worms!

And some top downs

 

[fishybizzness]

Been super busy trying to graduate so I have t posted much but I was able to take a few pictures the other day and wanted to share. Hope you all enjoy!

Some new macroalgae

Our new Christmas tree worms!

And some top downs

Is that a shaving brush plant in the 3rd pic? If it is, did you just plant it in the sand in the dt?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Is that a shaving brush plant in the 3rd pic? If it is, did you just plant it in the sand in the dt?

It is and I did

 

[fishybizzness]

It is and I did

What's the flow like where you have it because it looks really healthy!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Moderate to high flow. Tank flow is two MP40QD on anti-sync reefcrest at 100%. It’s a fairly new piece but across the tank I have a few more looking nice too and some have even put up new shoots already!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I got to take a few pics today so I’ve got a current FTS and a few other close-up corals/fish:

 

[fishybizzness]

I got to take a few pics today so I’ve got a current FTS and a few other close-up corals/fish:

Looking awesome!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Looking awesome!

Thank you! I’m really impressed with the way it’s turning out, and it’s been a hit with the guests!

 

[fishybizzness]

My Atlantic surgeon has the same white marks on the face area as yours. The strange thing is that it's only visible sometimes.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

My Atlantic surgeon has the same white marks on the face area as yours. The strange thing is that it's only visible sometimes.

I’ve noticed with many tangs/surgeonfish that they will change their colors/patterns throughout the day. It’s pretty neat to walk past the tank and see the different variations of the same fish.

 

[fishybizzness]

Hard to get a good pic of it, it's always moving around picking algae off the rocks!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Hello All!

Its been a while since I have updated any of my threads and a few things have changed. First of all, I finally completed my Masters Degree at HBOI and graduated in May. I am now a member of our Outreach and Engagement team! I work on maintaining our live displays and updating them where need be as well as giving tours and working on new content for our visitors center. I hope to be able to update the threads for all of my tanks more frequently as part of my position. In the meantime I'd like to share two exciting things in the works.

First, our summer intern Abbey is working with me to completely overhaul our existing seagrass aquarium with better filtration and a larger display tank. Make sure to check out her updates to our current seagrass thread as we progress throughout the summer!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/seagrass-aquarium-at-the-ocean-discovery-visitors-center.444340/

Second, we just recently received a donation from Ocean Reefs and Aquariums (ORA - located on our campus) to create a display showcasing their products at our visitors center. We have already gotten the tank up and running and I will be working on creating a build thread to showcase our new 100% aquacultured display tank! Stay tuned!

In the meantime, here are a few pictures of how the Florida Coral Reef is doing.

Our gorgonian growing its first ever branch.

The progress of our Caribbean Zoa rock.

And the most frightened jawfish that I have ever seen

Thanks to everyone who has read this thread and I hope everyone enjoys all of the cool stuff that is coming!

 

[Subsea]

Access to ORA stock!!! Talk about having fun with that.

Enjoy that project

@Brandon McHenry
Congratulations on your new position as well as your masters.

Seize the Day

 

[fishybizzness]

Congrats on the degree! Good to see you back and looking forward to the updates!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Access to ORA stock!!! Talk about having fun with that.

Enjoy that project

@Brandon McHenry
Congratulations on your new position as well as your masters.

Seize the Day

Yes it is pretty awesome if I do say so myself. My plan is for it to be majority SPS which is what I’m most excited about. I already have some montis and birdsnest in there as well as two tridacna. So far so good!

Thank for you the congratulations! I managed to get a whopping 16 hours off between graduating and starting my new position lol.

Congrats on the degree! Good to see you back and looking forward to the updates!

Thank you! And me too! It was just very hectic finishing up the data and writing up the thesis so hopefully I can make these updates a little more regular!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Who likes our new Marine Scientist in Training pin?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Talk about a hitchhiker!