This free wall paper above is of my youngest tank that is featured on our web site from day one. On Feb. 14, 1999 LeRoy put in the first rocks. This link will show you how we built this reef with AragocreteTM and placement for the reef scape. DAY ONE FOR 3RD REEF As you can see today the landscape is barley visible yet still provides hiding places for my fish and protection for my corals that don't like so much light or water movement. I knock on wood each time I boast that this simple set up has not caused me one ounce of trouble. Perhaps I am getting better with each new system or we have developed ways that work with little cash flow and almost NO animal loss.
This picture is of my oldest tank; she is now at the 4 and 1/2-year stage. I love to place these sps corals in this tank and you can see the reef janitors fast at work so that I never have to see any signs of algae. We recently had a visitor to GARF from Fiji, he looked at my oldest tank and the first words out of his mouth were, "Is there any place for the fish to swim ? My Gosh, there is no reef in the World like this." The most important gift my tanks gave him was the desire to set up his own tanks once again. For he had lost the compassion for this hobby when he saw the destruction of the wild reef surrounding him.
 I have to say that the green polyp guy in this picture is becoming one of my favorite pieces in my oldest tank. This is again a picture of my oldest tank. I continually spend the most time with it since it was the first time I had ever really touched salt water. I never had a fresh water tank. Again you can see the janitors are fast at work for I give them very little time to play. For I am constantly moving animals to other locations in the tank, and replanting my garden as I like to showcase different animals from time to time. We laugh at the office for when LeRoy points out how much he likes one animal in my tank, the next time he looks he can't find it. This usually means I have placed it in the back of the tank and featured a new one in front. I have tried to take what I have learned by watching the wild reef and transforming that knowledge to bring my captive reef a success.  Our research allows us to work with all the different types of problems the captive reef suffers from. When we choose a custom order of Reef JanitorsTMwe put together the best possible solution for each problem. That is why we call each customer to find out about tank size, lighting, and several other important things. Each tank is different and we can use our years of experience to solve most reef problems. In this picture it gives you a little idea on how packed my reefs really are. You will notice that I still have the soft corals in with the small polyp stony corals. In fact I have animals from different oceans, glued to the same rock. Working with both types of corals in the same tank can bring tremendous challenges. For the soft corals grow much faster than the small polyp stony corals, so staying committed to propagation is important. Being careful which animals you cut directly in the tank almost should be considered for some of the soft corals can be quite toxic, not only to fish but other animals as well.  If this was the first bulletproof reef system perhaps one could call it a fluke, perhaps one could call it a miracle, but this is not the first bullet proof reef system. This is not the first time we have shared these systems with the public, for they have been featured in SeaScopes now over five years ago and I look into the beauty of these reefs daily. To be honest we have lost count how many of these tanks have been set up, yet we are excited to hear daily from hobbyist who have taken the plunge. Are there other successful ways to maintain a successful reef system? You bet! New ways are being studied each day, more equipment, hardier corals, pet stores updating their systems, and individuals sharing their knowledge make this hobby so worthwhile.  We still have some space left and I learn so much for all the gifted speakers who share their hands on knowledge. We also have workshops where you will learn to make rock, propagate corals and see the GARF tanks that are showcased in an old Victorian house on Warm Springs Ave. Boise Idaho is indeed beautiful as fall begins to set in and the leaves are turning color. You can call our office at 800-600-6163 for more information on this event. You will be able to meet with Stanley Brown, Steve Tyree, & Dr Morin. We will host a raffle and the first coral show. Details on the coral show are being worked out as we speak. Ribbons will be awarded for the best coral in each class. We will only showcase propagated animals, and this will be open to all who attend the conference. I think back on where we were five years ago and it is amazing how far all of us have come! GARF thanks all of you who have supported our efforts, who have shared their questions, those who have visited our site, and provide the commitment it takes to care for these reefs that give us so much. It is hard for me to imagine where we will be five years from now. That thought kind of scares me for many of my corals will have outgrown their home and be passed on to the many reef keepers around the USA. Lights will have been switched, equipment upgraded and perhaps we will be spawning corals, and sharing those projects with you. At this point we are working on setting up a whole new system. All the tanks have been purchased and are setting in my Greenhouse waiting for the instructions and LeRoy's planning. There will be 4 125-gallon systems, with 6 55 gallon systems and 3 300 gallon systems, I get the hot tub in the corner. REMEMBER - SAVE A REEF - GROW YOUR OWN
We are having a special on all of the coral cuttings. WHEN YOU PURCHASE 5 AT THE REGULAR PRICE OF $100 WE WILL GIVE YOU TWO FREE CORALS!. We will continue to provide the most current data on reef farming for both education and profit. |
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1726 Merrill St.
Boise Idaho 83705
