After being out of the game for more than 10 years, I have come back strong with a bulletproof setup. I've waited a long time, but if you want to do it right................it takes patience and a lot of good equipment. Oh yeah, money helps too.
Tank spec as follows............
125 gallon AGA tank with dual megaflow overflows
1" drains & 3/4 return (drains are flex tubing and most of the return piping is rigid)
* return pump - Little Giant 4MDQ-SC
* Heaters - (2) Ebo Jaeger 250 W
* Protein Skimmer - H&S external A150-F2001
* Eheim Compact 1000 Powerhead feeds skimmer from sump - 265 GPH
* Lighting- Catalina Aquariums 6' hood, (3) actinic blue 65W, (3) daylight PC 65W 10K, (3) 150W metal halide HQI 15K. All ballasts are electronic.
Actinics first, then daylights, then halides. All on timers and turn of in reverse sequence. Halides are maintained for 6 hours per day now.
* Circulation - Tunze Stream 6000 x 2 with 7095 MultiController.
* Sump- 3/8" acrylic construction, 28 gallon max. capacity, 16 gallon operating, (2) 4" filter sock tray, 1 1/4" input bulkheads, 1 1/4" external bulkhead for pump suction. There is one weir prior to pump suction to prevent bubble intake.
* Topoff system - Tunze Osmolator
* Water supply - RO/DI unit by Abundant flow.
* Top cover - plastic egg crate
In operation since early July. Live Rock is from Gulf view and was very "fresh". Total cycle time of 7 days. As you can see from the pictures, this rock is bristling with life.
Live Rock - 250 lbs.
Live Sand - 50 lbs.
CaribSea Reef Grade sand - 100-120 lbs.
Substrate is about 4" deep
Rock apperars to be resting on sand but is not. There are rectangular 1 1/4" pvc frames beneath them and this allows the creatures to do their work. I know there are many that elevate their rock above the substrate but I have not. This is my route.
Live forms......various sponges, soft corals, hidden cucumbers, too much to explain.
The orange container in the tank is for the creatures I'm containing for now. Just reef urchins are in there since I did not approve of what they were eating.
I managed to capture one mantis and I believe there are two more. Traps and patience, or a 9mm may do the trick. Also, I am using a Aqua medic trap to try and snag a gorilla crab which is hiding in the back.
Tank chemistry:
Specific gravity : 1.024-1.025
PH: 8.3-8.4 daytime, 7.9 night
Alkalinity: 6.2 dkH, I am currently strengthening with SeaChem Reef Builder
Phosphates: 0
Nitrates: < .2 mg/L
Calcium: 390 - 420 ppm
temperature: 78.6-81.5 (varies with room temp, lights, etc.)
Next addition:
30 gallon refugium- This will be located over skimmer on adjacent stand. It will be supplied from main tank via powerhead and drain naturally back to tank.
Future addition: Calcium Reactor.
Inhabitants: Yellow Tang,
Black Cap Basslet, (2)
blood red shrimp
Can anyone help determine the species of crab in the picture?
Also, what is the encrusting coral in the one photo?
Welcome to Alex & Nada's reef.
