Leonardo's Apogon Reef

**Leonardo_** · 07-01-2012, 10:08 AM

Almost a year ago I started with a new idea. A reeftank with many Apogon species hiding in and between large Acropora Colonies. The whole year I spent collecting Acropora Colonies and Frags, aquascaping the tank, but I was never satisfied. I even thought of getting out of the hobby, it just didn't gave me satisfaction anymore and I could not be happy with the results I was getting.
But I kept trying and at last I have something now I'm (slightly) pleased with, although I'm far from where I want to be. From this moment I would like to share the progress of the tank with you guys and I would really like your input and ideas.

The new tank -Apogon Reef- will be Apogon dominated. That means +75 Apogons, several species.
Not too many, large Acropora will provide shelter for the very high flow (2x 6301)
The Apogons (and the corals indirectly) will be fed from dusk till dawn with many automated feedings in small amounts, to mimic their natural feeding pattern.
A BB tank allows me to use high flow, heavy feeding and direct nutrient control.

Some info about the tank and equipment:

The dimensions of the tank are: 43″ x 34″ x 22″ high. The tank alone, without sump, is 135 Gallon. There is an external overflow on the right side, so the tank can sit flush to the back wall.
All edges are polished.

Hardware:

Bubble King Super Marine 250 Int.
10 x 39 Watt T5 using ATI Sunpower Pendants
LED Supplement (CREE XP-E Royal Blue and Blue)
2x Tunze 6301 on multicontroller
Eheim 1262 Return Pump
Grotech TEC III Controller for Balling+ Trace Elements
D&D Fluidized Reactor for GAC and GFO

I chose to use many T5's on the blue end of the spectrum because of the large amount of deep water Acropora tables. These seem to adapt better the light in the blue end of the spectrum:

5x ATI Blue+
2x ATI Purple Plus
2x Red Sea True Actinic
1x ATI AquaBlueSpecial

(Future) Livestock:

60 Apogon Leptacanthus
20 Apogon Margaritophorus
1 Pseudocheilinus Hexataenia
1 Salarias Fasciatus
1 Acanthurus Triostegus
3 Halichoeres Chrysus

Some other fish may be added later on. For example some Wrasse species.

Here are some pictures from almost a year ago, with the first water and aquascape:

**Leonardo_** · 07-01-2012, 10:11 AM

And some pictures from Apogon Reef Today!

**Leonardo_** · 07-01-2012, 10:11 AM

Thanks, Leonardo

**Henry C** · 07-01-2012, 10:56 AM

Sweet lookin tank! Love the scape and the colors of your corals and the fish schooling together!!

**wysiwyg** · 07-01-2012, 11:20 AM

wow very nice tank love the barebottom look

**Mariojlee** · 07-02-2012, 12:20 AM

Sweettttt..

**m and m** · 07-02-2012, 12:28 AM

Absolutely sunning, definitely a inspiration to get into SPS that tank is amazing

**revhtree** · 07-02-2012, 12:38 AM

Oh wow this is one of the nicest tanks I have ever seen! Very awesome!

So glad you stayed in the hobby and if this one doesn't make you happy then nothing will! HA!