Reef Spotlight - October 2011 - "ReefMP"

[swannyson7]

REEF SPOTLIGHT - October 2011​

The Reef Aquarium of:
Martin Persaud aka "ReefMP"​

You can also check out Martin’s tank build here on R2R:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/55163-my-mixed-reef.html​

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Introduction
My name is Martin Persaud and I'm originally from Guyana (South America) but currently reside in the US. With so many great tanks here on R2R, I was very surprised and humbled when I was asked to feature our tank as this months' Reef Spotlight. I appreciate the opportunity to share our little piece of the ocean with you.​

I got interested in aquariums at an early age; however where I grew up there were no local fish stores so all livestock for my DIY tanks were caught from nearby streams and rivers. Over the years I've switched from freshwater to brackish and about 16 yrs ago I got into saltwater. After being in the reefing hobby for about 8 years, I decided to take a break due to lack of time. When our son was a baby, I would show him fish pictures and videos on the internet, he was interested in Nemo. While we were surfing the WEB one day, I came across SonnyX's old 225 on RC and I was blown away, it was the coolest reef tank I have ever seen, I had to get back into the hobby. Our son is now 5 yrs old and still interested in Nemo, Dori and corals. A little over 3 years ago, we started our current mixed reef and it has been a great experience thus far.​

How long have you been in the hobby?
I've been keeping aquariums (fresh, brackish, salt) for about 20 years.​

Who or what in the hobby most influences/inspires you?
As a kid growing up in South America, I was always fascinated by colorful fish but I didn't have the means of keeping them long-term in a home aquarium. When my family immigrated to the US, I got into saltwater as soon as I was able to support it financially.​

What are your future plans for improvement/upgrade of the tank?
I'm currently planning an upgrade to a larger tank, upgraded lighting (DIY T5HO/LED combo), more corals, more fish, larger skimmer, etc.​

System Profile
Display tank:
75 Gallon Reef Ready (48" x 18" x 21")
Glass or Acrylic:
Glass
Stand:
Custom made in-wall. The tank is the backsplash to our basement bar.
Sump:
55 gallon DIY Sump/Refugium/DSB
Protein Skimmer:
ASM G2 with a gate valve modification.
Carbon/phosphate filtration:
2 TLF Phosban reactors running carbon & GFO (when needed).
Return Pump:
Mag 9.5 (primary), Mag 7 (backup), and a QuietOne pump for semi-automated water changes.
Water circulation:
Two Hydor Koralia 4s and two Hydor Koralia 2s.
Lighting:
DIY 6x54w T5HO on three WorkHorse electronic ballasts with individual reflectors and a DIY LED moon light. I’m currently running ATI Aquablue, Blue+, and KZ Fiji Purple bulbs.
Calcium/alkalinity dosing:
Koralin 1502 Calcium Rx.
Auto top-off:
DIY gravity fed RO/DI.
Heating/cooling:
Two 200w Titanium heaters and one 200w Stealth.
System control:
AquaController II with a DC8 module.​

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Water Circulation and Flow Summary and Objectives
Water movement in the tank is produced by 2xKoralia4's and 2xKoralia2's. They create quite a bit of flow which helps keep detritus suspended in the water column for a better chance of removal by the skimmer. With a mixed reef, I also like the coral movement they create in the tank.​

Water Parameters
* Temp: 77-80
* pH: 7.8-8.2
* Specific gravity: 1.026
* NO3: Undetectable
* Ca: 420 ppm
* Alk: 10 dKH
* Mg: 1350
* PO4: Undetectable
* Ammonia and nitrites: Undetectable​

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Lighting Summary and Objectives:​

T5HO bulbs from front to back:
1) ATI Blue+
2) KZ Fiji Purple
3) ATI Blue+
4) UVL SA
5) ATI Aquablue Special
6) ATI Blue+​

Photoperiod:
1:00 PM: LED Moonlight ON
2:00 PM: ATI Blue+ T5HO ON
2:05 PM: LED Moonlight OFF
3:00 PM: ATI AquaBlue Special & KZ Fiji Purple T5HO ON
9:00 PM: ATI AquaBlue Special & KZ Fiji Purple T5HO OFF
9:55 PM: LED Moonlight ON
10:00 PM: ATI Blue+ T5HO OFF
11:30 PM: LED Moonlight OFF​

Filtration and Water Quality Summary and Objectives:
I do 15-20% semi-automated water changes every 4-6 weeks. To help with nutrient export I setup a refugium with a 7" DSB and macro algae (cheato and halimeda), this also help feed the tank. Ca/Alk is maintained by the Calcium Reactor, I’ve used Kalk and 2-part in the past with great results but I went back to a reactor because I find it to be less time consuming. Lugals (Iodine) is dosed a few times a week; I think it help with the colors. Carbon in the TLF reactor is replaced monthly and I run GFO (if needed). I also trim the macro algae in the fuge every 4-6 weeks.​

Tank Inhabitants—Fish:
Blue Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
Mated pair of clowns (false percula)
6-Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
Talbot Damsel (Chrysiptera talboti)​

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Tank Inhabitants—Other Invertebrates:
Pair of coral-banded shrimps (Stenopus hispidus)
Fire shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
Pink/Green BTA (Entacmaea quadricolor)
Derasa Clam (Tridacna derasa)
Assorted snails
Hermet crabs​

Tank Inhabitants— Corals:
Soft Corals:
Assorted zoanthids & palythoa, Blue/Green & Pink/Green Ricordea (Ricordea florida), Pink Pom-Pom Xenia (Xenia umbellate), Pink Kenya Tree (Capnella sp.), Neon Green Star Polyps (Pachyclavularia violacea)​

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LPS:
Assorted Acanthastrea, Pink/Metallic Green & Green/Brown Frogspawn (Euphyllia paradivisa), Aquablue & Green trumpet corals (Caulastrea furcata), Duncan coral (Duncanopsammia axifuga), Scroll Coral (Turbinaria sp.)​

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SPS
Orange, Green, and Purple Montipora (Montipora capricornis), Green Acropora (Acropora sp.), Green Birdsnest (Seriatopora hystrix), Oculus Purple Polyp Staghorn, Green & Orange digitata (Montipora digitata), Green Slimer (Acropora Yongei), Supergirl Montipora (Montipora tuberculosa)​

Fish and Coral Feeding:
We feed the fish once a day a mixture of Formula one & two (pellets), Prime Reef flake and sea-weed on clips. We also feed frozen Bio-Pure Mysis shrimp a few times a week. We do not target feed any of the corals.​

Progression Photos:
August 2008

May 2009

January 2010

September 2011

Conclusion:
Many thanks to my wife Marisa for being supportive of my crazy hobby, also to our 5yr old son Chris for his interest in marine fish/corals and asking a million & one questions. I would also like to thank the on-line reefer community for sharing their experiences, ideas, suggestions and recommendations that keep our hobby interesting...keep it simple, enjoy your tank(s) and keep on Reef 'n !​

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[bige]

Thats really nice. And not a single frag plug! How do you keep that much alcohol around. I would sit and drink and stare at that beauty.

 

[bige]

O and how old is that clam? That is super sweet.

 

[revhtree]

Awesome awesome reef you have there and thank you for allowing us to feature it!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Beautiful tank!! Love looking at your pictures and the progression. The placement of the tank in the wall is killer too!! Congrats.

 

[Alicia83]

Wow! Your tank is absolutely beautiful! Great job!

 

[SunnyX]

Well done! You have a beautiful and natural looking display, congrats!

 

[revsgirl]

Wow! This tank is stunning!

 

[Alistar]

Great tank! Love the wall mount! What is that stalagmite looking coral, Montipora of some sort?

 

[mgdmirage]

Beautiful tank, I would not have guessed it was only a 75 gallon it looks bigger.

 

[youngtimothy]

awesome!!!!! I so want an in-wall! you need drip loops though.

 

[skinz78]

Beautiful tank indeed, I too thought it was much bigger than a 75g!

 

[shells4]

The tank and room are both beautiful. I love seeing the progression photos of tanks. Good work.

 

[M&M]

Beautiful tank,I really like your big clam.Congratulations.

 

[ReefMP]

Thats really nice. And not a single frag plug! How do you keep that much alcohol around. I would sit and drink and stare at that beauty.

O and how old is that clam? That is super sweet.

I try to avoid frag plugs. I think I have one in my tank that has been over grown. I've had the clam for almost 2.5 years, it really needs the upgrade soon. Don't be fooled, the bar is constantly being restocked, mostly by visitors

Awesome awesome reef you have there and thank you for allowing us to feature it!

Thanks Rev. I've seen so many great tanks here that are way better looking than mine IMO, it's a pleasure.

Beautiful tank!! Love looking at your pictures and the progression. The placement of the tank in the wall is killer too!! Congrats.

Wow! Your tank is absolutely beautiful! Great job!

Well done! You have a beautiful and natural looking display, congrats!

Hey Sunny, your tanks inspire me. your current tank is great and so was the 110....but as I mentioned before, your 225 in-wall is still my favorite. Thanks for getting me back into the hobby.

Wow! This tank is stunning!

Great tank! Love the wall mount! What is that stalagmite looking coral, Montipora of some sort?

If you're referring to the one that's growing straight up in a conical shape, it's a green monti cap. I fragged that from a previous tank I sold where it was growing in spirals, not sure why it's growing straight up in this tank. lol

Beautiful tank, I would not have guessed it was only a 75 gallon it looks bigger.

Most people say that, I'm planning an upgrade.

awesome!!!!! I so want an in-wall! you need drip loops though.

lol, hear you on the drip loops. That piece of PVC pipe is only there to hide some of the power cords, I've been meaning to add drip loops but never got around to it. It drips right back into the sump.

Beautiful tank indeed, I too thought it was much bigger than a 75g!

The tank and room are both beautiful. I love seeing the progression photos of tanks. Good work.

Beautiful tank,I really like your big clam.Congratulations.

Thanks for all the positive comments everyone.

 

[ReefMP]

Beautiful tank!! Love looking at your pictures and the progression. The placement of the tank in the wall is killer too!! Congrats.

Thanks, I've always liked the clean in-wall look. When I upgrade, I'll make sure to add better access to the front of the tank, it's not easy getting into the DT from the front.

 

[ReefMP]

Big thanks to Scott (Swannyson7) for putting this all together.

 

[swannyson7]

Beautiful tank Martin, and once again congrats!!

 

[Giancarlo]

Beautiful tank!

 

[ReefMP]

thank you.