57 Gallon Oceanic Illuminata Reef: My Dive into the Salty World

[fort384]

I figured I would share my tank with you all. It is a 57 gallon rimless Oceanic Illuminata tank, with a 20 gal sump system.

Equipment:
2 Aqua Illumination Sol White LED pods
2 MP10 Vortechs
Bubble Magus NAC 3.5 Skimmer
BRS Carbon reactor
2 Part Autodosing System
auto top off with 10 gallon reservoir


Stock:

Fish:
2 Percula Clowns
2 Black Bar Chromis
1 Royal Gramma
1 Yellow Tang (please don't arrest me)

Coral:
Frogspawn
Torch
Hammer
Ricordeas
Mushrooms
Zoas
Acans
Branched Monti
Plate Monti
Acro
Birdsnest
A couple other SPS that I don't have a 100% ID on


This is my first foray into the saltwater world. I have years of experience with high tech planted tanks, but was convinced to dive into the reef world. It has had its ups and downs, but the tank seems to be doing very well, especially since getting the lighting dialed in and adding the 2 part dosing system 6 or so weeks ago. The tank has been up and running since around February or so of this year.

Here are some recent full tank shots and macro shots from around the tank:

 

[fort384]

 

[fort384]

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Looks great and the photos are superb as well! :)

 

[revsgirl]

Awesome pics!! Tank looks great! :D

 

[AsphaltPays]

Great Looking Tank!!

 

[mjaustin22]

Beautiful tank and pictures

 

[fort384]

Thanks all for the compliments. It has been quite an adventure.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Great looking tank!!

 

[fort384]

Thanks Krista.

I have started feeding the tank a lot more as of late. I feed Rods Reef, NLS pellets, and recently started target feeding reef chili to my LPS and Rics. Along with I have noticed a rise in PO4 each week, building from 0.00 w/ the Hanna, to a high of 0.11 yesterday - so I started running GFO in my reactor mixed with carbon. Hopefully that brings it back down. I would hate to trade off the increased growth I have noticed since feeding reef chili...

 

[KoleTang]

You've got to love the illuminata. I'm doing the finishing touches on mine right now.

 

[ifarmer]

which iphone camera did you use to capture those amazing shots may I ask? Every time I try to use my iPhone4, the pictures never come up nice like that

thanks

 

[fort384]

Definitely not an iPhone. The photos were taken using a T3 EOS and a Tamron 60mm f/2.0 lens.

 

[fort384]

Some updated pics from around the tank from tonight:

 

[fort384]

One more I forgot:

And I picked up a new Aussie Blasto today after work:

 

[Pkunk35]

Great pics, i especially like the zoa and duster pic.

 

[fort384]

Thanks! That duster did turn out cool.

 

[fort384]

Some new pics from today:

And my new addition, an Aussie Scolymia:

 

[fort384]

And some shots with the 18-55mm lens:

 

[KoleTang]

Looking good man! I've got to update my thread when I get a new camera here soon.

Curious, why did you go with the 60mm over the 90mm?