Katherine Corals
Active Member
Intro/ About Me: Hello fellow reefers! My name is Katherine and first got into the reefing hobby when I adopted my husband’s 75-gallon LPS dominate tank when we first started dating back in 2017. As time progressed, we opened a saltwater fish and coral shop and were business owners for 3 years between DEC2019 and APR2022 before he was deployed overseas, and we were forced to sell. I wasn’t going to leave the reefing hobby behind as this hobby is a passion and a true addiction. I had a 600 gallon grow out built in our basement and am still able to keep my precious high-end collectables and continue my love for aquaculture. I hope you enjoy the build thread I put together, feel free to ask me questions and please follow me on IG & FB: Katherine Corals.
TANKS: 300 gallon 8’X4’X16” acrylic tank; a 115 gallon hydroponic tub; a 75 gallon hydroponic tub - all plumbed together into the same filtration system.
SUMP: This stand is built for its tight space! On the top shelf, I have a 36 gallon breeder tank with cleanup crew members living in each section. (Peppermint Shrimps, Emerald Crabs, Harlequin Shrimp).
The second shelf is a 50 gallon livestock tank, filled to the brim with rubble rock, and next to it is a DIY Macro Algae bin with chaetomorpha algae. The macro algae bin is supplemented with a Kessil H80 light.
On the bottom, is a 150gal Livestock bin that holds a 7” filter sock, and a ReefOctopus 250 INT skimmer.
LIGHTING: Orphek ICON LED T5 Hybrid approach over the Hydroponic tubs; Oprhek LED Hybrid T5 fixtures over the 300. Lights are sitting about 23” over the water. PAR values vary between tanks.
FLOW: I use 2 Syncra ADV 10.0 return pumps to the tanks, and a ADV 9.0 for the heat exchanger.
Internal flow, I use Jebao gyre pumps (budget friendly and reliable ).
HEATING: To cut down on electrical cost and to ensure near pinpoint temperatures, I use a saltwater heat exchanger plumbed through the hot water heater that is conveniently close by.
FISH: I love my fish!! Here is the list: 3 convict tangs, 2 Scopa tangs, 2 Clown tangs, 1 Humu trigger, 1 male Swallowtail angel, 2 female swallow angels, 1 whitetail bristletooth tang, 1 purple tang, 1 harlequin wrasse, 1 melanarus wrasse, 3 sixline wrasses, 3 leapord wrasses, 2 yellow coris wrasses, 5 BlueStreak cleaner wrasses, 1 lightning maroon clownfish.
EXTRAS: I use a 80watt UV sterilization that I run 24/7 to fight against bacterial infections, Recirculating CO2 Scrubber, Kalkwasser, 2 part with Liquid soda ash and Magnesium all controlled through the APEX, most importantly though I utilize the MoonShiners program since Feb 2022.
PARAMETERS: I do have a Apex Trident but still test weekly using Hanna and Salifert products. My intended values are the following:
NO3: 40ish
PO4: 0.3-0.4
ALK: 8.3
CA: 430
MAG: 1500
TEMP: 76.3-77.0
SALINITY: 1.026
** To see pictures of my coral collection, please see my FB and IG accounts! @ Katherine Corals **
To see pictures of my coral collection, please see my FB and IG accounts! @ Katherine Corals
TANKS: 300 gallon 8’X4’X16” acrylic tank; a 115 gallon hydroponic tub; a 75 gallon hydroponic tub - all plumbed together into the same filtration system.
SUMP: This stand is built for its tight space! On the top shelf, I have a 36 gallon breeder tank with cleanup crew members living in each section. (Peppermint Shrimps, Emerald Crabs, Harlequin Shrimp).
The second shelf is a 50 gallon livestock tank, filled to the brim with rubble rock, and next to it is a DIY Macro Algae bin with chaetomorpha algae. The macro algae bin is supplemented with a Kessil H80 light.
On the bottom, is a 150gal Livestock bin that holds a 7” filter sock, and a ReefOctopus 250 INT skimmer.
LIGHTING: Orphek ICON LED T5 Hybrid approach over the Hydroponic tubs; Oprhek LED Hybrid T5 fixtures over the 300. Lights are sitting about 23” over the water. PAR values vary between tanks.
FLOW: I use 2 Syncra ADV 10.0 return pumps to the tanks, and a ADV 9.0 for the heat exchanger.
Internal flow, I use Jebao gyre pumps (budget friendly and reliable ).
HEATING: To cut down on electrical cost and to ensure near pinpoint temperatures, I use a saltwater heat exchanger plumbed through the hot water heater that is conveniently close by.
FISH: I love my fish!! Here is the list: 3 convict tangs, 2 Scopa tangs, 2 Clown tangs, 1 Humu trigger, 1 male Swallowtail angel, 2 female swallow angels, 1 whitetail bristletooth tang, 1 purple tang, 1 harlequin wrasse, 1 melanarus wrasse, 3 sixline wrasses, 3 leapord wrasses, 2 yellow coris wrasses, 5 BlueStreak cleaner wrasses, 1 lightning maroon clownfish.
EXTRAS: I use a 80watt UV sterilization that I run 24/7 to fight against bacterial infections, Recirculating CO2 Scrubber, Kalkwasser, 2 part with Liquid soda ash and Magnesium all controlled through the APEX, most importantly though I utilize the MoonShiners program since Feb 2022.
PARAMETERS: I do have a Apex Trident but still test weekly using Hanna and Salifert products. My intended values are the following:
NO3: 40ish
PO4: 0.3-0.4
ALK: 8.3
CA: 430
MAG: 1500
TEMP: 76.3-77.0
SALINITY: 1.026
** To see pictures of my coral collection, please see my FB and IG accounts! @ Katherine Corals **
To see pictures of my coral collection, please see my FB and IG accounts! @ Katherine Corals
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