Scroll to bottom of page for updates on tank transfer to IM 75 INT…
My current tank is a 75 gallon mixed reef. Originally a 29 gallon super budget softie build from around 4 years ago has morphed into a medium budget 75 gallon living room display tank.
I've had fresh water tanks since I was 10 years old. I'm pushing 30 now and realizing that there have been very few moments in my life where I haven't had a tank of some sort.
The current iteration of this tank has been up and running for 14 months, give or take.
This tank used to be softie/leather dominated but as my budget/career has gotten larger and higher paying I began to transition into SPS and LPS. Instead of black boxes I now have kessils. Instead of manual top offs I have an ATO. Instead of of HOB filtration I now have a sump. Instead of 25% water changes I now have 10% water changes, a skimmer, refugium and filter socks.
We're planning on moving this tank about 6 feet to the left in the coming weeks, expecting it to be a full day affair. I'm using this opportunity to call the move a "reset" of sort. There is nothing wrong with the tank parasite wise, no weird issues with parameters, but there are some aquascape and inhabitant changes that I would like to make during the move.
Parameters:
SG - 1.025-1.026
Nitrate: 5
Phosphate: 0.04
Calcium: 450
Alkalinity: 8-9
I test alkalinity at least 3 times per week, lately once a day. Nitrate gets tested once a week along with phosphates. Magnesium gets tested once a month or so and it's always around 1300ppm. Calcium rarely gets tested as I believe alkalinity is far more important.
I have an apex for monitoring and control and when I decide that the tank will majorly benefit with auto-testing I'll invest in a Trident.
For dosing I keep it simple. Kalkwasser in the ATO for maintaining levels and 2 part only if alkalinity strays.
Livestock:
Pair of Saddleback clowns (had for 3.5 years)
3 blue/green chromis (1 year)
Yellow Eyed Cole Tang (2.5 years)
Coral:
Purple stylophora
Green hammer
Black/purple torch
Several monti caps
Birds nest
Zoanthids
Several lepto frags
Candy Canes
Poccilipora
stray xenia, GSP, invasive bright green palys
All the coral I have has grown from little frags over the last 12-18 months.
Equipment:
Two Kessil A360s
Eshopps S cone 150 skimmer
Jebao return pump
Jebao powerheads x3
20 gallon long DIY sump
Amazon special par26 refugium light
I got super busy with work and home renovations that the tank suffered a bit over the past 4 months, losing a few SPS including a decently large orange digi colony.
It is my intention to use this build thread and subsequent updates as a bit of a journal as well as to give myself motivation to keep the tank clean and in tip top shape for myself and my wife to enjoy.
My current tank is a 75 gallon mixed reef. Originally a 29 gallon super budget softie build from around 4 years ago has morphed into a medium budget 75 gallon living room display tank.
I've had fresh water tanks since I was 10 years old. I'm pushing 30 now and realizing that there have been very few moments in my life where I haven't had a tank of some sort.
The current iteration of this tank has been up and running for 14 months, give or take.
This tank used to be softie/leather dominated but as my budget/career has gotten larger and higher paying I began to transition into SPS and LPS. Instead of black boxes I now have kessils. Instead of manual top offs I have an ATO. Instead of of HOB filtration I now have a sump. Instead of 25% water changes I now have 10% water changes, a skimmer, refugium and filter socks.
We're planning on moving this tank about 6 feet to the left in the coming weeks, expecting it to be a full day affair. I'm using this opportunity to call the move a "reset" of sort. There is nothing wrong with the tank parasite wise, no weird issues with parameters, but there are some aquascape and inhabitant changes that I would like to make during the move.
Parameters:
SG - 1.025-1.026
Nitrate: 5
Phosphate: 0.04
Calcium: 450
Alkalinity: 8-9
I test alkalinity at least 3 times per week, lately once a day. Nitrate gets tested once a week along with phosphates. Magnesium gets tested once a month or so and it's always around 1300ppm. Calcium rarely gets tested as I believe alkalinity is far more important.
I have an apex for monitoring and control and when I decide that the tank will majorly benefit with auto-testing I'll invest in a Trident.
For dosing I keep it simple. Kalkwasser in the ATO for maintaining levels and 2 part only if alkalinity strays.
Livestock:
Pair of Saddleback clowns (had for 3.5 years)
3 blue/green chromis (1 year)
Yellow Eyed Cole Tang (2.5 years)
Coral:
Purple stylophora
Green hammer
Black/purple torch
Several monti caps
Birds nest
Zoanthids
Several lepto frags
Candy Canes
Poccilipora
stray xenia, GSP, invasive bright green palys
All the coral I have has grown from little frags over the last 12-18 months.
Equipment:
Two Kessil A360s
Eshopps S cone 150 skimmer
Jebao return pump
Jebao powerheads x3
20 gallon long DIY sump
Amazon special par26 refugium light
I got super busy with work and home renovations that the tank suffered a bit over the past 4 months, losing a few SPS including a decently large orange digi colony.
It is my intention to use this build thread and subsequent updates as a bit of a journal as well as to give myself motivation to keep the tank clean and in tip top shape for myself and my wife to enjoy.
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