Briar's Reef

gabelex14

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Good evening everyone,

I am green to the hobby as this is my first reef tank. I have a 75 Gallon Seapoura Reef Ready tank that has been running for going on five months. Some backstory on myself, I'm a Police Officer in the state of Ohio. Outside of my career I've been through some nasty stuff and have struggled with anxiety in my life off and on for ten years. Some related to LE some not.

I got into aquarium keeping as a gift for my daughter at Christmas time. I thought this was pretty cool so I got into fresh water for myself. A few years later I made the transition to a reef tank. This hobby has given me a level of reprieve from my mental health. Having a positive outlet that isn't substance abuse and/or not centered around my career has been life changing. ie. weight lifting, training jujitsu, running.

I think it's the husbandry and being able to take care of something that is completely reliant on you. I created this ecosystem and it gives me a purpose every morning to make sure everything is the way it's supposed to be. Sure the tank stresses me out because I want my coral and fish to be healthy but in the grand scheme of things it's not that big of a deal.

Regardless, my hope is my story is able to reach someone that struggles with mental health, especially another LE brother or sister. Anyway here's my thread


Tank Dimensions
48"x18"x18"
75 Gallon
Rimmed Aquarium
Hinged glass lids

Lights
x2 AI Hydra 32 HD
x2 AI Prime 16HD
-planning to add a Quanta Helix Bar for supplemental lighting

Pumps
AI Hydra Centrifuge Axis 90
AI Nero 3
Jebao Gyre

Controler and Gear
Yes, I went with Hydros and haven't regretted it yet
PH probe, salinity probe, temp probe
Protein Skimmer- Magtool N-100
Heaters- Two Aquatop 100w Glass
No filter socks of refugium

Parameters
Salinity- 1.025
PH-8.10
ALK-7.8
Nitrate-10ppm
Mag-1400
Calc-400
Phosphate-.06
Temp-77 degrees

Fish
Tomini Tang
Two clowns
Yellow faced sleeping Goby


20260507_225317_16CEFF63-F99F-43F4-A41A-1FF33A362D4F.png
 

Fish Fan

Master of Disaster
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Very nice start new friend!

Aquaria in general have been shown to reduce stress, reduce blood pressure, anxiety, etc. That's why you see them so often in doctor's offices 🙂

I wish you the best of luck with your build - following!
 

Gumbies R Us

God, Bouldering, and Reefing
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Love the corals you have in there!
 

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