March 2014 CTARS Tank of the Month Winner
Francisco Rivera “Frankyriveraâ€
Francisco Rivera “Frankyriveraâ€
After Patrick and Karl won I said to myself I got a long way to go until I get to that level and then I get contacted saying I’ve won March TOTM. I can’t believe I’m in the top 3. This honor is so humbling and greatly appreciated. Everyday I look at my tank thinking its missing something and what can I do to even be a fraction as good as most people on here, so thank you very much.
My name is Franky Rivera and my reefing career started around 10 years ago. Like many reefers, I started with a 29 gallon freshwater tank with a hang on back everything LOL!. I had no flow, no sump, no heaters, just an emperor 300 bio-wheel for filtration and a power compact light fixture.
The first time i saw hair algae growing on my rocks i was so excited thinking woo-hoo I’m finally starting to grow stuff. So I quickly jam packed my tank with every possible pretty fish I can squeeze in there…everyone knows how that story ended. Not good!!! so after crashing that tank I figured I would do it right this time and do some research.
That’s when Rich (Madtanks) turned me on to Reef Central back in 2005, I joined asked a million questions found out about Puppy Center and then never had any money left again. (sure miss that place)
My name is Franky Rivera and my reefing career started around 10 years ago. Like many reefers, I started with a 29 gallon freshwater tank with a hang on back everything LOL!. I had no flow, no sump, no heaters, just an emperor 300 bio-wheel for filtration and a power compact light fixture.
The first time i saw hair algae growing on my rocks i was so excited thinking woo-hoo I’m finally starting to grow stuff. So I quickly jam packed my tank with every possible pretty fish I can squeeze in there…everyone knows how that story ended. Not good!!! so after crashing that tank I figured I would do it right this time and do some research.
That’s when Rich (Madtanks) turned me on to Reef Central back in 2005, I joined asked a million questions found out about Puppy Center and then never had any money left again. (sure miss that place)
I believe that the key to my success is, the set it and forget it method. I overskim, run a fugue, don’t overfeed, don't overstock and try to never put my hands in the tank. I simply dose 2 part, Top off and wipe the glass with a mag float. I have probably done 4 water changes in 2.5 years and that was mostly due to being bored. I only run activated carbon when i frag corals which is not often and run GFO if i see nuisance algae which in 2.5 years i’ve problem ran in twice and only about 2 Tbsp worth for a total water volume of 130 Gal +/-.
I would like to Thank: CTARS and the entire “Board†for breathing life into the club and more importantly for the Award. There are way too many people to thank individually and for the fear of forgetting someone who may have been instrumental in helping me in any way along my journey, I choose to thank everyone equally and for those that went out of their way to hook me up with stuff you know who you are. From Old school to New school let’s keep reefing fun.
System Summary
75 gallon reef ready display (48 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 21 3/8)
48†ATI Dimmable 6 Bulb Sunpower
1 Ecotech MP40W-es
2 Ecotech MP10W-es
Apex Lite w/EB8+WXM+PM1 and Lab grade PH Probe
90 gallon Basement Sump (Fuge/Return/Skimmer Setup)
Cheato
Reef Octopus Super SRO 2000 Skimmer
2 - 300 Watt ViaAqua Titanium Heaters
Mag 18 Return Pump
Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO
2 - TLF-150 Reactors Activated Carbon/GFO (Emergency Only)
3 BRS 1.1ml Pumps dosing ESV B-Ionic
Livestock
Yellow Tang
Male Hawaiian Flame Wrasse
Leopard Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Female Solon Wrasse
Multi Color Lubbocks Wrasse
Linespot Flasher Wrasse
Helfrichi Firefish
Mandarin Dragon Fish
Clownfish
SPS
ORA Pearlberry
ORA Red Planet
ORA Green Slimer
ORA Oregon Blue Tort
ORA Cali Tort
ORA Hawkins
Tyree Purple Monster
Tyree Icefire
Jason Fox Rouge Mille
Reefbum Yellow Tort
GARF Bonsai
Strawberry Shortcake
Mr. Pacman
Red Dragon
PC Sunset Mille
PC Purple Acro
Yellow Carolinia
Bubblegum Mille
Forrest Fire Digitata
Orange Digitata
Setosa
Red Cap
LPS
Bicolor (Green/Purple) Frogspawn
Australian Metallic Green Hammer
Orange Plate (Fungia)
Jason Fox Jack-O-Lantern Leptoseris
Orange/green Acan
Radio active green candy cane (Trumpet) coral
Franky’s Red Velvet Blasto
Bubble gum monster chalice
Meng Mummy Eye Chalice
Emerald mummy eye chalice
Franky’s green eyed ruby chalice
SC Dessert Storm Chalice
Pink ******* Chalice
Bazooka Joe Chalice
Pink Watermelon Chalice
Jason Fox Goldmeister Chalice
Jason Fox Crazy Fox Chalice
Franky’s Alligator Acne Chalice
PC Rainbow Chalice
Strawberry Orange sherbert Chalice
Unknown yellow eyed red chalice
Z+P's
Rastas
Tangelos
Charms Blow Pops
Fruitloops
Sunny D's
Bam Bam's
Inverts
Dr. Mac Ultra Maxima
Scarlet Hermits
Trochus Snails
Cerith Snails
Tiger + Fighting Conch
Nasaurius Snails
Mexican Turbos
2 Cleaner shrimp
Water Parameters
Alk 8.5
Ca 440
Mg 1400
Sg 1.026
More of Franky's pictures will also be posted on our CTARS webpage (when it's up) as well as our Facebook and Google+ page! Check them out there!!
Congratulations!
This month's winner won a gift certificate from our sponsor,
Affordable Aquatics!!
This month's winner won a gift certificate from our sponsor,
Affordable Aquatics!!
