A mixed reef with ornamental macroalgae, coral and inverts.
Aquarium Profile and Equipment
- What type of saltwater aquarium is this?
- Mixed Reef
- Total Water Volume
- 80
- When did you start this tank?
- Nov 30, 2016
- What is your aquarium made of?
- Glass
- Aquarium Length (inches)
- 30
- Aquarium Width (inches)
- 18
- Aquarium Height (inches)
- 24
- Aquarium Overflow/Drain
- External Overflow
- Aquarium Sump
- YES
- Aquarium Stand
- Aqueon stand that had decorative trim added and repainted.
- Aquarium Controller
- NO
- Protein Skimmer
- NO
- Aquarium Reactors
- None
- Return Pump
- Jabao DCT-6
- What types of equipment are you using for water flow and circulation?
- Powerhead
- Water Flow and Circulation Equipment List
- The Jabao return pump adds 400gph to display, the tunze turbelle 6045 adds 1100 gph, and an Ice Cap gyre 3k at 10% on gyre mode.
- Aquarium Lighting
- LED
- T5 Fluorescent
- Lighting Equipment List
- ReefBreeder Photon V-24 on display tank, and Coralife HOT5 24" quad on 30 gallon sump.
- Lighting PAR and Goals
- I have never measured par levels but I place the coral and macroalgae that need the greatest light up high in the tank and those that need less light I place near the bottom or in shadows.
- Auto Top Off or ATO
- YES
- Aquarium Heating and Cooling
- I am using a heater or heaters
- Water Temperature
- 79
- Additional Equipment Detail
- The ATO is a simple dual float switch with a 1 gallon fresh water reservoir. In case of a mishap never more than 1 gallon of fresh water is added to aquarium. 1 gallon lasts 1 week because the display and sump are covered with glass tops.
Aquarium Water Chemistry and Parameters
- pH Level
- 8.0
- Specific Gravity
- 1.024
- Nitrate or NO3
- 30
- Phosphate or PO4
- 1.0
- Calcium
- 400
- Alkalinity
- 8
- Magnesium
- 1250
- Salt Brand
- Regular Instant Ocean
- Trace Element Dosing
- Iron, Coral Vite, Seachem Stability
- Water Chemistry Detail
- After weekly water change I add 1 capful of iron, 1 capful of Coral Vite and 1 capful of Seachem Stability
Aquarium Natural and Mechanical Filtration
- Substrate
- Sand
- Substrate Level
- Deep
- Live Rock
- 80
- Live Rock Type
- Mostly live Caribbean rock, with some coral skeletons
- Nutrient Export
- Refugium
- Macro Algae
- Floss
- Carbon
- Water Changes
- YES
- Water Change Details
- I do 5-10% water change weekly
- Nutrient Export Details
- I prune the macroalgae regularly, and if the tank looks dirtier or the coral or macros are not looking as good as they should, I test the nutrients, (nitrates and phosphates). I do a bigger water change if the nutrients seem too high.
Aquarium Tank Inhabitants (fish, coral, invert etc.)
- Fish List
- Angelfish
- Blenny
- Cardinalfish
- Clownfish
- Dartfish
- Goby
- Jawfish
- Surgeonfish Tang
- Total Fish
- 10
- Coral List
- SPS Coral
- LPS Coral
- Soft Coral
- Mushroom Coral
- NPS Coral
- Total Corals
- 20
- Invert List
- Anemone
- Crabs
- Shrimp
- Snails
- Other
- Total Inverts
- 8
- Livestock Detail
- Fish are my first love so I like a lot of fish. The coral and macroalgae are to help the fish feel at home and to take up nutrients given off by the fish.
Inverts and unique creatures are my 2nd love. I love shrimp, scallops, cucumbers and tube worms.
Aquarium Nutrition (fish, coral, invert etc. feeding)
- Fish Feeding Frequency
- One Daily Feeding
- Coral Feeding Frequency
- Once weekly
- Fish and Coral Feeding
- Flake
- Pellet
- Frozen
- Algae Strips
- Other
- Auto Feeder
- Trips Only
Additional Aquarium Information
- What do you think are the keys to your success in reefing?
- My current tank system has been up and running almost 7 years. That has allowed the biofilter to mature and be very efficient while at the same time fostering an environment for the food chain webs to also mature.
