Dual Reef Journey: 45G Shallow Mixed Reef + 50G LPS Garden Build

[SomeHappyFish]

Dive Into My Reef Adventure! ​

45G Shallow Mixed Reef & 50G LPS Garden​

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Introduction​

Greetings, Reef2Reef community. I am documenting my first venture into reef keeping: a 45-gallon shallow tank (36"L x 18"W x 12"H) + Sump and 50G LPS System (20"x20"x20") + Sump. After months of research, sourcing equipment, and collaborating with a local glass artisan, the setup is now underway. Follow along as I navigate this journey, from cycling to stocking.

45G Mixed Reef System Overview​

2025-05-10

Tank & Stand

• Tank: Custom 36”x18”x12” shallow (1/4” glass).
• Stand: Aquatlantis Elegance Expert (Ash Grey).
• Lid: RedSea DIY mesh kit.

Filtration & Flow

• Sump: Eshopps RS-75 (12G).
• Return Pump: Sicce Syncra SDC 3.0 (100%).
• Circulation:
  • Maxspect XF130 Gyre (60% pulse, 0.5s interval).
  • Jebao MLW-5 33% Reef Crest
• Skimmer: Bubble Magus C3.5.

Environmental Control

• Heating: Dual Finnex 100W titanium heaters + Inkbird ITC-306A controller (77.5–78°F).
• ATO: Kamoer ATO One 2 SE + 5G custom reservoir.
• GFCI: Portable single-outlet adapter + Prox power conditioner.

Lighting

• 2x Noo-Psyche K7 Pro III LEDs.

Substrate & Rock

• Sand: CaribSea Fiji Pink.
• Rock: Marco Rocks dry rock.

RO/DI System​

• Unit: AquaticLife Twist-In 75 GPD (TDS 59–75 → 0).
• AVG Pressure: 65 psi.
• Mixing: 19G reservoir + AQQA 800GPH transfer pump.
• 2x PSI Gauge in/ Out after the Membrane
• 2x TDS Meter In/Out & Before/After Membrane

Cycling Process​

• Duration: 14 days (ammonia/nitrite zeroed at 20 days).
• Method: FritzZyme TurboStart 900 + Fishless Fuel.

Livestock​

Fish

• 2x Black Ray Antenna Gobies. (I haven't seen them in months but they do that sometimes)
• 1x Midas Blenny.
• 1x Snow Storm Clownfish.
• 1x Red-Lined Wrasse (Halichoeres biocellatus).

Invertebrates/CUC

• Blue Leg Hermits, Cerith, Trochus, Nassarius, Fighting Conch, Feather Duster and other hitchhikers.

Monitoring & Maintenance​

• Testing: Hanna Checkers (Alk, Nitrate ULR, Phosphorus ULR, Salinity) + Salifert/AquaForest kits for Calcium or Magnesium.
• Logging: ReefBay app for parameter tracking.

Emergency Power Backup​

The system includes a contingency setup to sustain critical components during outages:

• Battery: MK Powered 12V 18Ah SLA
• Inverter: Unbranded 12V DC to AC inverter
• Relay: PROwatt SW Inline Transfer Relay
• Charger: MotoMaster Smart Charger/Maintainer, 3A 12V

Functionality:

• Powers the Maxspect XF130 Gyre (60% pulse mode) during outages.
• Note: Runtime under load was tested for 20h

This setup prioritizes essential flow maintenance, though future expansions (e.g., larger battery capacity) are under consideration.

Future Upgrades​

1. AutoAqua Smart Level Skimmer.
2. UV Sterilizer.
3. CO2 Scrubber + Dosing Pump (5L reservoir).
4. Sicce SDC 6.0 Return Pump (current SDC 3.0 as backup).
5. Leak detectors + expanded battery backup (currently 12V 18Ah SLA).

Gallery:

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50G LPS Garden System Overview​

2024-08-24

2025-//-// Update coming soon

Tank & Stand

• Tank: Seapora 20"x20"x20"
• Stand: Unknown - Came with the old tank.
• Lid: DIY mesh kit for Windows

Filtration & Flow

• Sump: Blau Aquaristic Ready Sump 52 (20G)
• Return Pump: Unknown - Came with the old tank, my guess it's an old eheim pond pump.
• Circulation:
  • Jebao OW-10 + Ice Cap Gyre
• Skimmer: Bubble Magus C7.0

Environmental Control

• Heating: EHEIM thermocontrol+ e 200 + Random 100W heaters + Inkbird ITC-306A controller (77.5–78°F).
• ATO: Kamoer ATO One 2 SE + 7G custom reservoir.

Lighting

• 2x AI Prime HD 16s
• 1x Kessil A160 with Kessil Spectral X Controller

Substrate & Rock

• Sand: CaribSea Fiji Pink.
• Rock: Marco Rocks dry rock, Caribsea, Dead Corals structures.

Cycling Process​

• None, rock was taken on a existing 2 year old system. The guy did not dip any corals it seems so I have many weird critters.

Livestock​

Fish

• 1x Blue spotted Watchman Goby
• 1x Sixline Wrasse
• 1x Springeri Damsel

*I will not be adding more these are already very established and playing nice between each other.


Invertebrates/CUC

• Red Leg Hermits, Cerith, Trochus, Nassarius, Astreas, Bubble Bee Snails & Coral Banded Shrimp and other hitchhikers.

Emergency Power Backup​

I will be adding a battery backup air pump, which will be automated, currently it's by hand but I should really focus on this part.

Future Upgrades​

1. 2x JebaoDMP-10s
2. Battery backup for Air Pump
3. AutoAqua Smart Level Skimmer.
4. CO2 Scrubber + Dosing Pump (5L reservoir).
5. Leak detectors

Gallery:

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[SomeHappyFish]

MID - NOVEMBER UPDATE
The 3 Fish where added 11-14 days after.
Blue Leg Hermit was added November 10.
Skimmer was started November 12.

I also bought two Hanna Checkers, Nitrate HR & Phosphorus ULR.

FEEDING
Brine Shrimp Cubes
Spirulina brine shrimp Cubes
Vitalis Platinum Marine Pellets
Hikari Carnivore Medium Sinking Pellets Marine Fish Food
With occasional garlic guard.


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[CBonito]

This is pretty nice man!

 

[SomeHappyFish]

This is pretty nice man!

Thanks ! Update coming soon :D

 

[CBonito]

I have a very similar tank to yours...tell me something...does that tank lid annoy the heck out of you like mine annoys me? LOL I hate it!!! I'm about to stop using it. I think it ruins the appeal of a rimless tank. I havent witnessed any jumping...

I really like the way your tank has "stand" all around it. Makes a nice presentation.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I have a very similar tank to yours...tell me something...does that tank lid annoy the heck out of you like mine annoys me? LOL I hate it!!! I'm about to stop using it. I think it ruins the appeal of a rimless tank. I havent witnessed any jumping...

I really like the way your tank has "stand" all around it. Makes a nice presentation.

Yes we do! I will be reading your thread in my spare time.


Yes the lid is annoying.. It prevents from feeding/testing easily and also from hanging an auto feeder on the glass... I don't mind the look but I wished I didn't have to use it. I'm too scared of loosing a fish or having my cat play with the water.

The space around the tank is quite usefull for when I have to work on my tank but it does leave space for clutter or a cat to sit and climb when I'm not around.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Early December Update
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On November 24, brown algae diatoms started to appear, so I decided to head to my local LFS for a new CUC to keep my sand bed extra white and get a new fish since my last one was added 3 weeks before the 24th of November. I went with a Midas Blenny and a Strawberry Conch. Both looked healthy and were eating fine. Once home, I acclimated them and added them to my display. The conch immediately started feasting on the diatoms, and the Midas Blenny took possession of the cave on the right side. It took him almost 2 weeks to stop hiding and swim in the open "without" being scared. He looks happy to be near the auto-feeder, which might be an issue later down the road if he defends the area around it, but I have yet to see aggression towards my other fish.

However, for this little guy, he took a trip down my sump. I will now have to be careful this doesn't happen too often; otherwise, I guess I will have to buy a mesh for the wier, which is my hypothesis on how he went down there.

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[SomeHappyFish]

I added 2 Tiger Trochus and 2 cerith snails past friday and I must say the trochus are really effective!

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Top view of rocks

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I added 2 Tiger Trochus and 2 cerith snails past friday and I must say the trochus are really effective!

Yeah, it's crazy how fast they work!

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Video update of my slice of ocean.

Main post has been updated

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Month 7 Update

10% Weekly water change with Aquaforest Reef Salt

Dosing:
0.60ml Fauna Marin Organic - Daily
0.20ml Fauna Marin Min S - Every 2 days
1 ml Seachem Phyto - Every 2 days
1/4 tsp weekly of carebacter after waterchange

I stopped using the Kessil to acclimate my new corals. I will transfer it to my next build.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Two random pics for fun

 

[vcnt]

Nice build, whered you get the tank? Its nice looking

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Nice build, whered you get the tank? Its nice looking

Local Aquarium builder :)

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I updated this thread and adjusted the tittle. I gotta stop being lazy and show you guy's my progress, mistakes and upcoming stuff :)

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Might add these fish one day:
45G Lagoon - 2 Pajama Cardinals + 1 Royal Gramma
50G Cube - 1 Tailspot Blenny + 3 Purple Cardinals


My 45 Gallon Shallow Mixed Reef:
-1x Mango Favia
-1x Tan Pavona
-2x Purple Pavona
-2x Purple Candelabra gorgonian Colony
-1x Purple gorgonian colony (Unknown ID)
-1x Purple Knobby gorgonian
-2x Grooved sea whip gorgonian
-1x Corky Sea Finger gorgonian
-2x Red montipora
-1x Green psammocora
-1x Branching Cysphastrea
-1x Green Bali Slimmer
-1x Fiji accropora cerealis pea size
-1x Red Bubble Gum Montipora Digitata
-1x Purple Stylo
-1x Kenya tree
-1x Blue Zoa
-1x Scramble Egg Zoa
-1x Hollywood Chalice
-1x LA Laker Scroll
-1x Chalice (Unknown)
-1x Zoa Colony (Unknown ID)


50G LPS:
-1x Green Hammer
-1x Rose bud hammer
-1x Gold hammer
-1x Blue/Purple hammer
-1x Green tip hammer
-1x Purple & Green hammer
-1x Pink ricordea
-1x Purple Acan
-1x Red Acan ultra
-1x Blue/Purple Acan
-1x Codium Macro Algae
-1x Duncan
-2x Mushrooms
-1x Blastomussa merletti

Feel free to comment coral ideas :)

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Just got these in the mail ! Will be removing the jebao and gyre in the LPS build.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I went with this schedule and I see the particles having a more random pattern and also being lifted longer to reach the overflow :) Super happy.

Time	Mode	Settings	Purpose
12:00 AM – 6:00 AM	Constant Mode	30% (396 GPH/each)	Nighttime calm.
6:00 AM – 9:00 AM	Sin Mode	30% → 50%, Frequency: 90	Gentle sunrise tidal surge.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Classic Mode	Cross Flow Alternate 45% ↔ 55%	Broad, sweeping flow shifts to mimic natural reef currents.
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM	Random Mode	30%–50% fluctuations	Variability for detritus suspension.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM	Feed Mode	Off	Feeding pause.
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM	Sin Mode	50% → 30%, Frequency: 100	Sunset tidal easing.
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Classic Mode	Pulse Alternate 30% ↔ 40%	Short, gentle bursts to encourage polyp extension.
9:00 PM – 12:00 AM	Constant Mode	30% (396 GPH/each)	Nighttime rest.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Today I bought some CUC for my 50G LPS system, I was past due! Just missing a Fighting conch, I'm still on the look out for this one.

I got:
2 Scarlet Hermit Crab
6 Cerith
3 Trochus
3 Nassarius

1 turbo for my 45G mixed reef, it's about 1/2" big.