45g Mixed Reef Build & Progression !!!

[Doostur]

This is a progression thread of our 45g mixed reef. Due to limited space we went with a 45g tank (36 wide, 12 Deep, 24 Tall). It was the perfect addition to our dining area!

Started Cycling on March 12th 2017 with Red Sea using dry rock.

Current Pictures from November 26th 2017.

Parameters:
- Temp 76-78F
- Alk 9 dKH
- Calcium 450 ppm
- Mag 1450 ppm
- Salinity 1.024
- Phosphates .03

Equipment:
- 45 Gallon Aqueon Breeder Tank
- Custom Stand
- Reef Breeders Photon 32-V2 LEDs
- 2 VorTech MP10wQD programmed schedule using Reeflink
- Jecod/Jebao DCT-4000 Pump
- Wet Dry System converted to a sump (Limited due to stand width). Not sure on brand, think 10-15G.
- Reef Octopus BH-1000 Skimmer
- EHEIM Jager Heater 125W (Currently not installed or used, temp stable at 76-78 with home A/C)
- 1 Alternative Reef Magnetic Standard Frag Stations
- 2 Alternative Reef Big Un magnetic single frag station
- CPR Retrofit Overflow Box with Lid (Open Back)
- Seneye PAR/Reef Monitor (Using Slides and Laptop/App to monitor)
- Carib Sea Sand 20 pounds
- Jebao Programmable Auto Dosing Pump DP-4
- Marinecolor Acryli 3 Chamber Dosing Container
- BRS mini reactor running High Capacity GFO & Carbon
- CyberPower UPS. 1500VA/900W (BRG1500AVRLCD)

- I Plan to install the Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off this weekend . Hope to mod in a way to also use as a water change system as well. Its been done already, simply google. Currently using 4th pump from the jaebo doser for RO top off.

Fishies:
- Sapphire Damsel
- Frostbite Subzero Clown Fish Bonded Pair
- Midas Blenny
- Yellow Watchman Goby
- Exquisite firefish
- Royal Gramma
- Blue Spotted Jawfish
- Bartlett's Anthias

Misc/Cleaners:
- Bubble Tip Anemone
- Rock Flower Anemone
- Pom Pom Crab
- 3 Sexy Shrimps
- Coral Banded Shrimp
- Blood Shrimp
- Cleaner Shrimp
- Bunch of different types of hermits
- A few Astrea Snails
- 3 brittle starfish
- Emerald Crab

Corals:
- ZOAs
- Torch
- Frogspawn
- Hammer
- Mushrooms
- Ricordia
- Scoly
- Xenia
- Green Star Polyp
- Toadstool
- Duncans
- Dendro (sun coral)
- Red & Yellow Goniopora
- Firework Cloves
- Acans
- Bunch of SPS, hard corals, montis etc

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Wow! Great progress and great pictures! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

Really think you have done a great job with the magnetic shelves as well. Can you link those?

 

[Doostur]

Wow! Great progress and great pictures! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

Really think you have done a great job with the magnetic shelves as well. Can you link those?

Thanks

They are made by The Alternative Reef - Here is the sponsors section https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/the-alternative-reef.131/

http://www.thealternativereef.com/ar/default.html

Search Amazon or ebay for "Alternative Reef". Or message them on here directly. They have slightly better pricing.

 

[Todd Coleman]

This is unbelievable. I've only been a hobbyist for about eight months and have started up with a simple 20G tank. Thus far I've made a variety of mistakes (which is the point of starting small.) I have a rbta that doesn't open, a combination colony of zoas (fruitloop and red people eater) that only half opens, a mini carpet, daisy polys, and mushroom coral. For fish I made my very first mistake buying a false percula clown from petco...also have a yellow fin blue damsel and a hawkfish (which is really boring.) My clean up grew are bullies and like to steal food from the carpet anemone.

This is all fine as I'm learning. On top of learning about the living creatures, I'm also getting a recap in biology and chemistry. Math is not my friend, so I tend to struggle here.

With that being said, my goal (unless my tank complete melts down) is to create something like you did. I have a lot more to learn, but this is fascinating and I'd enjoy hearing more about your construction of this beautiful tank.

Thanks!

 

[Doostur]

This is unbelievable. I've only been a hobbyist for about eight months and have started up with a simple 20G tank. Thus far I've made a variety of mistakes (which is the point of starting small.) I have a rbta that doesn't open, a combination colony of zoas (fruitloop and red people eater) that only half opens, a mini carpet, daisy polys, and mushroom coral. For fish I made my very first mistake buying a false percula clown from petco...also have a yellow fin blue damsel and a hawkfish (which is really boring.) My clean up grew are bullies and like to steal food from the carpet anemone.

This is all fine as I'm learning. On top of learning about the living creatures, I'm also getting a recap in biology and chemistry. Math is not my friend, so I tend to struggle here.

With that being said, my goal (unless my tank complete melts down) is to create something like you did. I have a lot more to learn, but this is fascinating and I'd enjoy hearing more about your construction of this beautiful tank.

Thanks!

Thanks!!! We started a 20G Nano Max 3 months ago as well. Just stay positive. You will go through learning pains! But in the end when your tank is taking off... it will all be worth it.