Hello from Az -=> established 300g sps predominant display tank

MissyTwitch · Sep 28, 2018

Hello,
Been in the hobby for about ~5y. Out in Arizona. Upgraded to SPS predominant tank 300g. Roughly ~600g system. We started the sps system 1y9mo prior. Started as a Zeovit low nutrient system. However, we modified it and got rid of the protein skimmers, rock reactor. Replaced protein skimmer with AM and PM algae scrubbers [avoid ph swing]. AM algae scrubbers slightly larger as it works as a Refugium as well. Still use zeobac once a week {noticed that it keeps tank clear and free of nuisance algae}. Use coral vitalizer if I notice an sps having a hard time. We have calcium/alk reactors. Frag tank for when we trim corals that fight in the tank.My fiancée built larger calcium reactor currently one 6 foot tube with reborn. He’s adding a second 6ft tube -smaller Form of ARM to help dissipate the CO2 [currently using air stone reactor with lead into refugium]. Check alk/calcium/mag religiously [daily]. Potassium once a week [keep it above 400]. Stopped checking phos/ammonia/nitrates cause they were always low since algae scrubbers came online a year and a half ago. Fish poop feeds the sps and they are happy. I have a couple corals that are sensitive that let me know if somethings off in my tank.

Can’t take pictures all that great with IPhone unless I drop the gen4 radions 10k or place coral viewing glasses in front of it. I tried to include what I could. I don’t have an updated photo yet of the new calcium reactor. When I get home tomorrow night if y’all still want to see it I’ll post it up.

I don’t know how to photoshop, ghetto rigged the coral viewing glasses to my iPhone with tape when taking pictures. Some are older pics done at 10k shots with iPhone[didnt know how to get rid of blue at the time]. These will be after baby dori in her coral bed.

FYI if your wondering why the Fan => increase evaporation => more alk from alk reactor raising and keeping pH above 8

MissyTwitch · Sep 28, 2018

Pictures got scrambled a bit in the order....oh well

JsL · Sep 28, 2018

Welcome! Looks amazing and you have some nice colonies in there!

vanpire · Sep 28, 2018

These pics are great and your tank looks terrific. Love those large colonies.

How is the algae scrubber working out for PH control? Have been thinking of getting one.

I am in AZ and have a 300 gallon also (8'l x 2.5' w x 2' h).

Let me know if you go to the AZ frag/prop meetings.

MissyTwitch · Sep 28, 2018

JsL said:
Welcome! Looks amazing and you have some nice colonies in there!

Most of the colonies started off as kupang 3-4 inch colonies [first 3months of the tank], most are Fiji nanos [were ~2-3 inch including big stag; they got added at month 4], the larger purple one was the only survivor from an Extra large Fiji colony shipment [initially five colonies], the rest are from Bali and frags from local stores/online auctions etc....

MissyTwitch · Sep 28, 2018

vanpire said:
These pics are great and your tank looks terrific. Love those large colonies.

How is the algae scrubber working out for PH control? Have been thinking of getting one.

I am in AZ and have a 300 gallon also (8'l x 2.5' w x 2' h).

Let me know if you go to the AZ frag/prop meetings.

pH control before starting up calcium reactors 8-8.3 while we were dosing. Since starting the calciumreactor 7.8-8.1. Sps don’t seem to mind and are actually growing a lot faster since Calcium/kalk reactor came online. They are using a ton of alk/calcium, it was half the reason we switched over from dosing cause it was not cost effective. It actually turned out for the better. Using reborn colored up a lot of corals that weren’t that special, and made some of my more colorful ones get crazy with colors. Couldn’t get that with dosing. So I’m happy.