LETS SEE YOUR GERIATRIC REEFS! 5 YEARS & UP

[mattdg]

The 5 year mark has come and gone for my geriatric reef. Wisdom and stability gained, old substrate and failing equipment to constantly contend with. I feel so much pride when viewing my old reef. All that it has been through. The good years. The frustrating moments. The goals reached and compromises made. What an adventure and more to come, for my old tank.

That said, I WANT TO SEE YOUR GERIATRIC REEFS. Given today’s average attention span, let’s say 5 years and older. Tell us the good and bad about your old tank and how long you plan on maintaining it.

Can’t wait to see your old reefs! Here is mine

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Bumping your post I want to see more 5+ year old tanks!

 

[exnisstech]

8 years on this one before I broke it down to move the tangs into a larger tank.

 

[mattdg]

8 years on this one before I broke it down to move the tangs into a larger tank.

Very nice. 8 years is something to be very proud of. A legit reason to break down this system. Let's see more of these!!

 

[mattdg]

Bump, for some older reefs. Let's see them!

 

[vlangel]

My 56g reef is 8+ years old. It began as an AIO seahorse tank in Oct./Nov 2016. When my ponies lived out their lives I converted to a mixed reef. I added a HOB overflow box and 30g high basement sump, added a tiered deep sandbed and upgraded to LED lights. It's a very simple set up with no skimmer, no controllers, no dosers, no reactors. The sump is just a tank with no partitions (return pump at one end, the drain at the other). The display has easy coral, easy fish and easy macroalgae. I used to do faithful water changes but slowly have decreased because the nutrients are much less with the ornamental macros. I do 2-3 water changes (5g) a year now. I just add some AFR once a week to replenish alk, calcium and trace minerals and top off water to replace for evaporation, which is about a gallon/week. I love the ease of maintenance so there are no plans to do anything different for now.

 

[vlangel]

Bump

 

[SerialHobbiest]

Love these. IMHO, 5+ year old aquariums should be the goal in this hobby. I just jumped back in after a 5 year hiatus, but longevity is definitely my aim. Hope to see more of these shared.

 

[CHSUB]

98 to 2006..all good really, moved however!

 

[mattdg]

My 56g reef is 8+ years old. It began as an AIO seahorse tank in Oct./Nov 2016. When my ponies lived out their lives I converted to a mixed reef. I added a HOB overflow box and 30g high basement sump, added a tiered deep sandbed and upgraded to LED lights. It's a very simple set up with no skimmer, no controllers, no dosers, no reactors. The sump is just a tank with no partitions (return pump at one end, the drain at the other). The display has easy coral, easy fish and easy macroalgae. I used to do faithful water changes but slowly have decreased because the nutrients are much less with the ornamental macros. I do 2-3 water changes (5g) a year now. I just add some AFR once a week to replenish alk, calcium and trace minerals and top off water to replace for evaporation, which is about a gallon/week. I love the ease of maintenance so there are no plans to do anything different for now.

I have to say, I could enjoy a low maintenance older system like this, as much, if not more than my full blown SPS reef. I do have a basic HOB / Heater / Light macro setup, but is only a few years old. I plan to let it go as long as it will last. I like that tank as much as any.

This reef you have here is a beauty and such a change from the "gotta make sure I get through my weekly maintenance" routine. 5 water changes a year! Now that is an established system.

Post more of these people. Don't be shy. Even if your geriatric reef is barely hanging on. Post it! Let's show those kids how it's done!

I agree with the above comment. 5 years and on, should be the goal rather than the exception.

 

[IceNein]

Love these mature tanks. Keep 'em coming!

 

[Reefer Matt]

This is six years old. Been fragged and changed a lot over the years. It used to be completely packed but I keep it trimmed now.

 

[mattdg]

This is six years old. Been fragged and changed a lot over the years. It used to be completely packed but I keep it trimmed now.

Your system showcases so many of the aspects that I love about older reef systems. Dense, interesting, growth on growth. You can't even see where the frags began 6 years ago. The color is outstanding. I love that you say it used to be completely packed. Still looks full to the brim, in a very good way.

How many gallons is this system? Can you tell us a bit about what you do to maintain? Love it.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Your system showcases so many of the aspects that I love about older reef systems. Dense, interesting, growth on growth. You can't even see where the frags began 6 years ago. The color is outstanding. I love that you say it used to be completely packed. Still looks full to the brim, in a very good way.

How many gallons is this system? Can you tell us a bit about what you do to maintain? Love it.

Thanks! This is just a standard 75 gallon Marineland tank, it was a PetSmart special. I do water changes as needed and dose Seachem Reef Fusion 2 part, and Brightwell Neophos. The tank is run by an Apex system with Trident and Dos. It just went through an episode of almost crashing a couple months ago when I changed salt. So some of the coral are still recovering, and I have changed back. A funny fact about this tank is that the lighting cost more than everything else combined. I typically go cheap on everything, but I like Kessil lights.