Miami Reef’s Build Thread

[Miami Reef]

Tank Capacity/Dimmensions:

250 gallons. 92”x23”x27”. Custom tank built in 2008.

Lighting:

2 ATI SunPower T5 HO Fixture - Dimmable w/ Controller - 48 inch (8x54W)

13 hour photoperiod

Filtration:

• Regal 250INT 10" Internal Protein Skimmer (VarioS) - Reef Octopus
• 80 Watt Classic UV Sterilizer - Black Body - Aqua Ultraviolet
• BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor - Dual with Sicce Syncra 1.5 Pump
• 5 micron filter felt socks

Rocks & Sand:
Old live rocks, dry Carib sea rocks, 300-400lbs of oolite+Carib sea ocean direct

Chemistry:
Soda Ash and calcium chloride dosed during photoperiod with X1 Pro Wifi Dosing Pump - Kamoer
Magnesium manual dose - BRS

Red Sea test kits for Calcium, magnesium, nitrates, phosphates.
Hannah for Alkalinity
Refractometer

Tropic Marin reef salt mix 40 gallon water change per week.

Pictures coming up next.

 

[Miami Reef]

I have a 4 stage RODI for my auto top off and I also use it for my water changes.

 

[ProfessorX]

Awesome start! Cable management is next!

 

[Miami Reef]

This is how I plumbed my UV sterilizer. I’m really proud of how I did this. I made sure not to plumb it from sump into sump because low amount of water means water will get double processed which means inefficiency.

 

[Miami Reef]

Awesome start! Cable management is next!

Haha. I completely agree. It looks a mess.

 

[Miami Reef]

This is the tank. Right now it’s LPS dominant, but the remaining spaces will be loaded with SPS. I currently don’t have any fish because I had an ich/velvet from not quarantining any of my fish. Tank is fallow.

 

[jsker]

Great setup, the DT looks nice and happy!!

How long has the system been set up? or did I miss that? ;Hilarious

 

[Miami Reef]

The tank had a complete reset on April 2021. So it’s been running for 3 months.

 

[jsker]

The tank had a complete reset on April 2021. So it’s been running for 3 months.

Wow, then that is a successful rested that looks great.

 

[Long Island Reefer]

Wow, the tank looks awesome, love the scape.

 

[Ro Bow]

love it!

 

[Miami Reef]

QT tank setup.

 

[Miami Reef]

I have 3 weeks until I can add my fish back. :)

 

[Miami Reef]

Update! Fallow is over and fish are clean and back into the tank

Here are the current residents of the tank: (stars just tell me when they officially graduated from the QT tank.)

 

[i cant think]

Update! Fallow is over and fish are clean and back into the tank

Here are the current residents of the tank: (stars just tell me when they officially graduated from the QT tank.)

I just saw this thread and I have been reading about the moorish idols, I just saw that yours is Indonesian, is there a care difference between the Indonesians and others?

 

[James_O]

Beautiful! Following. :)

 

[Miami Reef]

I just saw this thread and I have been reading about the moorish idols, I just saw that yours is Indonesian, is there a care difference between the Indonesians and others?

I think it’s more about luck? Some idols live where they eat dying algae, and some live off sponges. I personally don’t know where to find which type.

FYI I purchased 2 moorish idols from Sir Lanka from live Aquaria. I had no problem getting them to eat. I purchased them because I read they do better in groups, but when I saw the 2 new ones trying to fight with themselves and my first one, I returned them both.

Do not attempt more than one moorish. It’s a myth that they do better together.

 

[Miami Reef]

Some more pictures. I added a foxface, coral beauty, firefish, and melanurus wrasse today!

 

[i cant think]

I think it’s more about luck? Some idols live where they eat dying algae, and some live off sponges. I personally don’t know where to find which type.

FYI I purchased 2 moorish idols from Sir Lanka from live Aquaria. I had no problem getting them to eat. I purchased them because I read they do better in groups, but when I saw the 2 new ones trying to fight with themselves and my first one, I returned them both.

Do not attempt more than one moorish. It’s a myth that they do better together.

Thanks for the heads up - I would have stuck with one idol if I did try one, I honestly don’t find them to look as nice in pairs

 

[Miami Reef]

Also. Just note: Starting tomorrow I will upload high quality DSLR photos. My computer was missing the SD card slot so I purchased an adapter for it which is arriving tomorrow.