my 230 gallon journey

reefer505

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As with most reefers I started out small. I had a little 10 gallon freshwater tank in college that was very neglected. once everything died I changed it to a small reef with 1 clown fish. at the time I was living in phoenix so water temperature was hard to handle and I couldn't afford a chiller. I donated all my stuff and moved out to new mexico where I started another tank 10 gal fresh lol. My brother was into salt and had a 28 gal biocube and was trying to get me back into salt water. I bought a 60 gallon with 100lbs of live rock so I jumped back into salt. after a while I moved up to a 90 gallon which was awesome and set up a 29gallon biocube so I can have a nano. I had both of those tanks for a few years and as things grew I decided it was time to go big. I bought me a 230 gallon aqueon tank and got started. The tank started with super basic equipment and I keep upgrading as I go so don't be too harsh lol. I will post pics from the beginning to current. As far as equipment goes im currently running 3 mars aquat black box leds. (not too bad but want to upgrade) 2 echotech mp40s (bought used and replaced the bearings), sump is a eshopps rs-200, return pump is a mag 12.5, skimmer is an old school impact 400, i also run a gfo and carbon reactor and recently added a 24 watt uv sterilizer to help with algae growth. for maintenance i do monthly 10% water change and dose according to my testing results. currently reef carbonate and reef complete are my staples. i also alternate reef plus and reef trace. My tank is truly a mixed reef. I have everything from nps gorgonians and sponges to acropora and millepora, to toadstools, mushrooms, anemones and gsp. I wanted a more diverse tank and i dont like limiting myself to a certain kind of coral. it makes it difficult at times but worth it in the end. i have 250lbs of live sand and 400lbs of figi live rock. (i love rock lol). thanks for checking out the evolution of my reef.

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4FordFamily

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Wow, simply beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

I said it before I'll say it again, I wish I knew 1/10 as much about coral as I do fish!
 

cracker

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Very Nice Man! I'll be setting up a new tank in the near future. Thanks for the inspiration
 
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reefer505

reefer505

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Added 75lbs of live rock and about 20 sps and a 5 chalice. Here's an update on the reef and can't wait till the rock gets color again

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reefer505

reefer505

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Wow it's been while since I have updated this thread. Since the last time I was here I went all out and bought a trigger tideline sump, 4 hydra52 hds, bubblemag curve 7 and added more rock. In my refugium I put 2"of miracle mud, 1inch of aragonite sand on top of that, and 10lbs of rock. I'll post a few updated pics as well
 

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