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My humble reef

My first ever reef aquarium
Introduction
I have been always in very passionate about fish keeping. I started keeping guppies and gold fish when I was a kid and then kept a 50G gallon fresh water tank when I was in college. I have always been fascinated with marine aquariums and it was illegal to have on in the country I used live in.
Now I after about 15 years, I finally built a reef aquarium. I love science (Chemistry/Biology) and software engineering and electronics. This new build has given me an opportunity to combine all my passions into one.
Do you have a video of your tank?
My first ever reef aquarium

Aquarium Profile and Equipment

What type of saltwater aquarium is this?
Mixed Reef
Total Water Volume
165
When did you start this tank?
Mar 1, 2025
What is your aquarium made of?
Glass
Aquarium Length (inches)
59.1
Aquarium Width (inches)
25.6
Aquarium Height (inches)
23.6
Aquarium Overflow/Drain
Internal Overflow
Aquarium Sump
YES
Sump Water Volume
33
Aquarium Stand
My tank is a RedSea 625 G2. It comes with Marine-Spec laminated plywood and aluminium support
Aquarium Controller
YES
Aquarium Controller Make and Model
Apex Pro 3
Protein Skimmer
YES
Protein Skimmer Make and Model
Reef Octopus 200-INT
Aquarium Reactors
  1. Algae
Return Pump
Neptune COR 20
What types of equipment are you using for water flow and circulation?
  1. Powerhead
  2. Wavemaker
Water Flow and Circulation Equipment List
2 x Orbit 2
2 x MP40
Aquarium Lighting
  1. LED
Lighting Equipment List
2x Radion XR30
Dosing Equipment
  1. Calcium
  2. Alkalinity
  3. Magnesium
  4. Other
Dosing Equipment Detail
3x Neptune DOS QD
Auto Top Off or ATO
YES
Aquarium Heating and Cooling
  1. I am using a heater or heaters
Water Temperature
79
Heating and Cooling Equipment Detail
2x BRS 600W Titanium heaters
Additional Equipment Detail
ReefOctopus CO2 Scrubber
Adaptive Reef Blade Hybrid Submersible Algae Scrubber

Aquarium Water Chemistry and Parameters

pH Level
8.25
Specific Gravity
1.026
Nitrate or NO3
8
Phosphate or PO4
0.02
Calcium
420
Alkalinity
10.0
Magnesium
1400
Salt Brand
Red Sea
Trace Element Dosing
Red Sea 4 part
Strontium
Water Chemistry Detail
I keep my NO3 between 7 - 10 ppm
I aim for PO4 0.01 - 0.05 (Automatic Vodka dosing to reduce and Reefrhoid to increase)

Aquarium Natural and Mechanical Filtration

Substrate
Sand
Substrate Level
Shallow
Live Rock
40
Live Rock Type
Caribsea Live Rock
Nutrient Export
  1. Algae Scrubber
  2. Macro Algae
  3. Protein Skimmer
  4. Filter Roller
  5. Carbon
Water Changes
YES
Water Change Details
Automatic water change of 10% a week using Neptune DoS QD
Nutrient Export Details

Using Trident NP results​

Nitrates:​

  • Automatic Vodka dosing for reducing
  • Automatic Ammonium Carbonate for increasing

Phosphates:​

  • Automatic Vodka dosing for reducing
  • Reefrhoids/Phosphate supplements to increase

Aquarium Tank Inhabitants (fish, coral, invert etc.)

Fish List
  1. Angelfish
  2. Goby
  3. Hogfish
  4. Jawfish
  5. Wrasse
Total Fish
10
Coral List
  1. SPS Coral
  2. LPS Coral
  3. Zoanthids
  4. Soft Coral
  5. Mushroom Coral
Total Corals
25
Invert List
  1. Crabs
  2. Shrimp
  3. Snails
Total Inverts
20
Livestock Detail
Bellus Angel
Japanese Swallowtail Angel
Mexican bluespotted Jawfish
Helfrisch firefish
Pintail wrasse
Kuiters leopard wrasse
Bluestreak cleaner wrasse
Oreni Tilefish
Livestock Quarantine
  1. Fish
Favorite Fish
Oreni Tilefish
Favorite Coral
Gonioporas
Favorite Invert
Biscuit Seastar

Aquarium Nutrition (fish, coral, invert etc. feeding)

Fish Feeding Frequency
Multiple Daily Feedings
Coral Feeding Frequency
One Daily Feeding
Fish and Coral Feeding
  1. Frozen
  2. Live Food
  3. Algae Strips
Auto Feeder
NO

TOP 10 Trending Threads

ARE YOU READY TO CONFESS TO CRAZIEST, DUMBEST, FUNNIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE IN REEFING?

  • Yeah, I'll confess! (Share your story in the comments!)

    Votes: 34 54.0%
  • Nah, I'll keep mine a secret...(Don't be like that, share with the class!)

    Votes: 29 46.0%
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