I have a high end mixed reef, with everything from mushrooms, zoas, acros, montiporas, acanthos, torches, hammers, etc…
Aquarium Profile and Equipment
- What type of saltwater aquarium is this?
- Mixed Reef
- Total Water Volume
- 130
- When did you start this tank?
- Jan 1, 2023
- What is your aquarium made of?
- Glass
- Aquarium Length (inches)
- 48
- Aquarium Width (inches)
- 24
- Aquarium Height (inches)
- 12
- Aquarium Overflow/Drain
- Internal Overflow
- Aquarium Sump
- YES
- Sump Water Volume
- 30
- Aquarium Stand
- DIY Wooden Stand
- Aquarium Controller
- YES
- Aquarium Controller Make and Model
- A3 Apex Controller
- Protein Skimmer
- YES
- Protein Skimmer Make and Model
- Reef Octopous Regal 150SSS 6" Space Saving Protein Skimmer
- Aquarium Reactors
- Kalk
- Return Pump
- Ecotech Vectra M2, Jebao
- What types of equipment are you using for water flow and circulation?
- Powerhead
- Wavemaker
- Water Flow and Circulation Equipment List
- Jebao SLW-20 Wave Maker Flow Pump (x4)
- Aquarium Lighting
- LED
- Lighting Equipment List
- Radions XR-15 (x2)
AI Blade Grow 39” (x2)
Radion XR-30 (x2)
Reef Brite 2’
Reef Brite 15”
- Lighting PAR and Goals
- 250-350
- Dosing Equipment
- Calcium
- Alkalinity
- Dosing Equipment Detail
- Kamoer F4 PRO 4 heads aquarium doser
- Auto Top Off or ATO
- YES
- Aquarium Heating and Cooling
- I am using a heater or heaters
- Water Temperature
- 77
- Heating and Cooling Equipment Detail
- Large 2’x2’ Fan
400W Heater with Controller, Attached to Apex
Aquarium Water Chemistry and Parameters
- pH Level
- 8.1
- Specific Gravity
- 1.025
- Nitrate or NO3
- 10 ppm
- Phosphate or PO4
- 0.05
- Calcium
- 400
- Alkalinity
- 7.5
- Magnesium
- 1350
- Salt Brand
- Instant Ocean Purple Box
- Trace Element Dosing
- B-Ionic Two Part
Tropic Marin K & A
- Water Chemistry Detail
- I do ICP every two months, and 20% water changes weekly, water chemistry is not perfect but quality
Aquarium Natural and Mechanical Filtration
- Substrate
- Sand
- Substrate Level
- Shallow
- Live Rock
- 60
- Live Rock Type
- Jakarta
- Nutrient Export
- Macro Algae
- Protein Skimmer
- Filter Sock
- Water Changes
- YES
- Water Change Details
- I perform a 20% water change weekly. I use two 30-gallon brute trash cans—one for freshwater and one for saltwater—set up as towers for both water changes and my gravity-fed auto top-off system.
For the water change, I simply turn a valve to start refilling my aquarium with fresh saltwater. The water I remove from the tank has to be carried upstairs and disposed of outside.
- Nutrient Export Details
- I feed a lot and have a lot of corals and fish. I let the ecosystem absorb the nutrients and provide heavy skimming and frequent water changes.
Aquarium Tank Inhabitants (fish, coral, invert etc.)
- Fish List
- Basslet
- Blenny
- Chromis
- Clownfish
- Dragonet
- Goby
- Wrasse
- None
- Total Fish
- 16
- Coral List
- SPS Coral
- LPS Coral
- Zoanthids
- Soft Coral
- Mushroom Coral
- NPS Coral
- Total Corals
- 100
- Invert List
- Anemone
- Crabs
- Starfish
- Shrimp
- Snails
- Clams
- Urchin
- Total Inverts
- 50
- Livestock Detail
- I have a lot of species which all seem to thrive. The aquarium is acropora dominant but is also a true mixed reef, as it houses, zoas, mushrooms, meat corals, chalices, clams, anemones, and just about everything else. I love biodiversity, all of these animals are so beautiful and can benefit each other.
- Livestock Quarantine
- Fish
- Coral
- Invert
Aquarium Nutrition (fish, coral, invert etc. feeding)
- Fish Feeding Frequency
- Multiple Daily Feedings
- Coral Feeding Frequency
- A Few Times Weekly
- Fish and Coral Feeding
- Flake
- Pellet
- Frozen
- Algae Strips
- Auto Feeder
- YES
Additional Aquarium Information
- What do you think are the keys to your success in reefing?
- Keeping clean and well-balanced water is key. This means doing regular water changes, ensuring good water circulation, and keeping a high level of biodiversity with fish, corals, and invertebrates. The high biodiversity allows me to feed a lot and ensure the nutrition of my animals.
For me, staying consistent is important. I use ICP tests and water changes to make sure my reef’s water is in check. From there, I measure alkalinity daily and phosphate twice a week to maintain stability.
