Reef Stable's Build Thread / Tank Tour
I wanted to give an insight into the tanks and the farming system I currently have set up. Also talk through different things I'm trying and how they are or are not working.
The Tanks
I have 3 "Display Farms". These are essentially display tanks that are also used as farms. This is both because of space constraints as well as finding some coral prefer specific conditions and this allows them to grow faster and healthier.
These tanks are a 210g used for LPS, mostly torches and hammer growout.
A 34g used for High End Acropora using a LOT of flow and light in a small space.
A 34g for Acan, Goni, and Zoa growout focussing on low light and nearly no flow.
I also have 3 farming "vats". These are roughly 30"x36". This is where I farm most of the coral, and keep frags.
210 LPS Display Farm
The Hammer and Torch tank utilizes 3 Radion XR30 (Gen 3 and 4) with ONLY the blue channels. The light is set such that the top coral gets about 125 PAR and the mid - bottom are between 75 and 100 PAR. There are 2 MP40s providing just enough flow to let the polyps move/sway.
34 Acro Display Farm
The Acropora tank needed MUCH more flow and light. With 2 Radion XR30 G3 pushing about 300-400 PAR at the top and 200 PAR at the bottom of the tank. I am using 2 MP40s at about 50% and a Gyre to provide enough flow to allow these Acropora to grow strong and healthy!
34 Low Flow Display Farm - Work In Progress
For the low flow coral, like Acans, Goniopora, Mushrooms, and some Zoas, I am using a 34 gallon tank where the only flow is coming from a return line. The XR30 G3s are set to only provide between 50 and 75 PAR. This is really showing how a simple display can be exactly what the doctor ordered for some kinds of coral.
This tank is still in progress and is seemingly empty in comparison.
Farming Vats
The farming Vats are almost all low flow tanks, using Orphek OR3 Blue Plus bars for lighting. Hung a few feet off of the tank to provide 50-100 PAR. This is where I grow out coral such as Zoas, High End Soft Coral, and keep frags. These tanks are all being re-done with new frag racks. So I'll post the current photos, but keep in mind that this is all changing soon.
System Setup
Now that I've covered how the tanks are set up, here is more about my methods of maintenance.
Please note, all of these tanks are tied together.
Control
I use a Neptune Apex to control most of the tank. I dose Kalkwasser to control pH, and use a Calcium Reactor to handle Alkalinity if it gets low. Here is a link to an article about how I do this:
reefstable.com
For heat, I use a gas heat setup with a titanium heat exchanger. Again, here is an article for how I do this:
reefstable.com
Filtration
Short and sweet. I use a refugium with Cheato and 2 high power refugium lights. I also use a high power protein skimmer. Other than that, weekly water changes (10%) and GFO/Carbon only as needed.
Additional Dosing
The only other thing I dose is 1 drop Lougols Iodine per 400g daily, and amino acids daily (half of recommended amount on bottle).
Summary
Hopefully this gives y'all some inspiration. If you have any questions, feel free to comment.
I also run a blog so please, check it out here!
reefstable.com
I'll try to add updates and test to my thread as they happen!
Follow My Adventures Here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reefstable/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReefStable
Website: https://reefstable.com
I wanted to give an insight into the tanks and the farming system I currently have set up. Also talk through different things I'm trying and how they are or are not working.
The Tanks
I have 3 "Display Farms". These are essentially display tanks that are also used as farms. This is both because of space constraints as well as finding some coral prefer specific conditions and this allows them to grow faster and healthier.
These tanks are a 210g used for LPS, mostly torches and hammer growout.
A 34g used for High End Acropora using a LOT of flow and light in a small space.
A 34g for Acan, Goni, and Zoa growout focussing on low light and nearly no flow.
I also have 3 farming "vats". These are roughly 30"x36". This is where I farm most of the coral, and keep frags.
210 LPS Display Farm
The Hammer and Torch tank utilizes 3 Radion XR30 (Gen 3 and 4) with ONLY the blue channels. The light is set such that the top coral gets about 125 PAR and the mid - bottom are between 75 and 100 PAR. There are 2 MP40s providing just enough flow to let the polyps move/sway.
34 Acro Display Farm
The Acropora tank needed MUCH more flow and light. With 2 Radion XR30 G3 pushing about 300-400 PAR at the top and 200 PAR at the bottom of the tank. I am using 2 MP40s at about 50% and a Gyre to provide enough flow to allow these Acropora to grow strong and healthy!
34 Low Flow Display Farm - Work In Progress
For the low flow coral, like Acans, Goniopora, Mushrooms, and some Zoas, I am using a 34 gallon tank where the only flow is coming from a return line. The XR30 G3s are set to only provide between 50 and 75 PAR. This is really showing how a simple display can be exactly what the doctor ordered for some kinds of coral.
This tank is still in progress and is seemingly empty in comparison.
Farming Vats
The farming Vats are almost all low flow tanks, using Orphek OR3 Blue Plus bars for lighting. Hung a few feet off of the tank to provide 50-100 PAR. This is where I grow out coral such as Zoas, High End Soft Coral, and keep frags. These tanks are all being re-done with new frag racks. So I'll post the current photos, but keep in mind that this is all changing soon.
System Setup
Now that I've covered how the tanks are set up, here is more about my methods of maintenance.
Please note, all of these tanks are tied together.
Control
I use a Neptune Apex to control most of the tank. I dose Kalkwasser to control pH, and use a Calcium Reactor to handle Alkalinity if it gets low. Here is a link to an article about how I do this:
How to Control Alkalinity And pH At The Same Time
Alkalinity and pH are the 2 of the most important parameters you can control for coral growth. This is how I maintain stable pH and Alk at the same time with kalkwaser and a calcium reactor.
For heat, I use a gas heat setup with a titanium heat exchanger. Again, here is an article for how I do this:
How To Heat an Aquarium with Natural Gas
Are the costs of heating your reef tank bringing you down? Heating your aquarium with natural gas could save you 70%, but is it worth the investment? Find out how with Reef Stable!
Filtration
Short and sweet. I use a refugium with Cheato and 2 high power refugium lights. I also use a high power protein skimmer. Other than that, weekly water changes (10%) and GFO/Carbon only as needed.
Additional Dosing
The only other thing I dose is 1 drop Lougols Iodine per 400g daily, and amino acids daily (half of recommended amount on bottle).
Summary
Hopefully this gives y'all some inspiration. If you have any questions, feel free to comment.
I also run a blog so please, check it out here!
Saltwater Fish Tanks Made Simple
Reef Stable is a saltwater aquarium blog and online coral retailer. The mission at Reef Stable is to educate and simplify successful reef tanks to grow the reefing community.
I'll try to add updates and test to my thread as they happen!
Follow My Adventures Here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reefstable/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReefStable
Website: https://reefstable.com
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