IMG_8629.JPG

River's Reef 2.0

Set up on April 7th, 2025, this 320-gallon display — with a total system volume of about 400 gallons including the sump — has been a wild journey from day one. What started as an idea for a predator tank has evolved into a thriving mixed reef!
Build Thread Link
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/300gallon-large-reef-build.1098097/#post-13410982
Introduction
Hi! I’m Austin, the aquarist behind River's Reef. I’ve been keeping aquatic animals since May 2024, starting out in the freshwater side of the hobby before making the jump to saltwater in September of the same year. What began as a simple joke quickly turned into a full-blown passion — and now, it’s evolving into something much bigger.

Since setting up my first saltwater tank, I’ve been hooked on the challenge and beauty of reef keeping. Every tank I build teaches me something new — from mastering water chemistry to growing and propagating corals. My goal is to share that journey, help others get started in the hobby, and hopefully turn this passion into a thriving aquarium business focused on healthy, vibrant marine life.
Set up on April 7th, 2025, this 320-gallon display — with a total system volume of about 400 gallons including the sump — has been a wild journey from day one. What started as an idea for a predator tank has evolved into a thriving mixed reef!

Aquarium Profile and Equipment

What type of saltwater aquarium is this?
Mixed Reef
Total Water Volume
400
When did you start this tank?
Jan 1, 2025
What is your aquarium made of?
Acrylic
Aquarium Length (inches)
84
Aquarium Width (inches)
35
Aquarium Height (inches)
23
Aquarium Overflow/Drain
Internal Overflow
Aquarium Sump
YES
Sump Water Volume
100
Aquarium Stand
The stand is built from metal square tubing. It currently is an open-frame design soon to be closed up!
Aquarium Controller
YES
Aquarium Controller Make and Model
Apex A3 and the focustronic mastertronic.
Protein Skimmer
YES
Protein Skimmer Make and Model
Maxspect AD600
Aquarium Reactors
  1. Carbon
  2. Kalk
Return Pump
AQQA 85W 3200GPH
What types of equipment are you using for water flow and circulation?
  1. Wavemaker
  2. Other
Water Flow and Circulation Equipment List
I use a combination of two SCP150 gyres with a closed loop system. (Also ran with an AQQA 85W 3200 GPH pump)
Aquarium Lighting
  1. LED
Lighting Equipment List
I run a combination of (4) AI Primes 16HD, (3) AI Hydra 32HD, and (2) 72" Reefbrite Lumi Lite Pro. These are mounted on aluminum extrusion with the Hydras focused on the rear for SPS and the Primes focused on the front for softies and euphylia.
Lighting PAR and Goals
The Par levels are currently unknown as the lights were recently redone. My goals would be much lower in the front section compared to the rear middle. The rear middle will house the higher end SPS needing higher PARS.
Dosing Equipment
  1. Calcium
  2. Alkalinity
  3. Magnesium
Dosing Equipment Detail
I currently have a jebao 4-channel Wifi doser, it is currently not setup because I am manually dosing until I can fully get the sump setup.
Auto Top Off or ATO
YES
Aquarium Heating and Cooling
  1. I am using a heater or heaters
Water Temperature
78
Heating and Cooling Equipment Detail
(2) AQQA 1000W heater
Frag Tank Details
I currently have (5) 50 Gallon lowboy frag tanks for trimmings and quarantine.

Aquarium Water Chemistry and Parameters

pH Level
8.2
Specific Gravity
1.026
Nitrate or NO3
9.37
Phosphate or PO4
0.063
Calcium
404
Alkalinity
8.45
Magnesium
1275
Salt Brand
Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
Trace Element Dosing
API Complete Trace, this is temporary until I can figure out whatI like best.
Water Chemistry Detail
N/A

Aquarium Natural and Mechanical Filtration

Substrate
Sand
Substrate Level
Other
Live Rock
400
Live Rock Type
Basic Live rocks
Nutrient Export
  1. Refugium
  2. Protein Skimmer
  3. Filter Sock
  4. Filter Roller
  5. GFO
Water Changes
YES
Water Change Details
I change roughly 80 Gallons every month to two months.
Additional Maintenance Details
Daily cleaning, inspection of coral and fish health, and filter sock changes every few days.

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

Fish List
  1. Cardinalfish
  2. Clownfish
  3. Damselfish
  4. Goby
  5. Surgeonfish Tang
  6. None
Total Fish
I have roughly 15 to 18 fish within the tank.
Coral List
  1. SPS Coral
  2. LPS Coral
  3. Zoanthids
  4. Soft Coral
  5. Mushroom Coral
  6. NPS Coral
  7. Other
Total Corals
50
Invert List
  1. Anemone
  2. Snails
  3. Urchin
Total Inverts
19
Livestock Detail
N/A
Livestock Quarantine
  1. Fish
  2. Coral
Favorite Fish
Bird Wrasse
Favorite Coral
Tiger Torch Coral/Banana Torch
Favorite Invert
Urchin
Never Livestock
Miniatus Grouper, I had one before hand, took me forever to catch him and he ate naything that came within his vicinity.

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

Fish Feeding Frequency
Every Other Day
Coral Feeding Frequency
A Few Times Weekly
Fish and Coral Feeding
  1. Pellet
  2. Frozen
  3. Algae Strips
What brands of foods are you feeding?
Multiple
Auto Feeder
NO

Additional Aquarium Information

What do you think are the keys to your success in reefing?
Stability and feeding!
Very impressive. I will be checking out your build thread.
 
Impressive for only having that tank for a year!
 

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%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new