TJ_Burton
New Member
Hey Reef2Reef!
Been creeping the forum for a while and decided it was high time I share my new build.
First, an introduction!
I am a long-time reefer that has been in the hobby for 16 years, had many reef aquariums from 10 gallon nano tanks to 250 gallon beasts. I've experimented with various forms of lighting, filtration, dosing methods, and found many ways to push my hobby into unfamiliar territory in attempts to find a better way of reefkeeping. I am on another one of those journeys, attempting a reef using methods I have no hands-on experience with, and boy am I excited!
Here are some of my aquariums from years past
20 Gallon Reef 2004:
What I consider my very first successful reef (there were 2 softcoral tanks prior to this one but they weren't anything to write home about). The tank was custom and measured 24" x 18" x 12" tall, had a single 1.5" hole drilled for a standpipe overflow, and was run on my very first sump system (a standard 20 gallon with a single baffle to separate the pump from the skimmer). The lighting on this tank is what set it apart. This 20 gallon system used two VHO fluorescent, one 250 watt Radium MH, and one 175 watt 10,000K MH. Yep, a literal BUTT-TON of light and heat. The tank did amazingly well and no corals bleached at any point. In fact, a few bleached corals I purchased (the orange short tentacle plate coral in the front for example) recoverd in this system to their former glory. Surprisingly, the temp of the tank didn't exceed 81.F and usually hovered at 80.F
40 Breeder 2009:
This system I built with the aim of having no powerheads or equipment in the display itself. Instead I drilled 3 holes behind the overflow (two in the bottom, and one near the top), and 4 holes in the aquarium (two on the back panel and two in the top corners at the front). The tank ran on 2 pumps in the 3000gph range, both through SCWD units and the flow was just incredible. My only gripe is the maintenance to keep the SCWD running smoothly. This was the first all T5HO system I did, and utilized 6 bulbs. The corals did very well, and so did the 4 clams. This was my first SPS dominant system.
20 Gallon SPS 2012:
This tank was my attempt at debunking a common myth. You can't run a successful reef using a canister filter. Not only did I do that, I did so without using a skimmer either. I used a Radion XR30 for light, two MP10s for flow, ran a UV sterilizer, and had an Eheim 2215 Classic Canister for filtration. I removed all fine filtration from the Eheim and ran only substrat pro and coarse filter pads. At no point was the canister ever caked in debris. I cleaned the canister every 2-3 months, and did weekly 5 gallon water changes. I also utilized an SWC triple dosing pump on this system for the big 3, and dosed Aquavitro. Color was harder to achieve in this system, but that was largely due to the UV sterilizer having a rusting metal insert (Coralife Turbo Twist) once it was removed, and I ran metal absorbing media, the corals all began to bounce back in color and grew faster.
I have had a few systems since the 20 gallon SPS reef in 2012, but nothing I held on to long enough to reach maturity, so I'll omit them.
Fast forward to today!
I am in the process of setting up a system I shut down before I made a big move from one province to another. The tank and stand are really the only components I kept, and have been in the process of procuring various custom made acrylic and modified gear to match the Purple Orange, and Grey theme. Here is what I have so far for equipment:
All the PVC work was done with bends rather than fittings save for a few key places.
Acrylic work is by Pro-Clear aquatics.
I have a video of how all the plumbing came together here:
Today I am just finishing filling the system with RODI for a test run to check for leaks and overall system function. I am also going to be doing another custom light for over the tank as I was fortunate enough to procure a new lighting system that I have never used before (not Ecotech, AI, Kessil, Orphek, Nanobox, Maxspect, Aqamai, etc) which looks like it will do a fantastic job!
The goal with this system is to try a few methods I've never explored previously:
I am also planning to house clams in this system as I simply adore them.
Fish are still a toss up, but I am leaning towards a pair of Orange Skunk Clowns to start. We shall see, as I don't have any plans for anemones or anything they could host in lieu of one.
Here is my current equipment list:
Been creeping the forum for a while and decided it was high time I share my new build.
First, an introduction!
I am a long-time reefer that has been in the hobby for 16 years, had many reef aquariums from 10 gallon nano tanks to 250 gallon beasts. I've experimented with various forms of lighting, filtration, dosing methods, and found many ways to push my hobby into unfamiliar territory in attempts to find a better way of reefkeeping. I am on another one of those journeys, attempting a reef using methods I have no hands-on experience with, and boy am I excited!
Here are some of my aquariums from years past
20 Gallon Reef 2004:
What I consider my very first successful reef (there were 2 softcoral tanks prior to this one but they weren't anything to write home about). The tank was custom and measured 24" x 18" x 12" tall, had a single 1.5" hole drilled for a standpipe overflow, and was run on my very first sump system (a standard 20 gallon with a single baffle to separate the pump from the skimmer). The lighting on this tank is what set it apart. This 20 gallon system used two VHO fluorescent, one 250 watt Radium MH, and one 175 watt 10,000K MH. Yep, a literal BUTT-TON of light and heat. The tank did amazingly well and no corals bleached at any point. In fact, a few bleached corals I purchased (the orange short tentacle plate coral in the front for example) recoverd in this system to their former glory. Surprisingly, the temp of the tank didn't exceed 81.F and usually hovered at 80.F
40 Breeder 2009:
This system I built with the aim of having no powerheads or equipment in the display itself. Instead I drilled 3 holes behind the overflow (two in the bottom, and one near the top), and 4 holes in the aquarium (two on the back panel and two in the top corners at the front). The tank ran on 2 pumps in the 3000gph range, both through SCWD units and the flow was just incredible. My only gripe is the maintenance to keep the SCWD running smoothly. This was the first all T5HO system I did, and utilized 6 bulbs. The corals did very well, and so did the 4 clams. This was my first SPS dominant system.
20 Gallon SPS 2012:
This tank was my attempt at debunking a common myth. You can't run a successful reef using a canister filter. Not only did I do that, I did so without using a skimmer either. I used a Radion XR30 for light, two MP10s for flow, ran a UV sterilizer, and had an Eheim 2215 Classic Canister for filtration. I removed all fine filtration from the Eheim and ran only substrat pro and coarse filter pads. At no point was the canister ever caked in debris. I cleaned the canister every 2-3 months, and did weekly 5 gallon water changes. I also utilized an SWC triple dosing pump on this system for the big 3, and dosed Aquavitro. Color was harder to achieve in this system, but that was largely due to the UV sterilizer having a rusting metal insert (Coralife Turbo Twist) once it was removed, and I ran metal absorbing media, the corals all began to bounce back in color and grew faster.
I have had a few systems since the 20 gallon SPS reef in 2012, but nothing I held on to long enough to reach maturity, so I'll omit them.
Fast forward to today!
I am in the process of setting up a system I shut down before I made a big move from one province to another. The tank and stand are really the only components I kept, and have been in the process of procuring various custom made acrylic and modified gear to match the Purple Orange, and Grey theme. Here is what I have so far for equipment:
All the PVC work was done with bends rather than fittings save for a few key places.
Acrylic work is by Pro-Clear aquatics.
I have a video of how all the plumbing came together here:
Today I am just finishing filling the system with RODI for a test run to check for leaks and overall system function. I am also going to be doing another custom light for over the tank as I was fortunate enough to procure a new lighting system that I have never used before (not Ecotech, AI, Kessil, Orphek, Nanobox, Maxspect, Aqamai, etc) which looks like it will do a fantastic job!
The goal with this system is to try a few methods I've never explored previously:
- Bare bottom
- Kalkwasser
- Algae Reactor in lieu of Refugium
- Gyre pumps instead of propeller pumps (not 100% on this)
- Color coordinated equipment (the challenge comes in finding quality gear that also fits a color theme)
- 120 day cycle/maturation before any corals (I have also added corals and fish early with much success, but I want to see how much easier it may be with a system that is more mature (similar to WWC/BRS method).
I am also planning to house clams in this system as I simply adore them.
Fish are still a toss up, but I am leaning towards a pair of Orange Skunk Clowns to start. We shall see, as I don't have any plans for anemones or anything they could host in lieu of one.
Here is my current equipment list:
- Pro-Clear Frag Fuge Reef Sump
- Pro-Clear ATO Reservoir (custom colors)
- AquaticLife 4 Bulb T5HO with Custom Paint (changing this)
- Eshopps Axium X-120 Protein Skimmer
- Nanobox Reef Mini Tide LED (frag section)
- OCTO KS100 Nilsen Stirrer & Aquamedic Dosing Pump
- Current USA eFlux DC Return Pump 1050
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