VintageReefer
2500 Club Member
Hello there…I’m V.R. And I haven’t been without at least 2 reef tanks running at once in the last 23 years.
Some background on me…I have been keeping coral reefs for over 20 years. I was around when leds were new, and I love to see how far they have come. I was an original investor in both reefbreeders led’s and Santa Monica turf scrubbers when they both came out. I’ve had full sps dominant reefs and grown colonies from 1” frags to football size colonies. My mixed reef was a huge hit on that other forum many years ago. Basically. Been around the block..but always willing to learn.
Most people who quit have the same common issues
My current display tank has got to be my favorite project since I started in this hobby, the zero maintenance reef! Let’s face it, life changes and eventually you don’t have the time you used to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a awesome reef!
This particular tank has been running with coral living in it in one way or another for the past 10+ years. This is the original rock and sand. It’s gone through many stages, and some near total wipe outs. I’ve learned and adapted.
In its current stage haven’t performed a water change in 2 years. I don’t test regularly. I don’t chase numbers. I don’t dose. I don’t run a skimmer or any reactor. Im very careful and particular with what I add to the tank. I anticipate growth and would prefer to wait and grow out frags into large colonies. I monitor and maintain one parameter - salinity. I add fw top off with a few squirts of All For Reef about once a week. I empty my scrubber as needed. I added berghia nudi once when I had an aiptasia explosion, and now a year later I’m starting to get more again so I think I’ll do another round.
Most of these coral colonies started as single heads or were small frags that I grew out myself over the last 1-2 years. To me, the tank is a perfect blend of value vs time. I put very little effort into it, but I’m blown away by it every day.
So what does a nearly zero maintenance reef look like after 2 years…let me know what you think
Let me know if you want any more info on my equipment, corals, clean up crew, or lessons/setbacks along the way to get here. My biggest piece of advice is take your time - wait for the tank to be established, don’t rush, don’t make too many changes or additions at once, let things grow into place. And finally, only buy from trusted/reputable sources. Enjoy!
Some background on me…I have been keeping coral reefs for over 20 years. I was around when leds were new, and I love to see how far they have come. I was an original investor in both reefbreeders led’s and Santa Monica turf scrubbers when they both came out. I’ve had full sps dominant reefs and grown colonies from 1” frags to football size colonies. My mixed reef was a huge hit on that other forum many years ago. Basically. Been around the block..but always willing to learn.
Most people who quit have the same common issues
- it takes too much time
- it’s too complex / costly to maintain
- or they hit a disaster and are so devastated they can’t even imagine starting over.
My current display tank has got to be my favorite project since I started in this hobby, the zero maintenance reef! Let’s face it, life changes and eventually you don’t have the time you used to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a awesome reef!
This particular tank has been running with coral living in it in one way or another for the past 10+ years. This is the original rock and sand. It’s gone through many stages, and some near total wipe outs. I’ve learned and adapted.
In its current stage haven’t performed a water change in 2 years. I don’t test regularly. I don’t chase numbers. I don’t dose. I don’t run a skimmer or any reactor. Im very careful and particular with what I add to the tank. I anticipate growth and would prefer to wait and grow out frags into large colonies. I monitor and maintain one parameter - salinity. I add fw top off with a few squirts of All For Reef about once a week. I empty my scrubber as needed. I added berghia nudi once when I had an aiptasia explosion, and now a year later I’m starting to get more again so I think I’ll do another round.
Most of these coral colonies started as single heads or were small frags that I grew out myself over the last 1-2 years. To me, the tank is a perfect blend of value vs time. I put very little effort into it, but I’m blown away by it every day.
So what does a nearly zero maintenance reef look like after 2 years…let me know what you think
Let me know if you want any more info on my equipment, corals, clean up crew, or lessons/setbacks along the way to get here. My biggest piece of advice is take your time - wait for the tank to be established, don’t rush, don’t make too many changes or additions at once, let things grow into place. And finally, only buy from trusted/reputable sources. Enjoy!
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