I started my first Salt Water Tank when I was 20. It was a basic 55 Gallon setup with fluorescent bulbs! I have been involved with Reef tanks now for the past 15 Years and I am amazed every year with new technology that comes out. My current reef tank is a 125 glass tank with 2 overflows and a refugium. I have also plumed everything with pvc. I have just recently updated the lighting in my main tank to LED. After being in this hobby for over 20 years, all the money spent and disasters, I wouldn't trade it for a thing! I will say, I definitely learn something new every day about this hobby/obsession!

I have tried many different additives threw the years, and I think I have finally found the right mix of products! I started using Red Sea Reef Foundation Program, and I am very happy with the results so far. I have made the decision to switch all my additives including salt mix over to red sea. I have the 3 part hooked up to a dosser and the coloration program is done by hand. As with anything within this hobby, you have to find what fits your tank needs.

There are alot of different views on maintenance and water changes on reef tanks. Some people change water every day, week, 2 weeks, or i even know some people who do water changes every 6-9 months! I truly feel that whatever works for your tank, roll with it. Me, personally, I change out 20/30 gallons every 2 weeks, and clean all my pre filters/socks once a week. I clean the glass every 2 days. This is the routine that works for me and my reef tank.

I have had 2 disasters with this tank. The first happened approximately 2 years afters the tank was up and running. I was at work and got a call from my cousin who lived across the street (who also is in the hobby) came over to get some supplies for his tank and found water shooting out all over the place. one of the pieces of live rock fell over and cracked the front glass! I left work, stopped and picked up a new tank then got home to find the remaining water in one garbage can, fish in a rubbermaid container, corals in another, and the live rock in another! it took us around 7 hours to get everything back together. Thank god he came over to borrow some supplies! the second disaster was this past year with super storm sandy. we lost power for 8 days, I have a small generator to power the house, and i did run 2 pumps off it and a small light. i was able to save the fish but did loose most of my corals. if you look in my photos, you will see a bubble coral that i was able to save and its on its way back!