BIG REEF
Toronto, ON
Age
1 year, 25 days
Volume
75 Gallons
Dimensions
48'' x 20'' x 20''
Make
Miracles Aquariums
Model
Custom Eurobraced External BeanAnimal Overflow
Videos See all Videos
Filtration
A BeanAnimal Overflow with 1" drain lines, 200 micron filter socks and a Vertex Omega 130 handle the filtration on this system. I've used larger skimmers on this sized system before but found that sizing the skimmer (neck size) more appropriately to the bioload provides better nutrient export and more consistent skimmate. Bigger is not always better with skimmers in my experience.
Lighting
Im using 3 x Radion XR15wPro's on a custom low profile aluminum t-track mounting system inside the canopy, so that I can move them across the tank as needed for the rockscape/corals/light spread. I have them hooked up to EcoSmart live via the ReefLink and app. The quality of the Radions is seriously impressive and the controllability is incredible, I already have a few presets saved on the app that I like and will vary the intensity as needed and as corals are added. I also really like that I can independently control the UV and dial up the intensity as corals grow in.
Flow
An single MP40QD running at 60% and under provides more than enough flow as things grow in. The wide, randomized flow covers the whole tank and keeps the sand clear of detritus build up. I've used other powerheads in the past but keep coming back to the MP40, especially now that it's so quite and more powerful with the Quite Drive upgrade!
Phosphate
Nitrate
Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium
Temperature
Nitrite
Ammonia
Salinity
My goal is to keep the fish bioload low to keep maintenance/water changes manageable. I have a pink spot goby, melanurus wrasse, leopard wrasse and a pair of clownfish. There's also a stray anthias in there that's been with me for almost 4 years now, and I just can't bring myself to part with her. I may end up with a few more anthias once the tank gets established, but for now im trying not to add too much more. The cleanup crew is made up mostly of snails, I have a few scarlet hermits just because I love watching them and like the dynamic they bring to the tank, but their opportunistically predatory and eat the occasional snail. Its a small price to pay for the flare and vibrance they add to the system.
I've had emerald crabs in the past to help with bubble algae (valonia) and they did a great job, they also ate my german blue montipora digitata, so i'll avoid keeping them again. I've had good luck with sand sifting stars but have to actively find and feed him now that I have new sand in the system. I feed a variety of foods from Fauna Marin Marine Soft Clownfish pellets, Marine Soft Spirulina Pellets, LPS Grow and Color Pellets, mysis shrimp, calanus, chopped clams, reef roids etc. I find the Fauna Marin foods very high quality and provide a noticeable difference in my fishes colouration and activity. I also have some Cobalt flakes and Omaga One First Flakes.
I've had emerald crabs in the past to help with bubble algae (valonia) and they did a great job, they also ate my german blue montipora digitata, so i'll avoid keeping them again. I've had good luck with sand sifting stars but have to actively find and feed him now that I have new sand in the system. I feed a variety of foods from Fauna Marin Marine Soft Clownfish pellets, Marine Soft Spirulina Pellets, LPS Grow and Color Pellets, mysis shrimp, calanus, chopped clams, reef roids etc. I find the Fauna Marin foods very high quality and provide a noticeable difference in my fishes colouration and activity. I also have some Cobalt flakes and Omaga One First Flakes.
8 Fish
22 Corals
18 Invertebrate
Equipment
Additive
Aquarium
AutoTopOff
Controller
Dosing
Filter
Heater
Lighting
Powerhead
Skimmer
TestKit
Feeding See more
Frozen mysis · Fauna Marin Marine Soft SpirulinaMaintenance
On starting this tank im trying to keep maintenance at a minimum. I run 200 micron filter socks, a skimmer and a low bioload with bi-weekly water changes. I'll occasionally dose ZEOStart3 to manage nitrates and phosphates as things get setup, but beyond that I don't run GFO, carbon or any reactors. I find that good flow and careful feeding are usually enough to keep things balanced with the right bio-load. I use Red Sea PRO salt for water changes as i've had good experience with it over the years. I clean the glass as needed. I also let algae grow in my overflow box between the glass and the black acrylic overflow grate, I find it works as a impromptu algae-scrubber and a good exporter of nitrates/phosphates.
On average you perform a 14.1% water change every 4 days.
0% total water change in June.
Inspiration & Goals
The rockscape in this system will be simple and solid with no risk of avalanches or shifting. Two pieces of Pukani set at 35° to each other to create multiple 'flow zones' and turbulence to accommodate both high flow and low flow corals. The plan is to focus more on SPS and chalices in this system with a few of my favourite wrasse too. Extra care will be taken to ensure that no hitchhikers or unwanted algae or pests enter the system on frag plugs or corals. Over the years i've battled bubble algae, bryopsis, dinoflagellates, cyano, aiptasia, flatworms, AEFW, clam eating polyclads (BIG ones), vermitid snails and the list goes on. With some extra care and patience, im excited to see how things progress with this system!
Words of Wisdom
Research, planning and patience are extremely important in this hobby for long term success. I've also found that a having a Panic Protocol in place, i.e.
1. This . . happened
2. DONT PANIC!
3. Do this . . .
prevents quick reactions and bad decisions being made when things go wrong. Things likely won't get any worse in the few minutes it takes you to stop and think before reacting. But these issues often don't allow for hours of research when they occur. So research what others did to successfully overcome problems ahead of time and write down your plan of attack. It could end up saving lives. (dramatic, I know, but still true). :D
1. This . . happened
2. DONT PANIC!
3. Do this . . .
prevents quick reactions and bad decisions being made when things go wrong. Things likely won't get any worse in the few minutes it takes you to stop and think before reacting. But these issues often don't allow for hours of research when they occur. So research what others did to successfully overcome problems ahead of time and write down your plan of attack. It could end up saving lives. (dramatic, I know, but still true). :D
Disasters & Regrets
I setup the tank and left it without sand for a few days, but added my clowns and 2 wrasse as they were very cramped in the 20 gallon holding tank. Without sand to hide in, my yellow coris wrasse jumped and I found him dried out in the overflow (which wasn't running yet). Disappointed in myself for the rookie mistake I bought some seaflor special grade reef sand and corrected the issue but not before losing my poor coris. Devastating.
