Fathom 60g Reef
Virginia Beach, VA
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Filtration
The standard AIO filtration system has been upgraded to be more efficient and help maintain nutrient conditions suitable for a mixed reef system. It is intended to be a low nutrient system with nitrates from 10 to 20 ppm and phosphates from 0.03 to 0.10 ppm. The current filtration system consists of the following:
- Innovative Marine 200 micron filter sock
- Innovative Marine AUQA custom caddy
- Tunze 9004 skimmer
- Boyd Enterprises Chemi-pure Blue
- Brightwell Aquatics Xport-PO4
- AquaMaxx custom algae reactor
The natural part of the filtration system is made up of 32 pounds of fossil live rock and 48 pounds of CaribSea Arag-Alive Reef Sand. The rock was harvested by a local LFS owner from an ancient reef that was buried during formation of the Chesapeake Bay. It has several intact Jefferson scallops that add to the character of this beautiful rock.
- Innovative Marine 200 micron filter sock
- Innovative Marine AUQA custom caddy
- Tunze 9004 skimmer
- Boyd Enterprises Chemi-pure Blue
- Brightwell Aquatics Xport-PO4
- AquaMaxx custom algae reactor
The natural part of the filtration system is made up of 32 pounds of fossil live rock and 48 pounds of CaribSea Arag-Alive Reef Sand. The rock was harvested by a local LFS owner from an ancient reef that was buried during formation of the Chesapeake Bay. It has several intact Jefferson scallops that add to the character of this beautiful rock.
Lighting
The growth and color of most corals is heavily dependent on the amount and color of light they receive. The control and flexibility of LED lighting technology make it an excellent choice for an SPS dominant mixed reef system. The current lighting system consists of the following:
- 2 EcoTech Marine Radion XR15w G4 Pro fixtures
- 2 EcoTech Marine Single Arm RMS kits
The use of the standard HEI lenses provides enough spread to cover the entire footprint of the aquarium. The lights are mounted 12 inches apart to provide complete coverage running a slightly modified SPS AB+ lighting schedule from the EcoTech Coral Lab.
- 2 EcoTech Marine Radion XR15w G4 Pro fixtures
- 2 EcoTech Marine Single Arm RMS kits
The use of the standard HEI lenses provides enough spread to cover the entire footprint of the aquarium. The lights are mounted 12 inches apart to provide complete coverage running a slightly modified SPS AB+ lighting schedule from the EcoTech Coral Lab.
Flow
The Vectra return pump provides a decent amount of flow and enough turnover for the filtration system to work efficiently. It was upgraded to provide more flow in the main display to promote coral growth and better removal of detritus. The current water movement system consists of the following:
- EcoTech Marine Vectra S1 return pump
- Innovative Marine AUQA spin stream nozzles
- Ecotech Marine VorTech MP10wQD pumps
The VorTech pumps are opposite each other running a custom program based on the WWC flow blueprint for two VorTech pumps that provides plenty of random water movement without blowing substrate.
- EcoTech Marine Vectra S1 return pump
- Innovative Marine AUQA spin stream nozzles
- Ecotech Marine VorTech MP10wQD pumps
The VorTech pumps are opposite each other running a custom program based on the WWC flow blueprint for two VorTech pumps that provides plenty of random water movement without blowing substrate.
Nitrate
Calcium
Alkalinity
Phosphate
Magnesium
ORP
Temperature
Salinity
pH
7 Fish
34 Corals
Aussie Heronensis
Turbinaria heronensis
Candy Apple Green Palys
Palythoa sp
JF Captain Jerk Palys
Palythoa sp
JF Raja Rampage
Mycedium sp
PZ Deadpool Palys
Palythoa sp
Tyree Mystic Grape Favia
Favia sp
Tyree Orange Rainbow Palys
Palythoa sp
UC Bright Eyes Chalice
Mycedium sp
UC Rainbow Cyphastrea
Cyphastrea sp
43 Invertebrate
6
Banded Trochus Snail
Trochus sp
Fighting Conch
Strombus sp
12
Florida Cerith Snail
Cerithium sp
1 Plant
Equipment
Heater
Skimmer
Powerhead
Pump
EcoTech Marine Vectra S1
Filter
Bulk Reef Supply Universal Air Filter
Reactor
AutoTopOff
Neptune ATK Automatic Top-off Kit
Neptune Optical Level Sensor
Accessory
Innovative Marine Custom Cradle
Media
Bulk Reef Supply CO2 Absorbent
Food
Jimbo's Reef Gumbo
TestKit
Additive
Brightwell Aquatics ChaetoGro
Brightwell Aquatics Replenish
Salt
Medication
Substrate
Other
APC Back-UPS Pro 1000 Power Supply
EcoTech Propagation Kit
Titanium Ground Probe
The stability of water parameters is paramount to the health and success of any reef system. Water quality testing is done every week to ensure significant changes that could affect livestock do not occur. The current parameter ranges and test equipment consists of the following:
Ranges
- Temperature: 77-78°F
- Salinity: 1.025-1.026 SG
- pH: 7.8-8.2
- Alkalinity: 8.0-9.0 dKH
- Calcium: 420-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1320-1380 ppm
- Nitrate: 10-20 ppm
- Phosphate: 0.03-0.10 ppm
Test Equipment
- Neptune Systems lab grade temperature probe
- Neptune Systems lab grade conductivity probe
- Neptune Systems lab grade pH probe
- Hanna Alkalinity Checker
- Hanna Phosphate Checker
- NYOS Reefer Calcium test kit
- NYOS Reefer Magnesium test kit
- NYOS Reefer Nitrate test kit
The probes are all cleaned regularly and the conductivity and pH probes are calibrated at the same time. Each month, a water sample is tested then verified in a chemistry lab using advanced equipment and titration methods.
Ranges
- Temperature: 77-78°F
- Salinity: 1.025-1.026 SG
- pH: 7.8-8.2
- Alkalinity: 8.0-9.0 dKH
- Calcium: 420-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1320-1380 ppm
- Nitrate: 10-20 ppm
- Phosphate: 0.03-0.10 ppm
Test Equipment
- Neptune Systems lab grade temperature probe
- Neptune Systems lab grade conductivity probe
- Neptune Systems lab grade pH probe
- Hanna Alkalinity Checker
- Hanna Phosphate Checker
- NYOS Reefer Calcium test kit
- NYOS Reefer Magnesium test kit
- NYOS Reefer Nitrate test kit
The probes are all cleaned regularly and the conductivity and pH probes are calibrated at the same time. Each month, a water sample is tested then verified in a chemistry lab using advanced equipment and titration methods.
Feeding See more
Jimbo's Reef Gumbo · Piscine Energetics Pellets · Two Little Fishes Acropower · Polyp Lab Reef-Roids · Piscine Energetics Calanus · Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae · Piscine Energetics Mysis · Polyp Lab Polyp-Booster · Brightwell Aquatics PhytoChrom · PolypLab Reef Roids
The nutrition necessary varies from one organism to another. Countless hours of research and testing went into coming up with a balanced menu to satisfy the needs of every organism while using a minimal number of foods. The current feeding regimen consists of the following:
Foods
- Jimbo's Reef Gumbo
- Piscine Energetics Pellets
- Polyp Lab Reef-Roids
- Brightwell Aquatics PhytoChrom
- Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae
Supplements
- Two Little Fishies AcroPower
- Brightwell Aquatics KoralColor
The primary problem with feeding on a daily basis is a build up of waste and excess nutrients in the system. For this reason, the necessary portions were determined through trial and error and carefully administered to reduce or eliminate potential problems.
Foods
- Jimbo's Reef Gumbo
- Piscine Energetics Pellets
- Polyp Lab Reef-Roids
- Brightwell Aquatics PhytoChrom
- Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae
Supplements
- Two Little Fishies AcroPower
- Brightwell Aquatics KoralColor
The primary problem with feeding on a daily basis is a build up of waste and excess nutrients in the system. For this reason, the necessary portions were determined through trial and error and carefully administered to reduce or eliminate potential problems.
On average you perform a 10.7% water change every 7 days.
0% total water change in February.
Diary Entries View all Diary Entries
I made the decision to switch from Salinity back to Instant Ocean salt. I buffered the new water to raise the calcium and magnesium to match the levels I'm trying to maintain. The alkalinity is higher…
I made some changes to the lighting today. For some time now, I have been thinking about switching back to the standard TIR lenses and raising the light to get extra spread. Well, it's done. I used a …
I finally ran a fresh air line to the skimmer today. I've been battling low pH for a while so after reading an excellent article by Randy Holmes-Farley I decided it was time. After a quick trip to Low…
The algae reactor is up and running. The build was relatively easy and took about 30 minutes to complete and program the Apex to control the reactor and lights. The lights are set to turn on when the …