Reef Obsession
Alberta
Introduction
This is the 2nd saltwater aquarium that I have tried and at the moment still within the first month of operation. The first tank was back in the 90's and although we invested a pile of effort and $$, the results were not as we had hoped for. With SO much more knowledge readily available and an open mind, we are giving it another go!
What a journey ahead!
What a journey ahead!
Background
This tank (120 gallons) was purchased as a used saltwater tank, Tomato Clown included. We are using a good percentage of the original set up but have also been making changes and adding to the existing system.
We completely re-cycled the tank, changed media and added 108 lbs. of the highest quality live rock we could find. Even with the limited knowledge we had for the first saltwater tank, the live rock was one of our saving features. I absolutely won't cut corners there! As well, if you don't mind looking closely it is incredibly enjoyable to watch!
Although I sometimes want to re-do the aquascaping, I am slowly getting happy with it. I have been aiming for good water flow, limited dead spots, but not so much that it is hard on corals. And of course, the fine line changes the minute any changes are made.
We completely re-cycled the tank, changed media and added 108 lbs. of the highest quality live rock we could find. Even with the limited knowledge we had for the first saltwater tank, the live rock was one of our saving features. I absolutely won't cut corners there! As well, if you don't mind looking closely it is incredibly enjoyable to watch!
Although I sometimes want to re-do the aquascaping, I am slowly getting happy with it. I have been aiming for good water flow, limited dead spots, but not so much that it is hard on corals. And of course, the fine line changes the minute any changes are made.
Videos See all Videos
Filtration
Fluval Cannister F5 Filter
This came with our (used) system when we purchased it. Would love to upgrade to a sump system in the future.
Filter media currently includes Fluval Fine Filter Media, Biomax rings, Activated Carbon, Rowaphos and the first addition of the ZeoVit filter media.
This came with our (used) system when we purchased it. Would love to upgrade to a sump system in the future.
Filter media currently includes Fluval Fine Filter Media, Biomax rings, Activated Carbon, Rowaphos and the first addition of the ZeoVit filter media.
Lighting
NEW:
Running entirely LED fixtures now. A combination of the amazing Vertex Illumina as well as the 48" aquatic life LED strip. Still learning and changing settings almost daily as fine tuning doesn't happen overnight .. no pun intended ;)
RETIRED:
We recently added a 48" aquatic life LED strip to the existing T5 HO lighting.
In the morning we run the lunar blue LED's to simulate sunrise, then the actinic blues. Then adding the full spectrum T5 and then the full spectrum LED's. In the evening a reverse order of shut down ending with the lunar blues.
We do have a timer for the lighting system, but have operating manually as we are running our lights a little less right now.
Running entirely LED fixtures now. A combination of the amazing Vertex Illumina as well as the 48" aquatic life LED strip. Still learning and changing settings almost daily as fine tuning doesn't happen overnight .. no pun intended ;)
RETIRED:
We recently added a 48" aquatic life LED strip to the existing T5 HO lighting.
In the morning we run the lunar blue LED's to simulate sunrise, then the actinic blues. Then adding the full spectrum T5 and then the full spectrum LED's. In the evening a reverse order of shut down ending with the lunar blues.
We do have a timer for the lighting system, but have operating manually as we are running our lights a little less right now.
Alkalinity
Magnesium
Calcium
Nitrate
pH
Phosphate
Nitrite
Salinity
Ammonia
Temperature
ORP
Iodine
17 Fish
20 Corals
26 Invertebrate
10
Assorted Snails
Equipment
Accessory
Red Sea Nitro Bac
Additive
Fauna Marin Balling Light Trace 1
Fauna Marin Balling Light Trace 2
Fauna Marin Balling Light Trace 3
Julian Spring Calcium Concentrate
Reef Pure Balanced Ion Potassium Supplement
Reef Pure Concentrated Calcium Supplement
Zeovit Biomate
Controller
Filter
Media
Fauna Marin Carb
Zeovit Filter Media
Powerhead
Salt
Skimmer
TestKit
API Phosphate Test Kit
Other
108
Live Rock
Feeding See more
Coral Vitalizer · Coral Snow · Mysis · Coral Vitalizer 5 drops Coral Snow · Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer · Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer · Hikari Mysis Shrimp · Zeovit Zeofood7 · Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral VitalizerOn average you perform a 5.8% water change every 168 days.
0% total water change in August.
Diary Entries View all Diary Entries
Finally happy with some of the more aggressive coral placement. Fish and inverts all look well today.
Tank doing well with the addition of new fish and corals yesterday. Still working on proper placement of anchor corals with frogspawn. Also introduced the first SPS coral (minus montipora).
First potassium test completed today with new Elos kit. Results are in and the measurement is almost double where it should be. Will stop dosing ZeoVit K-Balance as part of my daily routine until leve…
Inspiration & Goals
As I'm sure with any aquarist, the biggest goal is always a happy, healthy reef that can provide years of enjoyments for anyone lucky enough to see it!
I would love to be able to try some of the more difficult 'species' out there, or even just to feel that I could. I respect the ocean too much to let my pocketbook call the shots for me. In other words, if I know it's something I'm not ready for, I won't even attempt to try it. I would much rather find the satisfaction of successfully maintaining the heartiest of corals and fish.
In the meantime, I (still) have a lot of learning to do and goals to create an incredibly stable, healthy environment.
If I ever accomplish 'it' .. the moorish idol will be there!
I would love to be able to try some of the more difficult 'species' out there, or even just to feel that I could. I respect the ocean too much to let my pocketbook call the shots for me. In other words, if I know it's something I'm not ready for, I won't even attempt to try it. I would much rather find the satisfaction of successfully maintaining the heartiest of corals and fish.
In the meantime, I (still) have a lot of learning to do and goals to create an incredibly stable, healthy environment.
If I ever accomplish 'it' .. the moorish idol will be there!
