Reef Spotlight - June 2010 - "Brad Syphus"

Reef Aquarium of Brad Syphus

Introduction and History​

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to showcase my tank. I'm honored to be asked to do this from my peers who I admire and respect in this hobby. It all started for me about 11 years ago. My wife (Vickie) and my 2 daughters (Natalie & Megan) decided to buy me a 29g freshwater setup for Christmas. I had no experience with this and decided to jump in the world of aquatics. Right off the bat I loved fish, people must of thought I was crazy because I had over 30 fish crammed into that tank and constantly kept it looking good with weekly water changes and was constantly keeping it looking nice. After 3 years of freshwater, I got bored and decided to buy a 65g setup from a LFS and jumped into the world of saltwater. At first, I had NO idea what I was getting into, but with time and a lot of research, I found myself a member of a local club here in Salt Lake, the Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society. 3 years later, I found myself wanting a larger tank , and after a lot of begging and looking, I found a 225g reef setup for sale on RC, and my wife had finally said I could get it. It was Scott Fellman’s setup and had most of the equipment I had dreamed of, so off to Los Angeles we went. From then, until now I have a hobby that is my love, and a big part of my life.​

System Profile


• Display Tank: 225G 72†L x 24†H x 30†W Acrylic Aquarium
• Lighting: 72†Maristar fixture with 3 250w DE 14k Phoenix bulbs and 4 39w T-5’s
• Protein Skimmer: Deltec AP702
•Water Circulation: 2 Reeflo Sequence Dart pumps, 2 MP40 Vortechs
• Calcium Reactor: Deltec PF601s
• Kalkwasser Reactor: D.I.Y. Reactor
• Other Filtration: Deltec FR509 fluidized reactor, Korralin bio-denitrator, Aqazone Plus 100mg ozone generator​

Filtration​

Filtration is taken care of by the Deltec AP702, ozone, denitrator and a large amount (~ 280 pounds) of liverock throughout the system.​

Lighting​

The systems main lighting is a 72†Maristar fixture with 3 250w DE 14k Phoenix bulbs and 4 39w T-5’s. The bulbs give the corals phenominal "pop" and intense growth.​

Water Circulation​

Main water circulation is provided two Reeflo Sequence Dart pumps. One is the retrun pump, and the other runs a closed loop. There is also two additonal Vortech MP40w in order to provide additional in-tank circulation, which is necessary as the corals continue to grow in.​

Inhabitants ​

Fish:

Paracanthurus hepatus (Regal Tang)
Zebrasoma xanthurus (Purple Tang)
Siganus doliatus (Dolitatus Rabbitfish)
Genicanthus bellus (Bellus Angelfish)
Genicanthus watanabei (Watanabei Angelfish)
Pygoplites diacanthus (Regal Angelfish)
Genicanthus melanospilos (Japanese Swallowtail Angelfish)
Centropyge joculator (Joculator Angelfish) - Pair
Anampses meleagrides (Yellowtail Tamarin Wrasse)
Macropharyngodon geoffroy (Potters Leopard Wrasse)
Halichoeres chrysus (Yellow Coris Wrasse)
Labroides dimidiatus (Cleaner Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis (Rhomboid Fairy Wrasse) - Trio
Cirrhilabrus jordani (Hawaiin Flame Fairy Wrasse) - Pair
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki (Lubbocks Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus sp.1 (Nahacky's Wrasse/Tongan Flame Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus lineatus (Lineatus Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus (Pink Marginatus Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus condei (Conde Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis (Roseyscale Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus roseafascia (Rose-band Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus pylei (Pyle's Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus pylei (Cebu Black spot Pyle's Fairy Wrasse)
Cirrhilabrus laboutei (Labouti Fiary Wrasse) - Pair
Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis (Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse)
Paracheilinus carpenteri (Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse)
Paracheilinus attenuatus (Attenuatus Flasher Wrasse)
Paracheilinus mccoskeri (McCosker's Flasher Wrasse)​

Invertebrates:​

Sea Cucumber Sand Sifter Starfish
Long Spine Urchin - Two
Various Hermit Crabs and Snails​

Coral List:​

A. aculeus
A. granulosa
A. hyacinthus
A. millipora
A. nasuta
A. tenuis
A. valida
Acropora (various other unknown Acropora species)
Actinodiscus sp. (various Mushroom colonies)
Alveopora sp. (Flowerpot Coral)
Duncanopsammia axifuga (Duncan Coral)
Echinophyllia sp. (Chalice Coral)
Euphyllia divisa (Frogspawn Coral)
Euphyllia glabrescens (Torch Coral)
Lobophyllia sp. (Lobo Brain Coral)
Merulina sp. (Ridge Coral)
Mycedium sp. (Chalice Coral)
Oulophyllia sp. (Closed Brain Coral)
Palythoa sp. (various colonies)
Trachyphyllia sp. (Open Brain Coral)
Zoanthus sp. (various colonies)

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