REEF SPOTLIGHT - APRIL
The Reef Aquarium of :
Joseph Peck aka "2Sunny"
You can also check out his tank thread here on R2R:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/large-aquariums-180g/52704-2sunnys-240-coral-garden-cube.html
Your Current System Summary and opening thoughts:
When I started this tank I gave considerable thought to what exactly I wanted from my aquarium since I was basically starting over, and what I realized was that I love gardening. Where some people grow orchids or bonsais, I love creating an aquarium full of colorful SPS that makes folks say "Wow" and so all other considerations were secondary. Fish, soft corals, or invertebrates were only there as supporting players , and everything about the design of my open top, low set system was intended to make ease of maintenance a priority.
Who was responsible for getting you into the hobby?
My best buddy Mark Johnson in Chicago had a fish only system which got me to visit my local store, but once I saw my first Reef Tank I was awe struck and hooked for life.
How long have you been doing this?
I started in the Fall of 2001.
Who or what in the hobby most influences/inspires you?
I had the personal good fortune to visit Steve Weast's home in Oregon (OregonReef.com) and have worked hard to create a tank 1/2 as beautiful ever since.
System Profile:
Display tank: GlassCages.com 240 gallon (48 in x 48in x 24in)
Glass or Acrylic: glass
Stand: GlassCages.com custom 26in tall
Sump: Agway trough 300 gallons
Grow-out tank: 180 gallon Oceanic
Protein skimmer: Marine Technical Concepts HSA-1000
Carbon/phosphate filtration: dual Tidepool I filters
Return pump: Iwaki 100RLT
Water circulation: .Tunze 6105 Stream (dual operated one at a time)
Lighting (display): 4x400watt Radium, 4x110watt VHO, 4x30watt LED
Lighting (grow-out): 3x250watt Radium, 2x140watt actinic VHO
Lighting (refugium): N/A
Calcium/alkalinity/magnesium dosing: MTC ProCal, B-Ionic
Kalkwasser reactor: Deltec
Auto top-off: constant drip fed by Maxijet pump (70 drips a minute)
Heating/cooling: dual Ebo Jager 250watt heater, fan
System control: Ranco
Water Circulation and Flow Summary and Objectives:
The tank circulation is designed to be minimal at 2 times tank volume per hour, while the primary in tank water movement comes from the Tunzes which are set to pulse at a 3 sec interval with only one Tunze running at a time.
Water Parameters:
* Temp: 79 to 82 degrees F
* pH: 7.9 to 8.4
* Specific gravity: 1.0265 (35 to 36 ppt)
* NO3: undetectable
* Ca: 420 ppm
* Alk: 7 to 8 dKH
* Mg: 1250 to 1400 ppm
* PO4: undetectable
* Ammonia and nitrites: undetectable
Lighting Summary and Objectives:
With my overall goal being to grow light loving SPS including the Oregon Tort and the Tyree Purple Monster, I need to use intense light.
Photoperiod
* Display tank: 16 hours actinic LED, 14 hours 10k VHO, 10 hours 20k MH
* Grow-out tank: 16 hours actinic VHO, 10 hours 20k MH
* Refugium: N/A
Filtration and Water Quality Summary and Objectives:
My sump includes additional live rock that I clean monthly in old tank water and I believe that greatly enhances the bacteria producing surface area in my system. I add carbon or phosphate remover or 0.5 micron pads on occasion, but remove them after 2 or 3 days. I believe running them continuously leaches too many good ions from the water.
Calcium/Alkalinity/Magnesium Summary and Objectives:
With so many hard corals, I obviously have a tremendous demand for Ca, Mg, and alkalinity so in order to keep up with the demand I use nearly every means available to a reefer. The heart of the supply comes from my Deltec Kalkwasser stirrer, but then I use a calcium reactor, and even dose about 500 ml of B-Ionic weekly. I find that the Coralife saltmix I use is high in Mg so I rarely need to dose for that particular ion.
The Reef Aquarium of :
Joseph Peck aka "2Sunny"
You can also check out his tank thread here on R2R:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/large-aquariums-180g/52704-2sunnys-240-coral-garden-cube.html
Your Current System Summary and opening thoughts:
When I started this tank I gave considerable thought to what exactly I wanted from my aquarium since I was basically starting over, and what I realized was that I love gardening. Where some people grow orchids or bonsais, I love creating an aquarium full of colorful SPS that makes folks say "Wow" and so all other considerations were secondary. Fish, soft corals, or invertebrates were only there as supporting players , and everything about the design of my open top, low set system was intended to make ease of maintenance a priority.
Who was responsible for getting you into the hobby?
My best buddy Mark Johnson in Chicago had a fish only system which got me to visit my local store, but once I saw my first Reef Tank I was awe struck and hooked for life.
How long have you been doing this?
I started in the Fall of 2001.
Who or what in the hobby most influences/inspires you?
I had the personal good fortune to visit Steve Weast's home in Oregon (OregonReef.com) and have worked hard to create a tank 1/2 as beautiful ever since.
System Profile:
Display tank: GlassCages.com 240 gallon (48 in x 48in x 24in)
Glass or Acrylic: glass
Stand: GlassCages.com custom 26in tall
Sump: Agway trough 300 gallons
Grow-out tank: 180 gallon Oceanic
Protein skimmer: Marine Technical Concepts HSA-1000
Carbon/phosphate filtration: dual Tidepool I filters
Return pump: Iwaki 100RLT
Water circulation: .Tunze 6105 Stream (dual operated one at a time)
Lighting (display): 4x400watt Radium, 4x110watt VHO, 4x30watt LED
Lighting (grow-out): 3x250watt Radium, 2x140watt actinic VHO
Lighting (refugium): N/A
Calcium/alkalinity/magnesium dosing: MTC ProCal, B-Ionic
Kalkwasser reactor: Deltec
Auto top-off: constant drip fed by Maxijet pump (70 drips a minute)
Heating/cooling: dual Ebo Jager 250watt heater, fan
System control: Ranco
Water Circulation and Flow Summary and Objectives:
The tank circulation is designed to be minimal at 2 times tank volume per hour, while the primary in tank water movement comes from the Tunzes which are set to pulse at a 3 sec interval with only one Tunze running at a time.
Water Parameters:
* Temp: 79 to 82 degrees F
* pH: 7.9 to 8.4
* Specific gravity: 1.0265 (35 to 36 ppt)
* NO3: undetectable
* Ca: 420 ppm
* Alk: 7 to 8 dKH
* Mg: 1250 to 1400 ppm
* PO4: undetectable
* Ammonia and nitrites: undetectable
Lighting Summary and Objectives:
With my overall goal being to grow light loving SPS including the Oregon Tort and the Tyree Purple Monster, I need to use intense light.
Photoperiod
* Display tank: 16 hours actinic LED, 14 hours 10k VHO, 10 hours 20k MH
* Grow-out tank: 16 hours actinic VHO, 10 hours 20k MH
* Refugium: N/A
Filtration and Water Quality Summary and Objectives:
My sump includes additional live rock that I clean monthly in old tank water and I believe that greatly enhances the bacteria producing surface area in my system. I add carbon or phosphate remover or 0.5 micron pads on occasion, but remove them after 2 or 3 days. I believe running them continuously leaches too many good ions from the water.
Calcium/Alkalinity/Magnesium Summary and Objectives:
With so many hard corals, I obviously have a tremendous demand for Ca, Mg, and alkalinity so in order to keep up with the demand I use nearly every means available to a reefer. The heart of the supply comes from my Deltec Kalkwasser stirrer, but then I use a calcium reactor, and even dose about 500 ml of B-Ionic weekly. I find that the Coralife saltmix I use is high in Mg so I rarely need to dose for that particular ion.
Fish and Coral Feeding:
The fish get 6 cubes of frozen food twice daily plus cyclopeez, fish eggs, arctic pods and krill. I do not feed the corals directly.
Fish:
1 Coral Beauty
1 Kole Tang
1 Royal Gramma
1 South Seas Devil fish
1 Tilefish
1 Yellow Tang
2 Banggai Cardinal
2 Longnose Filefish
2 True Percula
3 Red-Striped Cardinals
3 Yellow Clown Gobies
1 Black Clown Gobie
25 Damsels
3 Anthias
(here are a few pics of a baby bangaii cardinal hiding in the anemone)
Invertebrates:
1 Bullseye Pistol Shrimp
2 Pinstriped Tuxedo Urchins
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
5+ emerald crabs
10+ Peppermint Shrimp
10+ red leg hermits
100+ blue leg hermits
100+ Turbo snails
The fish get 6 cubes of frozen food twice daily plus cyclopeez, fish eggs, arctic pods and krill. I do not feed the corals directly.
Fish:
1 Coral Beauty
1 Kole Tang
1 Royal Gramma
1 South Seas Devil fish
1 Tilefish
1 Yellow Tang
2 Banggai Cardinal
2 Longnose Filefish
2 True Percula
3 Red-Striped Cardinals
3 Yellow Clown Gobies
1 Black Clown Gobie
25 Damsels
3 Anthias
(here are a few pics of a baby bangaii cardinal hiding in the anemone)
Invertebrates:
1 Bullseye Pistol Shrimp
2 Pinstriped Tuxedo Urchins
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
5+ emerald crabs
10+ Peppermint Shrimp
10+ red leg hermits
100+ blue leg hermits
100+ Turbo snails
Hard Corals
Acropora Tortuosa (Oregon Tort)
Acropora Tortuosa (ORA Tort)
Acropora Lokani (30,000 Leagues)
Acropora Valida (Tyree Purple Monster)
Acropora Abrolhosensis
Acropora Gemmifera
Acropora Humilis
Acropora Millepora
Acropora Nana
Acropora Plana
Acropora Prostrata
Acropora Tenuis
Acropora Secale
AcroporaTuraki
Blastomussa
Cyphastrea
Echinophyllia
Favia
Hydnophora
Montipora Capricornis
Montipora Digitata
Pocillipora
Seriatopora
Stylophora
Turbinaria
Soft Corals
Palythoa (Purple Death)
Ricordea
Zoanthids
Actinodiscus
Gorgonian
Goniopora
What are your future plans for improvement/upgrade of the tank?
My dream is a basement tank that would be huge perhaps 8 feet deep and 6 feet wide so I could grow some enormous coral heads. Perhaps after the kids get out of college.
Final Thoughts?
The most important aspect of Reef Keeping for me has been the development of new friendships and all that I have learned from the community at large. We all bring something special in terms of knowledge, and I encourage everyone to speak up, ask questions and to share with their community whether that be online or in your local reefing clubs because that's what makes this all so much fun!
Acropora Tortuosa (Oregon Tort)
Acropora Tortuosa (ORA Tort)
Acropora Lokani (30,000 Leagues)
Acropora Valida (Tyree Purple Monster)
Acropora Abrolhosensis
Acropora Gemmifera
Acropora Humilis
Acropora Millepora
Acropora Nana
Acropora Plana
Acropora Prostrata
Acropora Tenuis
Acropora Secale
AcroporaTuraki
Blastomussa
Cyphastrea
Echinophyllia
Favia
Hydnophora
Montipora Capricornis
Montipora Digitata
Pocillipora
Seriatopora
Stylophora
Turbinaria
Soft Corals
Palythoa (Purple Death)
Ricordea
Zoanthids
Actinodiscus
Gorgonian
Goniopora
What are your future plans for improvement/upgrade of the tank?
My dream is a basement tank that would be huge perhaps 8 feet deep and 6 feet wide so I could grow some enormous coral heads. Perhaps after the kids get out of college.
Final Thoughts?
The most important aspect of Reef Keeping for me has been the development of new friendships and all that I have learned from the community at large. We all bring something special in terms of knowledge, and I encourage everyone to speak up, ask questions and to share with their community whether that be online or in your local reefing clubs because that's what makes this all so much fun!
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I bet that is just awesome to watch them move around the tank!
