REEF SPOTLIGHT - June 2012
The Reef Aquarium of:
Darryl Vanacker aka "Darryl_V"
You can also check out Darryl’s tank build here on R2R:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/large-aquariums-180g/87557-darryl_vs-200gallon-goodies.html
Introduction
My R2R TOTM nomination was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Thank you for allowing me to share my 200g SPS dominant reef tank.
How long have you been doing this?
I’ve been in the hobby since 2005.
Who or what was responsible for getting you into the hobby?
Much like some of you this hobby started out quite simply as an urge to keep the more colourful and vibrant saltwater fish I was seeing at the local fish store.
Who or what in the hobby most influences/inspires you?
When I first started keeping saltwater fish in 2005 I had no idea that a colorful reef tank was even possible, having never seen one. My online research took me farther and deeper into this fascinating hobby than I ever realized possible. That FOWLR would soon be turned into a reef but what really caught my attention at the time was seeing a local reefer’s mature and colorful SPS tank. I was mesmerized by the colors and shapes of his SPS and even drawn in by the complexity and challenge to keep such organisms thriving. So with less than a year into the hobby I knew my goal was now to have a mature, colorful SPS tank.
What are your future plans for improvement/upgrade of the tank?
I have been thinking about setting up an LPS dominant tank. I have recently been getting into some nice LPS and after some experience I can see that they really would do better with a tank more geared towards them. i.e. Lower light, flow, more food etc. I’m just waiting for the right time to ask the wife for another tank…yikes.
System Profile
Display tank: 200 gallon (54”x36”x24”) eurobraced tank with a starphire front
Glass or Acrylic: Glass
Stand: DIY stand, skirted in tile & stone.
Sump: Three 40g tanks in the basement.
Protein Skimmer: Modified SWC250 Extreme
Carbon/phosphate filtration: A small amount of BRS GFO and ROX 0.8 Carbon in a dual BRS reactor.
Return Pump: Gen-X MAK 4
Water circulation: (2) Tunze 6100 and a Tunze wavebox.
Lighting: (2) 400w 20K XM Metal Halides, (2) 110w Super Actinic VHO, and (20) 3w Cree Royal Blue diodes
Calcium/alkalinity/magnesium dosing: BRS dry product introduced via dosing pumps.
Auto top-off: DIY using float valves with a solenoid and timer.
Heating/cooling: (3) 250w Ebo Jager Heaters run through a Ranco Temp Controller
System control: None
Water Circulation and Flow Summary and Objectives
I really believe in strong random flow for SPS. I’m also a big fan of the Tunze wavebox and don’t think I would run a tank without one.
Water Parameters
* Temp: UNK
* pH: UNK
* Specific gravity: UNK
* NO3: 0 – 0.02ppm via Salifert
* Ca: 400ppm
* Alk: 8 dKH
* Mg: 1200
* PO4: UNK
* Ammonia and nitrites: Undetectable
Lighting Photoperiod
The actinics run for 12 hours and the metal halides run for 6 hours.
The Reef Aquarium of:
Darryl Vanacker aka "Darryl_V"
You can also check out Darryl’s tank build here on R2R:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/large-aquariums-180g/87557-darryl_vs-200gallon-goodies.html
Introduction
My R2R TOTM nomination was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Thank you for allowing me to share my 200g SPS dominant reef tank.
How long have you been doing this?
I’ve been in the hobby since 2005.
Who or what was responsible for getting you into the hobby?
Much like some of you this hobby started out quite simply as an urge to keep the more colourful and vibrant saltwater fish I was seeing at the local fish store.
Who or what in the hobby most influences/inspires you?
When I first started keeping saltwater fish in 2005 I had no idea that a colorful reef tank was even possible, having never seen one. My online research took me farther and deeper into this fascinating hobby than I ever realized possible. That FOWLR would soon be turned into a reef but what really caught my attention at the time was seeing a local reefer’s mature and colorful SPS tank. I was mesmerized by the colors and shapes of his SPS and even drawn in by the complexity and challenge to keep such organisms thriving. So with less than a year into the hobby I knew my goal was now to have a mature, colorful SPS tank.
What are your future plans for improvement/upgrade of the tank?
I have been thinking about setting up an LPS dominant tank. I have recently been getting into some nice LPS and after some experience I can see that they really would do better with a tank more geared towards them. i.e. Lower light, flow, more food etc. I’m just waiting for the right time to ask the wife for another tank…yikes.
System Profile
Display tank: 200 gallon (54”x36”x24”) eurobraced tank with a starphire front
Glass or Acrylic: Glass
Stand: DIY stand, skirted in tile & stone.
Sump: Three 40g tanks in the basement.
Protein Skimmer: Modified SWC250 Extreme
Carbon/phosphate filtration: A small amount of BRS GFO and ROX 0.8 Carbon in a dual BRS reactor.
Return Pump: Gen-X MAK 4
Water circulation: (2) Tunze 6100 and a Tunze wavebox.
Lighting: (2) 400w 20K XM Metal Halides, (2) 110w Super Actinic VHO, and (20) 3w Cree Royal Blue diodes
Calcium/alkalinity/magnesium dosing: BRS dry product introduced via dosing pumps.
Auto top-off: DIY using float valves with a solenoid and timer.
Heating/cooling: (3) 250w Ebo Jager Heaters run through a Ranco Temp Controller
System control: None
Water Circulation and Flow Summary and Objectives
I really believe in strong random flow for SPS. I’m also a big fan of the Tunze wavebox and don’t think I would run a tank without one.
Water Parameters
* Temp: UNK
* pH: UNK
* Specific gravity: UNK
* NO3: 0 – 0.02ppm via Salifert
* Ca: 400ppm
* Alk: 8 dKH
* Mg: 1200
* PO4: UNK
* Ammonia and nitrites: Undetectable
Lighting Photoperiod
The actinics run for 12 hours and the metal halides run for 6 hours.
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