SkiCatTX
Sustainable Reefkeeping
Introduction
It has long been a dream of mine to build a larger tank (like no doubt many of us) since I started keeping marine fish a century ago (approximately). After putting it off for far too long, I have finally decided to go all in on a new dream build! As with many things I set my mind to, I don't do half way, so full custom tank, custom stand, custom sump, and the best equipment. I'm also not in a hurry, so the build will be slow and steady. However, in the end, I hope to build something truly unique, modern and awesome, while still focusing on low maintenance, environmentally sustainable, and sound aquaculture practices. Hopefully by sharing, we'll all learn a few things as well!
A Bit of Background
Until this point, I have maintained various tanks in the 20-40 gallon range with sumps, closed loop canisters, AIO cubes, fish only, anemones, coral, and I even had a sea horse tank back in the day. All the time I was watching and reading (in magazines, like, made out of paper) about all these amazing 100s of gallon tanks people were keeping, but I was never in a position to have one of my own. There was always an excuse; work, travel, family, and of course the expense and complexities of setup, maintenance, constantly dealing with algae and disease, and most of all, potentially killing numerous fish and corals taken off the reef and shipped 1000s of miles…
Then, last fall I discovered Reef2Reef and other online forums and started reading one build thread after another, watching YouTube videos, and learning about modern reefkeeping methods, hardware, water chemistry, and best of all, Aquacultured and Maricultured fish and corals. Wow have things changed since the old days of ultra-low nutrients and brown corals. It was eye-opening and I was loving it! I decided I was going to get back into reefing for real this time.
I started by getting a new WaterBox 10g tank for "Pinky", our Purple Striped Pseudochromis of Death. He was the only fish we had for the previous 5 years, since he immediately killed any other fish we tried to keep in "his" JBJ 28 gallon AIO cube. After a few tries, we just gave up and kept him as the lone fish. Since I now wanted to get some new fish, I figured he had to go. But after some discussion it was decided 'we' couldn't part with him, so he was moved into his own tank. (Pinky has since passed away at the ripe old age of about 6yrs, not bad as I understand it 7 is about average, and since he was wild caught, we actually don’t know how old he really was. You can still find that build thread here.)
Once Pinky was moved out, we got a lawnmower blenny and a couple clownfish, then I got a few new corals at a local frag swap, and a Rainbow BTA from a local shop. I started testing Alk, Phosphates, Nitrates, and other parameters regularly. I fed both the fish and the corals every day a mixture of Mysis shrimp, frozen food, and regularly broadcast and spot feeding the corals with Coral Frenzy and Reef Roids (You can also find the JBJ28 build thread here on R2R if you are interested).
After about 9 months with the new routine, everything is doing amazingly well in both tanks. I have never had such growth and colors in all my years of keeping tanks with the old methods. Plus, a bunch of corals from who knows where, probably ones I got years ago that I long since believed dead and gone, started showing up in the tank. Some Acros that might be Green Slimer and Red Planet have started growing like weeds in the new environment!
Reef Tank Philosophy
On to the new build, here are my basic tenants, and why I think this tank is unique and interesting:
Inhabitants
What am I going to keep in there? We'll start off with what I already have in my tanks, including numerous Euphyllia, Candy Cane, Fungia, a few Acros, as well as some Rainbow BTAs, RFAs, and various mushrooms. Ultimately, I'll add more high-end Acros once things are up and running.
As for fish and inverts, I currently have one designer Clownfish, a Lawnmower Blenny, CB Shrimp, Serpent Star, Conch, and an assortment of snails and crabs. Once the tank is up and cycled, I want to get some tangs, angels, and gobies. My dream fish are schools of Anthias and Chromis, however, since neither deep water fish are generally available commercially propagated, that might have to wait. Maybe I'll seek donations or adopt some…we'll see…
It has long been a dream of mine to build a larger tank (like no doubt many of us) since I started keeping marine fish a century ago (approximately). After putting it off for far too long, I have finally decided to go all in on a new dream build! As with many things I set my mind to, I don't do half way, so full custom tank, custom stand, custom sump, and the best equipment. I'm also not in a hurry, so the build will be slow and steady. However, in the end, I hope to build something truly unique, modern and awesome, while still focusing on low maintenance, environmentally sustainable, and sound aquaculture practices. Hopefully by sharing, we'll all learn a few things as well!
A Bit of Background
Until this point, I have maintained various tanks in the 20-40 gallon range with sumps, closed loop canisters, AIO cubes, fish only, anemones, coral, and I even had a sea horse tank back in the day. All the time I was watching and reading (in magazines, like, made out of paper) about all these amazing 100s of gallon tanks people were keeping, but I was never in a position to have one of my own. There was always an excuse; work, travel, family, and of course the expense and complexities of setup, maintenance, constantly dealing with algae and disease, and most of all, potentially killing numerous fish and corals taken off the reef and shipped 1000s of miles…
Then, last fall I discovered Reef2Reef and other online forums and started reading one build thread after another, watching YouTube videos, and learning about modern reefkeeping methods, hardware, water chemistry, and best of all, Aquacultured and Maricultured fish and corals. Wow have things changed since the old days of ultra-low nutrients and brown corals. It was eye-opening and I was loving it! I decided I was going to get back into reefing for real this time.
I started by getting a new WaterBox 10g tank for "Pinky", our Purple Striped Pseudochromis of Death. He was the only fish we had for the previous 5 years, since he immediately killed any other fish we tried to keep in "his" JBJ 28 gallon AIO cube. After a few tries, we just gave up and kept him as the lone fish. Since I now wanted to get some new fish, I figured he had to go. But after some discussion it was decided 'we' couldn't part with him, so he was moved into his own tank. (Pinky has since passed away at the ripe old age of about 6yrs, not bad as I understand it 7 is about average, and since he was wild caught, we actually don’t know how old he really was. You can still find that build thread here.)
Once Pinky was moved out, we got a lawnmower blenny and a couple clownfish, then I got a few new corals at a local frag swap, and a Rainbow BTA from a local shop. I started testing Alk, Phosphates, Nitrates, and other parameters regularly. I fed both the fish and the corals every day a mixture of Mysis shrimp, frozen food, and regularly broadcast and spot feeding the corals with Coral Frenzy and Reef Roids (You can also find the JBJ28 build thread here on R2R if you are interested).
After about 9 months with the new routine, everything is doing amazingly well in both tanks. I have never had such growth and colors in all my years of keeping tanks with the old methods. Plus, a bunch of corals from who knows where, probably ones I got years ago that I long since believed dead and gone, started showing up in the tank. Some Acros that might be Green Slimer and Red Planet have started growing like weeds in the new environment!
Reef Tank Philosophy
On to the new build, here are my basic tenants, and why I think this tank is unique and interesting:
1. Only Captive Bred Tank Raised Fish and Aquacultured Coral and Inverts When Possible
There is little reason today to ever take coral from the reef, and in a few years the need for wild caught fish direct to consumers will lessen as well. Another source that is becoming common is Maricultured fish, grown in ocean based captive environment, I'll be following this closely as well as a possible source. Finally, one additional option to consider is rescue fish from another established tank. If someone can assure me the fish have been with them for over a year or so and they are moving or otherwise want to get rid of the fish, I might take them in.
2. DC Only
All DC controllable pumps and equipment. The only current exception to this will likely be heaters, though I'm looking into that as well. Inline heaters are awesome, but about 10x-20x more expensive.
3. Full Automation and Remote Control
Since I travel a lot, the tank will need to be able to run itself for reasonable periods of time, with little effort from another family member or tank sitter. I will strive to find a balance between high tech and simplicity wherever possible, but the focus will be on reliability and automation.
4. White!
Instead of the typical black background covered in algae, I'm going to give white a shot. My plan is to keep it clean just like the front glass, or like a peninsula, we'll see. 
I am also having a custom white overflow made, as well as white anemone covers for pump heads, and possibly even white printed LocLine!
I am also having a custom white overflow made, as well as white anemone covers for pump heads, and possibly even white printed LocLine!5. Tank, Stand, and All Equipment Must Look Awesome At All Times
LOL, OK, getting everything INSIDE the tank to follow this rule might be the hardest part of all, but essentially, since it will be located in my home office where I work every day, the tank itself and all the equipment supporting it needs to look good and fit in with the rest of the décor. So, no ugly cables, exposed pipes, etc., at least when the stand is closed and servicing is complete.
Inhabitants
What am I going to keep in there? We'll start off with what I already have in my tanks, including numerous Euphyllia, Candy Cane, Fungia, a few Acros, as well as some Rainbow BTAs, RFAs, and various mushrooms. Ultimately, I'll add more high-end Acros once things are up and running.
As for fish and inverts, I currently have one designer Clownfish, a Lawnmower Blenny, CB Shrimp, Serpent Star, Conch, and an assortment of snails and crabs. Once the tank is up and cycled, I want to get some tangs, angels, and gobies. My dream fish are schools of Anthias and Chromis, however, since neither deep water fish are generally available commercially propagated, that might have to wait. Maybe I'll seek donations or adopt some…we'll see…
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