The Reef Therapy tank thread

[Beej1254]

Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out my tank. I've been reef keeping for about 6 years now. I started with freshwater goldfish and after I subsequently caused their demise I found myself asking the question of "why?"..and now i'm here. I've been very active on other social media platforms such as Instagram, various Facebook Groups, and somewhat on YouTube. I hope to branch out and connect with new people and share my view of the ocean with you. Also, I only use my Iphone X and Go Pro Hero 7 Black for photos and video. I'm no photographer, so I apologize if some of the photos aren't the best quality, but I try.

Please checkout my website which has links to my YouTube and Instagram. Instagram is where I post almost daily if you'd like to follow me.

Reef Therapy

Discovering the Ocean

thereeftherapy.wordpress.com

Here is a rundown of my current system:

Aquatic Life 36" T5HO Hybrid - 2 BLUE PLUS and 2 TRUE ACTINIC bulbs
2 AI Prime HD running a slightly modified AB+ schedule (total % power reduced to 82%)
40 Breeder Aquarium Peninsula Setup
2 MP40WQD Set at 22% power at most - ramping and changing modes throughout the day

Neptune Apex System:
Automatic Fish Feeder - 2 feedings per day with 2 drum rotations per day. Feeding a mix of LPS Pellets, two different sized NLS Pellets, and Reef Roids mixed together.
DOS operated automatic water change that I adjust from 1 to 2 gallons per day based on nitrate and phosphate levels in the tank.
Trident and DOS controlled dosing of Calcium and Alkalinity
FMM to control and add extra safety to automatic water change system, as well as shutting off freshwater source water.
Apex Solenoid to act as a final backup to shut off freshwater source.

29 Gallon Custom DIY sump. No filter socks, large refugium with about 6-8 inches of water and stuffed with chaetomorpha.
Bubble Magus Curve 5 Skimmer, currently run 24/7 with the cup off to help with PH stability and raise nitrate and phosphate levels.

Tank is setup for being Acropora Dominate.

Daily dosing of 3 cap-full of Acropower.
Currently dosing 25 mL of both Calcium and Alkalinity BRS 2-part (base amount)

Parameters I try to maintain:
SG: 1.025 - 1.026
Temp: 77.8 - 78.6 f
Alkalinity (trident control) 8.69dkh, range +- 0.40 dkh, limit +- 15%
Calcium (trident control) 460ppm, range +- 30ppm, limit +- 30%
Magnesium 1350ppm
Nitrate (last tested 5/10 using Salifert kit) 0
Phosphate (last tested 5/10 using Salifert kit) 0

 

[Fishbro]

Definitely following this beautiful tank!

 

[Dr. Phil]

Nice coral shots!

 

[Beej1254]

Thanks for the kind words and for following. I took some more pictures tonight with my IPhone X and a filter. Some of the pictures quality isn’t that great unfortunately, but here they are. I think this weekend I’m going to redo all the equipment wiring and placement on the racks. Hopefully going to pick up another acro or two as well!

 

[Renton777]

Any updates?

 

[Beej1254]

Sorry for the delay, but yes I do have many updates. Life has become somewhat busy again and so my posting has slowed down. If you're interested please checkout my instagram page for nearly daily updates.

So, some of the biggest news to update is the setup of a 50 gallon lowboy frag/grow out tank. I've had this tank sitting in a box since February of this year and am just now getting around to putting it together. I built a stand and have completed all the plumbing for it and it's currently up and running with the exception of a light.

I think i'm going to try out a 6 bulb t5ho setup for the frag tank. While I do like the LED/T5 hybrid i'm running on my display, I want to try having a full blanket of T5 light for the frag tank. After seeing a friends frag tank which was lit by only T5s and the coloration on his acro I was pushed in this direction. Granted, I do understand that much more than lighting goes into acropora coral coloration.

Soon i'll be building a small work bench for the end of the frag tank with a waterproof surface. This is where I'll frag corals and package anything i'm going to trade or sell.

I'll soon be doing an update video on my YouTube and Instagram channels which will go further in depth of my thoughts on upgrading. I'll also be giving an update on my thoughts with dosing Acropower, Reef Roids, and Automation, please check it out!

 

[Beej1254]

Here are some top down photos of the 40 gallon breeder!

 

[Renton777]

Is this tank still running?

 

[Beej1254]

Is this tank still running?

Still running strong! I faced an issue with salinity after modifying my auto top off and automatic water change system. I incorrectly placed some sensors and mechanical float switch. Unfortunately I lost a couple of acropora, but many of the others are well on their way to being healthy again. I'll post photos and give a larger update here soon.