RedCross15
New Member
Although this tank has now been around for about a year and a half... I just recently became a member here so figured it was a good time to recount the great, and not so great parts about starting with a 200 Gallon Reef tank, go big or go home right?! 
There have certainly been some high's and lows of this tank, but it has been a journey and it will be fun to share!
It all started with a Big ole wooden box being delivered in front of our garage door... The first thought was: "How the F are we going to get this into the house." Well, a few purchases at the hardware store later we got it in:
We filled it up, got it running (after a few Leaks) and it has been a great, beautiful aquarium that we learned along the way with. We had a big battle with Ich, that killed all but 4 of our fish. We lost a bunch of coral after hours of research making sure water parameters were correct, lighting schedules were in place, and flow was good. We got into some dark places where it was thought maybe this was not for us.
We finally enlisted some help of our Local Aquarium Maintenance store which set us on the right track. Since then our corals and fish have been thriving, however there is still more to be learned and we are always trying to be better.
Fast forward to today, our tank is slowly getting more coral and it has become strictly a softie and LPS reef, because SPS did not fare well for us.
Now that I have told the shortened version of the story, I will include what is in this build:
Current Fish Occupying the Tank:
Blue Hippo Tang
Foxface Lo
2 Clownfish
2 Banggai Cardinal
2 Blue Devil Damselfish
Neon Dottyback
Diamond Goby
Solon Fairy Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Female Lyretail Anthias
Possibly Adding: (And then that's it)
2 Female Lyretail Anthias
1 Male Lyretail Anthias
Will definitely keep this thread updated. The tank is a little barren right now, however just bought 12 new frags that will be placed soon! I am definitely continuing to learn, and if anyone has continued tips, tricks, comments, or feedback, it is MORE than welcome! I am happy to be a part of the community!
There have certainly been some high's and lows of this tank, but it has been a journey and it will be fun to share!
It all started with a Big ole wooden box being delivered in front of our garage door... The first thought was: "How the F are we going to get this into the house." Well, a few purchases at the hardware store later we got it in:
We filled it up, got it running (after a few Leaks) and it has been a great, beautiful aquarium that we learned along the way with. We had a big battle with Ich, that killed all but 4 of our fish. We lost a bunch of coral after hours of research making sure water parameters were correct, lighting schedules were in place, and flow was good. We got into some dark places where it was thought maybe this was not for us.
We finally enlisted some help of our Local Aquarium Maintenance store which set us on the right track. Since then our corals and fish have been thriving, however there is still more to be learned and we are always trying to be better.
Fast forward to today, our tank is slowly getting more coral and it has become strictly a softie and LPS reef, because SPS did not fare well for us.
Now that I have told the shortened version of the story, I will include what is in this build:
- Display Tank and Stand: Aquaforest Oceanguard 980 with Stand/Cabinet in Dark Grey, Display Volume 193 Gal, Total System 259 Gal
- Rock: Aquaforest live rock
- Sand: Aquaforest Bio Sand about 1-1.75 inches deep
- Sump: Sump came with the aquarium Package, but it is the Oceanguard 980
- Protein Skimmer: Aquamaxx ConeS Q-3
- Additional Mechanical Filtration: Filter sock, as well as Mesh Sock with Aquaforest Life Bio Fil
- Return Pump: Current USA eFlux LOOP Return Pump 6010 (1900 GPH)
- Chemical Filtration: GFO as needed in a Aquaforest Media Reactor
- Water Circulation: 2 of the IceCap Jump 4k Gyre, will upgrade these to Maxspect XF350's at some point (as money allows)
- Lighting: 4 Current USA R24 95 watt LED Reef Lights
- ATO: Have not bought yet, any good suggestions?
- Heating: Innovative Marine Helio monitor with 500 watt Heater
- System Control: I have one Coralvue Hydros Wave Engine Controller, otherwise no other controllers. I do love the Hydros.
- Testing and Monitoring: Hanna Checkers
- Salt Mix: Aquaforest Reef Salt (Love this stuff)
Current Fish Occupying the Tank:
Blue Hippo Tang
Foxface Lo
2 Clownfish
2 Banggai Cardinal
2 Blue Devil Damselfish
Neon Dottyback
Diamond Goby
Solon Fairy Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Female Lyretail Anthias
Possibly Adding: (And then that's it)
2 Female Lyretail Anthias
1 Male Lyretail Anthias
Will definitely keep this thread updated. The tank is a little barren right now, however just bought 12 new frags that will be placed soon! I am definitely continuing to learn, and if anyone has continued tips, tricks, comments, or feedback, it is MORE than welcome! I am happy to be a part of the community!
