Gilly's 8.7 Reef!

Gilly · Jul 26, 2014

I am in the process of setting up my first reef aquarium. I will update my progress here. I have done a lot of research but feel free to give me any suggestions.

Current Full Tank Shot:

Overview:

8.7 gallon Aquatop aquarium
Aquaclear 50 HOB filter used as refugium
9W 50/50 refugium light
100w heater
20lbs of live sand

To do:

DIY dimmable led lighting
10-12lbs live rock (I will pick up on Mon 7/28)
Clean up crew

Livestock (planned):

Clownfish pair
Yasha goby/pistol shrimp
Bubble tip anemone
Maxima clam (?)
Zoas
SPS
LPS

I sprayed the back of the tank with 4 coats of black plastidip because it is easily removable if I decide I don't like it:

CoralHut · Jul 26, 2014

Nice setup! Looks like you are off to a good start. What type of rock are you getting? Any power heads or extra flow other than the HOB filter?

Gilly · Jul 27, 2014

CoralHut said:
Nice setup! Looks like you are off to a good start. What type of rock are you getting? Any power heads or extra flow other than the HOB filter?

Thanks. My LFS sells Fuji and Indonesian LR so I will pick up a few pieces of that. The filter is rated at 200gph (it's also adjustable) which I think is enough but I may add a small powerhead and turn the flow rate on the filter down. I will have to see if there are any dead spots once I put the LR in.

CoralHut · Jul 27, 2014

10-12 pounds of LR is going to fill that tank up. I have a feeling you are not going to want that much. What are your plans for the LEDs? Going to replace the 50/50 light or combo?

Gilly · Jul 27, 2014

CoralHut said:
10-12 pounds of LR is going to fill that tank up. I have a feeling you are not going to want that much. What are your plans for the LEDs? Going to replace the 50/50 light or combo?

I May not end up getting that much LR. To be honest, I don't know how much space that much will take up so I will have to determine that when I am at the store. The 50/50 is just a light I had laying around and I will use is for the refugium. For the LED's I will probably use 2 dimmable drivers with 6 royal blue crees, 3 white crees and a mix of other colors like UV, turquoise, and red. I'm not sure how much light is too much. Thoughts?

CoralHut · Jul 28, 2014

9 three watt crees with some optics would be plenty. Maybe a 1w red or two but I would leave anything else out. Best part about dimmable drivers is that they are dimmable! So go with a more light than you think and you can always adjust when needed.

Gilly · Jul 28, 2014

CoralHut said:
9 three watt crees with some optics would be plenty. Maybe a 1w red or two but I would leave anything else out. Best part about dimmable drivers is that they are dimmable! So go with a more light than you think and you can always adjust when needed.

Very true. Thanks for the advice!