Rory's Reef
Active Member
Where to start?
While I've been researching and itching to start a reef aquarium for the past 10 years, my habits of not staying in one place for very long kept me from enjoying this hobby. Recently, I bought my first property, a condo in Colorado, and I decided to take the plunge. I found a used RSM 130d online and got a nice deal. Although I wanted to go bigger, available space and cost played a huge factor. I'd soon find out that I would spend way more than I wanted but it was all worth it.
So as far as my equipment goes I have an RSM 130d (as stated) with a few upgrades. In the back 'refugium/sump' I have an inTank media rack that currently only holds my activated carbon, a Tunze 9001 skimmer, heater, and live rock, live sand, and chaeto. I also got rid of the T5 compacts and upgraded with Steve's led's (really smart choice) in 14000k full spectrum and bluefish mini controller (personally I love this controller). I have a pair of hydor 525 GPH powerheads on a hydor smart wave. I also added a Tunze Osmolator ATO with a 5gal reservoir.
I've had my tank established now for just over 6 months with live sand and 60lbs of live aquacultured rock from Florida (I wouldn't do that again because of the amount of pests I had to deal with). My stock currently includes:
Fish
Ruby Headed Fairy Wrasse
Sailfin Blenny
Green Mandarin
Inverts
Snails (Astrea, Trochus, and Nassarius)
Hermits (Blue Tip and Red Tip)
Serpent Star
Pincushion Urchin
Pepperment Shrimp
Rose Bulb Anemone
Rock Flower Anemone
Maxima Clam (just got him today)
Softies
Gorgonian (photosynthetic)
Green Mushrooms
Blue/Orange Zoas
Pink Goniopora
LPS
Purple Tip Hammer
Previously I had an Elegance that was amazing, but he grew so fast he stung my Goniopora and I had to trade him in to my LFS
SPS (all from Battlecoral and are absolutely amazing)
Red Robin Acro
SunnyX Sunset Milli (personal favorite)
Westside Rainbow Tort
PC Rainbow Acro
Occulus Blue Crush
Anyways, thats my tank and although I want to post a picture of it, I can't get a shot that does it justice.
If anyone reads through all this, I do have one question. Will my 340 GPH pump and 525 GPH powerhead (considering only 1 is running at a time with the smart wave) be enough to keep my SPS happy? or should I add a little more flow?
While I've been researching and itching to start a reef aquarium for the past 10 years, my habits of not staying in one place for very long kept me from enjoying this hobby. Recently, I bought my first property, a condo in Colorado, and I decided to take the plunge. I found a used RSM 130d online and got a nice deal. Although I wanted to go bigger, available space and cost played a huge factor. I'd soon find out that I would spend way more than I wanted but it was all worth it.
So as far as my equipment goes I have an RSM 130d (as stated) with a few upgrades. In the back 'refugium/sump' I have an inTank media rack that currently only holds my activated carbon, a Tunze 9001 skimmer, heater, and live rock, live sand, and chaeto. I also got rid of the T5 compacts and upgraded with Steve's led's (really smart choice) in 14000k full spectrum and bluefish mini controller (personally I love this controller). I have a pair of hydor 525 GPH powerheads on a hydor smart wave. I also added a Tunze Osmolator ATO with a 5gal reservoir.
I've had my tank established now for just over 6 months with live sand and 60lbs of live aquacultured rock from Florida (I wouldn't do that again because of the amount of pests I had to deal with). My stock currently includes:
Fish
Ruby Headed Fairy Wrasse
Sailfin Blenny
Green Mandarin
Inverts
Snails (Astrea, Trochus, and Nassarius)
Hermits (Blue Tip and Red Tip)
Serpent Star
Pincushion Urchin
Pepperment Shrimp
Rose Bulb Anemone
Rock Flower Anemone
Maxima Clam (just got him today)
Softies
Gorgonian (photosynthetic)
Green Mushrooms
Blue/Orange Zoas
Pink Goniopora
LPS
Purple Tip Hammer
Previously I had an Elegance that was amazing, but he grew so fast he stung my Goniopora and I had to trade him in to my LFS
SPS (all from Battlecoral and are absolutely amazing)
Red Robin Acro
SunnyX Sunset Milli (personal favorite)
Westside Rainbow Tort
PC Rainbow Acro
Occulus Blue Crush
Anyways, thats my tank and although I want to post a picture of it, I can't get a shot that does it justice
. If anyone reads through all this, I do have one question. Will my 340 GPH pump and 525 GPH powerhead (considering only 1 is running at a time with the smart wave) be enough to keep my SPS happy? or should I add a little more flow?
You've picked a great place to join and we love pictures 
