lyang415's 120 Gallon SPS Dominant

[lyang415]

Hello! My name is Lawrence and I live in San Francisco. I am currently a college student as an Environmental Science major. I’ve always loved animals, but there’s something fascinating and mysterious about these ancient relics we desperately try to keep alive in our homes. Researching and understanding more about them has only increased my interest in marine biology and reefing. I started this hobby with a 14g biocube I bought from a friend. During my time with that nano cube, I researched endless hours until I was comfortable enough with my own knowledge and ability to start a bigger system focusing mainly on pretty sticks and LPS to fill the lower void of my rockwork. This will be a journal of my aquarium and I will try to update with photos powered by my iPhone 5. Happy reefing and follow along! Comments, questions, criticism all welcome!


Running for 9 months

Display Tank: 120g (48in x 24in x 24in), Dual Overflows, Deep Sand Bed

Display Lighting: Coralife Elite Ballast 2x 250w 20K Metal Halides, 2 PC Actinics, 48†453nm Blue LED Strip, 48" Magenta/12k White LED Strip

Sump: 55g Acrylic, Refugium w/ Deep Sand Bed and Macroalgae

Dosing: KNOP Calcium Reactor, Electronic CarbonDoser Regulator, ESV B-ionic 2 Part to tweak

Water Circulation: 2x Jebao WP40, External Return Pump

Filtration: SWC 180 Protein Skimmer, TLF150 GFO Reactor, Filter Socks, GAC

DIY Auto Top Off

Eheim Heater

Vodka Dosing

Lugol's Solution: 1 drop per day

Most Recent Aquarium Parameters:
Salinity: 1.025
Nitrates: 0.25 ppm
Phosphates: 0.07 ppm
Calcium: 480 ppm
Alkalinity: 9.1
Temperature: 78 F



Livestock:

Yellow Tang

Blue Hippo Tang

(2) Snowflake Clowns

Yellow Coris Wrasse

Solar Fairy Wrasse

Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse

Pearly Jawfish

Midas Blenny

Royal Gramma

Firefish

Lyretail Anthias 2(f)

Squareback Anthia (f)

Spotted Mandarin


Lots of SPS frags

Some LPS

still looking to fill up a lot of space!
Let me know what you think!

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Nice set up!

 

[CoralMD]

Nice set up!

X2!

 

[RiverRat]

looking good!

 

[lyang415]

Thanks guys
I just got a teal and green bicolor hammer coral from the brothers @ Top Notch Corals and thought I'd like to share:

Also Adam at BattleCorals hooked up a SICK frag pack for me:
Blue Matrix:

Clowncar stag, rainbow stylo, upscales mircroclades:

 

[lyang415]

 

[Flameback Pair]

following

 

[lyang415]

Saved up for the best regulator on the market for my calcium reactor! had to share this gem. Most consistent co2 bubbles ever!
Aquarium plants electronic carbondoser! set and forget!

Happy sps like steady cal and alk after all!

 

[lyang415]

Three monti's converging in a ravine
(how do i rotate images?)

Yellow mille(need to rotate this too)

Jawbreaker/Mystery Tiedye Mushroom

 

[Latinreefer]

aquarium plants regulator are the best!! you wont regret it worth every dollar

 

[lyang415]

aquarium plants regulator are the best!! you wont regret it worth every dollar

boy is that refreshing to hear! had to pony up a lot of cash for it but i believe it was for the best. thanks for the reassurance

 

[Flameback Pair]

WoW! It's good to know those regulators exist. Now I've got to do research on them.

 

[lyang415]

supposedly its the most consistent regulator available and super easy to adjust. costs a pretty penny though

 

[Flameback Pair]

supposedly its the most consistent regulator available and super easy to adjust. costs a pretty penny though

Yeah they're expensive. But I've read calcium reactors are a pain to find the sweet spot and keep it there. The one with the LCD readout is only $50 more. I wonder if it's worth the extra $50.

 

[lyang415]

the lcd display probably gives a visual and better feel for the control of the regulator. but im sure many people can testify for great results without the display. Its greatness is in its blood haha

 

[lyang415]

I just got my water tested today by hannahs and it read .25ppm phosphates which is pretty nasty... I change my GFO out very often and i have also been trying lanthanum chloride so I am wondering why i still have such high readings. My question is, do you guys think a 3.5in deep sand bed in my low flow refugium that has a giant ball of macro is contributing to these high readings? If so, would it be safe to just simply scoop everything out with the pumps off?

 

[Flameback Pair]

Could you take some pix of the midas blenny? That may be the next fish I get.

 

[lyang415]

Sure!

 

[lyang415]

they are great fish with a big personality! they also have a tendency to scuffle with anthias in my experience, but noting too crazy

 

[swayd]

Great tank man, I love seeing locals tanks on here!