bluwtr
Community Member
I started my tank in Sept of '09 mostly for our son as he has autism among other issues. Granted, I wanted the tank as well so serving both purposes worked out! The tank is an undrilled standard 55. When I got back in the having a tank, I didn't do enough research so that's how I ended up with a non RR tank. Also started with a Fluval canister filter and a couple of crappy power heads. I did go with T5's so at least one thing was right! Since that slow start, I've built my own acrylic sump, built my ATO (auto top off.com), upgraded to an in-sump skimmer (from a HOB), upgraded to Hydor Koralia's with a Smart Wave controller. I still have to use an overflow box, but it is what it is. I use a Danner Mag 7.5 for my return and I recently added a Jebao WP-25 which is a Chinese pseudo-knock off of the Ecotechs. I must say I am VERY pleased with this pump. It was 1/4 of the price shipped and has almost infinite adjustment to it. It also has a light sensor, so when the lights go off, the pump slow way down. Speaking of lights, as I said I began with a retro T5 set up. It was two Hagen Glo ballasts with 4 bulbs. I moved to ATI bulbs and really liked those, but then a friend was upgrading his tank and gave me MH. For about a year and a half I ran two 250w HQI plus two T5's. Coral growth was pretty good, but I didn't like the color even though I was running Phoenix 15K bulbs with blue T5's. Finally though, I saved enough money to build my own LED's. I went with RapidLED and I couldn't be happier. Even though I've not measured my PAR, I can tell from my corals that they are happy and on top of that the colors rock.
I supplement my tank with two-part ever morning and I run kalk in my ATO. I also use Fuel and Brightwell Aquatics Coral Amino. I've also started using Red Sea Reef Colors and I feel that all of this is really helping my tank.
As far as corals I have--multiple zoas and palys, one leather, three diff Acans, a Lobophyllia, a Ricordia Yuma, a Pocillopora, a neon green Sinularia, GSP, seven diff Acros (one is GARF Bonsai and two A. valida), a Scolymia, a strawberry shortcake Millipora, four diff Monti caps (one is a Mystic Sunset), three different M. digitata, a Psammocora, a Cyphastrea (meteor shower), a reverse Christmas tree Favia, a Goniopora, a trumpet coral, a Sympodium (I think), a hammer, a branching frogspawn, a true frogspawn, and a torch.
I have two RBTA--one the mom; others the daughter.
For fish I have two true perculas (breeding pair), a royal gramma, a firefish, two pajama cardinals, a six-line wrasse, a coral beauty.
Here is my tank when I first began (kind of; the pic is actually from 2011)--pretty bland:
To now--pretty happy (just under the UV's):
I'll throw up some coral pics later, but I hope you enjoy and welcome replies.
Happy reefing!
I supplement my tank with two-part ever morning and I run kalk in my ATO. I also use Fuel and Brightwell Aquatics Coral Amino. I've also started using Red Sea Reef Colors and I feel that all of this is really helping my tank.
As far as corals I have--multiple zoas and palys, one leather, three diff Acans, a Lobophyllia, a Ricordia Yuma, a Pocillopora, a neon green Sinularia, GSP, seven diff Acros (one is GARF Bonsai and two A. valida), a Scolymia, a strawberry shortcake Millipora, four diff Monti caps (one is a Mystic Sunset), three different M. digitata, a Psammocora, a Cyphastrea (meteor shower), a reverse Christmas tree Favia, a Goniopora, a trumpet coral, a Sympodium (I think), a hammer, a branching frogspawn, a true frogspawn, and a torch.
I have two RBTA--one the mom; others the daughter.
For fish I have two true perculas (breeding pair), a royal gramma, a firefish, two pajama cardinals, a six-line wrasse, a coral beauty.
Here is my tank when I first began (kind of; the pic is actually from 2011)--pretty bland:
To now--pretty happy (just under the UV's):
I'll throw up some coral pics later, but I hope you enjoy and welcome replies.
Happy reefing!
