Rileys 30 Gallon Reef Build

[30reef]

Hello Everyone, I currently own a 30 gallon reef aquarium. The Dimensions of my tank are 3' L x 1' W x 15" H. My tank has been running for about 8 months now, and i have a large variety of corals, such as scolys, brains corals and many other LPS, Many soft corals and A few SPS. I also I have a 2.5 inch Maxima clam and a 4 inch Derasa clam. I recently have added some rock to the left side of my tank in which I plan on putting more SPS or soft coral. Basically at the moment i have a toadstool off the side of this rock structure and a few mushrooms at the base and 2 small torch corals at the base. I was think of putting 1 to 2 Monti caps (Red and Green) and few acros in which i do not know the colors yet but i waas thinking blues, greens and pinks. Here is a picture of the tank and each section of it, please write back on saying if you think soft corals would look better or SPS, also specify in the type of indivdual specimen that should be placed there, Thanks a ton Riley.

 

[Tru REEF]

I would definitely go with sps. Monti's are a great start, caps and digi. For some reason I like the pink birds nest grows fast and easy to keep happy. Nice tank, what kind of fish do u keep?

 

[30reef]

At the moment I have no fish in the tank, just have been focused on corals Scince day 1. Now that I step back and look at the tank I really want some fish, I was thinking a fuzzy dwarf lion fish and possibly a snowflake eel. Could that workout? Because I know there not considered "reef safe".

 

[Salty1962]

Nice setup! Love the Chili Pepper. How is it growing for you?

 

[30reef]

I started my reef tank about 8 months ago with the intentions of having absolutely no coral! You may be thinking hmmm, then why did you set up a reef tank? Well answer is I originally had a 56 gallon FLOWR aquarium with triggers, butterflys, and tangs (which is still up and running). But I set this tank up because I decided one weekend to add a blue Linkia sea star, Serpent sea star and a maroon star to my FLOWR tank, and this obviously dident work out with non reef safe fish. So I set up my 30 gallon tank (36"L x 12"W 15"H) To add the sea star in so they'd be safe, well as time went on I found reef tanks and corals more ampealing. So I decided to reef aqua scape my tank appropriately for a reef tank, got correct lighting and other equipment. I then started off with easy corals (Zoas, star polyps, leathers and other LPS and soft corals) as time went on I got really hyped about the reef tank and then it became the beauty that it is now!

Equipment I'm Running
-Fluval Sea LED (Red,White and Blue)
-Aquatop 256 GPH power head
-Reef Octopus Nano Skimmer
- Aquatop canister Filter

Mantince Of The Reef
I clean the reef Once a week with RO/DI water, I know I should be using a sumo but my Water levels are absolutely perfect! I clean algae off the glass when ever I see a patch starting.

 

[30reef]

it's growing great! It's probably almost doubled in size since I got it! You guys should check out my thread in how the tank started its called Diver's Dream Reef

 

[Tru REEF]

Not sure if adding them would hurt. I guess its a hit and miss and it does say caution and not straight up NO. Like the flame angel im debating long and hard about getting.

 

[30reef]

Ok thanks! I'm really debating about this too I've basically heard nothing bad about adding them the only thing I heard they could do is eat small shrimp but I have a pretty large coral-banded so I'd think it'd be fine.

 

[30reef]

[Update 1] I decided this afternoon to re aquascape the left side of my tank, which I haven't done since I Aquascaped for my reef originally. I plan on adding a rusty gorgonian, purple whip gorgonian, Ricordias, and a small sun coral. I'm going for more of a natural ocean look on which I plan on adding 3 fish in the next few months (snowflake eel, fu Manchu lion fish, and a fuzzy dwarf lion fish). Which I know are considered "non reef safe" but I've read that's only because they can be notorious shrimp killers, but I have a very large coral banded so I'm going to take the risk! This photo is the new aquascape for the left side.

 

[Maritimer]

Good-looking tank! I kind of get used to looking at SPS, and it's easy to forget how lovely a softie & LPS setup can be.

~Bruce, whose tank is filled with tiny starters of LPS, zoas & 'shrooms . . .

 

[30reef]

I totally agree with you on that one. All I see these days are tanks full of SPS, but I wanted to be unique and have my tank stand out! I'm actually looking to get rid of my 2 SPS corals I have (1-2inch leprechauns bird nests, and a green horn coral 4-5 inches) I actually just ordered another softie to put up top to replace the SPS, which is a devil's hand leather!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Great job!

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Hey 30reef! Thanks for sharing!!! That's really good!

I started my reef tank about 8 months ago with the intentions of having absolutely no coral!

Oh awaw so you have good results!!! Well done!!!

I then started off with easy corals (Zoas, star polyps, leathers and other LPS and soft corals) as time went on I got really hyped about the reef tank and then it became the beauty that it is now!

That's cool example how it happens! )))
Good luck man everything will be great!!!
And I love your pictures!!!

 

[30reef]

Thanks there a lot more to come in the near future! Also do you think my tank looks full because I know the one side is, but the other is empty and I was planning on filling that with gorgonians.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

I was planning on filling that with gorgonians.

Yeah good choice! Gorgonians pretty cool! Like magic trees under water!))

 

[30reef]

Hey Everyone! I'm planning on upgrading my lighting in the next few months in deciding between the hydra 52, maxspect razor and radions. Please help me with the choice and how many light fixtures I'd need if I went with the hydra or radions! FYI I have a 30 long tank which is 36 x 12