Introduction
This is the 2nd saltwater aquarium that I have tried and at the moment still within the first month of operation. The first tank was back in the 90's and although we invested a pile of effort and $$, the results were not as we had hoped for. With SO much more knowledge readily available and an open mind, we are giving it another go!
What a journey ahead!
What a journey ahead!
Background
This tank (120 gallons) was purchased as a used saltwater tank, Tomato Clown included. We are using a good percentage of the original set up but have also been making changes and adding to the existing system.
We completely re-cycled the tank, changed media and added 108 lbs. of the highest quality live rock we could find. Even with the limited knowledge we had for the first saltwater tank, the live rock was one of our saving features. I absolutely won't cut corners there! As well, if you don't mind looking closely it is incredibly enjoyable to watch!
Although I sometimes want to re-do the aquascaping, I am slowly getting happy with it. I have been aiming for good water flow, limited dead spots, but not so much that it is hard on corals. And of course, the fine line changes the minute any changes are made.
We completely re-cycled the tank, changed media and added 108 lbs. of the highest quality live rock we could find. Even with the limited knowledge we had for the first saltwater tank, the live rock was one of our saving features. I absolutely won't cut corners there! As well, if you don't mind looking closely it is incredibly enjoyable to watch!
Although I sometimes want to re-do the aquascaping, I am slowly getting happy with it. I have been aiming for good water flow, limited dead spots, but not so much that it is hard on corals. And of course, the fine line changes the minute any changes are made.
Videos See all Videos
Filtration
Fluval Cannister F5 Filter
This came with our (used) system when we purchased it. Would love to upgrade to a sump system in the future.
Filter media currently includes Fluval Fine Filter Media, Biomax rings, Activated Carbon, Rowaphos and the first addition of the ZeoVit filter media.
This came with our (used) system when we purchased it. Would love to upgrade to a sump system in the future.
Filter media currently includes Fluval Fine Filter Media, Biomax rings, Activated Carbon, Rowaphos and the first addition of the ZeoVit filter media.
Lighting
NEW:
Running entirely LED fixtures now. A combination of the amazing Vertex Illumina as well as the 48" aquatic life LED strip. Still learning and changing settings almost daily as fine tuning doesn't happen overnight .. no pun intended ;)
RETIRED:
We recently added a 48" aquatic life LED strip to the existing T5 HO lighting.
In the morning we run the lunar blue LED's to simulate sunrise, then the actinic blues. Then adding the full spectrum T5 and then the full spectrum LED's. In the evening a reverse order of shut down ending with the lunar blues.
We do have a timer for the lighting system, but have operating manually as we are running our lights a little less right now.
Running entirely LED fixtures now. A combination of the amazing Vertex Illumina as well as the 48" aquatic life LED strip. Still learning and changing settings almost daily as fine tuning doesn't happen overnight .. no pun intended ;)
RETIRED:
We recently added a 48" aquatic life LED strip to the existing T5 HO lighting.
In the morning we run the lunar blue LED's to simulate sunrise, then the actinic blues. Then adding the full spectrum T5 and then the full spectrum LED's. In the evening a reverse order of shut down ending with the lunar blues.
We do have a timer for the lighting system, but have operating manually as we are running our lights a little less right now.
Nitrite
Nitrate
Phosphate
Magnesium
Calcium
Temperature
Ammonia
Alkalinity
Salinity
pH
ORP
Iodine
20 Coral
16 Fish
27 Invertebrate
10
Assorted Snails
Sp sp
Fromia Starfish
Sp sp
Equipment
Accessory
Red Sea Nitro Bac
Additive
Fauna Marin Balling Light Trace 1
Fauna Marin Balling Light Trace 2
Fauna Marin Balling Light Trace 3
Fluval Sea 3-Ions
Julian Spring Calcium Concentrate
Reef Pure Balanced Ion Potassium Supplement
Reef Pure Concentrated Calcium Supplement
Zeovit Biomate
Aquarium
Bacteria
Controller
Media
Fauna Marin Carb
Zeovit Filter Media
Powerhead
Salt
Skimmer
TestKit
Other
108
Live Rock
Dosing See more
KH Coralline Gro 15 ml · NoPox 4 ml · KH Coraline Gro 30 ml · Nopox 15 ml · Nitro Bac 25 ml · Bacto Start 25 ml · NoPox 15 ml · KH Coraline Grow 30 ml · NoPox 15 ml · KH Coraline Gro 15 ml · NoPox 15 ml · KH Coraline Grow 15 ml · KH Coraline Gro 15 ml · Nitro Bac 25 ml · NoPox 15 ml · Bacto Start 50 ml · NoPox 15 ml · KH Coraline GRO 15 ml · Nitro Bac 25 ml · NoPox 15 ml · KH Coraline Gro 15 ml · NoPox 15 ml · NoPox 15 ml · Nitro Bac 50 ml · NoPox 15 ml · Bacto Start 50 ml · NoPox 15 ml · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit ZEOBak 5 drops · Zeovit Biomate 5 drops · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 5 ml · Reef Pure Concentrated Calcium Supplement 30 ml · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 15 ml · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit ZEOBak 5 drops · Zeovit Biomate 5 drops · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 15 ml · Zeovit Biomate 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOBak 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 15 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 15 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 15 ml · Seachem Marine Buffer 4 tsp · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 15 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 5 ml · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 5 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit ZEOBak 5 drops · Zeovit Biomate 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 5 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit Magnesium Complex 5 ml · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · ZEOvit ZEOBak 5 drops · Tropic Marin Bio Magnesium 4 caps · Seachem Marine Buffer 6 tsp · ZEOvit ZEOBak 5 drops · ZEOvit Sponge Power 5 drops · ZEOvit ZEOstart 3 1 ml · Tropic Marin Bio Magnesium 8 caps · Julian Spring Calcium Concentrate 60 ml · Tropic Marin Bio Magnesium 8 caps · TLF C-Balance 30 ml · Fauna Marin Ultra Balling Light Trace 3 25 ml · Fauna Marin Ultra Balling Light Trace 2 25 ml · TLF C-Balance 30 ml · Tropic Marin Bio Magnesium 12 caps · Fauna Marin Ultra Balling Light Trace 1 25 ml · Fauna Marin Ultra Balling Light Trace 2 25 ml · Fauna Marin Ultra Balling Light Trace 3 25 ml · Tropic Marin Bio Magnesium 12 caps · E.S.V. B-Ionic Magnesium 480 ml · E.S.V. B-Ionic Magnesium 240 ml · Reef Pure Concentrated Calcium Supplement 30 ml · Fluval Sea 3-Ions 25 ml · Reef Pure Balanced Ion Potassium Supplement 50 ml · Fluval Iodine 10 ml · Fluval Trace Elements 30 ml · Reef Pure Balanced Ion Potassium Supplement 75 ml · Magnesium Concentrate 480 ml · Brightwell Aquatics Phosphat-E 6 capsFeeding See more
Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Zeovit Zeofood7 5 drops · Fed Zeovit Zeofood7 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Zeovit Zeofood7 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Zeovit Zeofood7 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Hikari Mysis Shrimp 1 cap · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Hikari Mysis Shrimp 1 cap · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Hikari Mysis Shrimp 1 cap · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 mL, Xtra 5 mL, K-Balance 5 mL, Amino Acid 5 drops, Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Mysis 0.5 cap · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Mysis 0.2 cap · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 drops · Fed Coral Snow 5 ml · Fed Coral Vitalizer 5 dropsOn average you perform a 5.8% water change every 168 days.
0% total water change in 2024-12-01T03:14:22.399310Z[GMT].
Inspiration & Goals
As I'm sure with any aquarist, the biggest goal is always a happy, healthy reef that can provide years of enjoyments for anyone lucky enough to see it!
I would love to be able to try some of the more difficult 'species' out there, or even just to feel that I could. I respect the ocean too much to let my pocketbook call the shots for me. In other words, if I know it's something I'm not ready for, I won't even attempt to try it. I would much rather find the satisfaction of successfully maintaining the heartiest of corals and fish.
In the meantime, I (still) have a lot of learning to do and goals to create an incredibly stable, healthy environment.
If I ever accomplish 'it' .. the moorish idol will be there!
I would love to be able to try some of the more difficult 'species' out there, or even just to feel that I could. I respect the ocean too much to let my pocketbook call the shots for me. In other words, if I know it's something I'm not ready for, I won't even attempt to try it. I would much rather find the satisfaction of successfully maintaining the heartiest of corals and fish.
In the meantime, I (still) have a lot of learning to do and goals to create an incredibly stable, healthy environment.
If I ever accomplish 'it' .. the moorish idol will be there!
