gettareef

Hi all! I've been reading blogs from this site for a long time now and figured it was time I share my setup. My tank has been setup now for 8 months. My plan it to create a mixed reef system, SPS dominant. I only have a few corals currently, and want to make sure my system is matured and have been waiting until I get all the equipment I want before adding more coral. This is my first setup so I have been researching and experimenting so I get it all right the first time. My setup includes: x2 250watt MH, T5, and moonlight LED fixture, Aqueon Proflex Model 2 sump using refugium with miracle mud and Chaeto and skimmer (I have the skimmer pump in the first chamber pushing water to the skimmer in the return chamber, outputting water in the bubble filter), AquaC EV-180 skimmer using mag 9.5 pump, 2 mag 7 pumps for return (one goes straight into the return plumbing and the other through my chiller and then to the return plumbing), Pacific Coast 1/10 CL-280 HP Chiller, x2 200 micron filter socks, 2 single deluxe media BRS media reactors using BRS ROX Carbon and BRS high capacity GFO, Vortech MP10, Koralia Evolution 750 and 1050 pumps with Koralia wavemaker, JBJ ATO, Finnex titanium heater, started with BRS dry Pukani, Tonga Branch, Figi, and Reef Saver rock (95 lbs total), Carib Sea's Special Grade dry Reef sand, use Reef Crystals Reef salt, and have/use RODI water. Livestock: Royal Gramma Basslet, x2 blue/green Chromis, Lawnmower Blenny, Six-line Wrasse, Orange Ocellaris Clown, Black Ocellaris Clown, Powder Blue Tang (my fav fish), Black Longspine Urchin, Pencil Urchin, Brittle Star, Blue Linckia star, tons and tons of snails/crabs, and used a few POD starter kits to help mature tank. Weekly I test parameters using refractometer, Salifert kits, Red Sea kits, and Hanna Checkers. I have a strict maintenance routine and conduct 15 gallon water changes weekly. Currently (and for quite a while now) my parameters have all been in check. Before I start to add more coral to my system I want to add a Cadlights Biopellet reactor using BRS biopellets and APEX controller. With Christmas coming up I think I will have these items. I have not started to dose Calcium, Alk, or Mag yet because my levels stay consistent and in check. I think this is due to my lack of coral to use up Calcium and Alk. What do you think?
My plan is to not add much more livestock....maybe 2-3 more fish. Once thr system is ready, I will slowly add several SPS coral (birdsnest being my fav) and various LPS and softies. I also want to add a RBTA for my clowns. My current corals consist of a zoa rock, ricordea, orange plate, smalll green Acro (with great growth so far), a few Acans from Cherry Corals, bubble coral, and a Hiatian Anemone (very happy). I have had a few corals die but other corals very happy so want to add anything new slowly. I also would like to add a MP40 ES but want to many other things at the moment to make that big purchase. I haven't made the jump to LEDs yet as I would like more time to pass to see reviews and for prices to drop. I posted some pictures on this post of my system, filtration, and close-ups. Please feel free to comment on my setup, any suggestions or questions, or advice. Now that I have a post of my setup, I'm excited to have the place where I can seek help for any upgrades, problems, or just updates of my system. It is great to have a place with so many people who are experienced and successful in this hobby who can help us NOOBS. Thank you all for reading and a special thanks to Melev for creating this great site ~ Dustin Getta