230 Gallon Reef Tank photo's

[tjsailosullivan]

Can you tell us more about your set up please? Your water parameters, maintenance routine, ... ?

No problem, the main Tank volume is around 230 gallons. I have a very consistant routine now.

--Water changes--
I few months ago I was doing weekly 35 gallon (Rubbermaid trashcan) water changes using reef crystals, but now I have since switched to once every two weeks. I personally think it adds a little more to stability. I also use a milwaukee digital salinity tester (Calabrate evey time I use it to be safe) and keep my salinity around 1.026.

--Filter bags--
I change my filter bags around once a week or until they look like they are about to overflow.

--Skimmer--
Clean the skimmer next every couple days with a cake icing spreader.

--Testing--
Very frequently as my parameters are always end up reading around the same.
PO4 - Less than 1
ALK - 8
Nitrate - Undetectable
Calcium - 400
-- I use a Geo calcium reactor and monitor the reactors PH via a PH proble and keep it around 6.8. I also use an auto top of via Kalkwasser mix to keep the main tank volume PH up since I am using a Calcium Reactor. I also have a small amount of Mag media in the reactor as well.

--RO/DI unit---
I change my filter, carbon, DI unit every 4-6 months. The main membrane is changed once a year. I found that the water local quality here is really bad (high Alk) and if I dont keep up with this it will cause all kinds of problems. Water is also ran through a water softner before the RO/DI unit.

--Refugium--
Remove algae as when needed.

--Additives via GHL doser-- I am always sort of experimenting with this trying different supplements. So far what I am using seems to be working very well.
-- Acro power
-- Tech M
-- Kent Iodine
-- Kent Strontium

Hope this helps.

Tim

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Very nice. I like the scape.

Thanks!

Very nice. Really like the scaping. :beer:

Thanks!

 

[reefmutt]

When you said 'P04- less than 1' did you mean po4 less than .1?

 

[tjsailosullivan]

When you said 'P04- less than 1' did you mean po4 less than .1?

Yes, definately want it less than 1.

I really dont worry to much about my phosphate unless there is an algae breakout/problem. With my feeding routine and water changes its always maintains itself around the same range. Less than 1 and I am actually reading about .2 this morning via hanna checker.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

This shows once again that we should not be obsessed with magic numbers (e.g. < 0.03) and should certainly not chase them. Corals are best indicators for what is ideal. I guess in your case, 0.2 unit what you target.

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Made a short Iphone video today on the right and left sides of the tank. Just one of those days were I look at the tank and really like how things are growing (most SPS started from small frags about 1 1/2 years ago) and thought I would share. Best if viewed in HD. Hope you enjoy.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Nb-i23AUm6U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[reefmutt]

Very nice!
... But how long, really, do you think you can keep us hanging without a full frontal??

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Very nice!
... But how long, really, do you think you can keep us hanging without a full frontal??

I was about ask the same...

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Ok you guys talked me into it. However, my favorite views are still the top and the sides. I taken this one at night so unfortunately most of the fish are sleeping (Turned the lights on for the shoot) and trying out a new GoPro Hero 4 silver. Still figuring out what color settings it needs to be on so if anyone has any tips using this please let me know.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SPFnp3_8Ot4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[reefmutt]

Looking great!
Love the top down video.
Thanks!

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Looking great!
Love the top down video.
Thanks!

Thanks, I think I finally figured out the right settings on the GoPro. One more top down, this one is a little better than the previous.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wlcvo0r_mbY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[rovster]

Love this. Kudos for you for showing the restraint to not load it up with a ton of frags. It will only get better with time! Those slimer colonies are impressive. Any pics if them when you first got them?

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Love this. Kudos for you for showing the restraint to not load it up with a ton of frags. It will only get better with time! Those slimer colonies are impressive. Any pics if them when you first got them?

Thanks, I do forsee some problems coming down the pipeline with some colonies I have about ready to grow into each other or shadow over them. This one is probably one of my earlier pictures when they were smaller.

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Been a while since I had an update on this Tread so figured I would share the progress. Corals have grown and the last few months and colors have really bounced back.

 

[markalot]

Nice, looks great. Thanks for the update!

 

[michael.lemke]

Nicely done. I have almost the same size tank. Which led do you think has more punch? The bmled or the reefbright?

 

[Gmerek2]

what is the red SPS? so sharp

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Thanks Mark!

Michael-I would have to say the BMLED has a brighter punch over my reefbrite. It even slightly makes a difference with the radion's on as well. The reefbrite however still provides a different actinic color and is a little more of a direct spotlight effect since the one I have has no lense to spread the light.

The red on the right side of the tank is a fire red digitada. Love that one as well! The picture doesn't capture how red it really is.

 

[tjsailosullivan]

Playing with the Iphone and a pair of rayban sunglasses today. Seems to filter the colors much better by just holding my glasses infront of my camera. Still wish I could get some pro photo shots someday. Anyone who can capture some good photos and happens to be in Ohio please let me know.