New, or Returning.

[therover8511]

I have recently returned to reef keeping after a long hiatus. A decade. A new home, and a stable power-grid. I Previously had a 40-gallon tank.

I am looking for recommendations on livestock, coral, and perhaps equipment. Tank has been running currently since April of 2021.
At some point I will most likely add Dosing Pumps if needed.

Also considering a second display for mangroves close to my tank using the same sump. Any thoughts?

Currently have a Waterbox Frag 85.3.
Running an Apex system.
Radeon XR30 G5 Blue.
One Vortech MP40.
Neptune Return Pump.
Aquamax Q3 Skimmer.

Livestock:
Sailfin Tang
2 Ocellaris Clown
3 Turbo Snails
Fire Shirmp
Vast array of Hermits.

 

[Timfish]

Persoanlly I'm not much on needing a lot of equipment to maintain systems. Over the decades I've been keeping ssytems and running a small maintenance business my focus has definitely shifted to "trying" to understand the microbial processes and from the research I've stumbled across I'd argue it's far more important (a nod to PaulB). Here's some videos I'd recommend:

"Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas" This video compliments Rohwer's book of the same title (Paper back is ~$20, Kindle is ~$10), both deal with the conflicting roles of the different types of DOC in reef ecosystems. While there is overlap bewteen his book and the video both have information not covered by the other and together give a broader view of the complex relationships found in reef ecosystems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R2BMEfQGjU

Changing Seas - Mysterious Microbes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7hsp0dENEA

Nitrogen cycling in hte coral holobiont
https://youtu.be/DWItFGRQJL4

BActeria and Sponges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oLDclO7UcM

Maintenance of Coral Reef Health (refferences at the end)
https://youtu.be/dGIPveFJ_0Q

Optical Feedback Loop in Colorful Coral Bleaching
https://youtu.be/oadKezUYkJE

Richard Ross What's up with phosphate"
https://youtu.be/ZRIKW-9d2xI

 

[sivob]

Rover......why Mangroves and not chaeto? I'm getting back into the hobby and I'm researching refugiums.

 

[therover8511]

Rover......why Mangroves and not chaeto? I'm getting back into the hobby and I'm researching refugiums.

I was looking to make a display. Aqua scape. I have an area next to my tank which would be great to display. It was really just a thought really havent dived into it much.

 

[Timfish]

Here's one of my systems with a mangrove, they can be a fascinating addition or extension of the aquascaping. Keep in mind they compete with corals for magnesium carbonate so keep a closer eye on it. SPritzing them frequently with fresh water should help reduce their need to use it to filter out the salt in hte aquarium water.

220 Rimless 450° view
https://youtu.be/aCRYfIZs8N8