Stolireef
Active member
As many of you know, I finally gave up a couple of months ago and decided to start the tank over. For reasons that I can't explain, my original approach to build an SPS dominated reef was a failure. It wasn't for a lack of solid equipment or, as far as I can tell, poor husbandry. As a result, I've torn down the tank and I'm in the process of a full cleaning.
This thread will document my process of restarting the tank. It has been said that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result. With that in mind, the new tank will be set up with a few basic concepts in mind that vary quite a bit from my current mess.
1. I want the widest variety of small fauna in the tank including a highly diverse bacterial and critter population. In order to achieve this, rather than going with either dry rock or artificial live rock (such as Real Reef), I'm going with stuff from the ocean. I still haven't decided on the makeup but it will likely include some rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater, some Figi, and perhaps some Tonga. I may use some dry pieces but at least 50% of the rock will have seen an ocean. I know opinions vary on this but my past experiences suggest this as the best route for me.
2. Water chemistry and salt. In the tank I'm tearing down, I went for maximum parameters wherever possible. I kept Ca at about 450, kH at over 10, Mg at 1350. This was accomplished primarily with salt mix and a Ca reactor. The salt I was using was artificial and high on all levels. In the new tank, I plan to sacrifice some growth pacing and run Ca at around 400, kH at around 9-10 (but very stable) and let Mg go where it wants to. I really think that when you try to maintain maximum levels, you are subject to larger fluctuations that are incompatible with a healthy tank. I will also switch to something like either Reef Crystals or even IO for salt. KISS on this will be the word of the day. I will still use my Ca reactor but will likely run it less aggressively.
3. Nutrient Levels: I intend to approach this tank with a fairly standard Berlin method for nutrient control. I will still skim and run a refugium. That said, the sand will play almost no part in nutrient control. I plan on crushed coral for the sandbed and it will be no more than 1" deep. I want to be able to siphon it when I do water changes and you can't do that with oolitic sand. I'll live without sand sifting fish.
4. Flow: I currently have top of the line pumps for flow and will continue to use the same. They include 3 Tunze Stream 6095's and an MP40. Since the goal is an SPS dominated tank, the goal will be to eliminate dead spots to the greatest degree possible.
5. Rockscape: I'd rather have somewhat fewer but larger coral heads. I also want to encourage flow (see 4 above). Thus, would like to build three islands of rock with as much lateral surface area and as little shading as possible.
6. Lighting: I plan to stick with what I know works. My current fixture may be replaced (still not sure on this) with a mogul MH system that can support two 400W radiums. I haven't decided on whether I want to use just the halides or supplement with T5's. I know I can be successful with my current lighting but I still don't think anything beats the 400W Radiums.
7. Regular Sacrifices: Over the past two years, I have been lax about performing the appropriate sacrifices to the gods of reef keeping. Obviously, they have made their displeasure known. Going forward, I plan to regularly offer a virgin glass of scotch along with a lamb of its first year to Neptune. (Just checking if you're still reading this wall of text).
Let me know what you think.
This thread will document my process of restarting the tank. It has been said that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result. With that in mind, the new tank will be set up with a few basic concepts in mind that vary quite a bit from my current mess.
1. I want the widest variety of small fauna in the tank including a highly diverse bacterial and critter population. In order to achieve this, rather than going with either dry rock or artificial live rock (such as Real Reef), I'm going with stuff from the ocean. I still haven't decided on the makeup but it will likely include some rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater, some Figi, and perhaps some Tonga. I may use some dry pieces but at least 50% of the rock will have seen an ocean. I know opinions vary on this but my past experiences suggest this as the best route for me.
2. Water chemistry and salt. In the tank I'm tearing down, I went for maximum parameters wherever possible. I kept Ca at about 450, kH at over 10, Mg at 1350. This was accomplished primarily with salt mix and a Ca reactor. The salt I was using was artificial and high on all levels. In the new tank, I plan to sacrifice some growth pacing and run Ca at around 400, kH at around 9-10 (but very stable) and let Mg go where it wants to. I really think that when you try to maintain maximum levels, you are subject to larger fluctuations that are incompatible with a healthy tank. I will also switch to something like either Reef Crystals or even IO for salt. KISS on this will be the word of the day. I will still use my Ca reactor but will likely run it less aggressively.
3. Nutrient Levels: I intend to approach this tank with a fairly standard Berlin method for nutrient control. I will still skim and run a refugium. That said, the sand will play almost no part in nutrient control. I plan on crushed coral for the sandbed and it will be no more than 1" deep. I want to be able to siphon it when I do water changes and you can't do that with oolitic sand. I'll live without sand sifting fish.
4. Flow: I currently have top of the line pumps for flow and will continue to use the same. They include 3 Tunze Stream 6095's and an MP40. Since the goal is an SPS dominated tank, the goal will be to eliminate dead spots to the greatest degree possible.
5. Rockscape: I'd rather have somewhat fewer but larger coral heads. I also want to encourage flow (see 4 above). Thus, would like to build three islands of rock with as much lateral surface area and as little shading as possible.
6. Lighting: I plan to stick with what I know works. My current fixture may be replaced (still not sure on this) with a mogul MH system that can support two 400W radiums. I haven't decided on whether I want to use just the halides or supplement with T5's. I know I can be successful with my current lighting but I still don't think anything beats the 400W Radiums.
7. Regular Sacrifices: Over the past two years, I have been lax about performing the appropriate sacrifices to the gods of reef keeping. Obviously, they have made their displeasure known. Going forward, I plan to regularly offer a virgin glass of scotch along with a lamb of its first year to Neptune. (Just checking if you're still reading this wall of text).
Let me know what you think.
