I'd like to start by thanking Captive Reefs for featuring my tank as tank of the month. I've been in the saltwater hobby since 1983. I started with a 65-gallon tank and fish. Now I'm up to a 186 gallon tank full of SPS. It's been a long journey, but well worth it in my opinion. This tank is the fruit of all the years of work and experiences I've accumulated, that and all the help available online now.
The system was set up in 2005, it was designed to be an sps tank. The display tank is 186-gallons, with dimensions of 56" x 32" x 24". It's a custom made acrylic peninsula tank. The system includes a 75-gallon sump, a 30 gallon fuge, and a 20 gallon chaeto tank.
Equipment & Maintenance
Flow: Running a Reeflo Dart for the return.
6205 Tunze stream oscillating on a wavy sea
6105 Tunze stream also oscillating on a wavy sea
6105 Tunze stream in Tunze rock
Lighting: I'm running a 10 bulb ATI T5 power module with a combo of ATI Blue + and Aqua Blue special. Lighting is on for 10 hours a day
Filtration: I use 100-micron filter socks that are changed two or three times a week.
I run a Precision Marine Bullet II Skimmer and do 10% water changes weekly.
Supplements: I don't add any supplements except Iodide weekly.
I run two Calcium Reactors, one a Precision Marine 6-inch monster with
Reborn Calcium Media. The second reactor, a Korralin S1502 is filled with
Dolomite for magnesium.
The reason for two reactors is that the dolomite doesn't dissolve without achieving a much lower ph level in the reactor.
I utilize two ph controllers to maintain proper ph levels in my reactors.
Water Parameters: Calcium 460
Alk 8
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Mag 1400
Specific Gravity 1.026
Temp 78-80
Ph 7.7-8.0
Feeding: I feed once a day with a homemade coral and fish food. It's a frozen blend of goodies for the whole tank.
Inhabitants
In summary, I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of my tank, and if you have any questions feel free to ask away. Thanks again to Captive Reefs.
Added by jimsflies:
Putting together a Tank of the Month article and photos takes a lot of work, and as appreciation for Bob's efforts, he received a $25 gift certificate from Amazon Stingrays. Thanks Bob for sharing your tank with us and thank Amazon Stingrays for your support!