TimmyB770's SPS Reef

October 2009 Tank of the Month · #1

TimmyB770's SPS Reef

Introduction

I started my first reef tank 4 years ago with a 55 gallon soft coral dominated tank while living in Florida. After keeping the tank for a couple of years I moved the entire set-up to Michigan. Over time the tank evolved into a more SPS dominated reef. Equipment was upgraded over time eliminating the wet dry filtration in favor refugium. The skimmer was upgraded from a Coralifeto a Reef Octopus 180 and finally to the present ATI BubbleMaster 250. Flow was upgraded via 2 Vortech MP40s and finally in 2008 the tank was upgraded to the current 120 gallon that you see here today.

My career motorcycle mechanic for a touring race team puts me on the road sometimes for months at a time. In my absence my mother, Dawn, provides the substantial care that his delicate collection of corals demand.

The Tank

The tank is a standard 120 gallon 48" by 24" by 24" Allglass aquarium fitted with Eshoppes overflow. Water is returned from the 50 gallon sump via aDanner Magdrive 1200. Flow in the display is provided by 2 Vortech MP40s. The substantial demand for calcium and Alkalinity is handled by a GEO 624

Calcium Reactor controlled by a Pinpoint Ph controller. I run carbon and GFO actively through a pair of Two Little Fishies reactors. Evaporationis replaced by a Reef Fanatic auto top-off fed from 5 gallon aquarium. Lighting is provided by 2 250 watt Radium 20K bulbs fitted in Lumenarc reflectors and driven by a Bluewave 7 ballast. Due to the very blue color of the Radiums I don't have a need for actinic supplementation. The tank also receives some natural sunlight at certain points of the day. All water that goes into the system is filtered through an RO/DI.

Inhabitants

Although my tank has a mix of corals, the real focus however is on the substantial population of SPS corals including Purple Monster, ORA Pearlberry, Strawberry Fields among others. Along with the plentiful SPS corals there is an abundance of zoas and palys including Carlito's Alien Eyes, Tubb's Blue zoas, and People Eaters. LPS corals include a large frogspawn which hosts his pair of Percula Clowns.

Corals

Acropora tenius

Acropora vermiculata

ORA Pearlberry

Tyree Steve Elias Stag

ORA Turquois Stag

Acropora Turaki

Acropora Tortuosa

Yellow Tort

Oregon Tort

Purple Monster

Purple Bonsai

Strawberry Fields

Acropora Millepora

Numerous unnamed acropora species

Super montipora

Montipora digitata

Sunrise Montipora

Seasons Greetings Montipora

Montipora capricornus

Red Montipora Danae

Montipora Spongodes

Assorted Seritapora (Bird's Nests)

Pocillapora

Many varieties of Zoanthids and Palythoas

Euphylia

Green open brain coral

Aussie Duncans

Fish

Hawaiian Flame wrasse trio

Yellow Coris wrasse

Yellow tang

Hippo Tang

Chevron Tang

Scopas Tang

Percula Clownfish-pair

Mandarin Dragonet

Maintenance Routine & Feeding

I perform a 10% water changes weekly with Reef Crystals salt. Carbon and gfo are changed every 14 days. The tank is fed twice a day a variety of foods including Mysid Shrimp, Nori, Homemade concoction and Rods Food. Amino acids, potassium, vitamin c, and iron are also dosed.

I would like to than CaptiveReefs for the honor of being the first TOTM. I would also like to thank fellow reefer JimC for his support and inspiration. I would also like to give a very big thanks to my Mom without whom my beautiful reef would not be possible.