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Werdlone's Starphire SPS Reef


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  1. #1
    Werdlone - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Clarkston, MI
    Posts
    171
    Awards Tank of the Month

    Default Werdlone's Starphire SPS Reef

    werdlone tank2 - Werdlone's Starphire SPS Reef


    Introduction

    I started with saltwater aquariums when I attended Michigan State University with a 20-gallon in my dorm room with a trigger, porcupine puffer and a lion fish. Then after a long hiatus, I started a 50-gallon breeder soft coral tank after his father-in-law talked him into it. My father-in-law had a soft coral reef tank that I had always admired. I started with a VHO retrofit light setup, some Kenya trees, star polyps, xenia, and mushrooms. With some success, more corals and equipment were added. My setup included a sump with refugium, a superskimmer, RO/DI, and homemade auto top off. Back in those days life was easy, I never tested his water and he only changed his water every 4 weeks.

    I tried my first sps coral with trepidation because he knew they were more challenging and higher maintenance. After adding some SPS, I began regularly testing my water and started topping off with kalkwassar. I became hooked on SPS and started planning an upgrade. I wanted one of "those" tanks you see online that are filled up with beautiful large brilliantly colored colonies. I started searching forums for used equipment sales and collecting the needed equipment for an upgrade which he financed by selling his soft corals. His current tank has been setup since January of 2008.




    The Tank

    150-gallon, 72"x 24"x 20" starphire glass tank by Great Lakes Aquariums. My's tank has a middle 1.5" overflow that runs through a filter sock at the sump. Water is returned from the 100 gallon Rubbermaid sump by a Gen-X pcx 40 pump through two penductors on loc-line. In tank flow is supplied by two Vortech mp40's. The sand bed is 2-inches of carib sea special grade sand. I run a MSX 250 skimmer, GEO 418 calcium reactor, Tunze osmolator top off, and carbon through a Two Little Fishes reactor and GFO through another. Lighting consists of three DE 250 watt Phoenix bulbs in Lumen Max reflectors driven by blue wave HQI ballasts. I also use two 60" VHO super actinic bulbs for actinic supplementation.




    Maintenance

    All water for top off and water changes is treated using a five-chamber Filter Guys RO/DI filter that gets new DI resin if TDS is above 6 ppm. Water changes are performed every 3-4 weeks of 25 gallons (10%) using reef crystals. Carbon is changed every water change and GFO is changed every three months. I run a bacteria driven system using Microbacter7 using four caps full once a week and 2.5 ml's of vodka/vinegar mix daily. I also add Lugols iodine 3 drops daily. I add Seachem Reef Plus to the fish food which has amino acids, vitamin c and various other additives for fish and corals.


    Water Parameters

    Temp 78-80 degrees
    Specific gravity 1.026
    pH 8.1-8.4
    Calcium 430 ppm
    alkalinity 8 dkH
    Magnesium 1400 ppm













    Livestock





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    Last edited by jimsflies; 03-11-2012 at 11:13 PM.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Ann Arbor
    Posts
    381
    Awards Fishbowl Drawing Winner

    Default

    Congrats. Really nice tank!

  3. #3
    thefishgirl - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
    Posts
    1,281
    First Name
    Becky

    Default

    Absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations!!

  4. #4

    Default

    Congrats Andy!!!!

  5. #5
    Cash - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Warren MI
    Posts
    280

    Default

    Congrats Very nice tank and setup

  6. #6
    jimsflies - Reefkeeper
    Admin/Founder

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    11,467
    First Name
    Jim

    Default

    Andy, you have a beautiful tank! I am honored to have you share it with us here on CaptiveReefs.

    I'd love to see some growth progression pictures of your colonies.

  7. #7
    ReeferRob - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    CORAL CITY U.S.A
    Posts
    3,367
    First Name
    Rob
    Awards Photo of the Month

    Default

    Totally awesome tank Andy!! Congrats to you and your hard work.
    "We shouldn't think of an environment where livestock can survive, we should ensure an environment where livestock can thrive."-Rabidgoose
    "If it's gonna be that kinda party, Ima stick my ........ in the mashed potatoes!"-Beastie Boys

  8. #8
    Fishgeek88 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Royal Oak MI
    Posts
    370
    First Name
    Sam

    Default

    Awesome tank congrats!

  9. #9
    CR Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Jerusalem, Israel
    Posts
    13

    Default

    Beautiful tank!!!
    congrats

  10. #10
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    U.P. of Michigan.
    Posts
    8,444
    First Name
    Jamie
    Awards Photo of the Month - October 2012 Photo of the Month Post and Reply Award - Winner of the first PAR Contest. Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default





    I to you!!! Cause your tank makes me

    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

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