350-Gal Custom Mixed Reef (1 Viewer)

[Theg001]

Hey Everybody,

I'm finally getting around to putting up some recent shots of the 350-gal system we've had running in the family room for about 5 1/2 years. It's come a long way, but is still a work in progress. In the last couple years, we've overcome a Majano infestation and now are slowly fighting back the tide of red slime algae (a perpetual problem in this system). This spring my dad re-vamped the filtration system, adding a Korallin Sulphur Biodenitrator and a Reef Octopus Triple 12 Recirculating protein skimmer (to replace the MRC-3 skimmer [still for sale]). We are now running these two new fixtures alongside a wet/dry sump, refugium, Aqua 80-watt UV sterilizer, and Coralife Aqua-Chill 1 HP chiller. The filtration upgrade this spring has kicked many of the corals into a rapid growth spurt, but failed to eliminate the red slime. Our next big step is to fit the system with two 24-inch DIY LED panels to replace the currently-existing custom 150W halide and actinic hood. Pictures of all the mechanical development to come. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Livestock:
3 x Squarespot Anthias
1 x Atlantic Blue Tang
1 x Sailfin Tang
1 x Onespot Foxface
2 x Ocellaris Clownfish (female is a Misbar)
2 x Royal Gramma
1 x Leatherjacket Filefish (the solution to the Majano infestation)
1 x Red Firefish
1 x Lawnmower Blenny
1 x Red Mandarinfish
1 x Sixline Wrasse
1 x Cleaner Wrasse
1 x Pajama Cardinalfish

Corals:
Toadstool Leather Coral
Devil's Hand Leather Coral
Green & Pink Tipped Frogspawn
Multi-color Tipped Hammer Coral
Carribean Ricordeas
Purple Undata Monti
Pocillopora (Brown and Rainbow)
Chalices (JNS Watermelon, Sky Blue, Tyree Brick Red, etc.)
Superman Montipora (morphed into Pokerstar Monti)
Candy Cane Caulastreas (Green, Purple, and Mint Chip)
Atlantis Meteor Shower Cyphastrea,
Fungia Plates
Pink Maxi-Mini Anemone
War Scolymia
Mixed Zoanthids
Mixed Mushrooms Polyps
ETC....

FTS:

Hammer Euphyllia

Ricordea Garden (Green, Orange, and Blue)

Tyree Brick Red Chalice (potentially GI on frags)

Toadstool:

Male Anthias:

 

[rihanssu]

that anthias pic is awesome! if we have a fish contest or a new calender you should enter it

 

[Adam G]

That Anthias pic would make a great caption contest. Looks like he is trying to give you the eye for some food.

 

[Theg001]

Thanks guys :beerchug: If he's not busy chasing the females, he's usually eyeing whoever's observing the tank.

 

[David Grigor]

Have you pulled out the media in the wet dry. It's counter productive to what you trying to do with the skimmer/denitrator combo. Bio balls are so efficient at converting waste to nitrates that its converted before your skimmer has a chance to pull the waste out. Once becomes nitrates skimmer really doesn't help. Thus puts more load on your denitrator.

If it's been up and running for a couple of years, probably could use a series of 50% water changes to help get thing back in line to help combat the cyano.

Anthias that require lots of feeding doesn't help either. Likely phosphates are much higher than should be.

 

[shane]

Very nice setup
:beerchug:

 

[reeffamily]

love the tank and make sure you update it after the slim leaves.not sure i understand the bio ball statement. I have used them on every reef tank since 1983. never have a nitrate problem. on a low range scale nitrates are undetectable in all my tanks. guess i'm just not a believer in that.