Tank 01
Andrew's 1000-gallon Mixed Reef
600
Gallons
mixed reef
Style
24
Months Old
8' x 4' x 30"
Andrew's 1000-gallon mixed reef, only two years old, showcases impressive growth from frags. He attributes his success to an abundance of light and flow, consistent large-volume water changes facilitated by an automated closed-loop system, and a large refugium for nutrient export and microfauna sanctuary. Andrew prioritizes ease of maintenance and fish health, opting for a 'plop and drop' approach for new fish and relying on a UV sterilizer.
Lighting
Flow
EcoTech Marine MP60 ×7 $836.99in stock, 
IceCap Gyre 4K ×3, 
EcoTech Marine Vectra L2 ×1 $52.99in stockController
Neptune Systems Apex $989.99in stockDosing
calcium reactor
Filtration
skimmer, refugium
Salt
Instant Ocean $63.74in stockWater Changes
15-20% (150-200 gallons) weekly, automated via closed loop
Feeding
feeds heavy
Husbandry & Practices
13
- Prefers 'too much' light to allow corals to thrive at all depths, including the sandbed.
- Uses a hybrid lighting system with ATI Stratons as the primary light, supplemented by T5s and Reef Brites.
- Employs a high flow strategy with 7 MP60s and 3 IceCap Gyre 4Ks to ensure current reaches all corners and crevices.
- Utilizes a 1-inch closed loop with a Vectra L2 pump for rapid, automated water changes, draining 100 gallons in 5-10 minutes.
- Performs 15-20% (150-200 gallon) water changes weekly, believing they are the 'greatest equalizer' for trace elements and removing unknown foreign bodies.
- Relies on a GEOS Reef calcium reactor for alkalinity and calcium, avoiding two-part dosing due to past issues with imbalances.
- Maintains a 180-gallon refugium from day zero, believing it provides a safe haven for copepods and acts as a safety net for nutrient spikes.
- Uses a UV sterilizer primarily for fish health, specifically to combat the waterborne life cycles of Ich.
- Practices 'plop and drop' for new fish, focusing on feeding them heavily and relying on the UV sterilizer for Ich prevention.
- Does not quarantine fish, finding it stressful for the fish and often unsuccessful in his experience.
- Is meticulous about source water, using a custom RO/DI setup to reduce high Vegas TDS (nearly 500 ppm) and remove silicates and chlorines.
- Planned the tank layout for six months, ensuring all panels and sides are accessible for easy maintenance as a one-man operation.
- Battles heat, with tank temperatures reaching 84-85°F in summer, and plans to add an exhaust vent to the canopy to pull out hot air.
Target Parameters
NO₃
manageable levels of micrograms
PO₄
manageable levels of micrograms
Temp
81.2°F
Corals
3
EuphylliaAcropora milleporaFrogspawn
Fish
2
Copperband ButterflyfishClownfish
Inverts
1
Anemone
