Andrew's 1000-gallon Mixed Reef

Gear in this tank

Lighting

Reef Brite ×2 $359.73in stock, ATI Straton, T5 ×4

Flow

EcoTech Marine MP60 ×7 $836.99in stock, IceCap Gyre 4K ×3, EcoTech Marine Vectra L2 ×1 $52.99in stock

Controller

Neptune Systems Apex $989.99in stock

Dosing

calcium reactor

Filtration

skimmer, refugium

Salt

Instant Ocean $63.74in stock

Water Changes

15-20% (150-200 gallons) weekly, automated via closed loop

Feeding

feeds heavy

Protocols & Practices

• 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

Livestock