Andrew's 1000-gallon Mixed Reef Aquarium in Las Vegas
by Tidal Gardens
Volume
1,000 gal
Dimensions
8' x 4' x 30"
Tank type
mixed reef
This video tours Andrew's impressive 1000-gallon mixed reef aquarium in Las Vegas, which has achieved significant growth in just two years from frags. Andrew details his husbandry philosophy, emphasizing high light and flow, consistent larg
This video tours Andrew's impressive 1000-gallon mixed reef aquarium in Las Vegas, which has achieved significant growth in just two years from frags. Andrew details his husbandry philosophy, emphasizing high light and flow, consistent large-volume water changes, and the benefits of a large refugium. He also discusses his approach to fish health and automation to simplify maintenance.
Andrew's 1000-gallon Mixed Reef Aquarium in Las Vegas — Full Equipment List
$3,141
est. build cost
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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.
Reported parameters
Nitrate
manageable levels of micrograms
Phosphate
manageable levels of micrograms
Temp (°F)
81.2
I like to put the sun over my aquariums. I like to put too much and then if it's too much I can always move corals down.
Water changes are the answer to everything.
Refugium is an untouched safe haven for those bugs, which means you're going to be able to keep mandarins, you're going to be able to keep your wrasses.
I just kind of plop and drop, feed heavy, hope for the best.
It's a lifestyle, it's not a hobby.
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