Tank 01
MidnightReef's 200-gallon tank
200
Gallons
mixed reef
Style
42
Months Old
72" x 28" x 24"
John's 200-gallon mixed reef, known as MidnightReef, is a stunning and meticulously maintained peninsula tank in New York. It features a diverse coral collection, including SPS, LPS, and soft corals, supported by a complex lighting system of AI Hydras, Kessils, and ReefBrite XHOs. The tank's stability is achieved through a unique dosing regimen combining a calcium reactor, kalkwasser, and a doser, alongside an automatic daily water change system and robust filtration including mangroves in a refugium.
Lighting
Aqua Illumination Hydra 32 ×4 $701.99in stock, 
Kessil ×4 $39.00in stock, 
Reef Brite XHO 50/50 ×2 $359.73in stockSkimmer
Bashsea
Flow
Controller
Neptune Systems Apex $989.99in stockDosing
calcium reactor, doser, kalkwasser
Filtration
refugium, roller mat, filter sock
Water Changes
Automatic 2 gallons daily (1% of tank volume) at night using a Fretz system.
Feeding
Seaweed every morning; frozen food (Pets from Benereefs) four times a week in the evening.
Husbandry & Practices
15
- Lighting scheme evolved from AI 32s to include ReefBrite XHO 50/50 strips and Kessil lights for intensity and shimmer.
- Flow was initially challenging in the peninsula tank, starting with MP40s and Jebao pumps, then transitioning to MP60s for varied flow.
- Uses AB+ to test water flow patterns in the tank.
- Maintains a mixed reef, despite a perception of being SPS dominant, with a love for soft corals, torches, and elegance corals.
- Rescued a nearly dead Acropora that regrew with two colors.
- Has a burgundy coral that is three and a half years old, originating from a fish-only tank transition.
- Has a Green Slimer Acropora that is about two years old and grows continuously.
- Clownfish host in a leather coral and tend to stay in one corner.
- Acquired clams from Clam Mania at Reefapalooza.
- Utilizes a calcium reactor, kalkwasser, and a doser with AWC to maintain stable parameters and counteract pH fluctuations from the calcium reactor.
- Feeds seaweed every morning and frozen food four times a week.
- Maintains nitrates between 15-25 ppm, preferring no less than 10 ppm and no more than 30 ppm.
- Aims for phosphates at 0.08 ppm or below.
- Grows mangroves in the refugium for nutrient export, which are about four years old.
- Uses a roller mat, filter sock, and additional floss for mechanical filtration.
Target Parameters
Alk
8.5dKH
Ca
400ppm
Mg
1400ppm
NO₃
15-25 ppm
PO₄
0.08 ppm
Corals
14
AcroporaMontiporaLeptoserisTorchesElegance coralPaletta Pink Tip AcroporaCandy Cane coral (purple with neon green)Pandora's Pales ZoanthidsLeather coralEuphylliaGreen Slimer AcroporaRactis mushrooms (orange with neon green)Holy Grail TorchNeon Green Torch
Fish
5
Pyramid ButterflyfishBlonde Naso TangPowder Blue TangConvict TangClownfish
Inverts
1
Clams (light blue, dark blue)
