This video takes viewers on a field trip to Nathan's impressive 200-gallon mixed reef tank, which has been thriving for five years. The host, from Tidal Gardens, highlights Nathan's unique approach to coral collecting and husbandry, focusing on aquacultured specimens and a robust, automated system. The tour delves into the tank's filtration, dosing, water change routines, and lighting, offering insights into maintaining a densely packed SPS-dominant reef.
Nathan's mature 200-gallon mixed reef (Aquarium and Glass Exhibits, ~300 gal total system) is densely packed with giant SPS colonies and acts as a frag/collection system. It runs a tight two-part dosing regimen backed by an Alkatronic, a continuous 7 gal/day water change carrying magnesium, and a skimmer with a CO2 scrubber that raised pH and accelerated growth. Nathan abandoned ultra-low-nutrient methods (GFO, bio pellets), now running nitrate ~15 ppm and phosphate ~.15 ppm for better coral extension.
Runs soda lime media on skimmer air intake to raise pH near 8.3, which boosted calcium/alkalinity uptake and coral growth — required upping the two-part dose.
Pulled GFO and bio pellet reactors after LPS, mushrooms, and zoanthids melted; running nitrate ~15 and phosphate ~.15 gives better growth and extension.
Nathan's 200-Gallon Mixed Reef — Full Equipment List
$520
est. build cost
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Lighting
AI
Sol Blue
Display light
🏋️ 8-year workhorse
Eight years over the display running just three LED colors — ancient spec by fixture standards, yet the SPS underneath keep coloring up.
