Nathan's Mixed Reef

Gear in this tank

Lighting

Aqua Illumination Sol Blues $42.99in stock, Orphek Atlantik $794.75in stock

Controller

Alkatronic $584.99in stock

Dosing

two-part

Filtration

refugium, filter sock, protein skimmer

Water Changes

7 gallons daily via continuous water change system

Protocols & Practices

• The tank is a mixed reef, heavily loaded with giant SPS colonies.
• Corals are aquacultured from local hobbyists whenever possible for hardiness and pest prevention.
• The system includes a plumbed-in frag tank and a large sump, bringing total volume to around 300 gallons.
• A large quantity of live rock is used, with coral growth extensively covering and reshaping the aquascape.
• Calcium and alkalinity are maintained with a two-part dosing solution injected daily by dosing pumps.
• An Alkatronic unit monitors alkalinity and provides minor adjustments, with safety features to prevent overdosing.
• Magnesium is supplemented by adding it to the pre-mixed saltwater used for continuous water changes.
• A continuous water change system removes 7 gallons daily and replaces it with fresh saltwater over several hours.
• The sump includes a refugium section for nutrient processing and microfauna propagation.
• A CO2 scrubber is installed on the protein skimmer's air intake to raise tank pH to around 8.3.
• Raising pH with the CO2 scrubber increased coral uptake of calcium and alkalinity, requiring higher dosing.
• Bio pellet and GFO reactors were removed due to dissatisfaction with ultra-low nutrient methodologies.
• Current nitrate levels are around 15 ppm and phosphate around 0.15 ppm, promoting better coral growth.
• Water flow is primarily provided by gyre powerheads, with a small return pump.
• The main display uses AI Sol Blues LEDs that have been running for 8 years.
• The frag tank uses an Orphek Atlantik LED fixture for good coral coloration.

Target Parameters

Livestock