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squall15
09/10/2012, 06:00 PM
Hello All,

I have been lurking in these forms for about 4 months now, but I just joined and I am posting my first post.

My Reef tank is 5 months old this week! There have been many ups and downs, but right now I have to say that I am really starting to enjoy the tank instead of worrying about it everyday. I have a few pictures listed below and I was wondering if you all can let me know what you think. How does it look? Do you see any problems that I don't? And finally an reassurance that I am doing a good job would be great. Here is a break down of the tank specs:

36 gal bowfront tank
10 gal sump
Eshopps cone protein skimmer s-120
MP-10 powerhead
HOB refugium bare bottom with chaeto
T5 lighting, 4 bulbs with moonlights (will be upgrading to LED in about a month)
Two Phosban 150 reactors one with GFO and one with Carbon
Auto Top Off with Two Little Fishies KW 300 reactor
UV Sterilizer
Apex Lite Controller

Only Supplements I use are B-Ionic 2 Part system

Parameters:
Ammonia =0
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0
Temp = 78.2
PH = 8.3
Cal = 390
Alk = 3.3
Mag = 1320
Phosphates = 0
Salinity = 1.025

Thanks for the input in advance. I have been keeping tanks most of my life and the first job I ever had was in a LFS, but I never did anything with reef tanks before this one.

Any feedback is good feedback so be as harsh as needed.

TucanSam007
09/10/2012, 06:28 PM
Hey, great looking tank so far! I was in the same boat as you, worked at a lfs, only kept fresh and brackish tanks, but when you have a passion to learn and research this hobby, you can get there fast. When you have colored up sps 5 weeks in, you know your doing your homework. Keep up the good work, your equipment list looks solid, possibly raise your cal to 420 or so.

Agu
09/10/2012, 06:40 PM
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Looking good ..... Congrats

kfisc
09/10/2012, 06:58 PM
Very nice! It's very clean looking, as well. Nice work.

Sethjamto
09/10/2012, 07:04 PM
Good looking tank!!

chrisfont23
09/10/2012, 07:14 PM
Wow. That looks real nice. And clean :) Nice job!

squall15
09/10/2012, 08:52 PM
Thanks for the feedback!! I try to keep it as clean as I can. Honestly my CUC does most of the work I just take care of the glass. Weekly water changes I think are the key and never cleaning any of the alge that grows in the in the refugium I think helps keep it out of the tank.

As far as the calcium goes it has always been a struggle. I have never been able to keep it above 400. I drip Kalk and use a two part system but the tank just wants to stay around 390 no matter what I do. I even tried 3 different brands of salt.

hando562
09/11/2012, 01:59 PM
Nice looking! Kalk will maintain calcium it won't raise it. Raise it with bi-onic then drip kalk.

Fretfreak13
09/11/2012, 02:04 PM
Very nice! Love the big leather <3

MrTuskfish
09/11/2012, 02:25 PM
I'd sure get a QT and plan to use it.

supermancrv
09/11/2012, 03:30 PM
It looks nice and clean I like the rockwork.

squall15
09/11/2012, 04:12 PM
Thanks all!!! I would love to get a QT, but I think my wife would shoot me, lol. She loves the hobby and I am very lucky that she really doesn't mind when I spend money or time on it, she just hates when it takes up more room in the house.

As far as the Kalk goes, I both Drip and use a two part solution to try to bring my Ca up. Maybe I should double to dosage on the B-Ionic for a while and see if that works. I just don't want to OD the tank.

And I think that Leather Coral gets bigger every day! I have had to move him 3 times already as he keeps out growing the area I put him in. I might have to do it again as he is getting awfully close to my Hammer Coral.