Here is a description of Randy's truly spectacular 300 gallon reef tank.

Tank:
The tank is a 300 gallon polished glass tank manufactured by Lemar. It's 96" long x 30" wide x 24" high. This tank has been setup since April 1999 and replaced an established 90 gal mixed reef tank that had been in operation for four years. There is a 60 gal acrylic tank utilized as a sump. The stand was built by me utilizing 4x4s, 2x6s, and ¾" plywood shear walls. Lateral bracing and torsional bracing was added since I live in earthquake country and all connections made with Simpson ties. The canopy was built by me utilizing 1x12s and 2x4s. The top is open and 2x4s stretch the distance where the lights are attached. There are five 3" fans in the canopy. All wood was water sealed prior to use and finished with fleck stone paint.

Filtration/Circulation:
Main circulation is provided by an Iwaki 40 RLXT (1200 gph), while four Gemini pumps (960 gph each) on timers provide alternating currents. This results in a brisk current in the tank. A seaswirl will be used to provide oscillating motion in the very near future. There is ~300 pounds of LR in the tank at the moment. I used a mixture of Fiji, Marshall, Savaii, and Tonga to provide good biodiversity and provide me more aquascaping options. I utilized a mixture of No.1 sand and aragonite to provide a 2-4 inch sand bed that is literally teeming with life. There is an AquaC EV200 protein skimmer powered by a Sedra 1200 that is run continuously. There is a homemade calcium reactor modeled after the MTC ProCal that is run continuously (using SuperCalc Gold) to maintain calcium levels and alkalinity. All evaporation (~5 gal/day) is replenished using kalkwasser. Activated carbon is utilized as needed to maintain clear water.

Water Parameters:
SG 1.026
Ca 425-450 ppm
Alk 3.5-4.5 ppm (typically ~4 ppm or 11.2 dkH)
pH 8.15 - 8.30 (over the course of the day - measured via Pinpoint monitor)
Temp 77-79 (Fall, Winter, Spring), 78-83 (Summer) - No chiller used
PO4/NO4 Undetectable (I don't test for NH4, NO3)

Lighting:
I recently (11/29/00) upgraded my lighting. I now am using 4-400w MHs (PFOs & Iwasaki 6500K bulbs) along with 4-160w VHO actinics (URI) powered by 2-icecap 660 electronic ballasts. I plan to run the actinics for 14 hrs/day and the MHs for 10 hrs/day. Since I just upgraded, I am only running the MHs for 4 hrs/day and will ramp up 1 hr/day/week over the next 6 weeks to get me to my final photoperiod. My old lighting system consisted of 4-160w actinics (14 hrs), 5-250w MHs (3 on for 12 hrs and 2 more for 10 hrs)

Cleanup Crew:
The heart of the cleaning system is provided by an enthusiastic cleanup crew. These guys are invaluable! There is an assortment of ~350 hermit crabs (Scarlet, Blue-legged, Red-legged, & Left-handed), ~200 snails (Trochus, Aestrea, Nassarius, & Margaritas), 8 Tigertail cucumbers (Holuthuria thomasi), 12 peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), 6 cleaner shrimp (L.amboinensis), 2 fire shrimp (L.debelius) and 6 brittle/serpent stars. There are several Fromia spp. Starfish and Linckia laevigata but these are more decorative than anything else.

Fish:
The tank contains a heavy bioload due to another of my tanks melting down (Thank you Rio) forcing me to add livestock to the 300 gal. YOU try and get these fish out!

The two largest banggai cardinals are a breeding pair that carry about six batches a year and the other two are offspring that could not be caught that have grown to adult size in the tank. A local store, Octopuss' Garden, buys all the babies that I can give them and all the coral frags that I manage to break.

The two largest green chromis spawn on a continual basis in the left rear of the tank and the ocellaris pair were showing signs of spawning that has ceased since the emergency addition of the maroon clown. All attempts to capture that maroon have failed to date - but there's always tomorrow!)

The flame angel is the grandpa of the tank having lived the last 9 years of its life in captivity. Before that, God only knows! Next in line would be the royal gramma that has been with me about six years.

Corals:
The tank is heavily dominated by hard corals, which is ironic since I swore that they were "boring" just three years ago and much-preferred softies. I only started maintaining sps in early 2000. Go figure!

Current residents:

For more pictures and information visit
Randy's Reef Zone