I started my 90 gallon reef tank in April of 2000. I purchased this tank to replace my 75 gallon tank but I ended up keeping both tanks.
This tank has had many different rock structures, since it was setup and many battles with various bad algae. Finally, after four years, it has settled down.
Tank and furniture
All Glass 90 gallon tank (48"x24"x24")
All Glass pine stand
Modified All Glass pine canopy
Lighting
PFO dual 250 watt metal Halide ballast
2 x 250 watt 10,000k bulbs
2 x PFO hanging MH fixtures
I have used many different types and light wattages on this tank since it has been setup.
From start until present:
1) Six - 48" 110 watt VHO tubes.
2) Two - 175 watt 10kk metal halides.
3) Same as above with two 110 watt VHO tubes.
4) Two - 250 watt Iwasaki 6500k MH.
5) Same as above with two 110 watt VHO tubes.
6) Same as 4 & 5 plus two more VHO tubes.
7) Two 400 watt Iwasaki 6500k MH.
8) Same as above plus two then four VHO tubes.
9) Various 10kk and 20kk 400 watt MH.
10) Same as above plus two VHO tubes.
11) Back to Two 250 watt Iwasaki 6500 MH.
12) Two 250 watt 10kk XM MH bulbs.
I'm sure I forgot a couple of other lighting setups in between but you get the idea.
The Current setup (#12) seems to be the best yet and believe me, I have tried them all . The XM bulbs have the best look out of all the other MH bulbs that I have used, the coral growth is good and the coloration of my SPS are better than any other combination of bulbs that I have tried. Corals that were brown under the Iwaski's are now green and everything except shrooms and LPS (open brain corals) seem to do very well. The LPS and certain shrooms seem to be getting too much light under the XM bulbs, even when placed at the bottom of the tank.
Filtration
2 x Amiricle hang-on overflow boxes with sponges
Amiricle wet/dry converted to a sump
AquaC EV protein skimmer with Mag 12 pump
I have used a couple of different skimmers on this tank since I started it. I ordered the AquaC unit when I bought the tank but I replaced it with a Precision Marine Bullet after about the one year mark. After using the PM Bullet for three years, I switched back to the AquaC because the Bullet was too hard to take apart and clean. The AquaC seems to be skimmer as well or better than the PM Bullet and it is much easier to maintain.
Water Flow
Mag 9 pump used as return from sump
Mag 18 used in a close loop with two outputs
I have had good luck with the larger Mag pumps and they seem to work well. The closed loop creates a good amount of water movement, even at the lower areas of the tank.
Miscellaneous
C-1502 Korallin Kalkreaktor
Neptune pH meter used with the calcium reactor
Medusa digital temperature controller
Neptune Aqua Controller Pro - pH, ORP and temp monitor
The Korallin calcium reactor works but it is very touchy and requires adjustment too often. I have had it for almost two years and plan to replace it in the near future.
One of my favorite devices is the Medusa temperature controller. You plug the heater in to the unit, set the temperature on the display and forget about it. I holds the temperature within two degrees and is much more accurate then the little dials on the heaters themselves.
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| Here is a recent picture of the tank taken on December 30th, 2004. |
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Corals
Fish
Invertebrates
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