My first post and my 125g Reef

SierraReefer · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2007, 11:19 PM

Introducing myself with a pic of my 125 gallon reef.

MDPinUSA · #2 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 12:04 AM

Welcome to RAG.

Your aquarium looks great. Tell us about your system, equipment and techniques employed.

Cheers. MDP

SierraReefer · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 05:27 PM

Mixed Reef with softies and SPS. Moving more towards SPS is my goal. It's been set up a 1 yr 9 months. Lighting is 3-175wt 10k metal halides, supplemented with 130wt 50/50 power compacts, and moonlights. The refugium I built from a 20 gallon tank. Not much technical about this tank. I run two phosban reactors. One with activated carbon and the other with phosban material they both are run off one pump. I just dose for calcium, alk, and magnesium by hand using Seachem products. Keeping the calcium up is a challenge this way. Here is a pic of the simple fuge I put together. It still is barebottom with a few rocks and cheatomopha in it. The pic is when I just put it online it doesn't look as pretty now. I run a 96 wt coralife 50/50 on it opposite the main display lights. I do 10% water changes weekly with water I buy from Walmart, Smiths, wherever. Tried tap water for two weeks resulting in green algae bloom so will never try that again.
I switched approx 3 months ago from coralife salt(garbage) to reef crystals with excellent results. I am currently testing BioSea Marine mix salt for Sierra Reefers Club and so far I find this salt to mix quickly and perform well.
I picked this 125 tank, stand and pc light up for $250 used and now have over $4,000 into it. Had I known of the expense of this hobby ahead of time I might have put a fireplace in on that wall instead

Now I'm addicted to the hobby!

SierraReefer · #4 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 05:34 PM

Here's a few more pics.

SierraReefer · #5 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 05:45 PM

And some of my favorite corals.The ones with no names listed I'm not sure of the name.
Bali green slimer.

Acropora floridia

Ricordia

Candy Canes

Zoo's

Purple Digitata

emnmtony · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 06:07 PM

awesome!!

Have you looked into an RO/DI system? It would probably save you money in the long run also you wont have to worry about goin to the store everyweek to get water.

SierraReefer · #7 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 06:13 PM

Since I pay a water bill at my home I think the cost of making the RO/DI water would be more than buying it at the store. I could be wrong.

Thomas · #8 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 06:29 PM

The water at Wallmart is RO water, at least it is at the Wallmart near me. Not RO/DI. I was using store bought water and the TDS was 23. I now have a RO/DI system and run 0.2 TDS

**phlounder** · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 06:41 PM

Welcome to RAG! Very nice reef you have there!

I will second the suggestion of the RO/DI filter. You are obviously serious about your "hobby" and having the ability to make your own fresh water at home is a big plus. Especially with a large tank.

I would also recommend a hand held TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter, so you can be sure of the purity of the water going into your system. The quality of the fresh water used is often overlooked and can be the root of many problems - or the secret to your success!

SierraReefer · #10 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 06:58 PM

I am serious about this hobby but my wife is going to seriously kill me if I spend another large sum of money on equipment in the near future(I'm sure several of you out there can relate). I do agree an RO/DI would be nice to have. Thanks for the advice.