450 Gallon Reef Tank Tour! HYDROS Powered Fish Room!

Summary

This video highlights a stunning 450-gallon reef tank in California, featuring a variety of unique fish and corals, including rare clownfish and tang species. The tank, set up eight years ago, is designed as a peninsula with a focus on SPS dominance, though it incorporates LPS corals as well. The owner shares insights on tank maintenance, equipment like Hydros systems, and the importance of redundancy in a reef setup. With a meticulous approach to water quality, feeding, and dosing, the system showcases both the challenges and rewards of maintaining a mature reef aquarium. Patience is key, and the owner emphasizes the importance of learning from others' experiences in reefkeeping.

Takeaways

• 😀 The tank is a 450-gallon reef system, 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 30 inches tall, with a stand height of 42 inches for optimal viewing.
• 😀 The system has been running for about 8 years, showcasing a mature and stable environment with a healthy microbiome.
• 😀 The tank setup is a peninsula style, offering 360-degree viewing, initially planned as an in-wall setup but later changed for better visibility.
• 😀 The tank features a unique Clarkii clownfish, which is one of the most striking species in the system, alongside a group of colorful tangs like the powder blue and Atlantic blue tang.
• 😀 The goal for the tank was to maintain an SPS-dominant reef, although it evolved to include LPS for added color and variety.
• 😀 The tank includes some significant spawning events, such as with Aussie gold torches and chromis, which adds an extra layer of biodiversity and success.
• 😀 The system contains 77 different species of coral, mostly tank-raised frags, with plans for continued growth and potential in the coming years.
• 😀 The hobbyist emphasizes patience in reef-keeping and stresses the importance of learning from practical experience rather than only theoretical advice.
• 😀 The system uses high-end equipment like Hydros controllers for monitoring and controlling various parameters, which contributes to the tank's stability and success.
• 😀 Lighting is managed with six Phillips CoralCare LED fixtures, running 10-11 hours per day, while flow is optimized with multiple octopus pumps and two return pumps for redundancy.
• 😀 Regular maintenance includes water changes every two weeks, sump vacuuming every few months, and occasional cleaning of pumps and equipment to maintain system efficiency.

Q & A

What is the size of the tank featured in the video?

The tank is a 450-gallon system with dimensions of 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 30 inches tall. It sits on a stand that is 42 inches high.

What type of tank setup does Richard have, and why did he choose it?

Richard's tank is a peninsula-style reef tank. He initially planned for an in-wall setup but opted for the peninsula design to maximize viewing angles and make the most of the large room space.

How old is the reef tank, and what makes it special?

The tank has been running for about 8 years. It's a mature system with a strong microbiome, which has allowed for the growth and spawning of corals and fish.

What makes the clownfish in Richard's tank unique?

Richard has a very rare Clarki clownfish with unique markings. He originally received it as part of a pair but now only has one left.

What types of tangs are in Richard's tank, and which one is especially noteworthy?

Richard has a variety of tangs, including hippo tangs, powder blue tangs, and an Atlantic blue tang, which is particularly striking and not often seen in reef systems.

What coral types dominate Richard's reef system, and what is his preference?

Richard's tank is mostly dominated by SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals, although he also has some LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals. He prefers SPS for the color and growth challenge they provide.

What coral spawned in Richard's tank, and what did he do about it?

Richard's Aussie gold torches spawned multiple times over the years, producing small babies that attached to the rocks. He attempted to chisel them off to transfer them to plugs but often ended up damaging them due to the softness of the tissue.

How many different coral species does Richard have in his tank?

Richard has cataloged 77 different species of corals in his tank, primarily tank-raised frags, although a couple of wild pieces are included.

What role does the hydros setup play in Richard's tank, and what devices are included?

Richard uses a comprehensive Hydros setup, including three wave engines, two control units, and a variety of monitoring devices. This setup helps manage the tank's parameters and provides redundancy, ensuring the system runs smoothly.

What is Richard's approach to feeding and maintaining the tank?

Richard feeds his tank a variety of frozen foods like MSIS and Hikari Marine Munchies, as well as dosing products like SPS plankton and trace elements to support coral and fish health. He performs water changes every two weeks and vacuums his sump every three months to remove accumulated detritus.