Well maybe not half but you know what I mean. Can you tell me what your running. Lights, filters, reactors, Are you running a calcium reactor? Give me a run down of your hole system and maint. I ask because when I see a nice SPS system i like to know what they did to get there. I make notes as i am setting up a new 300g SPS tank. I have notes on about 8 other really nice SPS systems. What do you do for flow? ect. Thanks. I have a really nice 40b full of SPS just waiting for me to finish the 300. if you were to do it over again what would you do different?
Lighting
In the center I have 3 Apollo LED dimmable fixture controlled by Apex
On both sides I have 2 DIY LED fixture that I built using components from ReefLedLights.com. It consists of a 36 inch heat sink with
1) 12 XTE Royal Blue LED
2) 12 XPG Cool White Premium 7.5K
3) 8 XP-E blue
4) 2 XP-E red
5) 2 XP-E Green
6) 12 Violet UV LED's
7) 24 XRE Royal Blue
8) 12 XRE Cool White
In between the fixtures I have two 4" giesemann actinic plus
Filtration
The tank employs biological and mechanical filtration.
The biological filtration consists of more than 250 pounds of live rock, 1 inch of sugar fine aragonite sand, 20G refugium filled with a 12 inch deep sand bed, Chaetomorpha and live rock. For mechanical filtration, the water passes into the overflow then into the sump via a 100 micron filter sock. Next, the water passes through two separate chambers. The first area houses a heater, live rock and skimmer. The final area accommodates the return pump.
I also run highh capacity GFO. Change it once in 6 months.
Flow
To help maximize the flow from the return pump I employ two Wavy Sea wave makers. They keep moving back and forth evenly distributing the water from the sump. I currently use two Vortech mp60wes pumps and a Reeflo dart return pump. I have been extremely happy with this combination.
Feeding and maintenance
Every days I feed Rods food. 70% Calcium and Alkalinity are maintained using a Geo Calcium reactor with an additional DIY chamber. Rest is provided by automatic dosing of BRS two part.
Salinity is maintained by top off using a Litermeter pump.
I change the filter soaks once in 7 days and also clean the skimmer cup once a week. Chaetomorpha in the refugium is trimmed once in 2 weeks. I record KH once in two days and test phosphates once a week.
I do a 50Gallon water change once a month. At this time I also vacuum the sand bed and run carbon when needed.
I clean the skimmer and soak the Vortech wetsides in vinegar once in 6 months.
I also have a 1/3 hp Teco chiller. It keeps the temparature of the tank below 78.5 degrees.