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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/27/2009 5:02:04 AM
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| Hi all! I'm new to the forum , so I thought I'd introduce myself by showing my mixed reef system. I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism or advice as I'm only 3 years old in reefkeeping. 
I started experimenting with agal screen filters when Santa Monica started his thread some months ago. I'm now on the 3rd version of this. I've decide to switch my skimmer off and have been running the system like this since the beginning of the year. I feel that having as natural a system as possible will ultimately result in a more balanced reef system, requireing less supplementary feeding. I've generally kept the whole system as simple as possible as I've been working on a shoestring budget. The less technology there is, the less can go wrong IMO. Total system volume: 500 l Return pump: 3500l/hr Internal flow: 30000l/hr Lighting: 2x 150w 14000k MH lamps, 4x 39w 8000k T5's, 4x 39w actinics. Filtration: DSB and liverock. Algal screen filter. Feeding: Twice daily Supplementation: Sodium Bicarbanate in the morning, Calcium chloride in the evening, both dissolved in RO water. 
Algal screen filter with the lid open. The lights are lowered between the 2 screens: 
I'd really appreciate any comments and suggestions on running a skimmerless reef. I want to try to be as proactive as possible regarding any future problems that may develop.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 7:06:38 AM
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your tank looks great. what changes have you noticed?
what are your nitrate and phosphate levels? before and now?
big fire hazard!!! salt water causes corrosion.
i don't think the electrical connections in the ATS look very safe. what have you done to protect them from water, corrosion?
is it on a separate circuit so if there is a short it won't shut down your whole system?
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Carl-
We are all stardust
Sun powered reef
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/27/2009 5:02:04 AM
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| Thanks Reefski. I've made the connections as safe as I knew how in the absense of a waterproof light fitting. I've not seen them available. The connections are made above the lamp holders. There are 2 large pc fans blowing into the box behind this. I've monitored spray and salt creep, and there has been none until now. I'll try to post clearer photos. Nitrate levels have been undetectable on my Red Sea test kit. This was the case prior to the introduction of the algal screens. Importantly though they did not increase with the removal of the skimmer. PO4 levels on the other hand always hovered at the 0.1ppm mark. They have now become undetectable on my Salifert test kit. This has resulted in improved SPS colouration. Overall I've noticed an increase in sponge growth and small filter feeder type worms so far. 
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 7:06:38 AM
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nice photos, keep us updated.
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Carl-
We are all stardust
Sun powered reef
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/18/2009 3:25:38 PM
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Broder
Sweet tank. It looks like you should be giving out the advice. Hey, how often do you do water changes and at what %? I've had my 50 gal skimmerless since I started it a year and a half ago and I have so many tiny sponges and the feather duster worms in the sump cover the bottom, all the rock and weave through the cheato. I just started an ATS two months ago and I'm already noticing faster coral growth and the tank is so much cleaner. I still don't have any water testing equipment, bad I know, but since starting the tank everything has looked great. Thanks for the pics and keep the info coming. I think the technology in this field is going through some changes and people are discovering you don't need all the artificial equipment sold at the pet store to be successful.
Jim
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/27/2009 5:02:04 AM
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| Hi Jim I wholeheartedly second you on the low-tech approach. I'm not saying that it's better than any other way. I mean, we're all in this hobby for different reasons, with different specialities, objectives and budgets. I just feel that an inexperienced reefer like myself can do worse than approaching from a natural perspective and letting nature take it's course. I have less stress and I get to enjoy the creatures that got me into the hobby in the first place more. By the way,I religiously do a weekly, 15% waterchange with NSW. You may want to invest in an alkalinity test kit. Your algal scrubber will deplete dkh levels to dangerous levels. Some more random shots: 
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 5:09:29 PM
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| very nice corals and fish look great
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/18/2009 3:25:38 PM
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I didn't know the ATS would do that. I will definitely invest in one. Previously, I changed 10% of the water weekly and that was my only form of filtration other than sand, live rock and cheato. I periodically had the water checked at my LFS for free and it was always great so I figured to stay with what I was doing and just didn't want to spend the $$ on a test kit. It has been quite some time since I've had it checked and it may be a good time to do so. Thanks for the heads up. Again...your tank looks great! My shoestring budget is pretty thin, I live in southern california and have 4 kids all boys eating (literally) my tank budget. I've been keeping saltwater tanks for about 7 years now but they were fish only. The reef thing is pretty new to me and I've been amazed at how easy it actually is on a small scale anyway. I'm looking at upgrading to a 100+ gallon soon and the maintenance may increase somewhat but have to say this hobby is addicting.
Jim
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/27/2009 5:02:04 AM
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| The tank is still looking great now that it's been running without a protein skimmer for close on 6 months. The corals are looking great and growth is excellent. Some general pictures: 
Scopas tang 
Convict tang with prison warders escort. The convict is the latest addition. They're a dime a dozen here on South Africa's east coast in the summer months.  
I added some esturine mud to the system a couple of months back, with the hope of increasing biodiversity in the system. I can't say that I've really seen any difference, although I wasn't expecting the circus to come to town. 
The latest coral addition is starting to colour up well. Is it a millepora? 
This guy is the local tough-guy. He's even bitten me a couple of times.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/6/2009 7:10:48 AM
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| Really incredible. Thanks for sharing!
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