Congratulations to m'akoyPINOY for being selected for our August Reef Profile! His 30 gallon nano reef is a stunningly diverse collection of unique and unusual coral. Below he has written a profile of his aquarium's progress over the past six years, and shares his experiences in the hobby. Check it out and share your comments and questions in m'akoyPINOY's featured reef profile thread.
Tank Specs
Display: 30" x 12" x 18" AGA 30g
Lighting: Current USA Sunpod HQI MH 150w with Phoenix bulb, 18w Power actinics LEDs.
Filtration: AquaC Remora HOB Skimmer.
Circulation: 2 Tunze 6025.
Heater: Stealth Heater 100w.
Cooling: Air Conditioned room.
Dosing & Top-off: Arm dosing, Arm top off.
Established in 2003
Feeding Routine
A variety of Ocean Nutrition frozen Mysis soaked with Garlic Xtreme, Phyto Feast, and Marine One Formula Pellets weekly. Weekly 5 gallon water change, Dose 2 part B-Ionic 25ml weekly, Magnesium 10ml weekly, Strontium Chloride 1 ml weekly, Potassium Iodide 1ml weekly.
Fish
• True Percula Clownfish
• Banded Pipefish
• P. Candy Basslet
• Gumdrop Goby
Clean Up Crew
• 10 Bumble Bee snails
• 10 Dwarf blue legged hermit crabs
• 15 Stomatella snails
• Too many to count Mini brittle starfishes
• Too many to count Collonista snails
Invertebrates
• Sexy Shrimp
• Bumble Bee Shrimp
• Pom Pom Shrimp
• Blue Linkia Starfish
• 2 Crocea Clams
• 3 Maxima Clams
• Purple Carpet Anemone
• Photosynthetic Gorgonian
• Red Tree Sponge
SPS Corals
• ORA Tri-Color Valida
• ORA Pearlberry
• ORA Hawkins
• Blue Petal Flower Cap
• Superman Monti
• Tyree Sunset Monti
• Reverse Sunset Monti
• AE Pink Caddilac Monti
• Green/Purple Rim Cap
LPS Corals
• Neon Green Tip Branching Hammer
• Neon Green Bubble Coral
• Purple and Green Pagoda Coral
• Assorted Aussie Acans/micromussas
• Assorted Chalices
Soft Corals
• Assorted Zoanthids
• Assorted Palythoas
• Tyree Neon Green Toadstool
• Yellow Fiji Toadstool
• Assorted Yumas
• Assorted Florida Ricordeas
• Irridescent Teal Mushrooms
• Starfire Cloves
• Neon Green Star Polyps
History
This tank was a gift from my girl friend, now wife, for my birthday in 2003. It started as a FOWLR tank but ended up being my little piece of the ocean reef tank. In 2006 I upgraded from a 96w power compact light fixture to a Current USA Sunpod HQI MH 150w with Phoenix bulb, 18w power actinics LEDs. Then in 2008 I removed my Fluval canister filter because the detritus buildup became an overwhelming chore every week.
Inspiration
Growing up in the Philippines, I was surrounded by beautiful islands and exotic wildlife of all forms. Being able to experience all of this natural beauty inspired me to create my own reef.
Disasters & Regrets
The 2003 NYC blackout hit when my tank was only 7 months old, and although I didn't lose much, mentally I was ready to give up. My wife insisted that we keep trying, and this time we were sure to make up for our heartache. I'm so thankful for her encouragement because without her I would never have a chance to be the August 2009 TOTM.
I don't have any regrets because we all know as hobbyists that we will have hardships along the way, but in turn they make us better, more experienced aquarists.
Future Plans
As you all know my tank setup is simple, so I would like to eventually make it automated. I am thinking about upgrading to a bigger tank, I've had my eye on a 70g cube. I'm saving some money to buy controllers, but I still am not sure on what brand.
Words of Wisdom
• Remember to take it slow and research everything you can.
• Think twice before you buy.
• There is no such thing as a stupid question, ask away.
• It's an expensive hobby, so plan ahead.
Tips & Tricks
• Soak any frozen food in tank water in a small container and drain the excess water when completely thawed.
• Helping a fellow reefer usually means free frags.
• Keep up on your water changes.
• Enjoy the hobby.
• It's nice to have a lot of reef friends.
Corals Fads
I like to follow along with the fads and trends because it keeps me entertained, and hunting for a piece of coral frag is challenging.
Cleanup Crews
I believe that they are the backbone of a tank because they do so much to make your reef clean and healthy. They are essentially an organic filter for your aquarium that make the reef look and feel more authentic.
Acknowledgements
I would first like to thank Christopher Marks for nominating my tank to be the August 2009 TOTM. Also I would to thank the Nano Reef community for this recognition, it means a lot to me coming from a group who share the same love for the hobby as I do. A special thanks to my friend DontXtripNfall (JD) for all the laughs and good times we have shared in this hobby, and I look forward to many more in the future. Most of all I would like to thank my wife Nadira for all the financial support and criticism.
Reef on!
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