Hongtam’s reef aquarium in Hong Kong takes the display refugium to a whole new level

By on Oct 08, 2012

The display refugiums is a neat concept in itself, but this display “refugium” takes things to a whole other level. This aquarium is  not really a refugium at all since it lacks macro algae and the purpose of nutrient export, but the concept is obviously based on display refugiums. The display is part of a much larger and equally cool display tank, and actually sits under the tank integrated into the cabinet. If that wasn’t cool enough the tank is stocked to the brim with just super cool LPS corals and lit with blue T5′s for some serious color popping.

The complete system consist of three display tanks, two of which are satellites to the main display. The main display measures 52 by 38 by  24 inches (132 by 97 by 61 cm), and the two other displays measure 42 by 10 by 9 inches (108 by 27 by 23 cm) and 28 by 7 by 7 inches (70 by 17 by 17 cm). The latter at 28 inches long is the LPS display system. All in all the total system volume amounts to around 236 gallons (900 liters).

The main display, dominated by SPS, illimunated by two Pacific Sun metis XM LED fixtures. The Second display is illuminated by a a combination of a DIY LED fixture and T5 bulbs, and the LPS system is illuminated by solely T5 bulbs. Flow within the system is met by the use of four Tunze 6095, and Tunze Wave Box build into the back wall. A Vortech MP40 is used for the secondary display and a MP10 for the LPS system. A RedDragon 6500 serves as a return pump. A Tunze 7092, and a Tunze 7096 controller control the powerheads and a Aquatronica controller keep the whole system in check. Skimming is done by a Bubble King SM250 and a 1 HP Chiller keeps the temperature under control.

For more information on Hongtam’s system and LPS display be sure to head over to his thread on the the Hong Kong Reef Forum.

 

Posted in Reef News |
Search More:   • • • • • •
 

Related posts:

  1. Nano-reef user Metrokat’s display refugium is an awesome collection of macroalgae
  2. Lawrence Chan’s SPS reef from Hong Kong
  3. Julian Sprung’s “Refugium” is an oasis of coral and reef life
  4. NextReef stick-on internal refugiums can also serve as fish condtioning vessels
  5. Steve Mac’s superb partially plasma lit Californian Reef aquarium
  6. Reef Octopus Eco 1000 hang on back refugium
  7. The new JBJ Macro-Glo refugium light
 
  • Mike

    Not sure why it’s being referred to as a refugium in any way, it’s simply another tank connected to the system. Calling it a “refugium” (even with quotes) would be the same as calling it a “sump”

  • CaliReefer

    A refugium by name is a place of refuge. In this case small critters (copepods, etc) can use it as a place of refuge from the main display to avoid being eaten.

  • Chayus

    Only partially true; the corals will sting and eat passing microfauna

  • Mike

    Not at all true then, because something will eat them, even if they aren’t mobile, hence it isn’t a refuge, No more than your main display tank and the critters that escape predation.

    Now if you had a bunch of angelfish or something and this was a refuge for the LPS then I would agree :)

  • JakeAdams

    Regardless of what you call it, it’s an amazing presentation of juicy live corals

  • CaliReefer

    Nope, still true as copepods will still multiply in this type of refugium (corals won’t out compete the population growth), where as if you had wrasses or mandarins in the display copepods would usually not be able to sustain their population.

    You can even call it a scolymia refugium, as it is the scolymias that are protected from fish picking on them when placed outside of the display.

  • Mike

    So if you don’t have wrasses or mandarins in your display you’ll have a display refugium?? :)

  • BryanG

    I would argue that it is still a refugium. There is no way that those beautiful Scolys and LPS would survive in the intense illumination of the main tank. The system is plumbed together so that chamber is a refugium from light… Semantics aside that is a really amazing display!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jon-Carvallo/551135810 Jon Carvallo

    Wow… just when you thought the display couldn’t be any sicker… BAM!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=704609972 Julian Wilson

    Lovely looking tank, the scolys are fab as well, would love the yellow one in the middle to go in my collection!

  • Spencer Matonis

    Settle down ladies…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1003011279 Matt Wandell

    It’s awesome looking. I think there are hundreds if not thousands of “refugia” already in tanks with live rock, if we define a refugium as a small place where a fish’s mouth cannot get to.