Maybe we just have a weak spot for massive reef aquariums with seemingly even larger coral colonies, but Jim & Christine’s Reef from the UK definitely managed to capture our reefing hearts. We appreciate the low amount of rocks used and the negative space it allows to create aquascaping grandeur. Rather than a wall of rock, corals actually fill up the space in this reef. The school of yellow tangs somehow manages to arouse an almost primal excitement, not much different from feelings aroused by pictures of green lush landscapes.
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The system measures 72 x 24 x 30 inches (195 x 60 x 76 cm) and holds around 225 gallons (850 liters). The sump measures 48 x 20 x 20 inches (120 x 50 x 50 cm) and holds approximately 80 gallons. The system used to be illimunated by a set of 250 metal halide fixtures but Jim and Christine recently switched over to three Ecotech Radion’s. Flow is provided by Ecotech as well with two Vortech MP40’s providing the bulk of the flow. Two Eheim 1262 pumps serve as returns.
Filtration is provided by a Deltec 2060 skimmer injected with ozone along with a Deltec FR509 reactor filled with rowa phos. Rowa Carbon is used as well but only one week every two months. Miracle mud provides some additional biological filtration. Heating is provided by a 300 watt and a 400 watt heater and is controller through a TC-10 temperature controller. Trace elements are kept in check through the dosing of magnesium, calcium, alkalinity, strontium, heavy metal complex, and iodine with a GHL dosing stand alone unit. Koral Zucht Amino Acids are occasionally dosed as well. Be sure to check out their build thread over on Ultimate Reef
