Stevens (Grumpydwarf) Nocturnal Biotope
1 Introduction
In 2003, I started a mixed reef and slowly transformed to this nocturnal biotope. During this journey, I enjoyed researching, discussing and sharing this hobby with everyone I met in the forums and LFS. Hence it gives me great pleasure to share with you, my reefing passion.
2 Aquarium Profile
Aquarium: Red Sea Max 130Aquarium dimensions: 24.0" x 19.7" x 19.7"
Total volume: 34 gallons (Aquarium: 29 + Filter: 5)
Filtration: Tunze Nano Skimmer 9002
Water circulation: Tunze Nanostream 6045 & Red Sea pump x2
Lightings: 55 watts x 2 & LED moonlights
Cooling: Mini cooling fan
3 LightingAlthough the aquarium set comes with two 55 watts, I removed one of them so that I fit a Solite 1 watt LED moonlight. This setting is ideal for my nocturnal setup.
4 Circulation
Water Circulation is generated using Tunze Nanostream 6045 that provides 4,500 lph and two Red Sea pumps that produces 550 lph each.
5 Filtration
For filtration, I employ sponges and UltraPowerPhos in the I-Basket, and Tunze Nano skimmer 9002.
6 Heating/Cooling
Currently I using a mini cooling fan that maintains the reef at 27 degrees C.
7 Supplements
The only supplements I dose is Prodibio - Bioclean.
8 Monitoring
Daily livestock observation and perform fortnightly or monthly testing of carbonate hardness and nitrate.
9 Feeding
My feeding regime is:
> daily cyclopeeze dosing or Fanua Marin receipe,
> twice a week frozen mysis shrimp (6-8 cubes each feeding),
> occassionally I feed market shrimps soaked in Selcon,
My Fauna Marin receipe consist of:
+ Min S + Min F + Seafan + Life + Clam.
> daily cyclopeeze dosing or Fanua Marin receipe,
> twice a week frozen mysis shrimp (6-8 cubes each feeding),
> occassionally I feed market shrimps soaked in Selcon,
My Fauna Marin receipe consist of:
+ Min S + Min F + Seafan + Life + Clam.
10 Husbandry
I like to keep it simple:
1. Rinse the sponges,
2. Clean the skimmer cup,
3. Change the water.
Periodically, maintenance would be performed on the pumps and skimmer.
1. Rinse the sponges,
2. Clean the skimmer cup,
3. Change the water.
Periodically, maintenance would be performed on the pumps and skimmer.
11 Problems
The challenges I faced during this journey are:
> constant battle with nitrate,
> malfunction of chiller temperature controller; causing the temperature to drop to 19 degrees C. Thankfully there were no noticable adverse effects, suggesting how hardy these sun corals are.
> prolonged periods where one group of sun corals refused to open whilst other groups of sun corals are fine.
> constant battle with nitrate,
> malfunction of chiller temperature controller; causing the temperature to drop to 19 degrees C. Thankfully there were no noticable adverse effects, suggesting how hardy these sun corals are.
> prolonged periods where one group of sun corals refused to open whilst other groups of sun corals are fine.
12 Fish
1 False percula - common clown
1 Parapercis hexophtalma - Sand percher
2 Pterapogon kauderni - Banggai Cardinal
1 Centropyge loricula - Flame Angel
1 Parapercis hexophtalma - Sand percher
2 Pterapogon kauderni - Banggai Cardinal
1 Centropyge loricula - Flame Angel
13 Corals
3 x Rhyzotrochus Typus (red, white, red)
4 x tubstrate (aka sun corals)
3 x Dendrophyllia sp (aka super suns)
1 x coco worm
4 x tubstrate (aka sun corals)
3 x Dendrophyllia sp (aka super suns)
1 x coco worm
14 AcknowledgmentsIt is a great honour to be nominated by UltimateReef to feature my aquarium and this opportunity to share this wonderful experience with everyone here. Thanks
Please leave your comments and questions on the Tank of the Month thread at UltimateReef.com.
Fact File
Water Parameters
Temperature: 27 degrees C
pH: 8
Salinity: 1.025
Phosphate: not tested
Magnesium: not tested
Iodine: not tested
Strontium: not tested
Potassium: not tested
Redox: not tested
Equipment
Skimmer: Tunze Nano Skimmer 9002
Lights - Halides: N/a
Pumps: Red Sea pump and Tunze Nanostream 6045
Heaters: N/a
Chiller/Cooler: cooling fan
Ultra Violet: N/a
Phosphate Reactor: N/a
Calcium Reactor: N/a
Kalk Stirrer: N/a
Dosing Pump(s): N/a
Auto Feeder: N/a
Control System: N/a
Lights - VHOs: 1 x 55 watts & LED moonlight 1 watt
Top up: manual
RO Unit: N/a
Other reactors: N/a
Other equipment: N/a
Tank Specifications
Tank Volume: 29 gallons
System Volume: 34 gallons