SCR Member: reefinsocal
First Name: Todd F.
Years in Hobby: 35
Age of Featured Reef: 2.5 Years
INTRODUCTION
Exploring the Fascinating World of Reefing: A Personal Journey
Saltwater aquariums started for me at the age of 13 and have been a part of my life ever since. Reefing has become more than just a hobby for me—it’s a passion that has transformed my appreciation for marine life and the delicate ecosystems that exist beneath the surface. From the intricate corals to the colorful fish, this hobby provides endless opportunities for learning, discovery, and enjoyment.
A few of my older setups from years past...
Redsea Reefer 325xl
Redsea Reefer 525xl
The Allure of the Ocean in Your Living Room
What first drew me to reefing was the sheer beauty and complexity of coral reefs in nature. The way corals glow under the light, the dance of marine life among the rocks and corals, and the almost magical harmony of the underwater world captured my imagination. I wanted to recreate a piece of that world in my own space, and so began my journey into the world of reef aquariums.
Setting up my first reef tank was both exciting and challenging. It required patience and dedication to get the water conditions just right: the salinity, temperature, pH, and light levels all had to be carefully monitored. Learning about the different types of corals and how to care for them, as well as the needs of various fish species, took time but was immensely rewarding. There’s something magical about watching a tiny coral frag grow and flourish, knowing that with the right care, it will soon become a colorful and thriving part of your reef.
How my vision started for my current reef tank.... (August 2022)
How it's going... (March 2025)
A Unique Ecosystem at Your Fingertips
One of the most rewarding aspects of reefing is creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. While it requires a lot of attention to detail, a well-balanced reef tank can thrive on its own with minimal intervention once it’s set up. The relationship between corals, live rock, and the creatures that inhabit the tank is a delicate balance, but when done right, it’s like witnessing nature’s own design at work.
Each species in my reef tank plays a role. The coral provides shelter and nourishment for the small fish and invertebrates, while the live rock acts as a filtration system, promoting a healthy and stable environment. The fish, in turn, help keep the tank clean by grazing on algae and detritus. It’s a beautiful cycle, and seeing it evolve over time brings a deep sense of satisfaction.
The Challenges and Triumphs of Reefing
Of course, reefing isn’t without its challenges. Maintaining water quality, dealing with pests like algae blooms, or addressing issues with coral health can be tough. But with every challenge, there’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether it’s through trial and error, advice from fellow reefers, or countless hours of research, overcoming obstacles makes the hobby all the more rewarding.
Connecting with a Community
Another wonderful aspect of reefing is the community. Whether it’s through online forums, social media, or local reef clubs, there’s always someone to share experiences with. The reefing community is incredibly supportive, with hobbyists from all walks of life exchanging tips, success stories, and even frag swaps. The wealth of knowledge out there is incredible, and the friendships forged through this shared love for the ocean are priceless.
The Future of My Reefing Journey
As I continue to expand my reef tank, I find myself constantly learning and evolving and wanting to go bigger and bigger!. My next goal is to experiment with more exotic corals and perhaps even introduce more challenging species into the tank. Reefing is a hobby that never truly ends, as there’s always something new to try, whether it’s a different coral species or a new aquascaping technique.
In the end, reefing has taught me not only about the incredible biodiversity of the oceans but also about patience, resilience, and the importance of caring for the environment. It’s a hobby that connects me to the natural world in a profound way, and I can’t wait to see where my reefing journey will take me next.
SYSTEM PROFILE
The most realistic representation of my daytime lighting.
The 2 hours of blues before lights out....
Display tank: Red Sea Reefer 625 XXL Gen 2
Dimensions: The REEFER XXL models are 65cm (25.6″) wide and 60cm (23.6″) high and are 150cm (59″) long/625 liter (133 gal)
Protein skimmer: Red Sea Reefer DC 900 Protein Skimmer
Return Pump: Hydor
Water Circulation: 2 Red Sea Reefwave 45
Lighting: 3x Ecotech Radion Gen 4 Running AB+ 100% Intensity with diffusers
Doser: Apex DOS and Jaebo 4 Channel Dosing
Heater: EHEIM
Chiller: N/A
Controller: Apex Neptune with Trident
UV: N/A
Reactor: NYOS (currently running 2 bags of Chemi-Pure Elite)
ATO: Apex ATO
CO2 Scrubber: Icecap LARGE CO2 Scrubber (THIS I TRULY FEEL IS WHAT CHANGED THE GAME FOR ME!) PH 8.3-8.6 each day!
WATER PARAMETERS & DOSING
ALK: 9.0 dKH
CA: 415 ppm
MAG: 1450 ppm
PHOSPHATE: 0.05 ppm
NITRATE: 7.5 ppm
TEMP: 78.5 F
SALINITY: 1.026 sg
PH: 8.3-8.6
Dosing:
ESV B-Ionic 2 Part 130 ml each per day.
Brightwell REPLENISH 20ml per day
ACROPower 25 ml per day
LIGHTING
3x Ecotech Radion Gen 4 Running AB+ 100% Intensity with diffusers. 3 hour ramp up/down starting at 8am and ending at 9pm
WATER FLOW
2 Red Sea Reefwave 45 running in RANDOM WAVE mode 100% each
FILTRATION AND MAINTENANCE
Always start with the cleanest possible water you can find for your tank. I recommend making your own zero total dissolved solids (TDS) reverse osmosis (RO) or distillation (DI) system and never relying solely on store-bought water (in my opinion). I currently have a seven-stage unit with two chambers of AquaFX Chloramine Blaster Carbon Filters and a three-stage DI resins system.
I’ve always built systems that automate most daily tasks, and I believe this significantly enhances my overall enjoyment and commitment to the hobby. As a result, I haven’t done a water change in at least six months. I believe Brightwell’s REPLENISH is what enables me to live without water changes by replacing trace elements on a daily basis.
General maintenance is performed weekly, as needed. (Cleaning the skimmer cup is mostly it.) The system is designed to be fully automated and hands-off. Daily glass cleaning is done using a Flipper Magnet, and I also wipe down the glass daily from splashing fish.
CORALS AND FISH
I’ve always wanted to create living pieces of art within my home, and I’ve been committed to growth patterns, aquascape, and design over specialized and rare corals since the beginning. Starting with an empty tank that looks great with rocks alone has been a habit since the start. Twenty years ago, we only had access to live rock and nothing man-made. We had stacks of rock that we would get perfect only to have them fall over and be stuck fixing for hours. Now, with the invention of man-made dry rock, we have complete control over our aquascape. This, coupled with 20 tubes of super glue with activator, can be a game-changer!
I’ve chosen to focus this tank on growth and color, as you can see from all the photos below. Everything is of the common types of corals that most people can afford. I personally love the growth patterns of Anacapora corals, such as the Golden Rod and Green Goblin. Adding some colorful unnamed Acropora Millepora for polyp extension, some bright Zoas, a few softies and an anemone.... Suddenly you’ve got yourself a piece of living art!
In terms of my current fish load, I opted for the more conventional choices. I consistently have the same fish species, regardless of the tank I’ve had. (Each fish has a specific role in my tank, and to me, the most crucial one is the Diamond Goby, which meticulously maintains the sandbed substrate.)
- Blue Hippo Tang
- Sailfin Tang
- Yellow Foxface
- Swallowtail Angelfish
- Bellus Angelfish
- Melanurus Wrasse
- Borbonius Anthias
- 3 Banggai Cardinalfish
- 5 Chromis
- Firefish
- Diamond Goby
- 2 False Percula Clownfish
Insights and Recommendations
Having a reef tank is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the things that makes my reef tank unique is the balance between maintaining its natural beauty and keeping everything healthy. It’s a thriving ecosystem, where coral and fish live in harmony, and I focus on creating an environment that mimics nature as closely as possible.
What Makes My Tank Unique:
My tank stands out because of the attention I give to water parameters, lighting, and the biodiversity I include. The reef’s success comes from using high-quality equipment that helps maintain stable conditions. I also focus on ensuring a wide variety of corals and fish species, providing each with the ideal habitat and careful placement to reduce stress. I have a mix of soft corals, LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals, and SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals, which gives my reef tank a dynamic and colorful look.
Keys to Success:
The most crucial factors to success are consistency and patience. Water quality is the foundation of everything—regular testing, maintaining proper salinity, and ensuring temperature stability are essential. Investing in a good protein skimmer and filtration system goes a long way in keeping the tank clean and preventing any harmful buildup.
Additionally, lighting plays a significant role in the health of corals. Using the right spectrum and intensity of light is essential for photosynthetic corals, ensuring they grow and thrive. Similarly, keeping fish and invertebrates well-fed, but not overfeeding them, is a fine balance that promotes a healthy tank.
One more key piece of advice I’d share is not to rush into adding species. Allow the tank to mature, establish its biological filtration, and make sure the ecosystem is stable before adding more life. This gives corals and fish time to acclimatize and reduces the risk of any major problems down the line.
What I’ve Learned:
Reef keeping is an ongoing learning experience. There are always new things to learn and sometimes unexpected challenges arise, like coral pests or algae outbreaks. But being proactive, doing regular maintenance, and understanding the needs of the species in your tank will help you stay ahead.
Also, joining reef-keeping communities, whether online or locally, has been a great way to learn from others’ experiences. Sharing advice, tips, and even frag swaps has helped me improve my own reef tank and avoid potential pitfalls.
Acknowledgement:
This article is a product of my ongoing passion for reef keeping, and I’m thankful for all the resources, communities, and support I’ve received along the way. I hope these insights help you in your own reef-keeping journey, whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your existing setup
I genuinely hope you enjoyed my aquarium as much as I’ve enjoyed putting this article together for you! I appreciate you taking the time to read it!
~Todd F
Please help me congratulate @reefinsocal on this informative writeup for the SoCaliReef's community.
