Hello! My name is Orlando and Iām starting a new build thread for my twenty gallon long upgrade! Iām doing a mixed reef on a budget. Hereās a FTS 
š¹ BAR REEF š¹
- Thread starter Frigus Reef
- Start date
CORALS:
Encrusting Stylophora
Montipora digitata
Anacropora
Stylophora
Favia
Acanthastrea echinata
Leptoseris
Zoanthids
Palythoas
Mushrooms
Finger leather
Unknown leather
FISH:
Midas Blenny
Six Lined Wrasse
Blue Damsel
Orchid Dottyback
INVERTEBRATE:
Cortez hermit crabs
EQUIPMENT:
Marineland Pro HOB 125
Hygger Mini Wavemaker
Marineland Adjustable Heater 150W
One AI Prime 16HD
One Hygger 30W Reef Light
Encrusting Stylophora
Montipora digitata
Anacropora
Stylophora
Favia
Acanthastrea echinata
Leptoseris
Zoanthids
Palythoas
Mushrooms
Finger leather
Unknown leather
FISH:
Midas Blenny
Six Lined Wrasse
Blue Damsel
Orchid Dottyback
INVERTEBRATE:
Cortez hermit crabs
EQUIPMENT:
Marineland Pro HOB 125
Hygger Mini Wavemaker
Marineland Adjustable Heater 150W
One AI Prime 16HD
One Hygger 30W Reef Light
MACROS & PLANTS:
Mangroves
Codium
Dragons Breath
Caulerpa prolifera
Mangroves
Codium
Dragons Breath
Caulerpa prolifera
I realized I never explained the nameā¦
So I recently added a small rock with tons of holes and we added a pistol shrimp and Tasha goby to it, the shrimp dug burrows and the two paired within three days of introduction. I also moved a leptoseris there temporarily but in three days it started to grow on so I guess itās loving the high flow and will stay lol
The goal within my reef is to best naturally mimic a natural coastal reef ecosystem and its zones. Hereās a diagram below:
My aquascape is set up with a wave maker in the open area to the left with encrusting sps, then branching sps, then in the middle of the tank with medium flow is lps, and then to the left is even less flow and the lagoon area which is soft corals, macroalgaes and mangroves. Light also is brightest on the āreef crestā zone of my tank and gets dimmer in the lagoon. This is to mimic the fore reef, the reef crest, back reef, and lagoon to create a natural mixed reef environment
My aquascape is set up with a wave maker in the open area to the left with encrusting sps, then branching sps, then in the middle of the tank with medium flow is lps, and then to the left is even less flow and the lagoon area which is soft corals, macroalgaes and mangroves. Light also is brightest on the āreef crestā zone of my tank and gets dimmer in the lagoon. This is to mimic the fore reef, the reef crest, back reef, and lagoon to create a natural mixed reef environment
The tank is flipped to the diagram, with the fore reef being to the left, and the lagoon being on the right.
I love your thinking on trying to mimic natural habitat, I've been looking at this stuff myself while planning.
Admittedly, I only know this because I've been digging heavily into the aquascaping subject lately, but my only notable comment would that it seems like you did not consult the Rule of Thirds in your design? Your focal point appears to be more or less the center of the tank:
Admittedly, I only know this because I've been digging heavily into the aquascaping subject lately, but my only notable comment would that it seems like you did not consult the Rule of Thirds in your design? Your focal point appears to be more or less the center of the tank:
I took a photography class so Iām used to the rule of thirds lol but I also havenāt completely moved everything as I like and Iām taking more coral placement into consideration as I plan on getting a few species that will grow taller, a few more sps and some gorgonians. The left side was entirely open until I put a piece of dead coral down to home a shrimp and goby too, but now that theyāre there I canāt move them lol
Rescape because I was stuck inside with the ice
Ugh I gotta do better updates.
I got baaadd Dinos and Diatomsā¦ the reef was too CLEAN!!! Iāve never had that issue. So started feeding and dosing phyto and they were gone in a week. The tank now looks great and everything is super happy. We got a torch, platygyra, and another leptoseris. I just got a lil piece of gulf rock with some cool growth on it so Iāll make a post about that soon. Iāll also update with some photos.
I also moved an anemone into the tank inside of a breeder box and she is splitting, but Iām trying to color her back up under the AI prime. She might go back into another tank or in this one, who knows
I got baaadd Dinos and Diatomsā¦ the reef was too CLEAN!!! Iāve never had that issue. So started feeding and dosing phyto and they were gone in a week. The tank now looks great and everything is super happy. We got a torch, platygyra, and another leptoseris. I just got a lil piece of gulf rock with some cool growth on it so Iāll make a post about that soon. Iāll also update with some photos.
I also moved an anemone into the tank inside of a breeder box and she is splitting, but Iām trying to color her back up under the AI prime. She might go back into another tank or in this one, who knows
Also every reef store is out of copepods right now. I need some for the five gallon build 
AlgaeBarn has them: https://www.algaebarn.com/shop/live-foods/Also every reef store is out of copepods right now. I need some for the five gallon build
I have a sneaking suspicion I'm going to wind up breeding pods, myself, given as I want a Mandarin and all. Wife is already down to start breeding mysis shrimp, since her pea puffers will benefit from them, so 'pods are liable to follow shortly thereafter. I have NO idea what that is going to wind up looking like just yet, but I'm guessing I have more fish tanks incoming soon, lol.
PetSmart has a 50% off on open-top glass tanks going on
I picked up my new QT tank tonight.
