Hey all!
I'm new to BAR, but have been keeping saltwater tanks on and off since 2007 or so -- and have been on various other reefing forums since about that time as well. Really looking forward to meeting some more local reefers!
My current tank is a 10 gallon nano mixed reef (IM Nuvo 10) which has been set up for about 14 months. Prior to that I had an even smaller mixed reef (~3.5 gallons) for a little under two years. Both of those systems have been a lot of fun and a huge learning experience getting used to the sort of OCD-type maintenance that is required to maintain stable water chemistry with such a small water volumes.
I've always loved the ocean and spend lots of time hanging out on local beaches with my girlfriend and dogs as well as sea kayaking in SF Bay and Tomales Bay. I'm also really passionate about marine and terrestrial biology and habitat conservation -- so for me reefing has been a really cool way to bring a little slice of the ocean into my everyday life and a continual reminder of how complex and fragile coral reef ecosystems are!
Here's a current shot of my nuvo 10:
My general strategy with this tank has been to feed like there's no tomorrow, blast it with lots of flow. keep nutrients stable with regular large water changes and a regular lanthanum chloride drip for PO4, and dosing sodium silicate regularly to encourage a large and active "sponge loop" in the rock to help keep the water clean and provide food for the corals.
I'm new to BAR, but have been keeping saltwater tanks on and off since 2007 or so -- and have been on various other reefing forums since about that time as well. Really looking forward to meeting some more local reefers!
My current tank is a 10 gallon nano mixed reef (IM Nuvo 10) which has been set up for about 14 months. Prior to that I had an even smaller mixed reef (~3.5 gallons) for a little under two years. Both of those systems have been a lot of fun and a huge learning experience getting used to the sort of OCD-type maintenance that is required to maintain stable water chemistry with such a small water volumes.
I've always loved the ocean and spend lots of time hanging out on local beaches with my girlfriend and dogs as well as sea kayaking in SF Bay and Tomales Bay. I'm also really passionate about marine and terrestrial biology and habitat conservation -- so for me reefing has been a really cool way to bring a little slice of the ocean into my everyday life and a continual reminder of how complex and fragile coral reef ecosystems are!
Here's a current shot of my nuvo 10:
My general strategy with this tank has been to feed like there's no tomorrow, blast it with lots of flow. keep nutrients stable with regular large water changes and a regular lanthanum chloride drip for PO4, and dosing sodium silicate regularly to encourage a large and active "sponge loop" in the rock to help keep the water clean and provide food for the corals.