Stunning 270-Gallon Reef Tank by Joe Burger | Reef2Reef
Tank Specifications
Volume: 270 Gallons / 1021 Liters
Dimensions (L × W × H):
72.0" ×
36.0" ×
24.0"
182.9cm ×
91.4cm ×
61.0cm
Equipment List
- Salt: Triton
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I maintain a low-maintenance reef tank?
To maintain a low-maintenance reef tank, focus on automating as many processes as possible. Use an auto top-off (ATO) system to manage water levels and a doser for calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium to minimize manual checks. Regularly clean your skimmer and change filter socks, but avoid frequent invasive adjustments, letting the tank settle into its routine.
What should I do for routine tank checks?
Track your water parameters monthly or bimonthly to avoid major issues. Test for pH, specific gravity, nitrates, calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and phosphates. Keep a log of these parameters to spot trends easily and identify when something is out of the normal range.
What are the ideal water parameters for my reef tank?
For a healthy reef tank, aim for the following parameters: Temperature 76-82°F, pH 7.9-8.3, Specific Gravity 1.025, Nitrate (NO3) at about 20 ppm, Calcium (Ca) around 450, Alkalinity (Alk) 7.7, Magnesium (Mg) 1400, and Phosphate (PO4) at 1.2 ppm.
How do I manage nutrient levels without extreme measures?
Consider allowing your nitrate and phosphate levels to rise somewhat as they can enhance coral coloration and resilience. Adding more fish can naturally elevate nutrient levels without the need for other additives. Monitor regularly to ensure you don’t encounter nuisance algae.
How often and what should I feed my fish?
Feed your fish daily with different sizes of pellets: 0.5mm for anthias, 1mm for most fish, and 3mm for larger fish like tangs and foxfaces. In addition to pellets, provide frozen Mysis shrimp twice a day—6 cubes during the morning feeding and again during dinner.
Do I need to manually feed my corals?
Most corals can thrive on the nutrients present in the tank, but if you have a sun coral, manually feed it 2-3 times a week after lights out to ensure it gets adequate sustenance.
What filtration methods should I consider for my reef tank?
A combination of live rock, live sand, and a protein skimmer is effective. Consider using an algae reactor for nutrient control instead of more complex systems like GFO or carbon dosing, as these can sometimes lead to overly sterile conditions.
How do I maintain calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels?
Use a reliable dosing solution such as Triton Basic Elements. Test these parameters regularly, ideally once a month, and adjust your doser as needed. If any levels are below desired, use additives to correct them.
What lighting setup is ideal for SPS coral growth?
Using Metal Halide lighting, specifically 250-watt Radium lamps, works well for promoting coral growth and coloration. T5 lights can also be utilized to supplement light, but measure PAR levels to ensure your corals receive adequate lighting.
What is the recommended photoperiod for lighting?
For a display tank with Metal Halide, run the MH for 8 hours (12pm-8pm), and T5 lights for 12 hours (7:30am-7:30pm). Incorporate blue LED strips for a shorter dusk effect of 3 hours.