It is important that we provide an open structure for a reef base so we can glue the brood stock corals in different locations. We used Eddie's Aragocrete‰ arches and caves for the main structure. I placed three arches on the left end of the tank and I used four Cave Tables on the right side.
I am looking forward to using it in the second reef tank at the new photo lab!
We used an Eco-Sand Plenum that has a black nylon geo-fabric 1 in. thick. The plenums are made from fluorescent light grid that is supported by 1 in. PVC pipe. There is a three quarter inch uplift tube built into each back corner of the Plenum. The black nylon geo-fabric allows the gravel to fall between the threads so it can not pack down, and the gravel in this layer is not disturbed.
One of the most controversial things we do when we are starting a brood stock aquarium is that we utilize the Plenum as an under gravel filter for the first few months by placing a Maxi-Jet 1200 power head in each of the uplift tubes. Using the Plenum as an under gravel filter allows us to safely introduce a large amount of brood stock after one week. In this 125 gal. brood stock tank the Plenum is designed in two pieces, and each section has its own uplift tube. Some of the pictures in this article were taken when this tank was eight weeks old, and you can see that the corals and fish are thriving.
FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO PURCHASE, TRADE, AND SAVE AS MANY TYPES OF CORALS AS WE CAN.
IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE SOME OF SALLY JO'S GREAT NEW CUTTINGS PLEASE CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-600-6163
We are having a special on all of the coral cuttings. WHEN YOU PURCHASE 5 AT THE REGULAR PRICE OF $100 WE WILL GIVE YOU TWO FREE CORALS!. We will continue to provide the most current data on reef farming for both education and profit.
Sometimes I forget how fun it can be to watch the Reef Janitorstm as they go about their duties. It is important to have the mixture of crabs and snails custom picked for your reef aquarium. Both Leonel and Brian are experts in algae control. You can be sure that they will choose the right mixture from GARF's extensive collection of algae eaters.
The GARF staff knows that each aquarium is different and they will ask about the size, lighting, and age of your reef. Summer is the most important time to add extra janitorstm because there is more light and the reef will be a bit warmer. When you order any Reef Janitor pactm you can pick a free coral or two pounds of GARF's FAMOUS GRUNGE LIVE SAND ACTIVATOR Reef Janitors tm or call toll free 800-600-6163.
