My 120 Gallon Reef

**chrisfraser05** · 05-06-2012, 10:18 PM

love it Cliff.

I've been eyeing up loads of different marcos as my LFS has expanded his marine section.

Your tank as always is an inspiration :)

**Cliff** · 05-07-2012, 12:36 AM

Thanks Chris

I've really been getting into macro algae latley. Likely just because it looks more like plants than it does algae.

**hockeyhead019** · 05-07-2012, 02:51 AM

Very cool... definitely gives a different feel to the tank

**Cliff** · 05-14-2012, 05:00 AM

Well it really looks like I got my hands on some feather algae (AKA Caulerpa sertularioides ). But only time will tell I guess
The macro algae has really started to take hold in the sump. It is growing a lot faster now. There’s runners going out everywhere. I’m a little surprised at the growth rates as my nitrates never get above 1 ppm and I don’t have enough algae to make a difference in the test results. My main goal was not to grow this algae to lower the nitrates or phosphates, but to place the sump lighting on a reverse schedule to the main lights and make the PH even more stable. Once the macro algae grows more, I’m confident this will happen. This approach is currently working well for my 90 gallon set-up as I seldom see a pH change of higher than 0.1 anymore. The only difference between the two set-ups will be the type of macro algae used.

**chrisfraser05** · 05-14-2012, 07:49 AM

cool as f***

**ScottishFish** · 05-14-2012, 01:08 PM

Sweeeeeeet

**hockeyhead019** · 05-14-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Cliff

My main goal was not to grow this algae to lower the nitrates or phosphates, but to place the sump lighting on a reverse schedule to the main lights and make the PH even more stable.

It will do all of these haha I noticed when I started my scrubber (which was made to remove trates and phos) but it also kept my pH much more stable, next step is to have full lighting in my sump, much like you have in yours

Well done on the algae definitely looks super cool man!

**Cliff** · 06-04-2012, 01:11 AM

I added about 30 lbs (maybe a little more) of cycled/cured rock to the tank and sump this weekend. I add been getting this rock ready for a third tank, but seeing as the wife and I put those plans on hold, I decided to split the rock between the two reef tanks. I don’t think I could get any more rock in the sump or tank even if I wanted to. At least, not without it having a negative effect on the flow or fish. I think I have around 160 lbs of rock in this set-up now. I’m not even to sure, it could be higher than that as I had added more rock a few weeks back but I forgot how much.

Looks like the little bit of cyano that I had been getting is slowly going away. The coralline is really taking off tho, which I don’t mind at all.

Pretty soon I’ll have to start trimming back the macro algae in the sump before starts affecting the flow. I’ll just rotate a few rocks between the sump and the tank so the tangs can have a little treat.

**chrisfraser05** · 06-04-2012, 01:47 AM

**hockeyhead019** · 06-04-2012, 03:51 AM

Cliff you truly have a stunning tank man. I applaud it and everything you do to keep it that way. Hands down one of the best I've ever seen!

New rock is always fun because you get to watch it become encrusted with life and algae, definitely one of my favorite experiences in my tank haha