Maddie's 90 Mixed Reef Journey

[design.maddie]

Let’s Talk Fish​

I’ve always been more of a coral enthusiast, with fish just complementing the ecosystem. However, over the years, I’ve come to appreciate certain fish, especially those with dog-like personalities. Those fish you know are watching people as much as people are watching them.

My current fish are as follows:

• Lightning Maroon Clownfish "Roy"
• Blue/Green Chromis
• Banggai Cardinalfish

For my new 90-gallon tank, I’m aiming for a vibrant community tank. With this much space, I want to create an active and lively environment.


While utilitarian fish will be a key part of the stocking, I want to be sure there’s plenty of room for open water swimmers. My goal is to have an active tank, so I’m considering adding wrasses, blennies, and gobies. I’m also thinking about pseudochromis and basslets but more for the rockscape I am going to aim to achieve. (lots of overhangs and caves)


Since this is my first larger tank, I’d like to have a group of the same species. I felt like this would be a very welcoming addition. I currently have a Chromis and a Banggai Cardinalfish, both of which would fit well. I tried to keep a trio of Chromis when I first set up my 200XL, but they never were a comfortable set and it only took a couple months before I was down to a single fish.

So, it seems like Banggai Cardinalfish might be my best option.

I’m also interested in a free-swimming blenny from the Meiacanthus species. I haven’t decided on the exact type yet, but I want something different from the Canary Blenny, which I’ve kept before. Although, if I were to retry any fish, the Canary Blenny would be a strong contender.

​

​

Roy​

 

[Mhamilton0911]

My favorite fishies are my valentini puffer, he's a ham and always up at my face every chance he gets. Also love my original clown pair, very friendly with me and every other fish in the tank, and then also my red hawkfish. He likes to perch and watch my husband when he sits in his chair.

 

[TX_REEF]

Let’s Talk Fish​

I’ve always been more of a coral enthusiast, with fish just complementing the ecosystem. However, over the years, I’ve come to appreciate certain fish, especially those with dog-like personalities. Those fish you know are watching people as much as people are watching them.

My current fish are as follows:

• Lightning Maroon Clownfish "Roy"
• Blue/Green Chromis
• Banggai Cardinalfish

For my new 90-gallon tank, I’m aiming for a vibrant community tank. With this much space, I want to create an active and lively environment.


While utilitarian fish will be a key part of the stocking, I want to be sure there’s plenty of room for open water swimmers. My goal is to have an active tank, so I’m considering adding wrasses, blennies, and gobies. I’m also thinking about pseudochromis and basslets but more for the rockscape I am going to aim to achieve. (lots of overhangs and caves)


Since this is my first larger tank, I’d like to have a group of the same species. I felt like this would be a very welcoming addition. I currently have a Chromis and a Banggai Cardinalfish, both of which would fit well. I tried to keep a trio of Chromis when I first set up my 200XL, but they never were a comfortable set and it only took a couple months before I was down to a single fish.

So, it seems like Banggai Cardinalfish might be my best option.

I’m also interested in a free-swimming blenny from the Meiacanthus species. I haven’t decided on the exact type yet, but I want something different from the Canary Blenny, which I’ve kept before. Although, if I were to retry any fish, the Canary Blenny would be a strong contender.

​

​

Roy​

super cute little clown! I have a pair in my frag tank, they love their bubbletip nem...

 

[design.maddie]

... and then also my red hawkfish. He likes to perch and watch my husband when he sits in his chair.

I had not yet considered a Hawkfish. I have never kept one of those and would make a great addition.

 

[design.maddie]

Welp! I am ready to talk about lights.

I decided to go with Quanta Lights.

I purchased the 47" Helix 3-light Bar Combo with the combo of White+. Shipping was super-fast once the order was ready.


This is what the 3d printed stands look like when you receive them.

I was a bit overwhelmed with what I was looking at. I was able to solve this puzzle with zero instructions because none were included in the packaging.


Here is what is included with each bar light.

I was not expecting the potentiometer to be included. I must have missed that somewhere in the literature when I placed the order. I was pretty delighted to see such a device.

I was really impressed with the build quality of the housing for the light bars.

Because there were no instructions, I had to take some parts apart a few times before I understood the order of things. Now that I understand the process I can take the whole setup apart in about 2 minutes.

And finally, the FTS with lights shot.

 

[design.maddie]

I'm not that evil, here you go. Lights on. I have the blue bar in the front and the two white bars in the rear.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'm not that evil, here you go. Lights on. I have the blue bar in the front and the two white bars in the rear.

Those lights look great on your tank!

 

[design.maddie]

I would like to add, that the owner of the company has been in contact with me and has released videos on their YouTube channel on how to assemble everything.

 

[design.maddie]

Some more equipment came in. While this heater is larger than my current one, I was going to replace my current one this winter anyways. I ordered some E-Marco-400 Mortar to have a solid structure in the tank. I prefer the pile of rock look but with this amount of rock I would like to have a bit more peace of mine. Plus, now I can really manipulate the rocks a bit more to give some extra-large cave structures I might not have been able to create without the mortar.

I am still torn on what to do about sand. I am thinking of going 50/50 with 40lbs of Special Grade and 40 lbs of Fiji Pink. I'm not sure how this would look and keep flip-flopping on the subject. My preference for sand is the Special Grade size but I have also had a tank with Fiji Pink and it looked stunning. My only gripe was that the Fiji Pink tended to get more compacted and would require more attention with stirring to make sure there were no dead spots. I would think the 80lbs of sand would put me near the 1" depth of sand bed.

 

[revhtree]

The lights look beautiful over it!

 

[design.maddie]

I finally made the choice on sand.

I went with 80lbs of Original Grade Ocean Direct Sand from CaribSea. I was going to try and mix different grain sizes from other brands. Fortunately, the OG grade is sized at 0.25-6.5mm and covers the entire spectrum I was aiming to achieve. Plus the price was a cheaper by a few dollars.

As you may notice in the photo, there is also the black vinyl and other things needed to do the back glass of the display tank. I ordered 24"x10ft (~$18) so I should have enough to do try twice if needed. I am trying to decide if I want to black out the glass that will be facing my window. I am not worried about sunlight leaking in. My idea is to create an easier view from the other side from across the house. With the bright window behind it I am wondering if it will hinder that viewpoint.

 

[design.maddie]

You have to start somewhere with the rockscape. Let's grid this out for ease.

(This is an unedited photo with a Pixel 8 with single white bar)

I have begun the process of visualizing the rockscape that I am trying to achieve. I am at a loss of how far I should plan before I try to move everything over. I have equal amounts of LR to dry rock. I would like to have everything mixed throughout instead of the LR being built on top of the dry rock. I am working out a plan of action for the process of building the rockscape around the same time as I do the leak check on the system. Having to store an extra ~100 gallons while I am mixing saltwater and building the rockscape is going to be a new challenge for me. I do not have that type/size of storage containers for that. This means I will need to address this soon. All in all, it is getting rather exciting seeing the final steps of putting everything together.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Definitely following!!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

You have to start somewhere with the rockscape. Let's grid this out for ease.

(This is an unedited photo with a Pixel 8 with single white bar)

I have begun the process of visualizing the rockscape that I am trying to achieve. I am at a loss of how far I should plan before I try to move everything over. I have equal amounts of LR to dry rock. I would like to have everything mixed throughout instead of the LR being built on top of the dry rock. I am working out a plan of action for the process of building the rockscape around the same time as I do the leak check on the system. Having to store an extra ~100 gallons while I am mixing saltwater and building the rockscape is going to be a new challenge for me. I do not have that type/size of storage containers for that. This means I will need to address this soon. All in all, it is getting rather exciting seeing the final steps of putting everything together.

That is a smart way to do an aquascape!

 

[design.maddie]

Black Friday sale at BRS. Only thing that was on sale that I was needing this month. Plenty enough saltmix to fill that new 90-gallon setup. I can't wait to show you what I have coming in for a mixing container.

It is getting so close to setting up this tank and I am excited/nervous about it all. I do have a local reef keeper that has offered to lend a hand in any way I need so I do have that to fall back on. They have been super helpful throughout the years.

 

[Msz3389]

Good choice on lightning and salt. I would also say your thread is well organized. Good job!