About Us : Systems Used
Reef Encounters maintains over 700 gallons of coral propagation and quarantine systems. The standard Reef Encounters system employs a combination of:
- high-quality live rock
- efficient protein skimming
- appropriate lighting
- calcium supplementation
- a modular deep sand bed
- active carbon filtration
- phosphate removal.
We believe these seven basic features are the foundation of a successful reef tank. Provided that these features are combined in a balanced system, we believe little more than a disciplined and simple maintenance routine is required to maintain a successful reef aquarium. Certainly a plethora of chemical additives and filtration gizmos are noticeably lacking from Reef Encounters tanks.
Pacific live rock with an open arrangement that facilitates good water circulation is our recommended reef structure. Patient cycling of live rock in a dedicated system has proven to pay excellent dividends.
Reef Encounters uses protein skimming on all of its systems but to varying degrees. Excessive skimming is better than too little but once a system is balanced and fully established there are some benefits to daily periods of no skimming. We prefer Beckett-style skimmers but to operate correctly they require a powerful pump.
We believe there is no one lighting system perfect for all corals. Metal halide, power compact and VHO lighting each have their role depending on the biotope you're trying to replicate. We provide lighting information suitable for each species on the Livestock page .
Reef Encounter practices two approaches to calcium and alkalinity control: 1) calcium reactor and kalkwasser or 2) two-part calcium/alkalinity additions.
Deep sand beds are plumbed into all our systems. We prefer to maintain 3 to 5” sand beds or “mud” in multiple plastic trays. This modular approach allows flexibility in sand bed form and function with the option to easily replace sections of the sand bed periodically.
Too little is understood or made of controlling and removing the organic by-products from reef life metabolism. We believe frequent water changes and filtration through activated carbon complimenting aggressive protein skimming is the best strategy to-date. Phosphate-free carbon in some form of power filter (active filtration) is an important component in all our systems.
Iron-based phosphate removing media benefits SPS coral growth and limits algae growth. We employ Phosban™ or RowaPhos™ media in a slow flowing fluidized bed filter.
|
