For the month of February we are showcasing Cole’s (Spike on the Board) 90 Gallon Reef Tank.

Cole began in the saltwater hobby in 2004. Starting with a used 55 gallon tank and a home-made stand he jumped in with both feet. Originally this tank used a bio-wheel HOB filter, a few power heads, and a two bulb PC light fixture. It was only after several mistakes and reefing lessons that things changed. The bio-wheels were quickly removed and the filter was filled with valuable media such as activated carbon and phosphate/nitrate reducing pads. The next investment was a skimmer and an upgraded light system. Shortly after getting the 55g stabilized he added a 30g tank to his collection. After 6 years of having these tanks he moved and upgraded to a used 90g tank with sump/refugium.

On this tank (pictured) Cole decided to upgrade to metal halide lighting (1 400W SE Bulb) with PC supplements. Cole added a filter sock to this system and stocked the refugium with chaeto and feather calurpa. This system has been up and running for 2 ½ successful years. Cole currently doses calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, vitamin c, ions, fuel, and vibrance. His livestock includes:

Blue Hippo Tang

2 x Percula Clowns

Red Fairy Wrasse

Orbic Cardinal

Royal Gramma

Diamond Goby

Sailfin Tang

Coral Banded Shrimp

Harlequin Shrimp

Gold Tear Drop Clam

The corals consist of a variety of softies, lps and sps. Having joined UTMAS near it’s inception, Cole took advantage of the amazing raffles and fragtaculars in order to stock his tank. Cole has plans on moving again soon and taking his obsession to the next level, a 240g display tank with a 90g sump and 65g frag tank. 

Related posts:

1. Tank of the Month: July 2010
2. Tank of the Month: August 2010
3. RapidLED PnP System at the February Meeting
4. Overclocking your saltwater tank with a Sulfur Denitrator