In our first ever SWP Tank of the Month, we were introduced to an amazing reef tank from another continent. In this months series we are blessed to have our newest iteration be a bit closer to home, at least if you live in the USA. SWP has been witness to a lot of amazing mixed reef tanks over the years and can say this tank ranks high on the list. This tanks provides many focal points with a great variety of corals while allowing for plenty of room for its inhabitants to “stretch their legs” so to speak. Come join us as we take a closer look into this one of a kind personal marine environment.
Tank Owner - JP Jimenez - Twitter(Warriorsreef_805) Location - Amarillo, Texas - United States Display Volume - 160 Gallons
JP has been keeping aquariums for what seems to be forever. Starting with a freshwater tank when JP was younger, the passion just grew from there. The natural transition from freshwater to salt water happened approximately 10 years ago. While making a purchase for the freshwater planted aquarium JP stumbled upon a sale for a JBJ- 8 Gallon nano cube. This was where the saltwater hobby took off.
“The deal was too good to pass up, and so I came home with my first saltwater aquarium and I have been hooked ever since.“
Weeks later JP sold the contents of the 55 gallon freshwater setup and transitioned it into a saltwater tank.
As with any tank of this quality, there is an army of equipment behind the scenes that constantly is working to keep this mini marine paradise thriving. JP has incorporated a Current USA 6011 Pump (Return pump), Jeabo RW-6 (Circulation Pump), Ice Cap 3K Gyre Pump (Additional Circulation), Acrylic Habitat Leviathan Sump 36 (used as a filter, as well as a holding place for unsightly, miscellaneous equipment such as protein skimmers, calcium reactors, and heaters), XP Aqua Duetto ATO (Water Auto Top Off), 2-Red Sea Reef 90 LED – Kessil A360 – 3 ft Reefbrite light bar (Lighting). OK, now that we made our way through the mechanics of this marine machine lets take a closer look at the beautiful eye candy it holds.
Corals- Red Monti Cap Green Monti Cap Green Digitata Bubble Gum Digitata Forest Fire Digitata Aquaman Acro Pink Lemonade Acro Rainbow ASD acro Green Acro Garf Bonsai acro Joker Torch Purple Torch Purple Tip Hammer Pink Boobie Chalice Red Planet Acro Fire Cracker Goni Green/Orange lobo Rainbow Trachy Dragon Soul favia gold rimmed favia UFO Chalice 6 Random Acans Banana Acro King Spawn 4 Different Ricordia Mushrooms 4 different types of cyphastria 15 different types of zoas and way more no name coral.
Livestock (Fish)- Yellow Tang Blue Hippo Tang Unicorn Tang Yellow Wrasse Green Wrasse Blue/Green Chromis Lawnmower blenny Diamond Goby Midnight Clownfish
Livestock (Invertebrates)- Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Peppermint Shrimp 12x Turbo Snails
JP has enjoyed the journey within the saltwater hobby. But, as we all mostly know, there are some ups and downs along the way. JP started out just like any Reefer by learning a lot through trial and error (unfortunately). Even though there has been loss of fish and Coral along the way “I just try and learn as much as possible through other reefers, my own errors, forums, books and YouTube… a lot of YouTube.” JP continues to learn everyday. That leads us into the most gratifying factor of having a saltwater tank, teaching his 8 -year-old daughter the importance of sustainability and how to protect our oceans. That is a great reminder that knowledge is nothing unless passed down to younger generations. The more children introduced to this amazing reef environment may have a ripple effect of good for many years to come.
SWP would like to thank JP for allowing us to showcase his amazing mixed reef tank for the community to see. Remember to keep learning and always pass our love for the oceans on to the next generation.
Feel free to follow JP on twitter here – warriorsreef_805
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