Sorry about the WebCam. I have been so busy that I have not been able to replace the broken server.
This will probably not be back online for a while.

This Reef Aquarium is currently built into the wall of my finished basement. I have been an Aquarist for about 15 Years, but I have neglected the hobby for the last 8 because of a hectic life style consisting of a job with heavy travel, moving, building a home, and two young children. Basically, I have stuck to fish only tanks until recently. Now that the kids are a little older (12 and 9 at the time of this writing), I have a little time to spend on this - and they are pretty fascinated by it as well.

This tank is more of a science project than an aquarium.
As you browse around you will see what I mean.

This system is based on the Berlin Method of filtration. By this method, the filtration is done mostly by microorganisms in the Live Rock, various cleaner animals in the tank, and a high efficiency Protein Skimmer. There is no other biological or mechanical filter in the system. I have done away with the crushed coral substrate and converted the system to a shallow sand bed in the show tank (about 1-1/2" of sand) with a Deep Sand Bed refugium. This made a HUGE difference in the maintainability of the tank. The reason for the refugium is simply that I could not convert the show tank to a DSB because it would have meant tearing it apart - it also gives me a place to grow plants and animals that will not compete for food well in the main tank.

Soon, I will be adding to my Do-It-Yourself (DIY) page explaining the projects I have done to save money or create something that is not commercially available. The topics will be: Surge type wave maker, control system schematics, Chiller from dehumidifier, Overflow made completely from PVC pipe, and Modified "Durso" standpipe.

Please use the link bar to the left to browse the site.