See our unique aquarium displays & first reef tank setup at our shop

Our SPS dominant display reef tank was our first reef tank setup in our reef aquarium shop in Melbourne Australia. It has been a cornerstone of Aquamarine Aquaristic for over 8 years, serving as both a showcase system and a core coral grow-out environment. While the tank has evolved over time, it was most recently fully rescaped in 2021 to optimise coral growth, flow, and long-term system stability.

This high-end reef system is powered by industry-leading equipment, including EcoTech Marine Radion lighting, Cove Life Support Systems, and Jebao wavemakers, creating precise control over lighting, flow, and overall reef conditions.

Lighting is provided by 6× EcoTech Radion G5 XR30 LED units, delivering intense, full-spectrum reef lighting tailored specifically for SPS coral health, coloration, and growth.

The system is heavily SPS-dominant, featuring a wide selection of Acropora and other small polyp stony corals, complemented by three clams and carefully placed gorgonians to add movement and contrast within the reefscape.

Filtration & Sump System

The system is supported by a fully integrated Cove Life Support sump and filtration setup, including:

• Automatic filter roller for mechanical filtration
• High-performance protein skimmer
• Custom-designed sump layout
• Media reactors for nutrient control
• Dedicated electrical control cabinet

All plumbing is custom-built in-house and colour-coded in orange and white, combining functionality with a clean, professional finish.

Signature Colony Production

This SPS display is not just a show tank - it is the primary production system for our signature coral colonies. Many of our premium aquacultured SPS corals are grown, conditioned, and healed within this system before being released to customers.

This 3 metre long reef aquarium is a true statement system, measuring 3m (L) × 1m (D) × 1m (W) with an estimated volume of approximately 3000 litres. Designed to showcase what is possible with scale, this tank focuses on size and livestock impact rather than complex engineering or over-designed infrastructure.

Unlike highly customised systems, this display uses a simple, reliable build approach - featuring a standard glass aquarium with cross bracing and a basic sump setup. The emphasis is on the reef itself, not unnecessary mechanical complexity.

Livestock & Coral Composition

This system is heavily dominated by Goniopora coral, making up roughly 80% of the entire reef structure, with an estimated 500 individual colonies forming a dense, flowing coral landscape.

Struggle with Goniopora? Click here to learn why!

The remaining livestock includes a carefully selected mix of:

• Chalice corals
• Zoanthids (Zoas) - more on Zoanthid care
• Soft corals including leather toadstools
• Acanthastrea and Echinata LPS varieties

The result is a massive, high-impact mixed reef dominated by movement, colour, and coral density.

Filtration & Dosing System

Despite its simple build philosophy, the system is supported by modern reef automation and stability tools, including:

• Reef Factory dosing system for precise supplementation
• KH Keeper for continuous alkalinity monitoring
• Cove Life Support Systems protein skimmer
• Eheim heaters for stable temperature control
• Additional support equipment for long-term system reliability

Lighting System

Lighting is provided by an extreme high-output LED array consisting of 10× EcoTech Radion XR30 units. This high-density lighting setup ensures full coverage across the entire 3 metre footprint, delivering intense spectrum and PAR levels required to support both SPS-adjacent systems and high-demand LPS colonies like Goniopora.

Concept Behind the Tank

This display is designed to demonstrate a simple principle: scale matters. With enough space, stability, and lighting power, even relatively straightforward systems can produce an overwhelming, natural reef presence dominated by colour, movement, and coral density.

Our Soft Coral Nano Reef is one of the simplest and most stable systems in the Aquamarine Aquaristic setup. Designed to demonstrate just how easy soft coral husbandry can be, this tank runs on a minimalistic approach - even simpler than many freshwater aquarium systems.

The setup includes only the essentials:

• Basic reef lighting
• Protein skimmer
• Return pump
• Mechanical and biological media
• Live rock and rubble substrate

There are no complex dosing systems or heavy automation - just a stable, low-intervention environment.

System Approach

This tank has remained remarkably stable over the past 2 years, with only salinity occasionally tested and very minimal intervention required. Soft corals are left to naturally attach, spread, and encrust across the rubble substrate over time, creating a self-developing reef structure.

Routine maintenance is minimal and includes:

• Regular glass cleaning
• Periodic coral trimming every few months
• Fish feeding once daily
• Water changes intended weekly (often extended in practice due to system stability)

Coral Growth & Production

This system is a consistent producer of soft coral frags, with strong growth rates and natural propagation throughout the tank. Mushrooms in particular thrive here, forming dense clusters and hidden colonies that display exceptional colour and variety.

The result is a low-maintenance, high-output soft coral system that showcases how resilient and rewarding soft coral reefing can be when kept simple.