TANK:

My fish-only tank is a 125 gallon All-Glass tank that has been up and running since 1990.
 
 

LIGHTING:

I have two twin tube florescent hoods. Two actinic and two 50/50 bulbs are used. My lights are 48" long and placed on the left hand side of my tank. The extreme right hand side of my tank is left dark to simulate the habitat for my big-eye squirrel fish.
 
 

FILTRATION:

I have a wet-dry filter set up with DLS filter media. I use an in-sump protein skimmer as well as a modified skilter protein skimmer/power filter (I use a wooden airstone in place of the venturi). I also have a Hagen 500 power filter for mechanical filtration. I use Seachem's purigen media at all times.
 
 

WATER and WATER MOVEMENT:

I use two power heads facing toward each other. One is a Hagen 802 and the other is a Hagen Pro 4.
 
 

LIVE SAND???

Look Ma, here is the sand from my reef tank!!! The sand is doing great in my fish-only tank with some cucumbers, crabs, sea urchins, serpent stars and other non reef safe creature that sift through the sand efficiently.
 
 

ADDITIVES:

I put in Iodide and calcium once a week, mainly for the bubble coral.
 
 

CORALS:

I gigantic bubble coral. This coral has grown too large for my reef tank and has killed or damaged too many other corals to justify keeping it in my reef tank. It seems quite happy where it is (unlimited expansion opportunity).
 
 

FISH:

I have a Niger Trigger, 3 big-eye squirrel fish, a spotted grouper, a snowflake eel, and a lutescens wrasse.
 
 

INVERTEBRATES:

I have lots of crabs, 4 serpent stars, 5 sea urchins, a few cucumbers, and lots of little creatures going through the sand everyday!!!
 
 

FEEDING:

I feed my fish frozen krill twice a week and fortified flake or pellet food once a day. Once in a while I feed them fresh seafood (scallops, mussels, clams, shrimp and squid). Fresh seafood should not be used often since it makes the protein skimmer go bonkers. I also add in some frozen once a week cubes (marine cuisine, clams, vegetable) every once in a while.
 
 

SALT:

I am currently using Instant Ocean. I am convinced that the higher priced brands are just that, higher priced and do not offer significant advantages. Just get a salt that has been proven to be consistent from batch to batch. I do a 20% water change every six weeks or so.
 
 

BOOKS:

The most important book for fish-only tanks for me has been Dr. Burgess's Atlas. This book is very good at identifying that mislabeled fish that you thought you purchased in the pet store. I have several Tetra series books (Dr. Paul Loiselle, Hans Baensch, Dick Mills, Nick Dakin, and a few more). I also have a few T.F.H. books as well and many others...
 
 

ESSENTIAL TOOLS:

Algae scraper since the snails are always eaten by the crabs!!!
 
 

DISCLAIMER:

The above views are mine alone and represent my experiences with my own fish-only tank. What works for me may or may not work for you. I believe that fish keeping is a combination of science and art and all of us can have a beautiful painting in my eyes!!! Please e-mail me with your comments , questions and suggestions!!!
 

(drmark2004@bomani.com)