In our focus groups, we find that almost everyone wants a saltwater aquarium, and preferably a basic mixed reef — some easy to keep fish, corals, and inverts.
We also found that most reefkeepers give up and quit for a variety of reasons related to the complexity, and resulting stress (lost animals, time, money, and frustration). They either quit in the planning stage, or within the first year or so.
Since to us the hobby has clear benefits versus the cost, we started thinking there has to be a better way. Over a two year period, we eliminated sub-systems, processes, and devices little-by-little, one-by-one. We operated our KIS System with minimum functions and complexity, and not a single loss of an animal (one Firefish managed to jump). In comparison, we followed “reef junkie” systems that employed every imaginable gadget and water treatment.
On balance, both systems survived and even thrived. We list here and in our blog every difference between the two approaches. The beginner to intermediate reef keeper could quite easily setup and manage a similar KIS System in our opinion.
Our aim includes low stress, less than 1 hr per week in hands-on maintenance, and an affordable monthly total cost of ownership.
Contents
270 gallon system
Relatively low bio-load, generally easy-to-keep critters.
coral beauty
assorted damsels
pair of clownfish
copper band butterfly (our canary in the coal mine)
coral-banded shrimp
cleaner shrimp
emerald crab
variety of LPS and soft corals
Aquarium
peninsula; 3-sides Starphire glass; 2-surface drains
bare-bottom
LED lighting, 18K
skimmer; operated a few days per week then finally removed
water changes, 10 to 20% every one to two weeks
two power heads in display tank
live rock in display tank
sump in stand underneath tank
filter sock on drain lines
return pump
macro-algae on reverse photo period (lit at night)
heater in the sump
70 gal, external, display refugium
big ball of chaeto
no special lighting, just bright ambient natural light
200 gallon system
Low bio-load, easy to keep livestock (with exception of Copperband Butterfly)
2- Mocha Clownfish
2- Three Striped Damsels
2- Blue Damsels
2- Domino Damsels
2 – Green Chromis
1 – Copperband Butterfly
1- Yellow Tang (added 02/01/2019)
1 – Cleaner Shrimp
10- Hermit crabs
variety of SPS and LPS
Display Tank
square; 3 sides Starphire glass; 36x36x24H; 140 gallons
bare bottom, no substrate
one gyre wave maker in display tank
live rock
LED lighting
Sump, refugium
sump, 60 gallons, used, Marineland glass aquarium
return pump
skimmer
powerhead
dragons tongue, chaeto macro algae (both removed 10/01/2018)
heater with integrated thermometer
UV sterilizer (added 03/10/2019)
LED lighting with plant spectrum
Saltwater make-up station
55 gallon drum
pump
salt mix
50 foot vinyl tubing (used to drain system water and add new saltwater)
Freshwater make-up station
RODI
5 gallon bucket