The Tripp Lite UPS automatically senses a power failure and swithces to battery backup mode. In turn, the controller will also detect a power failure and it will switch everything off except the return pump to conserve battery life and send an email alarm. Although I can connect additional battery capacity, the current battery will allow the return pump, controller, and cable modem/router to run for about four hours.

The tank uses a Tunze osmolator to maintain water and salinity levels by pumping RO/DI water into the sump to replace evaporated water. The Neptune controller could actually replace this piece of equipment, but since I already had the osmolator and it works so well, for now I will continue to use it. The osmolator consists of a small controller box that has a water level sensor (not a float switch that can fail) and a high level float switch that sounds an alarm if the sump fills too high.

A Tunze calcium dispenser is connected to the osmolator and mixes RO/DI water with quick lime to make kalkwasser. Kalkwasser maintains the balance between calcium and alkalnity in the tank. These parameters are essential for coral growth, especially stoney corals that use calcium to make their skeletons.

To feed the fish, especially when I'm out of town, I use an automatic fish feeder. The feeder is made by Super-Feeder. Besides being a very well constructed feeder, the cool thing about the feeder is it plugs into the Neptune controller. This allows me to easily program feedings or even initiate a feeding over the internet!

The following pages provide descriptions and photos of other equipment used to setup the reef tank:

Tank
Flow
Sump/Filtration
Lighting
Frag Tank
Controls and Automation