Tom Sandercock is on the physiology faculty at Northwestern University, where he studies neuro-muscular systems, an area that has almost nothing to do with reef aquaria short of their shared complexity. However, aquariums have been a passionate hobby for almost 20 years. He was president of the Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society and continues to serve as a trustee. Additional aquarium related interests include scuba diving and underwater photography.

Over the last 7 years Tom has continuously maintained 2 reef tanks, and has started over 20 experimental aquaria. His goal is a low maintenance, robust, self-sustaining system. He has tried almost every style of reef tank. He has used different light sources including: metal halide, VHO, normal output fluorescent, and sunlight. He has used different filtration methods including: live rock, deep sand bed, protein skimmer, and algae refugium systems. He has found all methods work with varying degrees of robustness. He favors natural systems and is fascinated by the intricate balance required in a thriving reef system. He strongly supports research into the biology of aquaria.

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ABSTRACT

The $100 Reef Aquarium: Maintaining a Minimalist Tank Using Only Sunlight in the Dim Northern Reaches of Chicagoland

Different reefkeepers have different goals and philosophies.  I enjoy simple systems relying on biological processes.  Over the last 4 years I have maintained several reef tanks using only sunlight for the light source, live rock and sand for filtration, a pump for water movement, and a heater and a fan for temperature control.  These tanks have become my favorites because they require low maintenance, are very robust, yet have the full range of organisms and behaviors expected in a reef system.  This seminar will discuss the requirements and recommended livestock for these tanks.  It will show the time course of several reef aquariums over a three year period.