Focus Reefing

JV
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Focus Reefing is a video podcast about the reef-keeping hobby, hosted by JV. Each episode features conversations with fellow hobbyists about their journeys, tank tours, successes, failures, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The goal is to share real-world experience, spotlight great reef tanks, and help others build healthier, more successful reef systems.

Episodes

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    He Built This SPS Reef Into His New Home

    Kevin from @reefing_amsterdam joins the Focus Reefing Podcast to discuss his custom SPS-dominant reef system built in the Netherlands. We cover quarantine protocols, automated water changes, Hydros automation, bare bottom reefing, coral growth strategy, and the reality of handling major tank mistakes while away from home. Kevin also shares how he designed his system around long-term stability, ease of maintenance, and making the tank a true part of the home. Follow Kevin on Instagram: Instagram Follow Focus Reefing: Instagram YouTube Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

    53 min

  2. 22 APR

    From Insomnia to Innovation: The Restorative Power of Julio’s 80G Reef

    In this episode, JV sits down with Julio Rangel (@tacoboutcorals) to talk about how reefing became more than just a hobby. After getting started with a small 10-gallon tank, Julio quickly scaled up and now runs an 80-gallon lagoon-style reef focused heavily on LPS corals and gonis. He shares how reefing helped him find structure and focus, and how the hobby continues to shape his outlook on life. The conversation covers patience, consistency, coral selection, running higher nutrient systems, and the gear and approach behind his current tank. Follow Julio: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacoboutcorals/ Follow Focus Reefing: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focusreefing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FocusReefing The Focus Reefing Podcast is available on Youtube Music, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

    35 min

  3. 1 APR

    He Stopped Testing His Reef Tank and It Worked

    In this episode of the Focus Reefing Podcast, JV sits down with Shaun (@somdtanks) to break down a nano reef that goes against a lot of what the hobby typically promotes. No testing. No dosing. Minimal equipment.And somehow it works. Shaun walks through his LPS-dominant nano reef, how it evolved from an anemone tank, and why he’s intentionally kept things simple after decades in the hobby. The conversation dives into stability in small systems, evaporation challenges, lighting choices, and the tradeoffs between hands-off reefing and high-control systems. This is a grounded look at what actually matters in reefing and what might not. If you’ve ever questioned whether more gear, more testing, or more complexity is really necessary, this episode will give you something to think about. Follow ShaunInstagram https://www.instagram.com/somdtanksYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@somdtanksTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@somdtanks Follow Focus ReefingInstagram https://www.instagram.com/focusreefingYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@focusreefing Listen to the podcastSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4pXJjbTA9HuuNNvFaCjRZ6?si=dWEIjMhpSC-lPAf-2KkaZgApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/focus-reefing/id1872864213 Topics coveredNano reef challengesNo testing reef tank approachWater changes vs dosingLighting choices for small tanksAnemone issues in nano systemsKeeping reef tanks simpleOld school reefing vs modern methods If you enjoyed this episodeSubscribe on YouTubeFollow on InstagramShare with another reefer

    32 min

  4. 19 MAR

    Consistency Beats Chasing Perfect Numbers

    Welcome to the Focus Reefing Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Dean, also known as @irishshrimpguy, to break down his 120 gallon mixed reef and how he’s transitioned from LPS into SPS over the last year. We talk about what actually drives success in reefing, consistency, testing habits, flow, lighting, and how to avoid getting overwhelmed by too much advice early on. Dean also shares his approach to keeping things simple, dialing in parameters, and building a system that works for him. This episode is a solid look at what it takes to maintain a clean, stable reef and why consistency always wins. Follow Dean on Instagram @irishshimpguy Listen to the Focus Reefing Podcast on Spotify Follow Focus ReefingInstagram: ⁠@focusreefing⁠Facebook: ⁠@focusreefing⁠YouTube: @focusreefing⁠

    46 min

  5. 5 MAR

    This 230G Tank Arrived and Wouldn’t Fit the Elevator!

    What do you do when your brand new reef tank shows up and it doesn’t even fit in the freight elevator? In this episode, JV talks with Jonathan aka @social_reefer about running a 200 gallon peninsula reef in a New York apartment and what it takes to keep a big system stable without overcomplicating it. Jonathan shares how he got into reefing during COVID, how he scored most of his setup secondhand, and why this hobby has more than one right answer if you commit to a method and stop chasing every new opinion online. They cover lighting flow dosing and filtration plus the corals and fish that have survived the mistakes and the simple slip ups that can turn into a disaster fast. Follow Focus Reefing on Instagram and Facebook @focusreefing Follow Jonathan on Instagram @social_reefer and on YouTube @Social Reefer

    47 min

  6. 18 FEB

    Why He Stopped Testing His Reef Tank!

    Follow Focus Reefing on Instagram and Facebook ⁠@focusreefing⁠. ⁠YouTube @focusreefing⁠ Follow Danny on Instagram ⁠@britosreef⁠. Danny (@britosreef) literally walked a Waterbox 20 across NYC and took it on the subway to get it home — and that was just the beginning. In this episode of Focus Reefing, JV talks with Danny about how his first saltwater tank became a thriving 20g nano mixed reef with a GSP back wall, smart-simple automation for travel, and a system built around consistency more than constant testing. They cover the gear (AI Prime, Nero 3, All For Reef dosing), his 5-gallon weekly water change routine, why torches kept “randomly dissolving,” how he skipped the ugly phase with seeded media, and even how he keeps a Biota mandarin fat and happy in a nano by training it onto pellets.

    48 min

  7. 5 FEB

    Why His Frag Tank Plays a Bigger Role Than His Displays

    Follow Focus Reefing on Instagram and Facebook Subscribe on YouTube. In this episode of Focus Reefing, JV sits down with Mike (MK_Reefs) to break down what makes nano reefs succeed or crash fast—from “when in doubt, water change” to why he skips protein skimmers on nanos, how he runs a surprisingly simple 10g Waterbox setup, and how his bigger frag system supports constant growth, trades, and tank restarts.

    38 min

  8. 29 JAN

    Building a reef tank with growth in mind!

    In this episode of Focus Reefing, I sit down with Jamie, also known as @EmpireReefer, to walk through his reef system and the mindset behind it. Jamie shares his transition from freshwater into saltwater, how he approached building his first reef tank, and the lessons learned along the way. We talk about coral placement, flow, lighting decisions, aquascaping with growth in mind, and how experience changes the way you think about equipment and livestock. The conversation also covers nutrient management, dosing and testing routines, lighting schedules, fish selection, and how reefing in a city apartment shapes the way systems are designed and maintained. This episode is a full system breakdown paired with honest insight into what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how Jamie continues to refine his approach as the tank matures. You can watch the full video version on YouTube and YouTube Music, or listen on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. Instagram @focusreefingYouTube @focusreefing Facebook @focusreefing

    44 min

  9. 8 JAN

    210G Peninsula Reef Tour | SPS, Automation, Flow, and Lessons Learned with JT (@Hardy_reef)

    In this episode of Focus Reefing, JV sits down with JT (@Hardy_reef) for a deep dive into his 210-gallon peninsula reef. JT shares his reefing journey, system philosophy, and the lessons learned from building and maintaining a mature SPS-dominant tank. We cover automation, flow, lighting, redundancy, and the mindset required to keep a large reef stable long term. YouTube — @focusreefing Instagram — @focusreefingFacebook — @focusreefing

    1hr 3min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Focus Reefing is a video podcast about the reef-keeping hobby, hosted by JV. Each episode features conversations with fellow hobbyists about their journeys, tank tours, successes, failures, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The goal is to share real-world experience, spotlight great reef tanks, and help others build healthier, more successful reef systems.

Information

  • Creator
    JV
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © JV
  • Show Website
    Focus Reefing