Meet Colton! 👋
Hey y’all – I’m Colton Rice. Husband, father, ER physician, and coral fanatic based in Texas. I began reefing in 2020 with a budget tank, a pair of clownfish from Petco, and more enthusiasm than experience. What started as a simple setup quickly turned into a deep pursuit of understanding the science behind thriving reef ecosystems.
Today through social media as Rices_Reef, I strive to combine technical precision with cinematic elegance—showcasing how knowledge, patience, and intention can transform a glass box into a work of art.
Colton's Story
Introduction to aquariums
First Reef tank
SPS aquarium
300 gallon aquarium
BABY!
THRIVING ECOSYSTEM
About Colton's setup
There’s something seriously impressive about Colton's 300 gallon reef. It’s an SPS-dominated mixed reef that really pushes the limits of what’s possible with a negative space aquascape — clean, open, and built to let every coral stand out.
What started as a dedicated SPS system has evolved into something much more dynamic. Large LPS colonies now fill in the structure, adding movement and contrast, while a wide variety of colorful fish bring the entire tank to life.
And at the top, exactly where they thrive most, vibrant acropora dominate the scene — growing, coloring up, and defining the reef.
It’s a system that blends precision with creativity, structure with flow — a full mixed reef that still stays true to its SPS roots.
Lighting | 5x Illumagic X4 & Vitamini Strips
