240g in wall shallow reef build
- Thread starter jpa0741
- Start date
jpa0741
New member
Ya, from the research I did I found that they prefer the short mossy looking algae and not stuff like hair algae. I really have never had any haig algae or other long stuff in my tanks. Just the stuff that kind of grows over the rocks and on the egg crate. I also get the red cotton lagae in my sump/fuge. My tangs and foxface keep it from ever showing up in the display. I do hope he will keep that from showing up in the frag tank.
jpa0741
New member
Controller has arrived. I hope I have everything is hooked up right we will see if everything comes on as planned tomorrow. Right now it is running my 4 MH, 4 VHO, heaters, fan, moon lights, return pump. I have it set to turn the heaters on below 79. Turn the fan on over 80. I also have a backup set if the temp hits 85 it will turn off the MH. It also has a PH probe. I am using it just to monitor it.
jpa0741
New member
Well thanks to the new controller I have already found a few concerns in the system.
1. My PH is running low. Although not that uncommon in MI winter. It dropped down to a low of 7.8 last night. I am going to watch it today and see how high it gets after the lights have been on. I did run a hose outside to get some fresh air to the skimmer.
2. Only 3 of my 4 heaters are ever turning on. I am using the stealth heaters and they don't have an on light. The controller will read how many amps are being used, so I can tell only 2 or 3 are ever on. I am trying to keep my tank between 79-80 and with only 3 heaters it would only keep it up to 78.5. Going to replace them all today.
So hopefully I can fix a few problems before they got worse.
1. My PH is running low. Although not that uncommon in MI winter. It dropped down to a low of 7.8 last night. I am going to watch it today and see how high it gets after the lights have been on. I did run a hose outside to get some fresh air to the skimmer.
2. Only 3 of my 4 heaters are ever turning on. I am using the stealth heaters and they don't have an on light. The controller will read how many amps are being used, so I can tell only 2 or 3 are ever on. I am trying to keep my tank between 79-80 and with only 3 heaters it would only keep it up to 78.5. Going to replace them all today.
So hopefully I can fix a few problems before they got worse.
mcliffy2
New member
Why are you worried about keeping it that high? FWIW I keep mine at about 76-77 and have had no problems. I know others who keep their tank cooler (75-77 range)...many specimens (such as deepwater corals and fish) come from areas with this range of temps or lower, and others seem to behave fine with these temps (there are many things in our tanks that aren't identical to nature). If your heater can't keep up, you could just save some cash and run your tank a little cooler. You are talking about 500-900w that is constantly on, so running it cooler saves quite a bit on the electric bill.
jpa0741
New member
I was not worried about keeping it that high. It was just the temp I decided to keep my tank at, as do many others. I know tanks can do well at different temps. I am more just shooting for stable temps. Actually I am saving money know by adding another heater. Now when my temp drop below 79 (only when the lights are off) my heaters kick on. It does not take long and they have heated it over 79 and they shut back off. Before they were running all the time when the lights were off.
jpa0741
New member
Well I found an extra workhorse ballast laying around so I went ahead and put it to good use. I added 4 24" T5 for some more actinic supplement. I am running the ATI blue +. It helps give a little more punch. I need to get 2 more reflectors for the ones on the outsides.
I also see I need to clean my reflectors.
Here are some recent FTS.
I also see I need to clean my reflectors.
Here are some recent FTS.
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