Thanks!
The camera I am using is actually my wife's Nikon d5000. I am using the kit lens (18-55mm). I have been using this same camera and lens in all my shots since the beginning of the thread.
50g SPS build
- Thread starter cpllongjk
- Start date
Thanks!
The camera I am using is actually my wife's Nikon d5000. I am using the kit lens (18-55mm). I have been using this same camera and lens in all my shots since the beginning of the thread.
Thanks. I'm trying to talk the wife into a macro lens. We will see what happens.
Cant tell for sure, but they look to be colouring up.
Unfortunately I have to tell you that I think I can see Red bugs on this coral:
There is a red spot in the middle...on the bigger branch. I see 3 other red spots as well...
Thanks for seeing that. I think its an illusion because I inspected the corals very well when I put them in the tank for bugs and eggs. I will get the coral up close tonight when I get off work and take a close look. If, there's bugs Ill dip again or get some interceptor ready.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Those are an elite range of skimmers...arent they very pricey too? Why replace the Vertex?
The prices wasn't as bad a Bubble King. I talked to Jeff at LifeReef for an hour last night about skimmers and being a scientist myself and seeing the FADs come and go I completely agree with him.
His customer service is outstanding IMO. I told him all the issues I have had with my vertex and he identified all the problems I could think about and more.
Don't get me wrong, I love the build quality of my vertex. However, it doesn't skim nearly as good as it should. I filter more gunk out through mechanical filtration than my skimmer can get. I know the material is in the tank too. The vertex is one of the best skimmers I've owned but I am going back to tried and true technology.
There is one change I am making to his skimmer that isn't posted on his site. I am not going to use the recommended pumps (blue line and mag9.5), instead I opted for a Jebao DC6000 pump. Being able to adjust the flow through the skimmer and only be running max 40 watts at full speed will be outstanding. I have used mag drive pumps in the past and while they are good little pumps they put out too much heat for where I live in the summer time.
His customer service is outstanding IMO. I told him all the issues I have had with my vertex and he identified all the problems I could think about and more.
Don't get me wrong, I love the build quality of my vertex. However, it doesn't skim nearly as good as it should. I filter more gunk out through mechanical filtration than my skimmer can get. I know the material is in the tank too. The vertex is one of the best skimmers I've owned but I am going back to tried and true technology.
There is one change I am making to his skimmer that isn't posted on his site. I am not going to use the recommended pumps (blue line and mag9.5), instead I opted for a Jebao DC6000 pump. Being able to adjust the flow through the skimmer and only be running max 40 watts at full speed will be outstanding. I have used mag drive pumps in the past and while they are good little pumps they put out too much heat for where I live in the summer time.
Continued...
One of the issues with the past few skimmers I've owned is how the skimmer collects gunk in the neck but never in the cup. If I adjust the skimmer to skim more wet, I get a light tea colored skimmate. If I go to low, then the gunk collects in the neck. There is never a happy medium and I've played with my vertex omega for a year now.
The other issues is smell. For the past few weeks my wife has been complaining of the smell coming from my tank room. One of the benefits of the lifereef skimmer is the recycling of stinky air coming from the skimmer neck.
One of the ways vertex and some of these other companies counter-act the lack of a solid foam head is by offering a neck cleaner. I owned a neck cleaner in the past and honestly it doesn't work like advertised. The gunk accumulates on the neck cleaner instead of the neck itself, making it no different whether you use it or not.
In the end what made me go with LIFEREEF was Jeff's customer service and the ability to get help for my product anytime I wish. I contacted KZ about my busted magnet for the KZ Zeovit Reactor and they told me it would cost roughly 90 euro shipped and I had to buy a whole media chamber assembly when I only needed the magnet. Crazy!
One of the issues with the past few skimmers I've owned is how the skimmer collects gunk in the neck but never in the cup. If I adjust the skimmer to skim more wet, I get a light tea colored skimmate. If I go to low, then the gunk collects in the neck. There is never a happy medium and I've played with my vertex omega for a year now.
The other issues is smell. For the past few weeks my wife has been complaining of the smell coming from my tank room. One of the benefits of the lifereef skimmer is the recycling of stinky air coming from the skimmer neck.
One of the ways vertex and some of these other companies counter-act the lack of a solid foam head is by offering a neck cleaner. I owned a neck cleaner in the past and honestly it doesn't work like advertised. The gunk accumulates on the neck cleaner instead of the neck itself, making it no different whether you use it or not.
In the end what made me go with LIFEREEF was Jeff's customer service and the ability to get help for my product anytime I wish. I contacted KZ about my busted magnet for the KZ Zeovit Reactor and they told me it would cost roughly 90 euro shipped and I had to buy a whole media chamber assembly when I only needed the magnet. Crazy!
I was shocked when I got the email. I love my kz reactor. But that email turned me off from future european purchases. From now on, if I have something that may need replacement parts I will buy a product that has someone in the US that can help me like TUNZE. At least they have a US office and support.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Roger Vitko from Tunze USA, is extremely helpful; Tunze UK have been very helpful for me in the past. I can say the same for Ecotech UK as well.
I've read of VERY good service from ATB as well...KZ...hmm...:headwally:
ATB is no longer in the USA from my understanding.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Well thats a relief then...phew...
It must be a post processing digital noise or even caused when the images were uploaded and the image quality gets reduced etc.Glad all is well.
Tank as it sits today. Removed one of the tunze 6055s, moved 1 of them and changed their profile. They don't kick up as much sand but still export waste when using my surge mode and move the water very well as well. I have been dialing in the calcium and alk dosing units so I do not drop any or raise any calcium and alk.
Currently at 465-470 calcium and 7.5 dKH and would like to stay there.
Magnesium is a bit high for my tastes at 1460 but it will drop over time with more added corals.
FTS
Side View
My daughter getting dinner and a show!
Currently at 465-470 calcium and 7.5 dKH and would like to stay there.
Magnesium is a bit high for my tastes at 1460 but it will drop over time with more added corals.
FTS
Side View
My daughter getting dinner and a show!
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Nice skimmer! Be sure to post a pic or two once it starts skimming nicely. I like the skinny neck skimmers as I believe they get the crap out quicker...with the wide neck skimmers, IMO it takes a lot more crap in the water to build a decent foam head. Plus a they require a lot more powerful pump to work...
