An addicted reefer chic's 40B franken tank w/ 2 30g display macro tanks...

[MeanGreenEyes]

Great setup! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!

My starry blenny is my favorite fish by far. My wife went from, "Weird", to "Scary", to "Cute", in about 3 weeks. :lmao:

You've got a nice system and the help you're providing is inspirational. Great thread!

It's funny how they try to act like they have no interest in our tanks and then you'll catch them suddenly asking questions or staring at our tanks.

What a bunch of Hypocrites, if this wasn't a good looking woman, EVERY one of you would be attacking her for having a Yellow Tang in a 40B, but as it is, not 1 mention of it, unbelievable. I personally don't recommend or condemn people for this, but I am certainly in the minority. BTW OP, you do have a very nice DT & set up.

Honestly, I'm not here to fight...really couldn't give 2 sh*ts about someones panties getting into a bunch over my tang. I got him as a baby for my son...let him grow a little while and he will be going to a permanent residence in a friend's much larger tank very soon. I made clear at the beginning of the thread that my tang was a temporary resident...so it should be left at that. I've been in the hobby for 15 years (fw for most of it) and I would never intentionally do/bring harm to any livestock. I'm fully aware and know what I'm doing. I can post pics of a few previous tanks that I've had over the years. I know there are a lot of morons that are careless with their livestock stocking choices. I was even discussing the possibility of setting up a large DT in my living room just for this tang, so trust and believe when I say I have it's best interest at heart.

In all of my years in the hobby, I've dealt with constant criticism from friend's/family and am known as the crazy fish lady...seriously. So I'm here to hopefully build long lasting friendships with other reefers to talk reef with. Thank you for your comments and concerns...

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Very nice setup! Very nice tanks.

Thank you!




**update**

Bought a few new goodies tonight...they were drip acclimated and added to DT...tried to snap a few pics before lights out. I bought the very last green deepwater acro frag they had. As well as 80lbs of dry sand for the 30's...about to go rinse it really good in RO and get this display macro tank party started.

We also have a frag swap that I will be attending and have separate 30g and 10g tanks that have been setup as QT tanks to prepare for this event.

Was also able to snag one of their rocks with some unidentified hitchhiker macro attached but didn't take a pic...it's a burgundy color. They are also trying to grow out some purple scroll...I called dibs as soon as it's ready for sale.

Also, in the planning stages of making a pod/phyto/rotifer culturing setup.

I also want to upgrade to leds...friends are pushing for me to go ai sol but I haven't decided. I want the full blown apex (I hate...hate...hate my RKL v3...it's a piece of sh*t...wish I would've gone apex from the beginning)

I've seen some go MP10 & MP40 and some go 2x MP10 on 40B's...what do you guys think? Already have my MP10wes and tunze 6025.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Omg...I found the leds I want to upgrade to...I'm in love...literally!! :love1::love2: I've really been dying to upgrade because I miss the shimmer/pop of leds, the bulb replacement is a p.i.t.a., the heat, electric usage...all of the obvious reasons. Found really, really good deals on both radions and ai's and it really bothered me that I had such a difficult time in deciding to pull the plug on one or the other. With lighting being such a large investment...I want to do it right the first time. T5's will most likely go over macro fuge or be sold.

It's the GHL Mitras LX 6100! :love2::dance:

I have been researching my a$$ off and have spoken to all of my reefer friend's...they were all 50/50 between ai and radion which are both still lacking in spectrum/coral coloration.


Here's the specs on them...

http://www.aquariumcomputer.com/Sys...dant_lamp_Mitras/led-pendant_lamp_mitras.html

Anyone on here have them?

 

[seminoleFLreef]

Ive never seen those before, and ive done lots of research.. they look NICE!!!!!!!!

I was going to build my own setups for the two tanks at the house, and the tank at my business already has LED that performs GREAT. I bought the display tank from a LFS that went out of business and before owning LED Reef lighting, I was sceptical.

The GHL look even better since they group the LEDS to eliminate color spotting. Ive seen some disco looking tanks with that many colors, I may have to leap on the GHL.

How much is the Mitras LX 6100, and would they offer a group buy?

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Ive never seen those before, and ive done lots of research.. they look NICE!!!!!!!!

I was going to build my own setups for the two tanks at the house, and the tank at my business already has LED that performs GREAT. I bought the display tank from a LFS that went out of business and before owning LED Reef lighting, I was sceptical.

The GHL look even better since they group the LEDS to eliminate color spotting. Ive seen some disco looking tanks with that many colors, I may have to leap on the GHL.

How much is the Mitras LX 6100, and would they offer a group buy?

I've pretty much looked into every option when it comes to leds as well as d.i.y., which I love doing, except that I've yet to see any long term SPS dominant tank with d.i.y. I love fixing things, I've replaced my own drain motor and agitator on my wash machine, have fixed and am in the process of fixing my kitchenaid stand mixer again (I cook/bake A LOT lol), etc., but I just do not feel comfortable with long term success with d.i.y. leds. IMHO. GHL also has such a great reputation. You're right, every review that I've found hasn't had any complaints of the infamous disco ball effect.

The Mitras fixture is a cool $1,199. It's a lot to invest, but like I said...I'm unhappy with my T5's and I feel that they're becoming antiquated fast. I seriously doubt that they will do a group buy and I don't know RC's rules on them. They're selling like hotcakes. Literally. There is also a 4-6 week turnaround.

I have the opportunity to grab the very last fixture that the people I'm dealing with have here in the US, which is silver with hyper violets. I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to get the silver fixture immediately or wait 4-6 weeks for a black one? Since my tank, stand, background, silicone are all black...should I go with silver with hyper violet or wait for black?

Oh and they do have a sponsor forum here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=527

 

[seminoleFLreef]

I like you already....

Researching all the DIY LED, fixing your washer and mixer, willing to spend what it takes for great reef lighting, AND youve got a killer vocabulary. You had me at "Cook/Bake a LOT."

haha. Me personally, I would wait for the black set (so I can get that silver one!) J/K, the wife might want to discuss a $1200 purchase for one of my tanks, and this close to Christmas with three kids, not happening. Seeing that all your other items are black I would probably wait the time it takes to get the one that matches. Silver may look better with the rest of your decor though. Its going to be totally your call on that.

Its funny you fixed your KitchenAid mixer, I need to do the same and have been pushing it off too long. The front where the logo is is pushing way out and I havent taken it all apart yet. My wife is in the process of making 20 pumpkin cheesecakes and already mentioned I should fix it before it breaks and she HAS to get a new one

Ive got a 76 half cylinder with the LED fixture on it now thats working excellent, at the house I wanted to upgrade my 14 biocube with LEDs and I also have a cardiff 24 gallon bullet that needs lights. That may have to be a DIY kit since its so oddly shaped. Im half tempted to buy the GHL for the half cylinder and take the current LEDs for my cardiff... but sadly, im an impusle buyer as well, and it would be pure torture to wait 4 to 6 weeks for a new set! haha

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

I like you already....

Researching all the DIY LED, fixing your washer and mixer, willing to spend what it takes for great reef lighting, AND youve got a killer vocabulary. You had me at "Cook/Bake a LOT."

haha. Me personally, I would wait for the black set (so I can get that silver one!) J/K, the wife might want to discuss a $1200 purchase for one of my tanks, and this close to Christmas with three kids, not happening. Seeing that all your other items are black I would probably wait the time it takes to get the one that matches. Silver may look better with the rest of your decor though. Its going to be totally your call on that.

Its funny you fixed your KitchenAid mixer, I need to do the same and have been pushing it off too long. The front where the logo is is pushing way out and I havent taken it all apart yet. My wife is in the process of making 20 pumpkin cheesecakes and already mentioned I should fix it before it breaks and she HAS to get a new one

Ive got a 76 half cylinder with the LED fixture on it now thats working excellent, at the house I wanted to upgrade my 14 biocube with LEDs and I also have a cardiff 24 gallon bullet that needs lights. That may have to be a DIY kit since its so oddly shaped. Im half tempted to buy the GHL for the half cylinder and take the current LEDs for my cardiff... but sadly, im an impusle buyer as well, and it would be pure torture to wait 4 to 6 weeks for a new set! haha

I'm an independent woman and I hate depending on anyone for anything. Honestly, I'm a divorced Mom of 3...while I have a great boyfriend...I mean he's as good as they come...he's my future and I'm madly in love with him...nobody will tell me how to spend my money. hahahaha That's the divorcee in me talking. He knows certain things with me are no-win topics with me (i.e. reefing.) I really lmao about all the power that you guys' wives have over your reefing purchases...the double standards...we buy purses, shoes, clothes, mani/pedi's, etc. and you get your a$$es handed to you for buying anything reef related because it all takes your attention from her. I don't have to deal with any of that with him! He'll get mad...give me a few looks...mumble some angry words and give up! No, I'm not rich by any means, but if my reef needs something...I save for it and make it happen. I also shop for the best deal possible for anything that I buy so it's not such a burden on my pockets. I'm a sale shopper/couponer as well...I hate paying retail. lol. So he thinks everything that I purchase reef related is at a great discount regardless of the retail price b/c he knows my addiction to saving.

I think I will wait for the black fixture even though I have zero patience...maybe...still deciding. :sad1:

Now about that Kitchenaid. I have the Pro 600 6QT bowl lift. It's been my b.f.f. and workhorse since like '06/'07. I make a lot of dough's (i.e. pizza, bread, english muffins, bagels, etc.) which are really hard on the worm gears. I make everything from scratch that I can which is also a part of my addiction to saving money so that I can spend it in places that I prefer (my reef.) I do not buy pizza out, sandwich bread, breakfast stuffs...I make them myself. Healthier...less additives...less money. Win/win. I feel like my heart was just ripped out when it comes to my mixer being out of service until my parts arrive (ordered today.) My KA was $599 retail when it was new.

I could ramble about cooking and my KA for days but here's resources to get it fixed...be a good hubby and fix it asap! lol "Happy wife...happy life!" All of these parts are under $20 and depending on what you need it's a dirt cheap fix. I chose expedited shipping b/c I can't live without mine. Fix it cheap without her hounding you and it'll be easier to slide your $1,200 purchase by her! lol AND DO NOT FORGET TO BUY GREASE WHEN ORDERING THE REPLACEMENT PARTS! So you're not kicking yourself later! Also, post a pic of the what's wrong with the mixer. The guts of the KA's are really pretty simple...so hopefully it'll be an easy fix. I haven't cleaned all of my parts of the grease yet...it's black from use so I can't really tell what's wrong yet. Other than the transmission housing was cracked and the front bearing on one of the worm gears was completely broken off. So I just ordered all of the replacement parts so that if I find something wrong while fixing...I'll have it on hand.

Replacement parts:

Gears:
http://www.marbeck.com/categories/KITCHEN/Mixer-Beater-&-Bowl-Parts/KitchenAid-Mixer-Gears/

Repair parts:
http://www.marbeck.com/categories/KITCHEN/Mixer-Beater-&-Bowl-Parts/KitchenAid-Mixer-Repair-Parts/

Just a few sites with instructions/resources that have helped me:

http://www.thekitchn.com/what-do-to-when-your-kitchenai-125923

http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html

http://artisanbreadbaking.com/ka_greasing/

http://www.neilcrockett.com/mixer1.htm


Gotta tank thread? Those cylinder/bowfront tanks scare the crap out of me as I've heard of blowouts.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

oops...double post... :facepalm:

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

My lighting upgrade is going down...already purchased the GHL Mitras lx6100 led with hyperviolets (silver fixture)...ships tomorrow :dance: ...got my hands on the very last fixture available in the U.S. (from what I'm being told) The wait time for them is now 4-6 weeks b/c they're in such high demand. I would've preferred it in black since my setup is all black, but I just don't have the patience to wait up to 6 weeks for these.

I'm still in disbelief that I spoiled myself and my tank on this purchase, but I've been doing an insane amount of research and was unhappy with the results that people have had with AI's and Radions. I've noticed that there are always a lot of AI's for sale with people reverting back to T5's/other and same thing with the Radions. While I'm sure there are those that are still adamant about how great they each are as fixtures...I've heard too many people complain about how they're lacking in spectrum, the disco ball effect and all of the other complaints with them. I'm just not one that can "settle" putting out that amount of money for something that's not 100%. I've also looked into a few other LED options as well as D.I.Y. and decided not to chance it. So yes, I may be crazy for the initial investment but decided that as with everything in this hobby it's best to do it right the first time.

Feeling like a kid on Christmas eve...the anticipation is killing me...I wouldn't have made it 6 weeks...

I want to go SPS dominant in my 40...will be keeping a few favorite LPS and softies. Any others that I want to keep will be going into the top 30 display fuge mixed w/ softies/gorg's/NPS and the bottom 30 has some chaeto and display macro. The display fuges are still to be determined because I'm still researching keeping the gorg's/NPS. Still trying to soak in as much knowledge as possible b/c I don't like losing livestock. I'm in the planning stages of starting my own phyto/tisbe pod cultures as well to make sure I have a sustainable food source for the livestock that I want to keep. Will of course be culturing artemia for when the mandarins start spawning, but this is still a ways off. I don't want to take on too much at once until I get a routine down with phyto/pods.

Fish wise, yes I know...I've committed the ultimate sin with my baby yellow tang in my 40B, but he was planned as a temporary resident from the beginning. So the tang police can kiss my tang! So he will be replaced, when I find him a suitable home, with a pair of green mandarins because I'm dying to try my hand at breeding them. Green mandarin's are the entire reason that I switched from FW to salt. So they will be my "show fish" so to speak in my main DT. I've read a few articles from Wittenrich and a few others. I hate how many of these beautiful wild caught specimens die because it is so difficult to train them onto frozen/culture live foods for them. Not to mention the manner in which they're caught.

Anyway...will be posting pics once the new fixture arrives and will be doing monthly progression shots. (by a friend w/ photography skills obviously lol)

New acro: :dance:

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

I am REALLY beyond disappointed in the dealer that I ordered my Mitras fixture from. It was the last one on the shelf that was "available for immediate shipping," as there is a 4-6 week wait period for another shipment from Germany. I paid for the fixture a full 5 days ago...a shipping label wasn't even created until yesterday but it still hasn't even been shipped. Not blaming GHL though because they have nothing to do with this. Not to mention the fact that this clown was beyond rude when he called me after I had to email him a second time to even get a response about the delay. Which is when I received a phone call that made me want to reach through the phone and smack this fool. For the $40 I was charged for shipping, this fixture should have been overnighted...PERIOD. I have no patience for ignorance and at this point...this is ignorant. If it wasn't for the fact that I wanted this light so bad, I'd cancel the order and spend my money elsewhere.

 

[seminoleFLreef]

I totally understand how you are feeling. I'm a purchasing agent and order and receive all day every day. I depend on vendors to ship on time and stick to thier word or I'm paying payroll for an employee to stand around all day with nothing to do. Its 10the times worse when its something for me personally.


As quick as I get burned by a vendor, I find a new one to replace the slacker.

I'm actually a little ****ed myself, I've been waiting for you to get that think and put it through its paces. If it doesn't ship tomorrow, give them hell for me too!

Sorry about your wait MGEs

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

I totally understand how you are feeling. I'm a purchasing agent and order and receive all day every day. I depend on vendors to ship on time and stick to thier word or I'm paying payroll for an employee to stand around all day with nothing to do. Its 10the times worse when its something for me personally.


As quick as I get burned by a vendor, I find a new one to replace the slacker.

I'm actually a little ****ed myself, I've been waiting for you to get that think and put it through its paces. If it doesn't ship tomorrow, give them hell for me too!

Sorry about your wait MGEs

It just all boils down to the lack of customer service these days. I mean this clown acted as if I was disturbing his day because I was concerned when I was told the fixture would be immediately sent out the morning after I paid. Which obviously didn't happen or I would've received it by now. If I had to do it over again I probably would've researched these dealers that carry the fixture and go with one with a proven track record. Even if I would've had to wait the 4-6 weeks to get a fixture. If I'm spending that much on a light don't act like you're doing me a favor selling it to me. I was so excited to get my hands on this light that I didn't do my research on the dealer...so it's my fault. This clown deserves a busted lip...

 

[seminoleFLreef]

You are correct. It was your fault for lack of due diligence, AND he deserves a busted lip!
we no longer live in a world where people do as they say with integrity. Busted lip dude will be out of business soon acting like that, doest he know who he's messing with????? :O

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

You are correct. It was your fault for lack of due diligence, AND he deserves a busted lip!
we no longer live in a world where people do as they say with integrity. Busted lip dude will be out of business soon acting like that, doest he know who he's messing with????? :O

I don't think he does, because if he did he would be intelligent enough to know that a not so nice and polite side of me will be coming out with the next call/email if this isn't rectified fast. Those types of people find it funny until they're the ones getting the sh*tty end of the stick.

One another note...I've preordered about 15 frags of SPS for our local huge frag swap on Sunday. I'm really excited about that. I've sold and traded a lot of frags, purchased a 2nd mp10 for the 40B, still have to hook up my new vortech battery backup. Do a water change tomorrow morning, moving some thing around in preparation, etc.

Was trying to sell my T5's, but since nobody was biting...I decided that I'm going to put them over the top 30g tank and do a LED/T5 project/experiment to really put both to the test. Going to have several different frags of SPS in each tank from the same mother colony. Since the tanks are plumbed together, it'll be a level playing field...not to mention a fun mad scientist experiment.

Ordered (off the top of my head):
Red Milli
Ora Red Planet
Ora Tri-Color Valida
Aussie Yellow with pink tips
Bali Green Slimer
Tyree Pink Lemonade
ORA Pearlberry
Garf Purple Bonsai
Purple Polyped birdsnest
Tubbs Yellow Birdsnest

Also got:
6 Red Mangroves
Red Titan Macro Algae
4 polyps of Rasta's
Oysterfeast
Purple lephastrea
Some gorgs/fans

Also, got a second mp10...

There's more can't remember...still want a frag of setosa, a new maxima clam and want starter cultures of phyto and tisbe pods, display macros, a female green mandarin, etc.

Also, got a friend that's going to come by to check out the lights (whenever they effin arrive) with a par meter...so that'll be exciting. He's also going to help hookup the medical dosers that I bought, but never hooked up. The Nestle 2200 has to have a an alarm deactivated. Have looked online for info to do it myself, but couldn't find any.

 

[seminoleFLreef]

Great corals and I'm VERY excited about the PAR test!!!!

 

[Osteoclast]

Good luck with your lighting choice. I have AI sol blues over my tank and I have had to decrease the light percentages to avoid bleaching even with the lights at 18 inches off the water. My SPS are thriving. Further, many in the large tank forum are having excellent results with LEDs. Tuning the percentages is half the battle with targeting the light to the coral. Apex is a good choice for controlling your system especially with Vortechs.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Great corals and I'm VERY excited about the PAR test!!!!

Will try to get pics of everything once everything is settled...I want to dip them in coralrx and put them in my QT tank that was setup months ago for this swap, but I'm concerned that 2 bulb T5's aren't going to be enough to sustain these SPS frags for a few weeks in quarantine. There was an outbreak of AEFW and red bugs after the last swap, can't say for sure that it was connected in anyway to purchases from the swap/members...but I do not want to take a chance with the amount that I have invested in this tank. So dipping and placing directly in the tank will be a very last resort. I was looking into grabbing a par38 for the QT tank, but I don't know. Anyone with recommendations?

Good luck with your lighting choice. I have AI sol blues over my tank and I have had to decrease the light percentages to avoid bleaching even with the lights at 18 inches off the water. My SPS are thriving. Further, many in the large tank forum are having excellent results with LEDs. Tuning the percentages is half the battle with targeting the light to the coral. Apex is a good choice for controlling your system especially with Vortechs.

I know AI's are great lights, but they do lack in spectrum...so not every coral responds great to them. I know they're trying to correct that with the new vega, but I've heard a lot of complaints with the lenses on the vega only being good enough for really shallow tanks. I also know of or am friend's with several reefers that hated their AI's and reverted back to Halides/T5's. Same thing with Radion's. I mean they all have the ability to bleach coral if used improperly, but I'm definitely shooting for optimum color/health longterm. AI's/Radion's just haven't shown me those results. While the Mitras is still new, they've raised the bar BIG TIME. Hopefully these other companies will follow suit and make a fixture that's more budget friendly, but still gives optimum performance.

From what I understand GHL is working on apps to be able to control the light with my phone, and can already be controlled with the computer or the digital display on the fixture itself, as well as wifi connectivity.

My major complaint with my RKL is that it is not at all user friendly, their customer service is not so great, and when I sent in my SID V 1 to have it updated to v 2.0. They sent it back with a sticker saying v 2.0, yet when I hooked it up it still showed v 1. So it isn't even compatible with their software to control it with my laptop. Which I'm beyond ****ed about since I had to pay to update it because it can't be done by the user. It doesn't even maintain the time when I set it. I've noticed recently that the time is slow. So to me the RKL is glorified cr@p. I'd take a sledgehammer to it if I had my apex already. If I win the lotto I may go with a Profilux controller...lol...that would be amazing. :crazy1:

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

OMG!!! A reefer that I bought 5 of the SPS frags off of just messaged me offering me that setosa frag that I was looking for as a freebie b/c he said he had just checked out my tank thread for the first time and that I have a very cool tank! OMG!!! That just definitely brightened my mood after the light issue.
:celeb2:

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Sorry to go off topic, but I can't let this day 11/17 pass without wishing my doggy a happy 6th birthday...he's more than a pet...he's family and stole my heart from day 1. Happy birthday Big Boy, mommy loves you!

Then:

11 weeks

These two are always up to no good:

Big boy and his little brother and bestfriend Mr. Bigglesworth:

Now (with my princess):

 

[seminoleFLreef]

Youve inspired me.

Im going to spend money on LEDs for my Cardiff 24 today. Care to share any of your DIY research?