Been gone for years.

[Vapor40]

I have been gone from the hobby for about 7 years now. After the hurricanes here in Florida in 2004 and 2005 it was just too much trying to keep the tank alive and kicking. I had a custom 40 gallon SPS tank with a 400 watt Radium two VHO's, Calcium reactor, Refugium and a Chiller. It was very intense but I enjoyed it. I fought redbugs through the second year and they were a major factor into why I decided to tear it all down.

My question is what has changed in the hobby on the SPS front, thoughts on LED, there has to be some cool controllers that work with iPads and iPhones. Bring me up to speed?

I am considering jumping back in with a slightly larger tank. I would like to start planning.

 

[allsps40]

While a lot has changed in the last few years a lot has stated the same. LED is the new kid on the block and is proving to be very for lighting a reef tank. Better and more advanced fixtures are quickly coming on the market. The AI unit is already outdated IMO. Skimmer tech is more or less the same with the same key players offering the best skimmers. The SCA line of skimmers is making its mark. Controller tech has stayed pretty much the same DA and Neptune are still the leaders. Ecotech has really be coming along with the MP line of pumps and now the Radion LED.

 

[Crooke]

I was in the same boat as you about 2 years ago. LED were coming into their own, but I decided to stick with what I knew and am currently running 250w radiums with VHO actinics. After researching controllers I went with Neptune and got an Apex for the built-in webserver and overall excellent reviews. I have no regrets with this controller, especially compared to what was available in 04-05.

Skimmers have come along quite a way. I used to run an MRC beckett (which was great) but I much prefer the smaller needle wheel models that used to be the sole province of Euro-Reef and BK. Nowadays there are many more options for skimming, largely dependent on personal preference.

 

[Bill@IA]

My question is what has changed in the hobby on the SPS front,

LEDs are something to talk about but at this stage, as it relates to keeping SPS, we can still live without them. However, IMO, the single and probably most important break through in the last 7 seven years are Biopellets. One can not stop marvelling at the incredible success this method of carbon dosing has brought to caring for SPS.
:thumbsup: