Building My 375gal Glass Reef

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15395098#post15395098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dejavu
... I ran 12k reeflux for nearly 4 years and never ahd a problem with them or UV. Currently I run 20k radiums and they actually have better par # than the 12K's.

I would guess that the lighting of your corals might be due to either to much light or lack of nutrients. Most of the fish you have are smaller and from the pic it seems little your system runs pretty clean. Just a thought.

Have you try turn off one of the lights for awhile and see if that makes any difference? I would think that you could get way with running just three bulb for awhile.

Thanks for the info. Actually, the possibility that I simply have too much light has been nagging at me. I built some aluminum frames for the top of the tank and put fiberglass window screening in them. I think I'm going to install them and see what effect they have.

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15395484#post15395484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
The pic is actually three photos stitched together into a panorama shot. I took one shot of the left side of the tank, one of the middle, and one of the right side. Then, using photo stitching software, I put them all together. After that was done, I cropped the whole thing around the edges to remove unwanted sections of the tank's frame, the stand, etc.

Thanks Tom, That is what I was thinking, but I just wanted to make sure. One of these days, I will need to do something like that as that picture is way too cool

 

[EnglishRebel]

Tom
Your tank is inspiring. I have 5 Blue Reef Chromis coming tomorrow and I've heard that they eventually dwindle down to two because of attrition. I hope that's not the case. What is your experience?
Thanks

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15399510#post15399510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Tom Your tank is inspiring. I have 5 Blue Reef Chromis coming tomorrow and I've heard that they eventually dwindle down to two because of attrition. I hope that's not the case. What is your experience?

Hey, Alan - how have you been? Thanks for the compliment on my tank!

I originally bought 10 Chromis in April. They were the first fish in the tank. Because of a parasite infection (Uronema marinum), seven of them were dead within 36 hours. The other three never got sick and I've never seen them fight. They are always together. As soon as I added the new seven, trouble began. I decided today, I will definitely be taking them back out. Luckily, the new ones are a slightly different sub-species? and look a little different than the original three, so I won't make any mistakes in which ones I remove.

 

[skey44]

I tend to agree with the thought that you do not have enough nourishment for the sps corals. Too few fish, too large and clean of a system. With those two reeflo (heck even with only one running) you should be able to feed more than most of us could even dream of... then I think your coral would color up a bit. The 4oo w bulbs may be a bit of a shock at first too (especially for new corals and those from the fish store where there bulbs are probably 3 yrs old), so maybe it just needs some time.

I like the look of the radium! maybe mix the 20k and the 12k (alternate) after you test the two sides to see if it is the bulbs. I think this would be a perfect balance of color.

Just finished reading the whole thread too. WOW very nice, inspirational to all of us adhd, dirty dishes left in the sink type! This system is very "pro-look" as I think you put it yourself.

Cheers,

 

[adamblackburn22]

Where can I find the woods timers you use? Do you have a link from the Net? Thanks

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15433412#post15433412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skey44
I tend to agree with the thought that you do not have enough nourishment for the sps corals. Too few fish, too large and clean of a system. With those two reeflo (heck even with only one running) you should be able to feed more than most of us could even dream of... then I think your coral would color up a bit. The 4oo w bulbs may be a bit of a shock at first too (especially for new corals and those from the fish store where there bulbs are probably 3 yrs old), so maybe it just needs some time.

I like the look of the radium! maybe mix the 20k and the 12k (alternate) after you test the two sides to see if it is the bulbs. I think this would be a perfect balance of color.

Just finished reading the whole thread too. WOW very nice, inspirational to all of us adhd, dirty dishes left in the sink type! This system is very "pro-look" as I think you put it yourself.

Thanks for the kind words!

I just changed out all my T5 bulbs! I recently had a discussion with Emster (TOTM - 1/09) about my coral coloration problem. He almost immediately asked if I had "cheap" T5 bulbs, especially in the 10K range. I told him I had to admit I did. He advised me to change them out for some decent bulbs. So ... on the left and right, from front to back, I now have:

ATI Blue Plus
FM Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Visually, I love it! The colors (w/o MH) are fantastic. The Fiji Purple really brings out the yellows, oranges, etc. It's too early to tell, but I think it's had a positive effect on the corals. The yellow and blue colonies I got recently (pics on page 7) are holding their colors - something new in this tank. In fact, I think the yellow has gained on color! Things are looking up. Thanks Emmett.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15475211#post15475211 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adamblackburn22
Where can I find the woods timers you use? Do you have a link from the Net? Thanks

Here ya go - the price is even $3.50 lower now: Woods Timer

 

[speedingredline]

Just skimmed through this thread. All I can say is WOW! Did I miss the pictures on the refugium and frag tank or not posted yet. I am thinking about doing something similar, and want to see how it works out.

 

[chippy70]

FTS Please

Your set up is perfect and well planned. Top notch.

Roger

 

[Emster]

Tom, wow! I had no idea your thread split. I went back to read from the beginning, how hard would 10 pages be I thought then saw the split :eek1: So I just looked at the pictures fantastic work:thumbsup: Need to stop by yours and Teds if you don't mind, would love to see it.

Any change on the colors?

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15399740#post15399740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Hey, Alan - how have you been? Thanks for the compliment on my tank!

I originally bought 10 Chromis in April. They were the first fish in the tank. Because of a parasite infection (Uronema marinum), seven of them were dead within 36 hours. The other three never got sick and I've never seen them fight. They are always together. As soon as I added the new seven, trouble began. I decided today, I will definitely be taking them back out. Luckily, the new ones are a slightly different sub-species? and look a little different than the original three, so I won't make any mistakes in which ones I remove.

Tom
Not had much success with the Blue Chromis. I ordered 5, number one was DOA, number two died shortly after putting him in (managed to fish him out -- no pun intended :lol: ), numbers three and four just disappeared - not on the floor or overflow. So I'm down to one who is doing just fine. Would you recommend adding say three or four blue/green Chromis?
I just added two Helfricki Firefish as BlueZoo had them for $49.95 and 20 Trochus snails to battle the GHA.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15492452#post15492452 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speedingredline
... Did I miss the pictures on the refugium and frag tank or not posted yet. I am thinking about doing something similar, and want to see how it works out.

Thanks for the nice comments!

No - unfortunatley, you haven't missed the pics. Somehow I've been too lazy to take some - but I'm working on it.

 

[GlassReef]

chippy70 - thank you, Sir. Much appreciated. I much envy you, your location. I was lucky enough to have spent some time in Sidney. Great people, place, and weather!

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15525145#post15525145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Emster
Tom, wow! I had no idea your thread split. I went back to read from the beginning, how hard would 10 pages be I thought then saw the split :eek1: So I just looked at the pictures fantastic work:thumbsup: Need to stop by yours and Teds if you don't mind, would love to see it.

Any change on the colors?

Hey, Emmett! Thanks for the kind words! And thanks, again, for the tip about the T5s. My colors have definitely improved, since I changed the T5 bulbs. I've noticed that new corals are holding their color. Those that have been in the tank a while, and already lost most of their color, are slowly regaining some. In any case, things are looking up.

I would enjoy having you stop by! Just give me an hour's notice so I can clean the glass. (I'll PM you my phone #).

BTW - please let me know if you have any frags for sale. The one's I saw at Ted's are gorgeous.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15528952#post15528952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
... Not had much success with the Blue Chromis. I ordered 5, number one was DOA, number two died shortly after putting him in (managed to fish him out -- no pun intended :lol: ), numbers three and four just disappeared - not on the floor or overflow. So I'm down to one who is doing just fine. Would you recommend adding say three or four blue/green Chromis?
I just added two Helfricki Firefish as BlueZoo had them for $49.95 and 20 Trochus snails to battle the GHA.

Hi, Alan. To be honest, I wouldn't suggest acquiring B/G Chromis via the INet. They seem to always arrive in bad condition. A mass die off seems to be the consequence. I would go ahead an add a few (the more the better, actually), if you can get them in a size equal to or larger than the one you have.

I love Helfrich's Firefish! Gorgeous little fish. The price you paid is a steal. :eek1:

I'm currently have a problem with a very short brown/green form of HA. It's all over my sand bed. I'm convinced the problem started when I began using RowaPhos. I've decided to go back to BRS's HC GFO (I started with RowaPhos because of a very good price in a group buy). I received the HC GFO yesterday, and already changed it out. Hopefully, the HA will subside.

 

[adddo]

I spent the past couple of days reading thru your thread and must say that it has been an inspiring read.

Your attention to detail is great and your craftmanship is awsome.

I love the aquascaping and think your tank will be a sight to behold once the corals grow out.

Great job! Looking forward to following this thread.

 

[GlassReef]

adddo - thank you very much for the many compliments. In the early eighties, I was lucky enough to be able to spend some months in Stockholm. Lovely country. I very much enjoyed myself - and, of course, the Brännvin. That's when I was much younger, you understand.

 

[StevieK]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15399510#post15399510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Tom
Your tank is inspiring. I have 5 Blue Reef Chromis coming tomorrow and I've heard that they eventually dwindle down to two because of attrition. I hope that's not the case. What is your experience?
Thanks

Sorry boys ... but not even two ... you will guaranteed be left with one. In the meantime, they are pretty to watch.

S

 

[Doug864]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15550261#post15550261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by StevieK
Sorry boys ... but not even two ... you will guaranteed be left with one. In the meantime, they are pretty to watch.

S

Why would you say that Steve?
Regards,
Doug