Clowndude's New SPS Tank Build

[clowndude]

I've been trying to figure out if I need anything hardware wise besides the reefkeeper for the tank. Been thinking about getting a Kalk reactor also. Anything else that is one of those must haves for reef tanks?

 

[mark54321]

I think you're all set,don't know about kalk reactor,I never used it.Having a controller is a plus,it helps you in so many ways to keep things going.

 

[gary faulkner]

I've been trying to figure out if I need anything hardware wise besides the reefkeeper for the tank. Been thinking about getting a Kalk reactor also. Anything else that is one of those must haves for reef tanks?

With the calcium reactor you won't need a kalk reactor. If you wanted to use some kalk to bump Ph it would be much easier just to drip a saturated solution into the sump or even just pour in a gallon on occasion. I would set up the calcium reactor and wait to see if you might need to bump Ph. Another way to keep Ph up is to run the calcium reactor through an extra tube of reactor media to raise Ph. You won't know either way until you start to run the reactor and see what effect it has on the Ph.

HTH

 

[clowndude]

With the calcium reactor you won't need a kalk reactor. If you wanted to use some kalk to bump Ph it would be much easier just to drip a saturated solution into the sump or even just pour in a gallon on occasion. I would set up the calcium reactor and wait to see if you might need to bump Ph. Another way to keep Ph up is to run the calcium reactor through an extra tube of reactor media to raise Ph. You won't know either way until you start to run the reactor and see what effect it has on the Ph.

HTH

Good advise, once I hook it up I'll let you know. Hopefully the ph stays where it needs to be. If not I'll connect a second chamber like u mentioned. Thanks again

 

[clowndude]

So I just wanted to drop in a quick update. I noticed yesterday that a couple of frags that used to have blue in them are now getting their blue color back to them. My milliporas are still pale, but I know they take time to show signs of recovery. Hopefully I'm headed in the right direction. My color is still nowhere near some of the amazing tanks I see on here, but hopefully I'll get there.

 

[glennr1978]

Nice start!! What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[clowndude]

Nice start!! What are the dimensions of the tank?

Thanks, the tank is 48x24x18 with starfire glass.

 

[allsps40]

I bought one of these and really like it. Actually I have one of the RKLs and one that you linked to. Liked the RKL so much that I bought the upgraded one for my sump room. Only use it to moniter PH but it should be very good at controlling the calcium reactor also.

HTH

The RKL rocks I have one also. Great controller and expandable as well.

 

[clowndude]

It's been awhile since my last update. Things have been coming along nicely now that I figured out it was AEFW causing my sps color issues. Now that I have been trying for them my SPS are coloring up nicely.Yesterday night my return pump died so I will be out shopping for a new one today.

Here are some updated pictures. Sorry for the poor picture quality as I don't have a great camera:

FTS:

Oregon Tort:

Hawkins:

Joe the Coral:

Setosa:

Garf Bonsai:

Pearlberry:

Cali Blue Tort:

Hope everybody enjoys!

 

[msp307]

Watch out with that lugols it's very concentrated also have your mills taken a hit from the aefw

 

[clowndude]

Watch out with that lugols it's very concentrated also have your mills taken a hit from the aefw

I cut way back on the lugols. My Millis took the worst hit with the aefw. All of them faded out with zero color. Now they all have their original colors back. Amazing how bad of an affect they have on millis and tri colors. From now on if I ever see those sps losing their color I know what it is.

 

[clowndude]

Just got a good deal on a slightly used eheim 1060. Thing is so much quieter. My wife asked if the tank was even running which is a good sign.

 

[mark54321]

Tank is looking good Nick,and corals getting some nice colors.

 

[clowndude]

Thanks Mark. Things have really made a 180 for the better in my tank. Hopefully by the time you come things will have really grown.

 

[clowndude]

I was bored yesterday and really didn't like the way the rocks looked in the tank so I redid them. The tank just past the 3 month mark so I took quite a bit of pictures.

FTS:

Left Side of Tank:

Middle of Tank:

Right Side of Tank:

I like this picture:

Tri-Color:

ORA Hawkins:

Cali Blue Tort:

Pearlberry:

Garf Bonsai:

Hope everybody enjoys!

 

[mark54321]

Man I love your new aquascape.Looks really good.Your corals are doing good, I see.The blue tort and hawkins look awesome.Stay patient,it will look great with time.

 

[clowndude]

Thanks Mark. I thought the tank had been running longer for some reason. Hopefully with the addition of the new light things will really start to take off. Maybe in another year or so my tank will looks as good as yours.

 

[clowndude]

Notice anything different about the tank...

...Maybe a new light? ATI Sunpower. Running the following combo, but thinking of adding another blue.
Front to back
Ati blue-special
Ati blueplus
Ati procolor wow this bulb is pink
Ati purpleplus
Ati blue-special
Ati blueplus

Gonna cut the lights way back to let them get adjusted.

 

[mark54321]

Great fixture,looking good.

 

[clowndude]

Thank Mark, now I just gotta fix the shadowing issue in the back part of the tank. I just need to move the light back and inch or two.