Diary of my LiL 40 Gallon Breeder(Intense)
- Thread starter InsaneClownFish
- Start date
InsaneClownFish
New member
Picked up this beauty at the LFS this morning...anyone ever seen a lavender squamosa:
InsaneClownFish
New member
I am not afraid of your anemone! Look I defy you and wear this carpet as a hat!
Liquid Hobby
New member
I've also got a 40 breeder and the same tek t-5 fixture. With the light on the rim and a glass cover what is the running temperature of your tank. How do you keep the temperature down with that much light so close to the tank?
I have to keep my 6 way tek fixture at least 6" from the water or it quickly rises in temp.
I have to keep my 6 way tek fixture at least 6" from the water or it quickly rises in temp.
InsaneClownFish
New member
Tyler, are you insane?!? That monster of yours would fill half my tank! 
Liquid, yes heat has been a constant issue. I've been much better at monitoring the tank, and as I live in the northeast, this time of year all I have to do is open the large slider next to the tank.
Unfortunately, with the drastic temperature shifts we experience in Connecticut, last summer I had some serious issues with heat. There is a large air conditioning unit right above the tank which helps, but the problem is that with the unpredictablity of the weather, coupled with my crazy work schedule, I did have some major issues.
Right now I've been able to keep the tank at 82 degrees and under, but come April I'm investing in a drop in chiller.
Unfortunately, the cheapest ones I can find are $700.
Liquid, yes heat has been a constant issue. I've been much better at monitoring the tank, and as I live in the northeast, this time of year all I have to do is open the large slider next to the tank.
Unfortunately, with the drastic temperature shifts we experience in Connecticut, last summer I had some serious issues with heat. There is a large air conditioning unit right above the tank which helps, but the problem is that with the unpredictablity of the weather, coupled with my crazy work schedule, I did have some major issues.
Right now I've been able to keep the tank at 82 degrees and under, but come April I'm investing in a drop in chiller.
Unfortunately, the cheapest ones I can find are $700.
Liquid Hobby
New member
I went out and got the wire ceiling hangers for the Tek light. Now I can hang it at any level above the tank. They also sell the legs to get the fixture up about 3-4 inches. You could try that.
I'm probably going to need a chiller also...
Are drop-ins more expensive than in-lines chillers?
I'm probably going to need a chiller also...
Are drop-ins more expensive than in-lines chillers?
InsaneClownFish
New member
Yes, significantly.
InsaneClownFish
New member
Here's a quick update:
InsaneClownFish
New member
Well I am officially saying goodbye to this thread. After almost three years, I decided to break down this reef. I apologize for not having updated this thread, but the last couple of years have been very difficult. My father was very sick with cancer, and we lost him exactly a year ago.
My tank took a backseat to life.
I also have to blame my fickleness and ecclectic nature for me losing interest in the tank from time to time, and unfortunately, I learned very quickly that enjoyment in reefkeeping is directly tied to what extra finances you have at the time..
I guess for me it worked out as- more money to spend, more time with the tank...less money to spend, less time with the tank.
This has definately been a trial by fire. I've learned alot. The knowledge I've gained is going to be priceless with my next setup.
I'm not convinced my natural approach to reefing is completely flawed, but it did extensively limit what I could keep.
The main issue I had in my three years of reefing was heat. Unfortunately, my condo naturally runs extremely warm, and with no central air, temp is very difficult to regulate. I lost alot due to heat, and mainly everything I lost was directly related to heat issues.
My idea of keeping the lights directly on the waterline is kinda silly to me in retrospect- not only did it heat the tank, but my oxygenation was terrible.
I think there comes a point when one's arrogance of how one thinks they can keep things, and how they know they should do things, is made clear.
Ironically, when a fellow reefer came to pick up the live rock, his first comment was, "You're breaking this down?!" So maybe I did something right..
I sold my whole setup to a friend, sold off, or have in hold with fellow reefers, all my corals and inverts. My clowns all found a nice home, and I sold my beautiful carpet to a local LFS.
None of this was done with the intention of leaving reefing. I was inititally looking into a smaller all in one nano setup for my condo so that I could run and control things a bit differently. However, I realized with my limited space and crazy work schedule I should focus on one system.
I've definatley been bitten by the reefing bug again.
I've just released final plans to my tank builder and stand builder. Stay tuned, I'll update this thread again with specifics and hopefully a link to my new setup. :rollface:
My tank took a backseat to life.
I also have to blame my fickleness and ecclectic nature for me losing interest in the tank from time to time, and unfortunately, I learned very quickly that enjoyment in reefkeeping is directly tied to what extra finances you have at the time..
I guess for me it worked out as- more money to spend, more time with the tank...less money to spend, less time with the tank.
This has definately been a trial by fire. I've learned alot. The knowledge I've gained is going to be priceless with my next setup.
I'm not convinced my natural approach to reefing is completely flawed, but it did extensively limit what I could keep.
The main issue I had in my three years of reefing was heat. Unfortunately, my condo naturally runs extremely warm, and with no central air, temp is very difficult to regulate. I lost alot due to heat, and mainly everything I lost was directly related to heat issues.
My idea of keeping the lights directly on the waterline is kinda silly to me in retrospect- not only did it heat the tank, but my oxygenation was terrible.
I think there comes a point when one's arrogance of how one thinks they can keep things, and how they know they should do things, is made clear.
Ironically, when a fellow reefer came to pick up the live rock, his first comment was, "You're breaking this down?!" So maybe I did something right..
I sold my whole setup to a friend, sold off, or have in hold with fellow reefers, all my corals and inverts. My clowns all found a nice home, and I sold my beautiful carpet to a local LFS.
None of this was done with the intention of leaving reefing. I was inititally looking into a smaller all in one nano setup for my condo so that I could run and control things a bit differently. However, I realized with my limited space and crazy work schedule I should focus on one system.
I've definatley been bitten by the reefing bug again.
I've just released final plans to my tank builder and stand builder. Stay tuned, I'll update this thread again with specifics and hopefully a link to my new setup. :rollface:
InsaneClownFish
New member
I get suckered every time I walk into a new reef store. Frags are like the lost lil puppies in the window to reefers..
My pm box should be squeeky clean.
Now for the new setup:
Custom 16g 20x20x12H Shallow Cube built by Aquatic Systems Design
40g Sump with a EuroReef CS-6 Skimmer and Eheim 1250 Return Pump
Tunze and Koralia Nanostreams pushing 2000-2400gph
Coralife's Brand new 150w HQI Disco Ball..yes it looks like one
Stay tuned..
My pm box should be squeeky clean.
Now for the new setup:
Custom 16g 20x20x12H Shallow Cube built by Aquatic Systems Design
40g Sump with a EuroReef CS-6 Skimmer and Eheim 1250 Return Pump
Tunze and Koralia Nanostreams pushing 2000-2400gph
Coralife's Brand new 150w HQI Disco Ball..yes it looks like one
Stay tuned..
InsaneClownFish
New member
InsaneClownFish
New member
My new system sees water!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11144807#post11144807
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11144807#post11144807
