Doing it right... from the start (for a change)

Hey, I just had a question from way back on page 1.

I really like the aluminum box you have for your lights, but was wondering if having the VHOs running along side the MHs, & under the spider reflectors would interfere any with the reflectivity of the reflector. Or if they would suffer from the heat of the MHs, or if I am being overly cautious in my thinking.
 
Thanks Travis!
The aluminum box I used for my lights was from an actual metal halide/flourescent combination I had from years back. The VHO actinics replaced standard output actinics, which were positioned pretty much in the same location, and the 250w halides replaced 175 watt fixtures. Originally the hood had no internal reflectors, other than the white finish, but I decided to retrofit the spider reflectors in it to enhance the reflectivity of the MH's. I am sure that having the VHO's running over the reflectors does reduce sa small amount of the reflectivity of the halides, but it is still superior to the stock hood having no additional reflectors at all. Hope this helps!
 
Ok, I just got an inline dual TDS meter for my RO unit. I have readings of 8 after the membrane, and 6 after the deionizing chamber. I know zero is the ideal level, but is it time to change my filters, or am I ok for a while?
 
Update!

Update!

Have not updated in a while.. many other projects around the house taking precedence...

I will post some pictures of my new additions as soon as I charge my camera and take some shots, but I received an order from Liveaquaria including 2 Solomon Percula clowns, 6 Lyretail anthias: (5 females, one male), a Powder Blue Tang (Absolutely stunning, I was almost breathless when I opened the box) and a royal gramma (who unfortunately did not survive the shipping journey.

Fortunately Liveaquaria was extremely accomodating, and credited my account for the loss. Also one of the clowns is not looking too hot, kind of listing in the water and is being blown all over the place by the current. I hope he pulls through, but fortunately he is guarranteed for 14 days.

All the surviving new arrivals are eating well.

My existing 6 line wrasse has been a bit of a bully towards the anthias, prob. staking his territory. Hopefully he can work out his issues, otherwise I will pull him (if I can catch him) I think things will settle down though.

I snapped a couple pictures of my Cerith snails, spawning... they have been doing it frequently lately, with long trails of eggs on the glass... pretty common I know, but still neat in my book.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7286326#post7286326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mille239
Ok, I just got an inline dual TDS meter for my RO unit. I have readings of 8 after the membrane, and 6 after the deionizing chamber. I know zero is the ideal level, but is it time to change my filters, or am I ok for a while?

Sounds like it's time to change the DI filter. It should be able to take it down to 0, AFAIK.
 
Re: Update!

Re: Update!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7345831#post7345831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mille239
Have not updated in a while.. many other projects around the house taking precedence...

I will post some pictures of my new additions as soon as I charge my camera and take some shots, but I received an order from Liveaquaria including 2 Solomon Percula clowns, 6 Lyretail anthias: (5 females, one male), a Powder Blue Tang (Absolutely stunning, I was almost breathless when I opened the box) and a royal gramma (who unfortunately did not survive the shipping journey.

Fortunately Liveaquaria was extremely accomodating, and credited my account for the loss. Also one of the clowns is not looking too hot, kind of listing in the water and is being blown all over the place by the current. I hope he pulls through, but fortunately he is guarranteed for 14 days.

All the surviving new arrivals are eating well.

My existing 6 line wrasse has been a bit of a bully towards the anthias, prob. staking his territory. Hopefully he can work out his issues, otherwise I will pull him (if I can catch him) I think things will settle down though.

I snapped a couple pictures of my Cerith snails, spawning... they have been doing it frequently lately, with long trails of eggs on the glass... pretty common I know, but still neat in my book.

No QT? Tssk, tssk!:worried:

Yeah, any spawning is always neat. If you're lucky they'll even grow up! :D
 
I know I know.. I am one of those non-QT types... I certainly understand the arguments for doing it, but I have always had great success with careful acclimation, and am of the thought that moving a newly acquired individual to a established tank with pristine conditions is the best thing for the health of a fish. In past tanks, I have even acquired fish with Ich from a friends tank that was crashing, and placed them in my FOWLR, to find the ich cleared up within days by itself. I believe a varied diet with vitamis is the best preventative cure.
I know many will shun me for this, but it works for me...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7346379#post7346379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mille239
I know I know.. I am one of those non-QT types... I certainly understand the arguments for doing it, but I have always had great success with careful acclimation, and am of the thought that moving a newly acquired individual to a established tank with pristine conditions is the best thing for the health of a fish. In past tanks, I have even acquired fish with Ich from a friends tank that was crashing, and placed them in my FOWLR, to find the ich cleared up within days by itself. I believe a varied diet with vitamis is the best preventative cure.
I know many will shun me for this, but it works for me...

I agree completely.
 
Some new Pics

Some new Pics

I'm sorry for the poor quality on some photos, but here are some updated pictures of the tank.

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The light pulley system is working fine, but in all honesty, I haven't had to move the lights since I aquascaped the tank. I have the light canopy abut 2" off the rim of the tank, and have plenty of room in front to access the tank. But it is nice to know I can raise them in the event I need to.

John, I think you should be the one hookin me up with a couple Oberon's if you want some frags... thanks for the compliments!

For some reason, though, one of my blue zoo rocks (you can see them on the lower left rock in the 5th picture down on this page) closed up about 5 days ago, and won't open back up. everything else is thriving!, I'm afraid if they don't open soon, they will start to melt away.... Any suggestions?
 
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