FarmerTy 215-gal No Water Change SPS Tank

[FarmerTy]

That's better.
Have you noticed any new colour tones to the corals with the t5s?
C+, b+ and purple + must have really warmed things up but also added a bit of pop.

I saw the biggest improvement in warm tones when I swapped the 10k, red, and green diodes in the LED fixtures to 3.5k warm white. I saw an explosion of purple, more natural looking greens, and hints of orange/red/yellow return to my system.

While too soon to say anything with the T5s yet as its only been 2 days, I at least observed immediately that it didn't reverse any of the color improvement from the diode swap and most importantly to me, it brightened the display and filled in all the shadows. I hope that it will improve coloration as well on my reds/oranges/yellows.

Interesting note, after burning under the additional T5s for two days, when the T5s went off and it was just LEDs for the last hour, the tank looked amazing. I'm not sure if that's just visual perception but going from the ultra bright to a dimmer version with shadow detail allowed me to see better contrast visually between the different colors. Either way, the improvement just by switching the LED diodes had me fall in love with the look already and the T5s were just a bonus.

Sorry if the pic looks so blue but it definitely is not. Perfect crisp white like you normally see with a T5 or MH fixture.

 

[FarmerTy]

Beatiful Ty!!

About the LED degradation, a friend of mine, made a test with an 1 year OR LED and a new one side by side in the same tank and measured the same PAR value, i know 1 year isn't nothing compared to 5 years but it´s a good signal!

Thanks Johnyman!

Nice! By chance do you know what he got for degradation in a year when he measured? I'm still curious if the degradation is caused by the diodes. If so, swapping them is super cheap and easy and you'd have an intense burning par machine again like new!

 

[Johnyman]

Thanks Johnyman!

Nice! By chance do you know what he got for degradation in a year when he measured? I'm still curious if the degradation is caused by the diodes. If so, swapping them is super cheap and easy and you'd have an intense burning par machine again like new!

He didn´t saw any PAR changes between the two fixtures.

 

[FarmerTy]

He didn´t saw any PAR changes between the two fixtures.

Sorry, I reread your post and totally missed that! That's great news!

 

[M007]

I feel so objectified but strangely, I like it! [emoji5]

Well said, nice tank :bigeyes:

 

[Tinkanator2000]

So, how are things after a couple of months with the T5s?

 

[FarmerTy]

So, how are things after a couple of months with the T5s?

Great! The corals acclimated a little to the fact that I swapped in 3.5k warm white over 10k cool whites in the LEDs and then the addition of the T5s shortly after... but once they acclimated, I started getting my color back. I'll give it about another month to fully get my colors back and take another video for everyone to see.

I'm pretty happy with both lighting changes though.

 

[FarmerTy]

Some pictures I took of the tank:

 

[FarmerTy]

 

[FarmerTy]

Right side of the tank.
https://youtu.be/LhUoFipbrDM

 

[reefmutt]

Wow! Beautiful.
Nice colors and really good pe.
Very nice!

 

[FarmerTy]

Wow! Beautiful.
Nice colors and really good pe.
Very nice!

Thank you Reefmutt!

 

[FarmerTy]

 

[FarmerTy]

Some after dark pictures:

 

[FarmerTy]

Finally fired up my UV sterilizer last night. I'm using a 114-watt model that roughly measures 3 feet wide and uses two bulbs. There isn't anything going through it that's coming back out alive! Muahahahaha! The mad scientist has returned!

 

[FarmerTy]

I'd marry this new regulator if Texas law would recognize it. Thanks D2mini!

It's been 10 days since I last measured my alk. 7.4 dKh... today 7.5 dKh! Woohoo! [emoji7]

Tank is ready for my +1 in March and the ensuing neglect that will follow.

 

[maxxII]

Did D2mini make the regulator for you?

I'm assuming the the +1 and neglect comment is in reference to an upcoming child?

If so, Congrats!

Regarding the tank....the Cyphastrea has completely taken over the rock...the whole thing looks great, including the Flame Thrower BTA.....

Nice work.

 

[cprice]

Do you ever have issues with your RBTA stinging your SPS? I have a SPS tank but have always been afraid to put an anemone in there because of the stinging hazard


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[reefmutt]

I'd marry this new regulator if Texas law would recognize it. Thanks D2mini!

It's been 10 days since I last measured my alk. 7.4 dKh... today 7.5 dKh! Woohoo! [emoji7]

Tank is ready for my +1 in March and the ensuing neglect that will follow.

I think I'm in love and I haven't even met her in person.

 

[FarmerTy]

Did D2mini make the regulator for you?

I'm assuming the the +1 and neglect comment is in reference to an upcoming child?

If so, Congrats!

Regarding the tank....the Cyphastrea has completely taken over the rock...the whole thing looks great, including the Flame Thrower BTA.....

Nice work.

No, that was D2mini's old regulator. He's going full Triton and will stop using a CaRX from this point so I took the opportunity to snag this awesome regulator he built for himself.

Yes, that was my subtle hint that my wife and I will be having a baby this Spring. Thank you!

Cyphastrea will kill anything... like anything! So, I positioned the rock to just float there and not touch anything and have colonies growing in front and over it to cover the gaps so it looks seamless. That way I can have it within the system but not take over the system. Hopefully nature doesn't find a way beyond my designs.

Oh, and that's a Colorado Sunburst anemone. I wish I had a Flamethrower BTA as well though!

Do you ever have issues with your RBTA stinging your SPS? I have a SPS tank but have always been afraid to put an anemone in there because of the stinging hazard


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Oh yes, it'll sting anything in its radius. None of my anemones ever really walk though... the only exception is when they split. The split will usually run off somewhere in the tank and I have to try to catch it out before it gets settled somewhere. So, I allow the anemone to get situated and then position my acro colonies around it.

I think I'm in love and I haven't even met her in person.

It's definitely a thing of beauty. That will help me get over the cost of it but it should recoup its value in no time with it being my last regulator ever.