Grahams tank of the month.

SeanT

Premium Member
Hey Graham,
It looks great.
I was hoping you would do me a favor and post a pic of the inside of your canopy.
I am curious to see how your lighting is mounted.

Thank you.

:thumbsup:
 
Sweet and cool.
I have 2 VHO bulbs with my dual mh set up.
Do you think the additional VHO bulbs obscure a significant portion of your mh lighting from getting to the water?
 
SeanT said:
Do you think the additional VHO bulbs obscure a significant portion of your mh lighting from getting to the water?

The rear bulb doesn't obscure the halides at all. The lower front VHO catches a little of the halides' light, but I don't think it's need for much concern. When I used Iwasakis, the halides were a little more obscured due to the longer length of Iwsakis than Ushois. But anyway, there's plenty of light there IMO! The VHO doesn't get significantly warmer than the other VHOs either which I would think would happen if it was catching a lot of light.

Of course, the 2 "extra" VHOs are mainly for looks. My next setup will most likely be planned to use only halides - probably 250W Iwasakis and 400W Radiums.
 
Water Temp

Water Temp

Graham,
Do you have any problems with your water temp being that High?

So many people say do not let your tank get above 78. Your tank looks great.
 
Lickert,

Thank you!

No, as long as the temp stays below 86, I've never had a problem. I think many folks keep their tanks in the 80-84 range. Any reef I've ever dove has had temps of 80 or more as well...

I have noticed coral stress when temps are prolonged at 86 or higher though and this tank has hit 88 a couple times. Nothing significant happened though, but the elevated temps only lasted a day or so. A couple things paled a bit, but recovered no problem. Still, under 84 is what I shoot for with daily fluctuation of 4 degrees or less.
 
Graham,
Love the tank. Very nice. I have a 75 gallon that is ran with just 4 110watt VHO's and have had great success with SPS's, LPS's, & Softies. I was wondering what kind of anenome that is in your tank. I am looking for another one to put into mine later on down the road. I had one that I thought was a long tentacle that got very large, 12-14 inches in diameter. Had to get rid of it, started moving around my tank.

Thanks,
Bill

Oh one more thing. Any chance you can post some pics of your sump setup. Would really appreciate it.

Thanks again,
Bill:p
 
Great tank. I am just getting into the hobby and read your article in Reefkeeping.

I have a similar setup, although, I am still trying to put together the money for the lighting setup.

I do have one question though, your article does not mention how you dose your calcium. Reactor, supplements, or Kalk?
 
bgerrard,

Thank you for the compliment!
Sure, I'll get some pics of my salt-encrusted sump up here by this weekend :). That's one of the "neglected" maintenance areas that I spoke of...



2socrates,

Thank you. I thought I mentioned the calcium reactor in there somewhere...it's a dual stage reactor and I use CaribSea crushed coral for media. It's fed by a ball-valved "T" from the main tank's return pump. The effluent drips into a cup in the skimmer chamber of the sump so that pH impact is minimal to nil by the time the effluent water reaches the main tank.
 
Hey Graham

Fantastic tank, well done. :thumbsup:

I'm new to reefs, or will be when I get everything together, I'm determined to learn as much as possible through reading & advice from experienced reef-keepers before I take the plunge.

You mentioned in the article that you consider in-tank circulation to be "far and away more important than sump-to-tank turnover".
How low a sump-to-tank turnover would you say was the absolute minimum as long as there is sufficient in-tank turnover provided by powerheads and the like?

Congrats

Bill
 
Bill W said:
How low a sump-to-tank turnover would you say was the absolute minimum as long as there is sufficient in-tank turnover provided by powerheads and the like?

Hi Bill and thank you!

I'd really be hesitant to say because every system is different. I don't think there's an absolute value you can assign based on tank or sump volume. I would wager that if you have a skimmer and/or refugium (even a DSB section) in your sump, the lower flow the better as it would allow more contact time between the water and the mechanisms of nutrient export/assimilation.

It's good to get other opinions though! :D
 
Graham, awesome tank!!!

Im settiing up a new 75 gallon and was thinking about doing the overflows like you have, i dont want to waste tank space with a full height overflow. I just wanted to find out if youd go with the current setup you have again or if youd change to a drilled botttom and full height overflow? Also are you using a durso standpipe at all or anything to quiet them down? anddd lastly are they nosiy at all???

Thanks
Danny
 
oh also , since i am also going to use my 30 old 30 gallon tank as a sump do you mind posting some pics of yrou sump as well.
 
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