George Gouveia
New member
i think you "shocked" everyone with the quality of the setup 
Ho Hum, another 180G in wall (pics and need advice)
- Thread starter gig
- Start date
Nice setup so far! BTW, savko.com has black pvc.
I may have missed this but, what skimmer are you planning on using?
I have to agree with Navyblue and Hop, T-5's have much more 'bang for the buck' than VHO's. Since you are going FOWLR, then VHO's are more than adequate but, if you plan on adding and light hungry animals in the future (SPS, clams, etc) you really should consider T-5's. I know you trust your LFS but, you will find the overwhelming consensus in this hobby that T-5's deliver a more intense lighting than VHO.
Miles
I may have missed this but, what skimmer are you planning on using?
I have to agree with Navyblue and Hop, T-5's have much more 'bang for the buck' than VHO's. Since you are going FOWLR, then VHO's are more than adequate but, if you plan on adding and light hungry animals in the future (SPS, clams, etc) you really should consider T-5's. I know you trust your LFS but, you will find the overwhelming consensus in this hobby that T-5's deliver a more intense lighting than VHO.
Miles
gig
New member
thanks Miles:
I have a bullet skimmer, will install this week I think.
re: on the T-5's, I already spent the $$$ on the VHO's, but right now I have approx 640W for the 4 bulbs. This cost roughly $500 for the two ballasts, bulbs, caps, etc.
8 48" fixture would only get me 432W (4 bulbs) and cost $400, or go with two 36" fixtures that that gets me only 312W and would cost about the same money.
I've read about the adv and disadv for both, and didn't see too much difference (the T5's have a bit longer life and give off less heat), I asked my LFS and he said to go with VHO's over the T5's.
Also, I plan to go with less light hungry stuff as well, so we shall see how that goes.
Edit: I do plan to move to Halides if plans change though and maybe eliminate 2 VHO's as I don't I'd have room for 4 VHO's + 3 MH lamps.
I have a bullet skimmer, will install this week I think.
re: on the T-5's, I already spent the $$$ on the VHO's, but right now I have approx 640W for the 4 bulbs. This cost roughly $500 for the two ballasts, bulbs, caps, etc.
8 48" fixture would only get me 432W (4 bulbs) and cost $400, or go with two 36" fixtures that that gets me only 312W and would cost about the same money.
I've read about the adv and disadv for both, and didn't see too much difference (the T5's have a bit longer life and give off less heat), I asked my LFS and he said to go with VHO's over the T5's.
Also, I plan to go with less light hungry stuff as well, so we shall see how that goes.
Edit: I do plan to move to Halides if plans change though and maybe eliminate 2 VHO's as I don't I'd have room for 4 VHO's + 3 MH lamps.
gig
New member
UPDATES!!!!
UPDATES!!!!
OK, I know how everyone loves pics (as do I)...
The tank now has about 205 lbs of rock (150 base and 55 live), not including the 5 or so lbs in the sump. my LFS had some people break down their tanks and sold thier LR, so I got the pic of the litter and bought 45lbs.
Far shot
closer
Here are some shrooms on the new LR
A small Leather Coral that seems to be doing well after nearly a week in the tank (seems to be spreading out more)
Side views
UPDATES!!!!
OK, I know how everyone loves pics (as do I)...
The tank now has about 205 lbs of rock (150 base and 55 live), not including the 5 or so lbs in the sump. my LFS had some people break down their tanks and sold thier LR, so I got the pic of the litter and bought 45lbs.
Far shot
closer
Here are some shrooms on the new LR
A small Leather Coral that seems to be doing well after nearly a week in the tank (seems to be spreading out more)
Side views
wrenchhead
New member
Man that is an incredible set up. You have inspired me.I have some roomates moving out in a couple weeks and they're room will be the new fish room and the tank is going in the wall.LOOKS GREAT.
gig
New member
...
...
OK, i've come along way since the last update. I've since hooked up the Bullet Skimmer (which is a @$#% to tweak and get running right). Added 4 corals and a new fish (Flame Angel) and just added one of my older Angels (Majestic Angel - I want to find out early if he will do any damage, but he's been eating flake for for so long (3 years), he may not have a taste for any corals
)
Also, added more LR. I bought a big azz 11 lb piece on Saturday (it's in the right center), along with some nice flat pieces (17 lbs to be exact).
So let's get to the pics!!!!
Full shot
Far away shot - as you can see the couch (which was temporary is now gone), replaced by my new workspace, which is what I envisioned when I designed this space. I was very pleased with the result.
Two new inhabitants, the Flame with my Torch. The Torch and the Galaxea were my first two corals, they are doing "ok", but my problem is that I was topping off with DI water only, because I was lazy about getting my RODI system. Later I found out that the DI water was pretty much as bad as my Well water and the TDS was off the charts!!! like 400! :eek1: (more about this later)
Here's my 3 year old Majestic Angel getting used to his new surroundings (he's been in a small holding tank for months, so I'm sure he's like ***? this is great!)
Galaxea
Torch
Zoos
I'll break this into two updates...
...
OK, i've come along way since the last update. I've since hooked up the Bullet Skimmer (which is a @$#% to tweak and get running right). Added 4 corals and a new fish (Flame Angel) and just added one of my older Angels (Majestic Angel - I want to find out early if he will do any damage, but he's been eating flake for for so long (3 years), he may not have a taste for any corals
)Also, added more LR. I bought a big azz 11 lb piece on Saturday (it's in the right center), along with some nice flat pieces (17 lbs to be exact).
So let's get to the pics!!!!
Full shot
Far away shot - as you can see the couch (which was temporary is now gone), replaced by my new workspace, which is what I envisioned when I designed this space. I was very pleased with the result.
Two new inhabitants, the Flame with my Torch. The Torch and the Galaxea were my first two corals, they are doing "ok", but my problem is that I was topping off with DI water only, because I was lazy about getting my RODI system. Later I found out that the DI water was pretty much as bad as my Well water and the TDS was off the charts!!! like 400! :eek1: (more about this later)
Here's my 3 year old Majestic Angel getting used to his new surroundings (he's been in a small holding tank for months, so I'm sure he's like ***? this is great!)
Galaxea
Torch
Zoos
I'll break this into two updates...
gig
New member
... (pt 3)
... (pt 3)
ID's please???
Looks like a little green plant coming out of a feather duster stalk, I can't get a good pic of these, but it's got some delicate fan-like components:
Finally, here's the Typhoon III extreme package I got from Air Water and Ice, they were very helpful and the system came loaded with a TDS (in/out) meter, a portable TDS meter, a monitor for the membrane and even the float valve. Everything needed to set it up and get running.
Here's the storage bucket
I plan on mounting the RODI to a wall to the left of my sink, then tee'ing off another line to my auto top off system.
Finally, the Bullet skimmer is up and runnning.
Skimmate!
... (pt 3)
ID's please???
Looks like a little green plant coming out of a feather duster stalk, I can't get a good pic of these, but it's got some delicate fan-like components:
Finally, here's the Typhoon III extreme package I got from Air Water and Ice, they were very helpful and the system came loaded with a TDS (in/out) meter, a portable TDS meter, a monitor for the membrane and even the float valve. Everything needed to set it up and get running.
Here's the storage bucket
I plan on mounting the RODI to a wall to the left of my sink, then tee'ing off another line to my auto top off system.
Finally, the Bullet skimmer is up and runnning.
Skimmate!
gig
New member
...
...
Time for an update, alot has gone on since the last! I had some water issues (a couple of really stupid ones) that I have since solved and the tank and some of the corals that had looked bad are coming back strong. I hace since added a few softies as well and bought a more powerful pump for my bullet.
I also moved alot of my baserock out, as it was too dense and was really creating a "sh!t factory" as there were too many nooks and crannies for stuff to hide. I also moved the 40-50lbs of LR from my holding tank and swamped it with the base rock.
I only kept about 5-6 larger pieces in the main display and alot was moved the the fuge.
And here we go.
Full tank shot
Closer in
multiple shots
...
Time for an update, alot has gone on since the last! I had some water issues (a couple of really stupid ones) that I have since solved and the tank and some of the corals that had looked bad are coming back strong. I hace since added a few softies as well and bought a more powerful pump for my bullet.
I also moved alot of my baserock out, as it was too dense and was really creating a "sh!t factory" as there were too many nooks and crannies for stuff to hide. I also moved the 40-50lbs of LR from my holding tank and swamped it with the base rock.
I only kept about 5-6 larger pieces in the main display and alot was moved the the fuge.
And here we go.
Full tank shot
Closer in
multiple shots
gig
New member
...
...
If you notice in the last post, I have pushed all of my sand/gravel to the front, so it give the effect of having a sandbed, but the LR is essentially setting on the glass. It makes cleaning up the poo real easy for siphoning, etc. Also cleaning the gravel, as it's no longer under any rock.
Here are some of my corals (LPS and Softies):
My new favorite (gren hairy mushrooms)
under the actnicis only
with a flash
under the actninics and daylights
...
If you notice in the last post, I have pushed all of my sand/gravel to the front, so it give the effect of having a sandbed, but the LR is essentially setting on the glass. It makes cleaning up the poo real easy for siphoning, etc. Also cleaning the gravel, as it's no longer under any rock.
Here are some of my corals (LPS and Softies):
My new favorite (gren hairy mushrooms)
under the actnicis only
with a flash
under the actninics and daylights
gig
New member
...
...
my other Softie...a toadstool, who I think is still adjusting to the tank, the polyps are out but he's sort bent over. In the store he was more upright, just give it time
with a flash just waking up (lights just came on)
awake!
Some Zoas I've had since the beginning, these guys are pretty indestructable, as long as the fish don't eat them!
Finally, here are my purple clove polyps, which I thought I'd lost, but as you can see have come back in full force.
I also have a small colony of star polyps that was nearly wiped out with the water issues, but they are starting to come back and have even jumped onto a nearby rock.
Hope you all like my pics
...
my other Softie...a toadstool, who I think is still adjusting to the tank, the polyps are out but he's sort bent over. In the store he was more upright, just give it time
with a flash just waking up (lights just came on)
awake!
Some Zoas I've had since the beginning, these guys are pretty indestructable, as long as the fish don't eat them!
Finally, here are my purple clove polyps, which I thought I'd lost, but as you can see have come back in full force.
I also have a small colony of star polyps that was nearly wiped out with the water issues, but they are starting to come back and have even jumped onto a nearby rock.
Hope you all like my pics
