Isla Escondido - invincible569's Rimless 300g

[mr.wilson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10353390#post10353390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
mr. wilson, so which is the best actinic bulb that does give you the blue/green pop and are true actinics?

At this point in time there doesn't appear to be one.

I go with aesthetics and use the Aqua-Medic "blue" T5 bulb. It isn't a true actinic, but I get enough 400-500 nm light out of the metal halides as it stands.

I usually use MHL exclusively, but in the case where a dawn and dusk effect is desired, actinic T5's come in handy. Alternatively, I use blue LED's for the twilight effect. I like the rays of light and eerie effect.

in the case of MHL exclusive applications, I use a separate timer for each MHL bulb. They are timed to come on and off half an hour apart. I start with the bulbs to the "east" and end with the bulbs to the "west". It simulates a sunrise and sunset, but it lacks the black-light poster effect of lunar LED's or blue actinics.

As far as VHO goes, Coralife "actinics" have a very blue colour, but they are by no means true actinics. I prefer the low profile, cooler burning, smaller ballast, energy efficiency and longer life of T5 technology.

Philips developed both (true) actinic lighting, and T5 technology. I'm surprised they haven't combined the two yet.

It's only a matter of time before compact MHL like the Osram Powerball (the new generation of the old Powerstar) will be available in 20,000K and "blue" versions. A combination of high wattage 20,000 K's mixed with lower watt MHL blue bulbs would give the best of both worlds.

For now, we'll waste our money simultaneously pursuing T5, VHO, MHL, and LED.

 

[jnarowe]

I have the aqua-medic T5 lamps on my grow out tank and when combined with 10Ks, it looks very good to me. On my display I use only the Ushio SE 1000W 20Ks, and then switch to coralife blue LEDs for night viewing. I have them mounted toward the front of the tank so there are plenty of dark areas for fish to relax in. When my lights go out, the fish all but disappear into the rockwork. Its a bit strange for those not used to it, because the reef appears to have no fish in it at night, other than an occassional scout.

 

[invincible569]

There's a new roommate in town!

 

[makoJ]

Great shot and beautiful fish!

 

[fisheebill]

Love how you caught the shot under the spot!

 

[invincible569]

Brian, thank you. I was looking for your personal email in my Outlook, but couldnt find it so I can show you pictures of AE's place. Anyhow, all i wanted to say is check out my BLOG for those pics. You will be amazed of how nice of a LFS it is knowing you bought a quality tank from the owner of AGE who built your tank. Tommy also built that rimless bowfront you see on my journal.

Bill, whats funny is that I got this idea from my 3 yr old! LOL. She wanted to use my camera to take pictures and since kids love to copy their parents, she was taking pics of my tank. And dont forget, a 3 yr old is short so the shots are taken low. Well, i uploaded those pics from my camera and saw the cool water surface line and figured I would take some shots of the pyramid butterfly this way. Sure enough it turned out amazing.

 

[nUgZ]

Great fish!! This tank just keeps getting better.

 

[clownnrnd]

Looks great Edward, Did you get this one from LA? I see the Bellus is doing well and the stag island is coloring up nicely

Take Care,

Chad

 

[token]

Wow!

Quite an enjoyable read. I like that you are choosing to chart a more challenging course. I like your thinking about lights (and can't wait to know fixtures you are using to house the spots). Your fish are stunning, as are your corals. The aquascaping is simple and stunning.

Although not officially a member of the "rimless" club, I do enjoy my braceless tanks. I have been a fan of the "unviewed side" for a long time, tending to display my tank a lot lower than many would find ideal; the bottom of my 28" deep 75g is only 26" off the floor. Looking down on the tank is a view often under-apprecitated, in my experience.

I especially appreciate the aesthetic appeal that your tank provides. It is a joy to see a tank with multiple viewable sides that looks appropriate for the room that houses it. It is a primary goal for me as I prepare to move.

Thank you, again, for choosing to share!

 

[GSMguy]

Ed im really impressed with your blog, great read. the butterfly is very nice.

what i am really impressed with is your coloration especially the nepthea ive never witnessed a color shift like that in a soft coral, especially in such a short a time period. Kudos.

 

[invincible569]

nugz, thank you.

Chad, yes I saw him on LA's Divers Den and snatched him away. I couldnt believe my eyes that I finally found one. I tried getting one from Marine Center a while back, but could never get in contact with anyone. Wish I had a pair though!

token, you're very welcome. The comments you made, tells me a lot about you and how we are both on the same interest wavelength. If you can see what I am seeing as being a great read/pics, then you also get the enjoyment I get when working on this aquarium. I really appreciate your positive comments. Hope to see an "official" rimless texan added to our club soon.

GSM, thank you. I've been updating it as much as time permits. I dont have any other way of sharing my life experiences to the world as no more than a BLOG. Some of it gets too personal and may not be appropriate for this thread. As for the coral color.. do you mean the capnella (brown to light green?) If so, I was dissappointed when it was brown and I also purchased this from LA. Sanjay confirmed that this coral will turn the color it was advertised with increased light penetration. Sure enough, it worked. Now I have it back under low light and its holding its color. I cant wait for it to colonize!

 

[Avast Marine]

Hey invincible if your looking for a smaller pyramid to pair yours up with pm copps. He has been bringing these in to our area for the last few months on a regular basis and finding a juvi shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[invincible569]

Thanks Dan. I heard he bas been bringing in some other fish a well. For now, i am going to stick with the reputable sources that have the 2 wk guarantee. It dissapoints me that I could of possibly of still had my skribble and meredithi. I loved those fish. Those both died within the wk (one the next day) and justrarefish didnt care. With LA, they make sure those fish are very healthy from what I have read and it shows when they are in my tank.

 

[GSMguy]

yes the capnella, thats a cool softie i want to find myself some now. was that coral in divers den?

i purchased a real one of a kind purple H. Crispa from LA last winter well. fed ex screwed up the shipment and it died, i was glad and impressed how easy it was to get a refund.

 

[mr.wilson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10389752#post10389752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
Thanks Dan. I heard he bas been bringing in some other fish a well. For now, i am going to stick with the reputable sources that have the 2 wk guarantee. It dissapoints me that I could of possibly of still had my skribble and meredithi. I loved those fish. Those both died within the wk (one the next day) and justrarefish didnt care. With LA, they make sure those fish are very healthy from what I have read and it shows when they are in my tank.

I agree with your sentiments in avoiding "sell it before it dies" suppliers.

I've never heard of a two week guarantee on marine fish. How much more do you have to pay to cover the guarantee? i.e. how much is a Pyramid butterfly from either source (two week guarantee vs. live arrival guarantee)?

Your Pyramid looks great. A pair would be impressive in a big tank like yours. A pair of Heniochus Acuminatus would also look cool.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10389904#post10389904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr.wilson
I agree with your sentiments in avoiding "sell it before it dies" suppliers.

I've never heard of a two week guarantee on marine fish. How much more do you have to pay to cover the guarantee? i.e. how much is a Pyramid butterfly from either source (two week guarantee vs. live arrival guarantee)?

Your Pyramid looks great. A pair would be impressive in a big tank like yours. A pair of Heniochus Acuminatus would also look cool.

live aquaria offers a 2 week guarontee on all livestock.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10389904#post10389904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr.wilson
I agree with your sentiments in avoiding "sell it before it dies" suppliers.

I've never heard of a two week guarantee on marine fish. How much more do you have to pay to cover the guarantee? i.e. how much is a Pyramid butterfly from either source (two week guarantee vs. live arrival guarantee)?

Your Pyramid looks great. A pair would be impressive in a big tank like yours. A pair of Heniochus Acuminatus would also look cool.

live aquaria offers a 2 week guarantee on all livestock.

 

[invincible569]

GSM, glad to hear LA took care of you. Thats what i mean about feeling good on what you purchased. Here's the link to the Pineapple Tree Coral I purchased: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2412

mr. wilson, Im not too sure what the price is from another vendor. I do recall that Marine Center had some in a month or so ago for $80. The one I purchased was $50. I havent seen them anywhere else to compare prices.

 

[ReefingBuddha]

I have had nothing but good experiences with live aquaria. The corals always arrive in great condition with a certificate of health and origin. Helpful customer service as well.

 

[mr.wilson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10390171#post10390171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
GSM, glad to hear LA took care of you. Thats what i mean about feeling good on what you purchased. Here's the link to the Pineapple Tree Coral I purchased: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2412

mr. wilson, Im not too sure what the price is from another vendor. I do recall that Marine Center had some in a month or so ago for $80. The one I purchased was $50. I havent seen them anywhere else to compare prices.

$50.00 with a 2 week guarantee is an amazing deal. I hope they can stay in business with that level of service and reasonable pricing.

The Marine Center pricing is geared toward a niche market of collectors. Many people in the industry use them as a reference of the most you could possibly charge for a fish.