Jackson's 115 Gallon Custom Cube 32x32x26

[chercm]

Richard, I've incorporated your methodology into my restarted tank and so far the results have surpassed my expectations.

I have minimal display liverock, but made up for that by using a litre of Siporax filter media and some rock rubble in the sump.

I am also dosing Bacteria. I am currently dosing Prodibio (both Biodigest and Bioptim) as well as Zeobac bacterias.

I have restarted this tank many times (due to a few unfortunate years of reefkeeping...hopefully no further issue will arise), and other than the upgrade of the lights, the rest of the equipment has remained the same...so I have a certain idea of what to expect with this setup...

And this time round, I am having great success with my corals.

Here are what I have noticed with following a similar methodology:

1. Tank cycled extremely fast.
2. Any SPS coral that is already coloured up that goes into this tank, has so far retained colours - in previous setups, particularly early in the tanks life, a new SPS coral would go brown within a week or two, then colour up months later.
3. Health of the SPS just seem like the corals have been placed in a tank that is 1+ years old. I cant believe the health of the SPS despite the tank being less than 2 months old.

You've got a very solid methodology here; and the results show it. Its working well for me, and its a method I'll be adhering to for years to come.

Thanks for sharing all the info. :thumbsup:

so wat is the method being used ?

 

[jdm1114]

I love the colors man, good work!

 

[jackson6745]

your system is dialed IN! looks incredible man!

Thanks man :hmm5:

How about ...

jeepers. Seriously, downloaded and in the same folder I keep a pic of your previous tank, to help remind me how bad I suck at keeping SPS.

lol, sometimes SPS keeping is a PITA. I couldn't find the balance in my last system and lost a lot of coral. This one is staying healthy so far

Looks great Richard did you put the other fixture back ? And how many watt of halide are you using?

Still using the sfiligoi. I never made it to my buddy's house to pick up the Giesemann. Some time soon I'll switch lights. It is a 400w radium, 4 t5's, and 2 blue led refbrites.

Richard, I've incorporated your methodology into my restarted tank and so far the results have surpassed my expectations.

I have minimal display liverock, but made up for that by using a litre of Siporax filter media and some rock rubble in the sump.

I am also dosing Bacteria. I am currently dosing Prodibio (both Biodigest and Bioptim) as well as Zeobac bacterias.

I have restarted this tank many times (due to a few unfortunate years of reefkeeping...hopefully no further issue will arise), and other than the upgrade of the lights, the rest of the equipment has remained the same...so I have a certain idea of what to expect with this setup...

And this time round, I am having great success with my corals.

Here are what I have noticed with following a similar methodology:

1. Tank cycled extremely fast.
2. Any SPS coral that is already coloured up that goes into this tank, has so far retained colours - in previous setups, particularly early in the tanks life, a new SPS coral would go brown within a week or two, then colour up months later.
3. Health of the SPS just seem like the corals have been placed in a tank that is 1+ years old. I cant believe the health of the SPS despite the tank being less than 2 months old.

You've got a very solid methodology here; and the results show it. Its working well for me, and its a method I'll be adhering to for years to come.

Thanks for sharing all the info. :thumbsup:

Great! How is your SPS polyp extension? I never had such shaggy PE before

What kind of t5 bulbs do you run with your radium?

3 KZ blue, 1 kz fiji purple

Never mind! Beautiful tank! I am also running a cubeish tank (30"x24"x24") with a 250 watt Radium

Nice, I have to check your tank thread if you have one.

so wat is the method being used ?

The method isn't anything new, it's more of a probiotic approach. Knowing that SPS thrive in high and lower nutrient reef tanks has led me to believe the difference has everything to do with bacterial populations. By dosing various bacterias, and maintaining a higher nutrient level (in my current tank), the system has become very mature in a short time. SPS colors, growth, and health are the best I've had. Many ways to go about this.

I love the colors man, good work!

Thanks

 

[MetroKat]

<3

Hey you.

 

[jackson6745]

<3

Hey you.

Your frag is made, just coloring it up


I had to get rid of some stuff/move stuff. Hard to even tell. I really need to find time to sell some stuff off. Pic from tonight. Came out a little dark.

IMG_2369 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

 

[MetroKat]

Your frag is made, just coloring it up
I had to get rid of some stuff/move stuff. Hard to even tell. I really need to find time to sell some stuff off. Pic from tonight. Came out a little dark.

Can't wait. If you have more stuff to sell, shoot me some pictures?

 

[tdb320reef]

Your frag is made, just coloring it up


I had to get rid of some stuff/move stuff. Hard to even tell. I really need to find time to sell some stuff off. Pic from tonight. Came out a little dark.

IMG_2369 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

Looking great Jackson!

 

[Fishy 1]

It's getting better and better Rich:beer:
What do you think all the corals are worth?

 

[jackson6745]

Looking great Jackson!

Thanks Tom. Glad you like it.

QUOTE=Fishy 1;23312501]It's getting better and better Rich:beer:
What do you think all the corals are worth?[/QUOTE]

Thanks Fishy, The corals are worth their weight in gold to me. I check on them everyday, watch them grow, and change colors. It's never monetarily for me. :lolspin:

 

[MetroKat]

The method isn't anything new, it's more of a probiotic approach. Knowing that SPS thrive in high and lower nutrient reef tanks has led me to believe the difference has everything to do with bacterial populations. By dosing various bacterias, and maintaining a higher nutrient level (in my current tank), the system has become very mature in a short time. SPS colors, growth, and health are the best I've had. Many ways to go about this.

I'm so on board with this!! My new tank is set, the move made my big colonies unhappy, they have lost some color and I'm hoping to give them a boost. In addition to food, I am dosing all the bacterias in my arsenal but if you have some that you can recommend Rich, that would be great.

Thanks
Kat

 

[jackson6745]

Kat, I like the new layout. I am dosing prodibio bioptim/biodigest every 2 weeks, alternating off weeks with Microbe-lift Special Blend. I also dose Microbe lift nite out II each water change, and fish addition.

The key with this dosing is the ramp up the bioload so the bacteria needs to exist. If you keep a low bioload and dose what i dose, you will strip your system and corals will look like crap and tank will be unstable. As I began stocking, I made sure there was always a nitrate level. If you don't have nitrates you will probably want to back off on the carbon dosing, skimmer, cheato or whatever. The only issue that i can't seem to get around is the cyano outbreak as my stocking gets heavy. The special blend limits its run, but it's annoying nevertheless. in 4-6 weeks it's gone and the system is way more mature and ready for real heavy stocking

 

[sahin]

Amazing reef man. Colours are just popping!

 

[MetroKat]

Kat, I like the new layout. I am dosing prodibio bioptim/biodigest every 2 weeks, alternating off weeks with Microbe-lift Special Blend. I also dose Microbe lift nite out II each water change, and fish addition.

The key with this dosing is the ramp up the bioload so the bacteria needs to exist. If you keep a low bioload and dose what i dose, you will strip your system and corals will look like crap and tank will be unstable. As I began stocking, I made sure there was always a nitrate level. If you don't have nitrates you will probably want to back off on the carbon dosing, skimmer, cheato or whatever. The only issue that i can't seem to get around is the cyano outbreak as my stocking gets heavy. The special blend limits its run, but it's annoying nevertheless. in 4-6 weeks it's gone and the system is way more mature and ready for real heavy stocking

Thanks. My tank is new, so ramping up the bioload is something I am working on. Microbe-lift smells awful you had said right? How long after addition into the tank does it keep smelling?

 

[markalot]

I couldn't keep Microbe-Lift Special Blend in the house. Sealed bottle, double bagged, still stunk up the basement. It was ejected with prejudice.

 

[sahin]

I couldn't keep Microbe-Lift Special Blend in the house. Sealed bottle, double bagged, still stunk up the basement. It was ejected with prejudice.

It is a rather stinky one isnt it. :lol: I run out and am now dosing Zeobac and Prodibio.

 

[jackson6745]

Thanks. My tank is new, so ramping up the bioload is something I am working on. Microbe-lift smells awful you had said right? How long after addition into the tank does it keep smelling?

It doesn't smell once you add it to the tank. The stink from the bottle lingers in the room for a while though lol

I couldn't keep Microbe-Lift Special Blend in the house. Sealed bottle, double bagged, still stunk up the basement. It was ejected with prejudice.

Lmao!

It is a rather stinky one isnt it. :lol: I run out and am now dosing Zeobac and Prodibio.

Notice anything with the zeobac? Never tried that before.

 

[sahin]

Notice anything with the zeobac? Never tried that before.

Havent noticed any difference. Just dosing it in place of Special Blend...Zeobac in the UK is pretty cheap.

I have great Polyps Extension though.

 

[Chaucer]

Can't believe I missed this

Can't believe I missed this

Just saw this tank and set-up. Wanted to say it looks awesome. Great tank and really like the cabinet.

 

[jackson6745]

Havent noticed any difference. Just dosing it in place of Special Blend...Zeobac in the UK is pretty cheap.

I have great Polyps Extension though.

I notice a little better pe every time i dose prodibio bioptim and biodigest. Not sure which one is responsible since I dose together. Maybe a feeding response to the bacteria?

Just saw this tank and set-up. Wanted to say it looks awesome. Great tank and really like the cabinet.

Thanks so much. Glad you like the cabinet. I've had mixed reviews. I live on the beach and everything in my home is nautical and fishing related. I though it would fit in perfectly.

 

[MetroKat]

I couldn't keep Microbe-Lift Special Blend in the house. Sealed bottle, double bagged, still stunk up the basement. It was ejected with prejudice.

it;s that bad, hmm.

It doesn't smell once you add it to the tank. The stink from the bottle lingers in the room for a while though lol

Aiyayiyai. I could keep it in the patio and not bring it inside, except the dose I'm throwing in. And dose at night when the family is asleep so the smell dissipates by the morning.