Jackson's 115 Gallon Custom Cube 32x32x26

[jackson6745]

Thanks Chris. I'm using a 400w lumatek adjustable ballast running on the 400sl setting.

Since you bumped this thread up, I'll update with an equipment upgrade I just received my new Bubble King 200 mini RD3. This is my first BK and I'm blow away by the quality… even the packaging . It's almost like a bought a fancy woman's handbag lol. I'll report back on performance once I get it broken in.

IMG_1237 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

 

[mhucasey]

Jebuz that an expensive skimmer! Interested to know what you think of its performance once you get it going

 

[cthedaytrader]

Thanks, thats is a sick skimmer, too, I really have never heard anyone complain about the performance or quality of a BK. The 200 is powerful too, what made you pick that one as opposed to the 180?

 

[jackson6745]

Jebuz that an expensive skimmer! Interested to know what you think of its performance once you get it going

Yes definitely costly. I sold a bunch of frags do I didn't exactly pay for it but I did.

Thanks, thats is a sick skimmer, too, I really have never heard anyone complain about the performance or quality of a BK. The 200 is powerful too, what made you pick that one as opposed to the 180?

The pump is adjustable. For the cost difference it made sense to go larger. With my heavy bioload I have extra skimming power if needed.

 

[cthedaytrader]

Oh I didnt know the pump was adjustable now, thats pretty cool.

 

[mhucasey]

I have a skimmer with an adjustable DC pump, its very handy to have. The only issues I had were that it took me a while to accept that speed 4 worked better than 6(I kept wanting to crank it all the way up), and with the Diablo DC pumps dying. I've been through 3 of those, luckily all replaced completely free of charge by Coralvue. I'm guessing your Red Dragon pump will be significantly more reliable

 

[Kaman8]

Here is one of those yellow corals that certain vendors give crazy names to and charge big $$$. This one is generic Had red polyps fresh from the wild, but I haven't had luck keeping them red. This is the 2nd yellow/red polyp piece that I tried. Yellow stays intense but the red is a PITA Maybe it will change over time.
IMG_1003 by rich.colombo, on Flickr[/QUOTE]

I have the same yellow sps as yours and it's in my tank for 3 months now and the polyps color are still the same as yours. Can they really turn in red? Do you know the name of this coral?

 

[jackson6745]

I have a skimmer with an adjustable DC pump, its very handy to have. The only issues I had were that it took me a while to accept that speed 4 worked better than 6(I kept wanting to crank it all the way up), and with the Diablo DC pumps dying. I've been through 3 of those, luckily all replaced completely free of charge by Coralvue. I'm guessing your Red Dragon pump will be significantly more reliable

I have a skimz DC skimmer SM203. This pump also died on me under warranty, and I bought an additional pump for a back up. I want better quality and more skimming power in my reef so I finally bit the bullet and paid up:hmm6:




I have the same yellow sps as yours and it's in my tank for 3 months now and the polyps color are still the same as yours. Can they really turn in red? Do you know the name of this coral?[/QUOTE]



This coral came in wild in a LFS and the polyps were bright red. It looked like the Pickachu acro from the coral kings. I haven't gotten the red back, but maybe someone else will.



The skimmer is in place. Not skimming yet, has to break in.
IMG_1245 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

 

[Kaman8]

Mine is maricultured . I'm having good growth with it. Hope it will turn red then. Pls keep us update about this coral.

 

[mhucasey]

I have a skimz DC skimmer SM203. This pump also died on me under warranty, and I bought an additional pump for a back up. I want better quality and more skimming power in my reef so I finally bit the bullet and paid up:hmm6:

Sometimes you just want to not deal with a headache and know that something will just work. You won't have any worries about that skimmer not performing!

 

[Bilk]

That skimmer looks almost as good as your tank Rich You know, your pics don't do your tank justice. It's one of the very few tanks that look even better in person! You have to come here and give my tank some of your mojo LOL

 

[sahin]

Nice skimmer Rich. Very jealous. Please post pics when it is skimming.

 

[jackson6745]

Mine is maricultured . I'm having good growth with it. Hope it will turn red then. Pls keep us update about this coral.

Will do. I had another similar piece for almost a year and didn't have the red polyps return, so I won't hold my breath

Sometimes you just want to not deal with a headache and know that something will just work. You won't have any worries about that skimmer not performing!

Yup! If this thing malfunctions I'm going skimmerless :hmm5:

That skimmer looks almost as good as your tank Rich You know, your pics don't do your tank justice. It's one of the very few tanks that look even better in person! You have to come here and give my tank some of your mojo LOL

Thanks Bill. I'm glad you think the tank looks better than the pics lol. I can't tell anymore. I only see things wrong with it when I look You must be pumped for the new lights to come. I'll definitely come check out your reef very soon.

Nice skimmer Rich. Very jealous. Please post pics when it is skimming.

Sahin, lol, thanks. This skimmer is gangsta… now hopefully it lives up to its reputation. My reviews can be harsh . You should have seen my radion f/s thread when I had enough of them lmao:

The skimmer has been running over night and it started to skim. I had to make a slight adjustment but I think it will perform well now.






I forgot to add pics when I "upgraded" lighting lol. I added 4 more t5 to the giesmann fixture in a diy bracket driven by an ic 660 ballast. The tank itself looked super bright with no shadows. Only problem was that the light spray was so bad you couldn't stare at the tank without getting a headache . These extra t5's were removed shortly after.
IMG_1118 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

 

[stancfii]

Looks like a DIY tanning bed!

 

[jackson6745]

Looks like a DIY tanning bed!

LMAO! I thought the same :lol2:

 

[afernandez]

nice! best of luck with it !

 

[justinky]

Very nice tank and that DIY light setup is awesome.

 

[jcs11236]

Hey Rich
It was nice seeing your tank in person a few weeks ago. Simply amazing

I have a question for you. How many times are you feeding fish a day? And do you feed your corals separately/how often?

Thanks

 

[jackson6745]

nice! best of luck with it !

Thanks

Very nice tank and that DIY light setup is awesome.

It lit the tank well I took the extra t5's off. It looked horrible and lit up the entire room. I may make a canopy and retro a whole lighting system. Just been lazy to start.

Hey Rich
It was nice seeing your tank in person a few weeks ago. Simply amazing

I have a question for you. How many times are you feeding fish a day? And do you feed your corals separately/how often?

Thanks

Thanks bud :thumbsup: I'm feeding fish usually 2 times per day. Not feeding corals because I don't believe you can actually feed sps directly. I think it's more the associated nutrient level. I do dose some acropower after water changes. I notice it keeps my colors from getting lighter if nutrients drop.

How is the new BK coming along? Any updates? Pics ?

Loving it. It's very quiet and it's skimming consistent. I'm running on the wet side at the moment. I am trying to keep a slightly lower nutrient level. I really overdid it with the fish in this tank :lmao:

30hrs skimming wet
IMG_1434 by rich.colombo, on Flickr


Just for the heck of it here's a pic of a pair of harlequin shrimp that I added. My asterina starts are all over the place. I'm not sure if they eat SPS, but I do see them on bases of any coral that has shown recession.
IMG_1473 by rich.colombo, on Flickr

 

[Jstn]

What is that large worm?!?