Just finished new lights

[MrRyanT]

I just finished putting in my new 175W 15k XM's. Just thought I'd share a few pics.

 

[Rendos]

Looks good - now get a harlequin shrimp to get rid of those starfish.

 

[MrRyanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13944018#post13944018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rendos
Looks good - now get a harlequin shrimp to get rid of those starfish.

Do you think the harlequin would clean out all the starfish and then starve? or do you think it would keep some to sustain itself?

 

[MrRyanT]

Guys, I also wanted to send a thank you out to Dave and his staff at Kermit's Reef for helping me test my lights before I put them all together. Dave even loaned me a used 15K XM bulb to finish testing at home while I was putting it together. Dave, I returned the bulb today when I went in to purchase the 3 new XM's. Thanks a bunch.

 

[drowzee]

It will take a long time for the shrimp to starve seeing how much stars u have. I would invest on some critters and may be a tang to clean up your rocks and sand and maybe a reactor to reduce some of the algae. Tank is looking good by the way. I liked my 15k when i had them.

 

[MrRyanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13944350#post13944350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drowzee
It will take a long time for the shrimp to starve seeing how much stars u have. I would invest on some critters and may be a tang to clean up your rocks and sand and maybe a reactor to reduce some of the algae. Tank is looking good by the way. I liked my 15k when i had them.

Thanks Roy! I agree about the algae. I started vodka dosing a little over a week ago. I'm hoping that will help clear it up. I already have a Hippo Tang, a Coral Beauty Angel, and a Foxface that graze on the algae, but it just keeps coming. I'm sure that I have too many phosphates, but that's one thing that I have never tested for. Anyway, for now, I'm just gonna hope the vodka does the trick.

 

[Mako Shark II]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13944404#post13944404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrRyanT
Anyway, for now, I'm just gonna hope the vodka does the trick.

It's Never failed me, mate!
:spin2:

 

[Mako Shark II]

Nice lights BTW Ry -

 

[aslavatortin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13944107#post13944107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrRyanT
Guys, I also wanted to send a thank you out to Dave and his staff at Kermit's Reef for helping me test my lights before I put them all together. Dave even loaned me a used 15K XM bulb to finish testing at home while I was putting it together. Dave, I returned the bulb today when I went in to purchase the 3 new XM's. Thanks a bunch.

I've had many, many similar experiences with Dave, et al.; they are all a bunch of good guys.

 

[crpeck]

If you start running out of those stars, Ryan, I can bring you some more.

It always kills me when some visitor looks at the tank and says ... "OOOH are those STARFISH?!?! How CUTE!!!"

Argh! Then it's fun to watch the person's face when I say I'm about to start picking them out and flushing them.

Haven't quite been able to bring myself to that, but it has crossed my mind.

 

[Goibot]

Nice lights Ryan!

 

[ihavtats29]

looking good Ryan!!!

 

[MrRyanT]

Thanks for the comments. Cathy, I feel the same way about the starfish. I carried quite a few to Memfish when they had a harlequin shrimp in there, now I just clean a few out with each water change. They really don't bother me any though, so no big deal.

 

[joeycadre]

my harlequin decimated the asternia stars but left a few to eat. i had him for 18 months or so and he did great.

he was in a 90, by the way. and i had hundreds of the little star jerks.

 

[cateyes]

looks nice Ryan --
but i'm thinking you may as well get a pair of harlequins for that bevy of stars... then just toss a choc chip in there when they annihilate the asterenas,,, they'll be on him so fast , flip him over, he won't have a chance to mess with any of your corals....

 

[MrRyanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13964192#post13964192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cateyes
looks nice Ryan --
but i'm thinking you may as well get a pair of harlequins for that bevy of stars... then just toss a choc chip in there when they annihilate the asterenas,,, they'll be on him so fast , flip him over, he won't have a chance to mess with any of your corals....

You know, other than the choc chip, I'm really inclined to agree with you. I've actually been doing a little researching about the harlequins, and if I can find a pair, I think that's what I will do.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Hey Ryan, The lights look good.The harliquins are cool,I have wanted to get a pair,but the wife says no.She can't stand the thought of feeding them a starfish.If you get any post some pics.

 

[MrRyanT]

Ok, I guess it was a little silly not to put a pic of the lights themselves in here, but they're so bright its hard to get a good pic. Maybe you can see a little bit of what it looks like here. The reflectors are homemade out of aluminum roof flashing. Anyway, here's a pic:

 

[MrRyanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13965869#post13965869 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SNAKEMANVET
Hey Ryan, The lights look good.The harliquins are cool,I have wanted to get a pair,but the wife says no.She can't stand the thought of feeding them a starfish.If you get any post some pics.

Yeah, I will definitely post pics. Thanks.

 

[MrRyanT]

And here's a couple shots with the lights off. A little easier to see.