Kasey's 60g
- Thread starter kaserpick
- Start date
André Silvestre
Reefaholic
Love the dimensions Kasey!
Peninsula layouts are awesome and there aren´t much shared pics of them on the net.
Like very one else, expecting to see that tank filled with corals will be great bit of fun.
Are you going BB or have a SB for aesthetics purpose?
Peninsula layouts are awesome and there aren´t much shared pics of them on the net.
Like very one else, expecting to see that tank filled with corals will be great bit of fun.
Are you going BB or have a SB for aesthetics purpose?
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thanks, André!
Peninsula tanks have been my favorite ever since I've started in this hobby. This'll be my third one. With tanks like Sweet Ride's 110g, it's difficult to not like peninsulas.
In answer to your question, this tank will end up having a shallow SB. I'm hoping the sand will exaggerate the effect of having the coral only in the middle. If the corals continue to do well, I should be adding it this week.
Peninsula tanks have been my favorite ever since I've started in this hobby. This'll be my third one. With tanks like Sweet Ride's 110g, it's difficult to not like peninsulas.
In answer to your question, this tank will end up having a shallow SB. I'm hoping the sand will exaggerate the effect of having the coral only in the middle. If the corals continue to do well, I should be adding it this week.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Well, it's been a week since my last update, so I thought I'd show how things are going. I have mixed feelings. 
In the past, if something didn't go exactly like I'd want, I wouldn't post for a while, until I had something 'worthy' of a picture. No one likes pictures of a brown and/or pale coral. But, sometimes that's what we need to post. So, instead of neglecting some issues, I'll document them and tell the lesson I've learned.
But, before I do, I'd like to start with some fun things:
1.I ordered everything I need to set up the 6055's on the Apex VDM. I've also ordered another 6095 housing outlet, so that now, they'll both have wider mouths.
2.My NAC 5.5 is still rocking out. It may not compare to some of the 'better' cone skimmers, but it's the quietest skimmer I've had. Also, and more importantly, it pulls out a very nice, dark skimmate (despite running it on the wet side). For those thinking about a similar model, my only negative point is that it's very touchy as far as setting it goes. If you don't have an ATO, it's not the best choice. For my setup, it's awesome.
3.I've added 3 firefish and 1 candy hogfish (a personal favorite). That makes the current list:
1 Ocellaris
1 McCoskers Wrasse
1 Candy Hogfish
3 Firefish (red not purple)
They're all eating and getting along, so far. The firefish really like grouping together.
4.Lastly, despite having some hair algae (due to my neglect) in the previous tank, the algae on the old rock has turned white and not grown. That's always nice.
Next post: The not so fun things (pics included)
In the past, if something didn't go exactly like I'd want, I wouldn't post for a while, until I had something 'worthy' of a picture. No one likes pictures of a brown and/or pale coral. But, sometimes that's what we need to post. So, instead of neglecting some issues, I'll document them and tell the lesson I've learned.
But, before I do, I'd like to start with some fun things:
1.I ordered everything I need to set up the 6055's on the Apex VDM. I've also ordered another 6095 housing outlet, so that now, they'll both have wider mouths.
2.My NAC 5.5 is still rocking out. It may not compare to some of the 'better' cone skimmers, but it's the quietest skimmer I've had. Also, and more importantly, it pulls out a very nice, dark skimmate (despite running it on the wet side). For those thinking about a similar model, my only negative point is that it's very touchy as far as setting it goes. If you don't have an ATO, it's not the best choice. For my setup, it's awesome.
3.I've added 3 firefish and 1 candy hogfish (a personal favorite). That makes the current list:
1 Ocellaris
1 McCoskers Wrasse
1 Candy Hogfish
3 Firefish (red not purple)
They're all eating and getting along, so far. The firefish really like grouping together.
4.Lastly, despite having some hair algae (due to my neglect) in the previous tank, the algae on the old rock has turned white and not grown. That's always nice.
Next post: The not so fun things (pics included)
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
The not so fun stuff:
1. The 250w 20k Radium is bright...too bright. In the past, I've always been good with acclimating things to MH. When I switched my 30g from 150w to 250w Phoenix's, that was a snap. This time I didn't take the necessary precautions. I've almost lost my green Stylo (pretty much done) and one of my orange digitata's. There was also a slight recession on my pink Birdsnest, as well. Things have settled, but my purple Stylo is still in shock and almost all corals have paled. They were never the most colorful (the 15g obviously was void of PO4, if it had HA), but they've definitely lost some saturation. It wasn't fun, and I would have done it differently. But, the damage is done; I've learned from this, at the very least. Now, it's time to turn those pale browns into beautiful, rich colors, through stability and good, clean husbandry.
Other than that, things have been going well. I did battle some cloud for a few days, but I'm suspecting a bacteria bloom. All levels read well.
Here's the pics:
As you can see, things aren't super happy, but I think the worst is over. Once things settle in a month or so, I'll re-scape and add sand...slowly! Wish me luck!
1. The 250w 20k Radium is bright...too bright. In the past, I've always been good with acclimating things to MH. When I switched my 30g from 150w to 250w Phoenix's, that was a snap. This time I didn't take the necessary precautions. I've almost lost my green Stylo (pretty much done) and one of my orange digitata's. There was also a slight recession on my pink Birdsnest, as well. Things have settled, but my purple Stylo is still in shock and almost all corals have paled. They were never the most colorful (the 15g obviously was void of PO4, if it had HA), but they've definitely lost some saturation. It wasn't fun, and I would have done it differently. But, the damage is done; I've learned from this, at the very least. Now, it's time to turn those pale browns into beautiful, rich colors, through stability and good, clean husbandry.
Other than that, things have been going well. I did battle some cloud for a few days, but I'm suspecting a bacteria bloom. All levels read well.
Here's the pics:
As you can see, things aren't super happy, but I think the worst is over. Once things settle in a month or so, I'll re-scape and add sand...slowly! Wish me luck!
biggles
Premium Member
Sorry to hear of your radium woes, they have a lot more punch than your eyes give credit for compared to many bulbs so it's easy to do what you did - i did the same first time i changed from 10K bulbs to radiums :headwally:
I really like your plan to have a central group of outcrops surrounded by white sand, if you keep the sand spotless it will look spectacular with a colorful display rising from the sand bed - i'm looking forward to seeing your ideas come to fruition. :thumbsup:
I really like your plan to have a central group of outcrops surrounded by white sand, if you keep the sand spotless it will look spectacular with a colorful display rising from the sand bed - i'm looking forward to seeing your ideas come to fruition. :thumbsup:
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thanks for the encouragement, Andrew!
Yeah, that bulb definitely caught me off guard. I raised it so that it's over a foot above the tank, but after thinking about it, it might not hurt to raise it another 6" (~150mm I believe). I'd rather start with too little and work my way to the higher intensity.
I really do hope the plan works out. I'm hoping it'll look like those small chunks of reef I'd see all alone in the sand, while I was diving. As you said, it'll be nice, IF I can keep the sand clean and IF the colors are great. :lmao:
Yeah, that bulb definitely caught me off guard. I raised it so that it's over a foot above the tank, but after thinking about it, it might not hurt to raise it another 6" (~150mm I believe). I'd rather start with too little and work my way to the higher intensity.
I really do hope the plan works out. I'm hoping it'll look like those small chunks of reef I'd see all alone in the sand, while I was diving. As you said, it'll be nice, IF I can keep the sand clean and IF the colors are great. :lmao:
biggles
Premium Member
I meant to say Kasey, i don't think you will have any trouble running a single 250W radium as i am doing the same atm over a 40x24x18 and it is covering the tank very well. I have a couple of small red mushroom rocks that i use to test the light intensity on the 1/2" sand bed and they now reside in a back corner as anywhere else freaked them out lol. The bulb is being over driven and is 6" off the water.
I'm also running 4x39W T5's and had planned to add a second radium but now i'm no longer in any hurry. I've posted some shots of the tank under a single radium if you want to see what SPS i am growing and where under the bulb. My reflector is a cheapo hydroponic bat wing type so i expect things to get even better when i purchase a high quality reflector. Hope that helps with your confidence in going with a single radium - you won't have any problems. :thumbsup:
I'm also running 4x39W T5's and had planned to add a second radium but now i'm no longer in any hurry. I've posted some shots of the tank under a single radium if you want to see what SPS i am growing and where under the bulb. My reflector is a cheapo hydroponic bat wing type so i expect things to get even better when i purchase a high quality reflector. Hope that helps with your confidence in going with a single radium - you won't have any problems. :thumbsup:
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thanks, Andrew! I'm just now starting to notice that. I moved the light to 18" above the surface, and the colors are getting deeper.
It's been almost 3 weeks since stocking the tank, and I've not cleaned the glass, aside from some build-up from cloudy water, during the first week. I think feeding more wouldn't be a bad idea. With that in mind, I think I'll be using Reef Booster.
It's been almost 3 weeks since stocking the tank, and I've not cleaned the glass, aside from some build-up from cloudy water, during the first week. I think feeding more wouldn't be a bad idea. With that in mind, I think I'll be using Reef Booster.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Weekly update:
Weekly update:
Things are looking up at the moment.
One coral receded completely, but other stopped and has some PE. It's a double of a forest fire digi, so I'm not too concerned. I had my monti cap recede a bit, and it hasn't quite stopped. I'm not sure what to make of that. Time will tell.
On the other hand most of the Acro's seem very happy with good PE and increasing coloration. A browned out one is not green with a bit of blue on the tips, while another brown wonder is starting to show faint blue polyps.
The birdsnests, purple Stylo, and Pocillopora all seem to be happy and showing signs of growth as well as the other forest fire digi.
No algae issue; I still haven't cleaned the glass. I've been feeding the fish 2x a day with spectrum pellets. I've also been feeding the corals daily with zeofood. The tank also has had its first dose of reef booster. I'll continue this weekly.
Parameters are:
Ca: 420 ppm
Mg: 1215 ppm
Alk: 7.5 dKH (things seem to get ****ed if I raise it higher)
pH: 8.0
I'm thinking my Mg needs to come up higher. I'm also thinking the tank is low nutrient at this point. The poor reaction to higher dKH and lack of algae despite the feeding seems to indicate it. I should also note that I only have about 5-6 small nerite snails and a lone hermit.
We'll see what happens this week!
Weekly update:
Things are looking up at the moment.
One coral receded completely, but other stopped and has some PE. It's a double of a forest fire digi, so I'm not too concerned. I had my monti cap recede a bit, and it hasn't quite stopped. I'm not sure what to make of that. Time will tell.
On the other hand most of the Acro's seem very happy with good PE and increasing coloration. A browned out one is not green with a bit of blue on the tips, while another brown wonder is starting to show faint blue polyps.
The birdsnests, purple Stylo, and Pocillopora all seem to be happy and showing signs of growth as well as the other forest fire digi.
No algae issue; I still haven't cleaned the glass. I've been feeding the fish 2x a day with spectrum pellets. I've also been feeding the corals daily with zeofood. The tank also has had its first dose of reef booster. I'll continue this weekly.
Parameters are:
Ca: 420 ppm
Mg: 1215 ppm
Alk: 7.5 dKH (things seem to get ****ed if I raise it higher)
pH: 8.0
I'm thinking my Mg needs to come up higher. I'm also thinking the tank is low nutrient at this point. The poor reaction to higher dKH and lack of algae despite the feeding seems to indicate it. I should also note that I only have about 5-6 small nerite snails and a lone hermit.
We'll see what happens this week!
echopiece
Member
Glad things are starting to turn around for you! Are you still running bare bottom? I had the same issues at first with low nutrients and the glass never needed to be scrapped. After 5 weeks of using the reef booster (nano) and feeding pellets twice a day and rods every other, colors have deepened and I'm seeing much more algae growth. I need to slow down on the reef booster as I have noticed 2 small patches of hair algae starting. Take it slow and you should see good results! Also, if you have any chaeto you will see it grow significantly. My small clump doubled in size, in nearly a month.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
That sounds like what I'm seeing, at least with the Birdsnest. My Digi and some Acros are plating now as well. That's encouraging!
Hey Willan!
I keep the 6045 in the sump to keep stirring the detritus with the flow. The idea is to keep high flow in the display and flow in the sump. This keeps the waste in the water column for the protein skimmer to remove. Seems to be working, so far! :thumbsup:
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