david00061
New member
tank is really filling nice. Looks great!!!!!
LeeMar starfire 290 mixed reef build
- Thread starter kmooresf
- Start date
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Your tank has come along well. Great comparison shot also.
kmooresf
New member
Thanks! I use a little vinegar with my Kalkwasser mix, but I don't dose otherwise. I run GFO and I have Chaeto in the fuge.
kmooresf
New member
Thanks David........ I believe I saw your tank in a reef magazine recently?? Congrats! It is worthy for sure.
kmooresf
New member
Thanks much. I can hardly believe the change in just a year. I find I am still moving things around and fine tuning on a regular basis. Seems some corals need just the right spot to really take off.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Coral placement is like trying to buy the bst house, location, location, location.
kmooresf
New member
I have made a few modifications to the light canopy..................
With the help of Dan (Tr1gger) and another buddy, I added two more Kessils. One was the A350w from the frag tank, and the other a new A360w that I won from kessil. They are centered over the back section on each side of the overflow. I have lot's of space for more acro's, but am not getting the same growth that I do in the front of the tank...closer to the Kessil narrows. I am hoping, since I am getting some growth, that the added wides will suppliment just enough to give them a boost. I have already noticed the Chalice's are starting to change color with the additional light. I'm not sure it's a good thing yet. They may need to get moved again.
But the SPS seem to be loving it. Brightens up the tank as well.
Speaking of BRIGHT tanks.........
I also came up with a Some aluminum sheet metal shades for the Kessils. The light spill over the tank and in my eyes was bugging the crap out of me. So This was an easy fix, and WOW!! I am SO glad that I did. Tank looks high def now. Really big change IMO. With the two new kessils I have over 800 watts of LED over the tank now. So the shades turned out to be a big help.
A total of 5 Ecoxotic "Marine" LED strip lights.
2 - 36" accross the front @ 35w each = 70w
3 - 24" accross the back @ 25w each = 75w
A total of 5 Ecoxotic Stunner strip Magenta / actinic blue
2 - 36" accross the front @ 18w each= 36w
3 - 24" accross the back @ 12w each= 36w
Two R2 Solutions Extreme Moonlight LED at (I think) 5w each = 10w.
Kessil = 630w
Ecoxotic marine = 145w
Ecoxotic stunner = 72w
moonlight = 10w
TOTAL = 857 watts
With the help of Dan (Tr1gger) and another buddy, I added two more Kessils. One was the A350w from the frag tank, and the other a new A360w that I won from kessil. They are centered over the back section on each side of the overflow. I have lot's of space for more acro's, but am not getting the same growth that I do in the front of the tank...closer to the Kessil narrows. I am hoping, since I am getting some growth, that the added wides will suppliment just enough to give them a boost. I have already noticed the Chalice's are starting to change color with the additional light. I'm not sure it's a good thing yet. They may need to get moved again.
But the SPS seem to be loving it. Brightens up the tank as well. Speaking of BRIGHT tanks.........
I also came up with a Some aluminum sheet metal shades for the Kessils. The light spill over the tank and in my eyes was bugging the crap out of me. So This was an easy fix, and WOW!! I am SO glad that I did. Tank looks high def now. Really big change IMO. With the two new kessils I have over 800 watts of LED over the tank now. So the shades turned out to be a big help.
A total of 5 Ecoxotic "Marine" LED strip lights.
2 - 36" accross the front @ 35w each = 70w
3 - 24" accross the back @ 25w each = 75w
A total of 5 Ecoxotic Stunner strip Magenta / actinic blue
2 - 36" accross the front @ 18w each= 36w
3 - 24" accross the back @ 12w each= 36w
Two R2 Solutions Extreme Moonlight LED at (I think) 5w each = 10w.
Kessil = 630w
Ecoxotic marine = 145w
Ecoxotic stunner = 72w
moonlight = 10w
TOTAL = 857 watts
kmooresf
New member
Thanks very much. I don't think you need to fear LED's anymore. So many great options that are proven to grow coral!! I am quite pleased with the color and growth of SPS under the kessils. However I have seen some beautiful and amazing tanks under other brands of LED's as well. AI's, EcoTech, Ecoxotic's, maxspects, Orphek, Rapid LED, Reefbrite........and more. I would be willing to put my money into any of these brands of LED's. So you can have fun picking what style and features you want.
One thing I would say is that I like having the ability to change the intensity of the lights. When you introduce new coral, you can ramp down the intensity over that coral and let it acclimate for a few days while you bring it back up. Sunrise / sunset is a MUST! I don't have the controllable Kessils, so I added some strip LED's to get the actinic at night without having to manually turn down each kessil. I have to get on a ladder to reach mine. LOL! Just things to keep in mind.
So if your still on the fence, I think you can make the jump. LED's will get you excited about your tank again. Just like when it was brand new. It really motivated me.
kmooresf
New member
Found your thread over here! Let me tell you, this tank is first class all the way!
Thanks Dan. It was nice hitting aquarium shops again. Stoked about the new granulosa.
kmooresf
New member
Thanks Bud!
TankWater
New member
Greetings.
Read through the tread and I gotta say "AWESOME" I like the way you have accomplished your reef. I have a 96X24X30 ordered (currently waiting for it to warm up in Minnesota to be shipped) but after viewing your tank I wish I would have gone shorter and wider. You are the only person that I have found that uses "Maggie Mufflers" and I appreciated your advise on them. I'll me running 4 1.5" drains with approximately the same turnover as you (until I upgrade my pumps) so I'm hoping mine will be even more quiet than yours. hehe
Read through the tread and I gotta say "AWESOME" I like the way you have accomplished your reef. I have a 96X24X30 ordered (currently waiting for it to warm up in Minnesota to be shipped) but after viewing your tank I wish I would have gone shorter and wider. You are the only person that I have found that uses "Maggie Mufflers" and I appreciated your advise on them. I'll me running 4 1.5" drains with approximately the same turnover as you (until I upgrade my pumps) so I'm hoping mine will be even more quiet than yours. hehe
kmooresf
New member
Thanks for reading the thread. The new tank sounds SWEET!! Make sure you start a thread on it. It's nice to look back at all the progress sometimes.
Haven't had any problems with the maggie's. I don't recall what I had written about them, however I would recommend a ball valve on each drain for adjustment. Good luck!
TankWater
New member
I've been thinking of starting a thread. Going from a 420G FOWLR to a 300g Reef. It will be a slow process ($$$$$$) so I might just start it after its been going awhile and back date photos.
You had mentioned bigger air hole and tubing.
I have 4 ball valves waiting, thanks
kmooresf
New member
Yes, a lot more equipment (especially lighting) required for a reef tank. I'll keep an eye out for when you do start a thread. Sounds like a fun project.
Live seeing some proven long term results from the kessils. Have you ever considered selling off the 350's and running 360's on a programmer? Doesn't seem as if it would be that much of an investment and with the 360 E out I would assume your tank would appreciate the extra power in at least some spots.
kmooresf
New member
Hey Steve, that's a great idea. It is a possible upgrade for the future, but it won't be anytime soon. I am planning a large upgrade to my Frag tank and it's gonna require some cash. Although I might need to keep my eyes and ears open for a possible buyer of the lights I have. Ya never know. Thanks.
