LeeMar starfire 290 mixed reef build

[kmooresf]

After reading over the threads I'm still a little unsure of using 2 A360WE on my new 36x30x20 tank. I really want to get into high quality SPS corals.. Hmmm.. I also have thought about a 8 bulb 39w ATI dimmable unit...

Lighting is a very difficult decision. So many options out there. However, it seems most options will be able to grow coral, so it's really a preference of function, looks, etc. I am very happy with Kessil, and the customer service has been incredible. Not sure if that helps. Good luck.

 

[kmooresf]

Beautiful tank Kris, good job!

Have you had any issues with the ecoxotics? Seemed to me many people were having issues with dead emitters

Thanks Beast! The Ecoxotics are going strong. I did have a transformer go out about a year after putting them in. Ecoxotics had one in the mail the next day......no charge. I am very happy with them.

 

[kmooresf]

Love the tank! I'm planning an 84" tank as well - you don't see many of those, so this is awesome. Was also hoping to do a Leemar, but that was derailed last week after they stopped making tanks.

Congrats on the the tank - it really is beautiful!

Yeah, I was really bummed to hear that they shut down. They make a really nice tank. Plus I have two years left on my warranty. Major bummer. Good luck on the new tank, the planning stage is so much fun!

 

[kmooresf]

Hello,



Amazing tank and personally one of my favorite.



Tell me ... how do you keep the sand so clean?



All the best,

Rui

Hi Rui,
I get asked this a lot. First of all, I generally don't take a video unless I just cleaned the tank, so it's not always that clean. Lol! However, I do have a maintenance plan with the sand. I have a 4" DSB in my 65 gallon refugium that I never touch. I use nassaurious snails and let the worms and such do all the work on that. However my display sand.......I sift with a large turkey baster every time I do a water change...about every 3 weeks these days. A lot of people seem shocked to hear this, but I have done it from the start and had no problems.
If you were not sifting, and want to start, I would suggest starting with a small section..... Maybe 15-20% of the sand (if sand is more than 3" deep I would start at 10% or less, or maybe not at all DSB's can be dangerous)........turkey baste all the way down to the bottom. Then do your water change (always do this right before the water change to get as much detritus out as possible). The next water change.....sift that same section and add a little more.......then the water change. Eventually you will be able to do the entire tank on each change (provided you do water changes at least every 2-3 weeks......any longer could cause problems).
I love having sand as it looks more natural. I know a lot of people feel it keeps the tank dirty. I think this helps, however it probably keeps the sand from being as good of a filter, so if you have nitrates, or your fish load is high... Be aware it may cause issues......on the other hand, if your sand is super dirty, it may be part of the problem.
I would also like to point out that I have a very large tank. The overall system volume is about 500 gallons. If you have dead spots in your sand, and it's a small tank.....sifting could shock it severely.....of coarse eventually you would have to deal with the dead spots anyway, but I feel I should mention that. I hope that helps, and thanks for checking out the tank.

 

[kmooresf]

I'm thinking of upgrading to the SRO 6000 skimmer. Can you update us on your thoughts regarding it's performance?

Hey there, I absolutely LOVE my skimmer. I think it has a lot to do with the success of this tank. It is so easy to adjust and only gets finicky when I am using a lot of glue or putty in the tank. I clean it every two days and that is enough to get a ton of thick skim out.
My only caution is that the air tube connected to the collection cup needs to remain vertical when you take the cup off. It's a long tube, and when it falls over it starts a perfect siphon that can drain a lot of water in a short time. Otherwise, this thing is a BEAST! Pumps are crazy quiet, no heat and have been running 2.5 years now with no problems.

So sorry for the delayed response. Been working 13 hour days, 5 days a week. The tank is in survival mode at the moment cause time is just not there. Good luck.

 

[andyman]

Is that a bubble magus you have dosing? If it is be careful. Those things are not dependable. Get a doser that uses stepper motors OR BRS dosers that gear down the dc motors. I had a Bubble magus fail on me in a way where the it just dumped all the alk into the tank. I lost everything.

 

[kmooresf]

Update.

Update.

Well it's been awhile since I have updated this thing, so I figure it's time.
Despite my serious neglect of the tank over the last few months, as well as having to rip out most of my Monti's due to Nudibranchs. The tank is thriving. We are approaching the 3 year mark (february) of setting it up and I am really stoked on the progress. Lot's of problems, and lot's of learning.

Anyway, pics!!




Chalice corals






Neon green plate coral.


This is the best view of the cool red tabling acro in the top / center.


Granulosa (started as a $10 frag from Neptunes)

 

[biecacka]

Hard to tell, which LEDs are you using on the tank. It looks amazing


Corey

 

[markalot]

Thanks for the update, tank looks fantastic.

 

[kmooresf]

Hard to tell, which LEDs are you using on the tank. It looks amazing


Corey

Thanks Corey. There are 7 Kessils over the tank. A mix of A350's / A360's. The five accross the front are narrow's, and the two in the back (on each side of the overflow) are wide's. I also have the Ecoxotic "marine" fixtures that you can see for supplimental lighting.......mainly for mild shadowing and to give me the sunrise / sunset modes because the 350's are not controllable. Over 800 watts in total over the tank. :bounce1:

 

[robert s b.]

Tank looks beautiful, keep up the great work!

 

[kmooresf]

Thanks for the update, tank looks fantastic.

Thanks Mark! Appreciate it.

 

[kmooresf]

Tank looks beautiful, keep up the great work!

Thanks much.

 

[biecacka]

Ok. I was slightly confused on the exototic marine strips. I have heard kesil is coming out with a motr "traditional" fixture. I have t heard anything about it and thought you might know something I didn't....

Corey

 

[woodnaquanut]

Ok. I was slightly confused on the exototic marine strips. I have heard kesil is coming out with a motr "traditional" fixture. I have t heard anything about it and thought you might know something I didn't....

Corey

It's the AP700. Top secret. Listed as 'coming soon' on their website!

 

[frankyrivera]

Video footage rocks great quality. My only recommendation would be to use different transition between shots maybe a slow dissolve or ripple effect as opposed to the fade to black you use now as it stops the flow of enjoyment.

 

[kmooresf]

Ok. I was slightly confused on the exototic marine strips. I have heard kesil is coming out with a motr "traditional" fixture. I have t heard anything about it and thought you might know something I didn't....



Corey

I'm not in the loop, but I have heard the same. I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

 

[kmooresf]

It's the AP700. Top secret. Listed as 'coming soon' on their website!

Thanks John!!

 

[kmooresf]

Video footage rocks great quality. My only recommendation would be to use different transition between shots maybe a slow dissolve or ripple effect as opposed to the fade to black you use now as it stops the flow of enjoyment.

Cool, I'll try some different ones. I learn something new on every video I make. It's become a second hobby just trying to document the first hobby. LOL! Appreciate the tip.

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

marine strips?

marine strips?

To be clear you used the Marine strips not the Atinic Blue right?

Thanks

Tim

very nice tank....do you leave the marine strips on a single setting
and just control on/off on them? What setting do you leave them on?
Full bore?

Thanks
Tim