bobafet1
Active member
Ok, I'll take a look at the vids. Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I just need to swing by your place and see your setup.
I've been wanting to see your corals in person.
Mikes 360 Gallon Reef
- Thread starter bobafet1
- Start date
Ok, I'll take a look at the vids. Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I just need to swing by your place and see your setup.
I've been wanting to see your corals in person.
bobafet1
Active member
A few changes I've made:
1. Finally added my doors
2. Traded out my fuge rock rubble for Siporax. Although I don't see a big difference after adding the stuff.
3. Added a Spyglass (GFO just ordered and on it's way via mail)
4. Removed my CaRx since I thought it was leaking (my pH dropped quite a bit)
So, here's where my head is at now:
1. Lighting-I'm currently rocking 6 AI Sol Blue fixtures. Although I like the benefits of LED's I have to admit my corals don't really pop. Maybe I need to play with the settings a bit more?? Or, maybe I should just chuck the Sol's and get something else...possibly adding T5's (although, not sure which one's) or dropping some cash on ATI's although my wallet is already cringing just thinking about it.
2. Flow-I'm running 3 Neptune WAV's, 1 Gyre, 1 Tunze 6095, and 2 Sea Swirls. I have a few other Tunze's lying around that I had setup on my Apex but decided to swap over to WAV's instead. I still have dead spots and my flow isn't crazy awesome like other tanks I've seen. Again, maybe I just don't have it dialed in quite right yet. I was considering selling the Gyre and buying a few Jebao's but the reviews on those are hit/miss and since none of the reputable vendors carry them I'm wondering if that's a BIG SIGN??? I sure am tired of this Gyre though.
3. Water Chemistry-the one time I used GFO I noticed a big difference in coral colors. I'm not sure why I didn't continue using it but I figure it's time to get it going again, hence the spyglass. I'm also 1/2 done building a kalk reactor. For years I would use kalk without any issues but decided to go with a CaRx a few months back instead. Well, that didn't work out too well because my corals started RTN'n. I tried to break it in slowly but my pH seemed to drop too much. In fact, my tank pH still floats around 7.2-7.5. So what now? Dose, CaRx, or stick with just my kalk reactor for now???
Of course, I really want a super dope and colorful tank like so many others on here. Any advise from ya'll on how to achieve that is greatly appreciated.
1. Finally added my doors
2. Traded out my fuge rock rubble for Siporax. Although I don't see a big difference after adding the stuff.
3. Added a Spyglass (GFO just ordered and on it's way via mail)
4. Removed my CaRx since I thought it was leaking (my pH dropped quite a bit)
So, here's where my head is at now:
1. Lighting-I'm currently rocking 6 AI Sol Blue fixtures. Although I like the benefits of LED's I have to admit my corals don't really pop. Maybe I need to play with the settings a bit more?? Or, maybe I should just chuck the Sol's and get something else...possibly adding T5's (although, not sure which one's) or dropping some cash on ATI's although my wallet is already cringing just thinking about it.
2. Flow-I'm running 3 Neptune WAV's, 1 Gyre, 1 Tunze 6095, and 2 Sea Swirls. I have a few other Tunze's lying around that I had setup on my Apex but decided to swap over to WAV's instead. I still have dead spots and my flow isn't crazy awesome like other tanks I've seen. Again, maybe I just don't have it dialed in quite right yet. I was considering selling the Gyre and buying a few Jebao's but the reviews on those are hit/miss and since none of the reputable vendors carry them I'm wondering if that's a BIG SIGN??? I sure am tired of this Gyre though.
3. Water Chemistry-the one time I used GFO I noticed a big difference in coral colors. I'm not sure why I didn't continue using it but I figure it's time to get it going again, hence the spyglass. I'm also 1/2 done building a kalk reactor. For years I would use kalk without any issues but decided to go with a CaRx a few months back instead. Well, that didn't work out too well because my corals started RTN'n. I tried to break it in slowly but my pH seemed to drop too much. In fact, my tank pH still floats around 7.2-7.5. So what now? Dose, CaRx, or stick with just my kalk reactor for now???
Of course, I really want a super dope and colorful tank like so many others on here. Any advise from ya'll on how to achieve that is greatly appreciated.
bobafet1
Active member
thanks. Squasoma. It's freaking huge!
bobafet1
Active member
Actually, when the Real Estate market crashed back in 2007-2008 I got desperate for $$$ and started making custom aquarium cabinets. When things rebounded for me I stopped making them. It was also partially due to everyone wanting to trade me frags/Nintendos/etc. for woodwork. I can't pay my mortgage with that crap. LOL Now, I just build them as "thank you" GIFTS to my current refi/real estate clients.
Yeah, I've been testing my levels and noticed my phosphates were a bit high. I've been trying to stay on top of my RO water parameters and ordered 6 lbs. of GFO to get started on that routine. Regarding my CaRx I'm working on adding it back after I fix the minor issues (the tubing is too thin so uniseals don't quite seal it up). I spent quite a bit of time and some cash on building a custom regulator/needle valve setup based on that one guy's thread on here. So, I'm not quite ready to chuck it out yet.
Actually, when the Real Estate market crashed back in 2007-2008 I got desperate for $$$ and started making custom aquarium cabinets. When things rebounded for me I stopped making them. It was also partially due to everyone wanting to trade me frags/Nintendos/etc. for woodwork. I can't pay my mortgage with that crap. LOL Now, I just build them as "thank you" GIFTS to my current refi/real estate clients.
If I'm not mistaken you built my Elos style stand bank in 2008-2009. Built like a tank and it's held up being moved to 3 times over the years. Thanks again.
I think if you test your water for the CA/Alk/Mg/Nitrate/Phosphate once per week, and keep a log, I think you will have a very successful tank. You already have the lights, the tank, skimmer, water circulation...I would not change those.
I think the only question is water chemistry and stability. GFO will take care of the phosphates, but make sure to add it slow and not try to get phosphate low too quickly.
You have an awesome CO2 regulator, so that isn't the issue. What brand CaRx are you running? Also, add a second stage chamber after the main CaRx chamber, this will get rid of the last CO2 and raise your pH.
I think the only question is water chemistry and stability. GFO will take care of the phosphates, but make sure to add it slow and not try to get phosphate low too quickly.
You have an awesome CO2 regulator, so that isn't the issue. What brand CaRx are you running? Also, add a second stage chamber after the main CaRx chamber, this will get rid of the last CO2 and raise your pH.
bobafet1
Active member
No problem. Glad to hear it's still kicking! A lot of work goes into those things.
bobafet1
Active member
I believe I have an "off-brand" reactor with two chambers. I forgot the name of it. I have to do some tweaking to get it to work properly again. Although, it does take up quite a bit of room in my tank so I was considering cutting one of the chambers off and replacing it with a smaller diameter one so that it fits just right. Pics would make it easier to understand this. I'll post some up tomorrow.
bobafet1
Active member
I've had it for 3-4 years now. It grew fairly quickly and has been extremely easy to care for.
ycnibrc
STAG HORN DOMINATE REEF
I just got one from Austin aqua farm on sale now 149$ Blue squamosa
