My 65 Gallon Mixed Reef
- Thread starter biggles
- Start date
troubadour11
Member
Happy New Years Biggles! I'm still at work and have another 7 hours left before I get to go have some New Years Eve festivities.
Enjoy living in a future year for just a little while :beer::celeb1::beer::celeb3:
Enjoy living in a future year for just a little while :beer::celeb1::beer::celeb3:
DiscusHeckel
Acropora Gardener
Happy new years Biggles!:celeb1:
biggles
Premium Member
Happy New Year to all my RC mates :beer::celeb1: 
You will all have colorful SPS fireworks in your tanks this year because i bloody well say so ! :thumbsup:
Nothing much has happened so far in the future, it's midday 2014 here and other than chuckling at the FB pic Troub put up of himself drunk, naked and swimming in his display it's pretty quiet - you do it about 3.00am Troub so don't say i didn't warn you mate....... :celeb2:
Tank is looking better with all the bottom clutter removed and one less pump on the back wall. First FTS's of 2014
You will all have colorful SPS fireworks in your tanks this year because i bloody well say so ! :thumbsup:
Nothing much has happened so far in the future, it's midday 2014 here and other than chuckling at the FB pic Troub put up of himself drunk, naked and swimming in his display it's pretty quiet - you do it about 3.00am Troub so don't say i didn't warn you mate....... :celeb2:
Tank is looking better with all the bottom clutter removed and one less pump on the back wall.
First FTS's of 2014
biggles
Premium Member
Thanks mate, appreciate the thumbs up I'm pleased with how the display looks at the one year mark and the next twelve months should see things looking much more natural as the acros all grow out.
I took those first pics with just the Radium on, this pic is with just the B+ and RB/UV LED's on - this lighting combo is 'SPS porn lighting' lol. When you add the radium it's a ton of blue spectrum lighting which is why i think the LED makers in the early days got it in their heads that blue/white LED units would work well - they don't because they lack all the spectrums you can't see as obviously.
I have been surprised to see how well the acros at the very front have done especially down very low near the bottom. They receive no direct light from the halide and rely on just the front B+ for the vast majority of their light. I only added the LED's a few weeks back so they aren't responsible. Emulating the Radium or ATI B+ spectrum with LED's should translate to better colors in my humble opinion but it's easier said than done so far. I'm very certain the reason the ATI hybrids like your unit Sahin are going to give great results is down to the addition of the T5's. All LED driven tanks will be the norm in years to come i'm sure but for now the LED/T5 combo or radium/T5 combo will tick all the boxes for your lighting if you want to remove that variable for success with colors.
I in no way mean to offend any of my fellow reef keepers but it drives me nuts to see so many tanks languishing under just LED's when the simple addition of a few B+ T5's might see a dramatic and positive change for you. I can't see a few T5's adding too much heat so i wish a lot more guys would make their LED only SPS reefs hybrid ones if they aren't having success with colors. I don't see it as taking a step backwards, i just think there are a huge number of reefs out there just waiting to pop with colors but for the wrong spectrum lighting. I know all LED can work but if it doesn't for you perhaps consider adding a couple of B+ T5's rather than driving yourself nuts trying to figure out what's wrong. I just want see more people have success in 2014 and being flexible in your approach to all aspects of reef keeping will increase your chances considerably imo :beer:
Thanks for dropping in Mark
I'm pleased with how the display looks at the one year mark and the next twelve months should see things looking much more natural as the acros all grow out.I took those first pics with just the Radium on, this pic is with just the B+ and RB/UV LED's on - this lighting combo is 'SPS porn lighting' lol. When you add the radium it's a ton of blue spectrum lighting which is why i think the LED makers in the early days got it in their heads that blue/white LED units would work well - they don't because they lack all the spectrums you can't see as obviously.
I have been surprised to see how well the acros at the very front have done especially down very low near the bottom. They receive no direct light from the halide and rely on just the front B+ for the vast majority of their light. I only added the LED's a few weeks back so they aren't responsible. Emulating the Radium or ATI B+ spectrum with LED's should translate to better colors in my humble opinion but it's easier said than done so far. I'm very certain the reason the ATI hybrids like your unit Sahin are going to give great results is down to the addition of the T5's. All LED driven tanks will be the norm in years to come i'm sure but for now the LED/T5 combo or radium/T5 combo will tick all the boxes for your lighting if you want to remove that variable for success with colors.
I in no way mean to offend any of my fellow reef keepers but it drives me nuts to see so many tanks languishing under just LED's when the simple addition of a few B+ T5's might see a dramatic and positive change for you. I can't see a few T5's adding too much heat so i wish a lot more guys would make their LED only SPS reefs hybrid ones if they aren't having success with colors. I don't see it as taking a step backwards, i just think there are a huge number of reefs out there just waiting to pop with colors but for the wrong spectrum lighting. I know all LED can work but if it doesn't for you perhaps consider adding a couple of B+ T5's rather than driving yourself nuts trying to figure out what's wrong. I just want see more people have success in 2014 and being flexible in your approach to all aspects of reef keeping will increase your chances considerably imo :beer:
Thanks for dropping in Mark
biggles
Premium Member
I always have a lot of LR in the sump mate and always use fresh good quality LR throughout the system and i don't have nitrates. Don't forget i have that red macro algae growing in my sump as well now. I probably have 1/4 of my total live rock volume in the sump receiving little light, it's purely for bacteria to live in and on.
If your bio filtration is working well i'd just monitor it and it should drop within the week. 4-5 won't cause any issues over a week or two i don't think, some of the guys keep it there all the time so it's just a glitch in your nutrient balance and should go away without the need for magic potions or rocket ship reactors.
This is obviously not my tank wiring and i did not put the 400w ballast on top of the defunct 250W ballast instead of putting the 250W one away. You all know how anal i am about stuff.......... this is obviously Bello's wiring :reading:
If your bio filtration is working well i'd just monitor it and it should drop within the week. 4-5 won't cause any issues over a week or two i don't think, some of the guys keep it there all the time so it's just a glitch in your nutrient balance and should go away without the need for magic potions or rocket ship reactors.
This is obviously not my tank wiring and i did not put the 400w ballast on top of the defunct 250W ballast instead of putting the 250W one away. You all know how anal i am about stuff.......... this is obviously Bello's wiring :reading:
Bello
New member
Thanks Biggles , I've dumped a fair amount of live/dead rock in my sump, however, it's quality is highly suspect :headwalls:. Nevertheless, in time it should function well.
I'm having a hard time resisting the urge to carbon dose/zeovit etc (its usually worked well for me in the past), but I'm reminded of why I decided to keep things simple, and would like it to stay that way. Also tempted to run some Chaetomorpha, but that would involve setting up lights etc, and I'm too lazy at the moment
. So will leave things as they are for a bit :thumbsup:. Been messing around too much..... as usual :headwally:.
BTW, there's no way that's my wiring! Mine's worse :lol:, and sometimes used to catch small furry animals
, I've dumped a fair amount of live/dead rock in my sump, however, it's quality is highly suspect :headwalls:. Nevertheless, in time it should function well.I'm having a hard time resisting the urge to carbon dose/zeovit etc (its usually worked well for me in the past), but I'm reminded of why I decided to keep things simple, and would like it to stay that way. Also tempted to run some Chaetomorpha, but that would involve setting up lights etc, and I'm too lazy at the moment
. So will leave things as they are for a bit :thumbsup:. Been messing around too much..... as usual :headwally:.BTW, there's no way that's my wiring! Mine's worse :lol:, and sometimes used to catch small furry animals
biggles
Premium Member
Hahaha that's priceless, catching small fury animals :lol:
Thanks for not even noticing the work i put into the assembly of the new scraper thingy.
It was in three bloody pieces and came with absolutely no instructions - what a bloody joke ! I spent the couple of weeks since it arrived going over possible construction disasters and fall back options until today when i took a big breath and just went for it !
This is a guide to save the rest of you the stress i had to go through :beer:
The middle bit was tapered so one threaded end was smaller in diameter than the other - uh oh i thought......... if the stupid designer had made it the same both ends i'd have only had about 5 possible ways to attach the handle bit and the scrapy bit and would have nutted it out much sooner. :headwally: Beats me how these guys call themselves bloody engineers.......
Anyway as i'd already gone beyond the point of no return i was left with a myriad of choices now and as i examined the two end bit threads my heart sank - they had different size threads as well ! #^*$%# engineers !
Put yourself in my situation, 3 different bits X 2 different threads X 4 different thread ends ! 3x2x4 - that's 24 different ways this thing can go and only one of them is right but hey, why include instructions, let us reefers spend all day trying out different combinations until we luck on the right one - i did get lucky and had it together in about 45 mins so i'm not a complete idiot i guess. :reading:
Thanks for not even noticing the work i put into the assembly of the new scraper thingy.
It was in three bloody pieces and came with absolutely no instructions - what a bloody joke ! I spent the couple of weeks since it arrived going over possible construction disasters and fall back options until today when i took a big breath and just went for it !This is a guide to save the rest of you the stress i had to go through :beer:
The middle bit was tapered so one threaded end was smaller in diameter than the other - uh oh i thought......... if the stupid designer had made it the same both ends i'd have only had about 5 possible ways to attach the handle bit and the scrapy bit and would have nutted it out much sooner. :headwally: Beats me how these guys call themselves bloody engineers.......
Anyway as i'd already gone beyond the point of no return i was left with a myriad of choices now and as i examined the two end bit threads my heart sank - they had different size threads as well ! #^*$%# engineers !
Put yourself in my situation, 3 different bits X 2 different threads X 4 different thread ends ! 3x2x4 - that's 24 different ways this thing can go and only one of them is right but hey, why include instructions, let us reefers spend all day trying out different combinations until we luck on the right one - i did get lucky and had it together in about 45 mins so i'm not a complete idiot i guess. :reading:
Bello
New member
Nice scraper story :lol:
Here's a pic of mine, chinese, cost me $4, and its waaayyyy better than the $40 crap I've purchased before. Same sized rods, so theoretically extendable upto bloody 10 feet, and rather sturdy as well :blown:...only downside is the blades are not replaceable, but who cares :lol:
Here's a pic of mine, chinese, cost me $4, and its waaayyyy better than the $40 crap I've purchased before. Same sized rods, so theoretically extendable upto bloody 10 feet, and rather sturdy as well :blown:...only downside is the blades are not replaceable, but who cares :lol:
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
And now we wait for the grow out :thumbsup:
Biggles, just tested my NO3, its at 4ppm, yikes!!! How do you typically reduce your NO3 (like that ever happens to you :lol
I will test my PO4 and NO3 tomorrow and let you guys know what its currently at. My massive feedings should have bumped up the NO3 a bit at least.
Other than when a tank is new and dealing with high nitrates, I've never had to dose anything to reduce nitrates. The rocks usually take care of it (and a DSB too if you have one).
You can carry out 25% water changes if its economical/easy enough for you. Else if you really must dose something then vinegar would take care of it.
But to be honest, I wouldnt be too concerned at that level. Maybe if it started to rise beyond 5ppm.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
I always have a lot of LR in the sump mate and always use fresh good quality LR throughout the system and i don't have nitrates. Don't forget i have that red macro algae growing in my sump as well now. I probably have 1/4 of my total live rock volume in the sump receiving little light, it's purely for bacteria to live in and on.
If your bio filtration is working well i'd just monitor it and it should drop within the week. 4-5 won't cause any issues over a week or two i don't think, some of the guys keep it there all the time so it's just a glitch in your nutrient balance and should go away without the need for magic potions or rocket ship reactors.
This is obviously not my tank wiring and i did not put the 400w ballast on top of the defunct 250W ballast instead of putting the 250W one away. You all know how anal i am about stuff.......... this is obviously Bello's wiring :reading:
:uhoh3:
I thought Bello had the twin tanks sitting on that long platform...this looks too much like your tank mate...:spin2:
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Hahaha that's priceless, catching small fury animals :lol:
Thanks for not even noticing the work i put into the assembly of the new scraper thingy.
This is a guide to save the rest of you the stress i had to go through :beer:
The middle bit was tapered so one threaded end was smaller in diameter than the other - uh oh i thought......... if the stupid designer had made it the same both ends i'd have only had about 5 possible ways to attach the handle bit and the scrapy bit and would have nutted it out much sooner. :headwally: Beats me how these guys call themselves bloody engineers.......
Anyway as i'd already gone beyond the point of no return i was left with a myriad of choices now and as i examined the two end bit threads my heart sank - they had different size threads as well ! #^*$%# engineers !
Put yourself in my situation, 3 different bits X 2 different threads X 4 different thread ends ! 3x2x4 - that's 24 different ways this thing can go and only one of them is right but hey, why include instructions, let us reefers spend all day trying out different combinations until we luck on the right one - i did get lucky and had it together in about 45 mins so i'm not a complete idiot i guess. :reading:
:lol: You should have bought one of these:
Comes fully assembled. You can get different lengths too. I dont use a mag scraper no more.
All you need to do is open the packet. Not spend days looking at it...and then 45 mins assembling one! :lol:
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Nice scraper story :lol:
Here's a pic of mine, chinese, cost me $4, and its waaayyyy better than the $40 crap I've purchased before. Same sized rods, so theoretically extendable upto bloody 10 feet, and rather sturdy as well :blown:...only downside is the blades are not replaceable, but who cares :lol:
Yeah...you also need to buy one of those Tetratec things I have. :lol:
biggles
Premium Member
Look here guys, both of you are missing one very important point about the scraper issue. Mine is all black - ALL black, so it looks very sleek and professional and i wouldn't be surprised if a similar thing is used to scrap clean the Hubble telescope lens......... that's how awesome mine looks !
Bello - yours looks like bloody face shaver stuck on some Lego handle thing and Sahin yours has a green bit in the middle and white nobby things on the end - i don't want to sound harsh but no way would that get into space, the bloody handle on yours has a hole in it already mate. :deadhorse1:
I will however source more scrapers as i've decided this one is too cool looking to use. I'll try to find some crappy useless looking ones like you guys have so thanks for the heads up. :thumbsup:
It's great to be able to share opinions of each others reef equipment in a friendly and polite manner don't you think. I won't let anyone insult either of you guys on my journal just because you both have dud cleaning gear - that's how i roll :beer:
Bello - yours looks like bloody face shaver stuck on some Lego handle thing and Sahin yours has a green bit in the middle and white nobby things on the end - i don't want to sound harsh but no way would that get into space, the bloody handle on yours has a hole in it already mate. :deadhorse1:
I will however source more scrapers as i've decided this one is too cool looking to use. I'll try to find some crappy useless looking ones like you guys have so thanks for the heads up. :thumbsup:
It's great to be able to share opinions of each others reef equipment in a friendly and polite manner don't you think. I won't let anyone insult either of you guys on my journal just because you both have dud cleaning gear - that's how i roll :beer:
Bello
New member
Thanks Sahin, I'm awaiting your test results, since I believe we share a few similar turds (that sounds soooo wrong :lol
. BTW, my NO3 test is with the new Red Sea High Res kits, that test from 0-4ppm only. Hahahahahahahaha!!! Lego handle?? :lol: Hole?? :lol:
Thanks, in your infinite generosity, for not letting anyone insult us, biggles, we owe you one
FastUno
New member
So do you find your Deltec SC 1455 to be a good wet skimmer? When you say overrun the cup, are you getting the same thing I am getting, where every now & then the skimmer cup just overflows & dumps into the tank?
That is my only dripe with the Deltec AP600. Although a best on the electricity, do you think that the AquaC EV-180 is a better suited skimmer for wet skimming? I have contemplated trying that one out, but have also eyeballing the Deltec SC 1455 because of the reasonable price from Deltec.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Thanks Sahin, I'm awaiting your test results, since I believe we share a few similar turds (that sounds soooo wrong :lol
Hey Bello.
I tested my water today:
NO3=0.2ppm (Salifert on high res scale)
PO4=0.01-0.02ppm (Elos/Merck High Res PO4 Kit)
I have also missed my water change which I should have done 2 days ago...will be done today.
I last changed out my GFO on the 9th November...which means my system is pretty good at dealing with PO4 and NO3 now.
How is things with your tank? Whats the latest?
Where is Biggles...? He's been missing for a couple of days...:lolspin:
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