CaptiveReefer03
New member
thanks bulfraw!
new acros pics
- Thread starter CaptiveReefer03
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CaptiveReefer03
New member
Mike,
I broke it down into halves to try and make it larger so you can somewhat see where everything is
Right side:
Left side:
ill see if i cant get a decent full tank shot here soon but im at work tomorrow so it might not be till friday or so. Anyways Happy Thanksgiving to you yours and everyone else here on RC!
goble goble-
I broke it down into halves to try and make it larger so you can somewhat see where everything is
Right side:
Left side:
ill see if i cant get a decent full tank shot here soon but im at work tomorrow so it might not be till friday or so. Anyways Happy Thanksgiving to you yours and everyone else here on RC!
goble goble-
CaptiveReefer03
New member
TTRex : Thanks ! In time they will grow out.
Mike : Im currently using 5 icecap 400 watt 220volt ballasts over my 360. I have combined light bulbs to try and get different effects also studying the growth rates on the acros while doing this. I currently run in order from left to right 14k aqua connect, 14k aqua connect, 20k xm, 10k xm, and a 20k xm. My greatest growth rate is under the 10 k and worst rates really havent proven to be much difference in the 14-20k range. Astheticly pleasing the 14k does a wonderful job to ballance the light, but the 20k brings out the colors and the 10 grows them. The light cycle which i run is as scheduled. 5am-6am then 10am to 11 am then finally 3:15pm till about 10pm. I run my halides like this because its when im home in the evening that I like to enjoy the tank. It also helps save some $$ cause the MH's aren't running in the heat of the day. To give you and idea of the growth rate and effects of the 10k bulb vs. the 14 see pics below.
from 7-06 stag colony in front of pic. (14k aqua connect; brown)
from 9-06 stag colony (still under 14k; brown)
from 10-06 stag colony (swapped bulb for 10k XM greening up)
as of 3 days ago (still under 10 XM growth rate very good, new braches forming and color is 10x's better)
hope this helps anwser some questions, and maybe provoke a few more but if you need anything else dont hesitate to ask!
Happy thanksgiving again everyone!
Charles-
Mike : Im currently using 5 icecap 400 watt 220volt ballasts over my 360. I have combined light bulbs to try and get different effects also studying the growth rates on the acros while doing this. I currently run in order from left to right 14k aqua connect, 14k aqua connect, 20k xm, 10k xm, and a 20k xm. My greatest growth rate is under the 10 k and worst rates really havent proven to be much difference in the 14-20k range. Astheticly pleasing the 14k does a wonderful job to ballance the light, but the 20k brings out the colors and the 10 grows them. The light cycle which i run is as scheduled. 5am-6am then 10am to 11 am then finally 3:15pm till about 10pm. I run my halides like this because its when im home in the evening that I like to enjoy the tank. It also helps save some $$ cause the MH's aren't running in the heat of the day. To give you and idea of the growth rate and effects of the 10k bulb vs. the 14 see pics below.
from 7-06 stag colony in front of pic. (14k aqua connect; brown)
from 9-06 stag colony (still under 14k; brown)
from 10-06 stag colony (swapped bulb for 10k XM greening up)
as of 3 days ago (still under 10 XM growth rate very good, new braches forming and color is 10x's better)
hope this helps anwser some questions, and maybe provoke a few more but if you need anything else dont hesitate to ask!
Happy thanksgiving again everyone!
Charles-
ReefArtist
In Memoriam
Beautiful tank Charles and very nice growth.
I do have a question - Have you found that you can "Zone" your tank with the MH lights - Like one area lower light lovers and then another area for high light. Not just closes to the light wins, but actually have areas for livestock that prefers high water movement but low light? In a smaller tank I know it would be difficult to accomplish but in a larger tank like yours I thought it might be possible. Kind of like - zone area with T5's then MH etc. just a thought. Your tank is beautiful!
I do have a question - Have you found that you can "Zone" your tank with the MH lights - Like one area lower light lovers and then another area for high light. Not just closes to the light wins, but actually have areas for livestock that prefers high water movement but low light? In a smaller tank I know it would be difficult to accomplish but in a larger tank like yours I thought it might be possible. Kind of like - zone area with T5's then MH etc. just a thought. Your tank is beautiful!
Charles, lighting is the only thing I'm not completely decided on. I have seen numerous accounts of the 10K lights providing more growth, and some like the color better with the 14K. My original plan was three 250 10k, with t5 actinics, but l'm leaning more toward 400 10k with t5 actinics. At some point in late winter, I'll have to commit.
Mike
Mike
CaptiveReefer03
New member
ReefArtist:
I have found that yes I can zone my tank with the lights and the flow. Most of my current is in the upper area of the tank and my lighting is based on the depth of my tank. Most of my acros are high up where as my clams and most of my soft leathers and lps are mid level to base in the tank. Its a system that only come with experence and a bit of experimenting. I do however only use the MH's and dont have much experence with the T5's other then when i use to work in the trade but the T5's do well for most lps and softies just not the acros as they generally need the greatest amounts of light. Dont misunderstand though T5's can be used for the acros but only in high amounts. Hope this anwsers you questions and if you have anyothers please feel free to ask.
Mike-
The easiest thing to help aid you in your decision should be the depth of your tank if your not going to be 3' and deeper the 400w shouldnt make a difference. Generally from what I have learned the 400's are used when your working in a deep water systems so that the light will penitrate down to the sandbed. However I know your building a large system and if your planning on having a majority of sps It would probably do you best to have the 400's installed just look at maybe getting the 220volt as they are a bit more efficient. As for the bulbs. Im going to swap mine out here in the next moth or so to all 10k so that I can inprove my coloration in the sps and just add a few extra attinics to balance the yellowing effects out when they are on.
I have found that yes I can zone my tank with the lights and the flow. Most of my current is in the upper area of the tank and my lighting is based on the depth of my tank. Most of my acros are high up where as my clams and most of my soft leathers and lps are mid level to base in the tank. Its a system that only come with experence and a bit of experimenting. I do however only use the MH's and dont have much experence with the T5's other then when i use to work in the trade but the T5's do well for most lps and softies just not the acros as they generally need the greatest amounts of light. Dont misunderstand though T5's can be used for the acros but only in high amounts. Hope this anwsers you questions and if you have anyothers please feel free to ask.
Mike-
The easiest thing to help aid you in your decision should be the depth of your tank if your not going to be 3' and deeper the 400w shouldnt make a difference. Generally from what I have learned the 400's are used when your working in a deep water systems so that the light will penitrate down to the sandbed. However I know your building a large system and if your planning on having a majority of sps It would probably do you best to have the 400's installed just look at maybe getting the 220volt as they are a bit more efficient. As for the bulbs. Im going to swap mine out here in the next moth or so to all 10k so that I can inprove my coloration in the sps and just add a few extra attinics to balance the yellowing effects out when they are on.
