Ora Radion Lit Garden
- Thread starter tandldel
- Start date
tandldel
Member
A very nice tank, and a nice selection of SPS. Look forward to seeing this progress.
Thanks for the kind words.
tandldel
Member
Thanks, I'm excited to get it all set up. Thanks for the information on the 2lf 150. I'm going to plumb it into the new sump and take it online slow as you suggest. Definitely pick up the blue voodoo its a very nice piece.
tandldel
Member
Thanks, I had just the HOB refugium for awhile then added the HOB skimmer. It does work but takes more time monitoring and the risk is in not having the stability IMO but can be done effectively. I am really looking forward to the increase in volume and the stability it will bring as well as the ability to have more efficient equipment and cleaner look. Ill just stop here as you can tell I could go on and on with the plus side of a sump LOL. again thanks though.
tandldel
Member
What's a sump??
This is a sump!!!!
Awesome packaging & Service from Jeff @ Lifereef.
Assembly done!!!
I will be doing a leak test hopefully this weekend. Then I am going to plumb into the cabinet and get the sump and refugium filled with correct temp and parameters and let the fun begin. I am really excited to switch out the HOB Refugium as I have had issues with it breaking the siphon. This filter box is supposed to be very fail safe from all I have researched so that will be a nice peace of mind. Will give a review after its up for awhile of this and the whole set up. I got a CLF1 Sump with Mag 12 return, SVS2-24 Skimmer 9.5 mag running it, Nano Prefilter & overflow box, 20 x 12 x 18 custome refugium with Coral life 20" light. Should add about 26 gallons when done. I am also waiting on the 2LF 150 to start running GFO. I am hoping this will slide into the 3" cylinder rack in the sump as well.
tandldel
Member
Thanks, I hope to get it up and running this weekend and will post some pictures and give you my initial thoughts on the overflow soon.
tandldel
Member
Thanks i am really pleased. The overflow is very nice but mine has a lot of noise so I am waiting for the silencer kit and will update thereafter. The noise seems to be only at the drain tube so the silencer should take care of this. It is very smooth and all my power off tests show no sign of breaking siphon. Small footprint excellent build quality. This is true of all the equipment I received. The skimmer is already pulling much more than my Aquamaxx did.
Here are a couple quick pictures on the initial install. I still have to trim the return hose and secure a few more wires. Also the timer near the top off is mounted up high I had pulled it down to program and forgot to put it back before the pictures. Also the refugium light is a 20" I just had my old LED on for grins.
Much cleaner on the display..The PH meter will be mounted underneath..
tandldel
Member
My overflow noise is now gone with the Silencer installed, although you can here the sump gurgle just a bit more than the HOB equipment but not bad. Quieter then the MP10..I now have another issue in that with the additional pumps my tank temperature now hits 82.4 where before it was around 78.5. I have read many threads and IME in the past do not have problems with a 4-6 degree temp swing but I am going to plumb in the chiller from my last tank as a safe guard and set it at 83. I don't want to turn this into a temp discussion but does this sound like a good idea. My corals are all looking very happy with the new temp and I do run the AC here in VA as spring & summer are upon us. Im too paranoid to just let this go without the safety of the chiller though. I could set the temp lower too but I really want to minimize it running alot as it is in the family room. Seems 82-83 is an ok set point and I can keep my heaters set at 78.3 which would keep it to a 5-6 degree swing. On another note my Blue Voodoo is really growing and looking good. Will get some new shots in the next week or so.
Chris Lakies
Active member
Honestly a small 6-7" fan using a apex jr to control it works really well for me and i run a metal halide. I set my max temp at 83 and it shuts the fan off at 82.
tandldel
Member
Thanks for the advice, my plan before the new temp rise was to go with a fan but I feel a little to close to the high end for my comfort now and I already own the chiller and have a pump to drive it
Thanks I agree it seems the most prudent choice. I did not realize you kept your setting this low. I've read that most sps metoblism runs best in the 79-81 range but obviously your success shows the lower temps are doing well. Also as you said nice to be able to let the AC in the house move up as an overall savings. I may make my top temp set 80-81 on the chiller. This would keep me about where the tank has always been.
ange062
New member
That's an interesting data point to know that you have heard the higher temps are best. At this point I'm trying to limit my growth because everything is overgrowing. Is that an artifact of my having a small tank or is that a sign that temperature in an acceptable range doesnt matter (rather stability does).
I'm tempted to try a higher temp now, despite my "growth problems" to see if anything comes of it. My honest hypothesis is no though.
Sorry, not trying to be smart with you Mr. tandldel, just trying to make points for discussion. But in the interim before I posted I did a quick search. Steve's epic tank was run at 78 +/-1. Chingchai's at 75-76. So I must conclude by this that the lower range must be completely acceptable and preferred.
Just for reference, here are their tanks:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-05/totm/index.php
http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_gallery.htm
Breakbeats2334
New member
Whats your photo period for this tank?
tandldel
Member
Ange by all means I welcome the discussion as there are so many ways to reach the same goal. Thanks for the links I really enjoy the tanks in these threads. That being said they are two obvious examples of the 78 temp range. I agree stability is the key but that can mean allowing a swing in temp as long as it is gradual and the tank is acclimated to it. In many threads here it is even encouraged to allow a 4-6 range because people tend to believe if a problem occurs the animals are more ready to handle it rather than pegging a temperature to a 1 degree swing. I do agree that even if there are benefits in keeping your target temp higher that you do not have as much room for error though especially if you have a temp that is dialed in with no swing. It seems to make sense that the corals would perform best in temps over 80 since average ocean temps they are from tend to be in the 80-83 range and that letting them swing as well is a good idea in that the oceans range low of 75- as high as 90 for short periods in different seasons. Now with all that I do not advocate to these big swings of 15 degrees in our tanks but just want to point out we may be over thinking temperature. The main thing is to acclimate your system to a range and then if you move it do so with purpose and do it slow. Slow changes being the key in that this is what is meant in stability nothing sudden. So in your case why tinker if it ain't broken. Great growth and color so I'd stay safe and sound. I just brought it up as my system is moving to a change with this new sump and I am just getting it dialed in. Also like you said in all our tanks we really do not need to get to the goal super fast just get there. All these corals will outgrow most of our tanks and need to be pruned once grown in so your assertion of playing to the safer side is very valid. In my system I just do not want to have the chiller run constant so I am gong to try a little higher set point and see how it goes. Probably 80-81 chiller kicks on high side 83
tandldel
Member
Here is my radion profile and the light hangs 6" above water and tank height is 21 1/2. I am moving each settin up 1% every other week.
8Am Royal Blue 100% Cool White 100% intensity 5%
9am 14K intensity 51%
11am 12K int 63%
2:30pm 12K int 72%
5:30pm 12K int 63%
7:30pm 14K 60%
9Pm 20K 60%
10 pm Royal Blue 50% intensity 2%
10:20pm off night mode
ange062
New member
You would be surprised how little the chiller runs to maintain 77 +/-1 in my tank. My only point is why mess with tried and true? A couple degrees will cost you almost nothing on electricity, noise, etc.
I've also heard that higher temps = more chance of disease for fish. I've been lucky enough to maintain an ick and sickness free tank for well over a year now.
solitude127
Proud user of IO Salt!
Nice collection
