Padova's 360 view 650 gallon system reef tank from miracle canada

I'd think you have an LFS local that you could pick up the T5s from. They should want to be your friend considering the size of the tank so you could pick up a combination of the two and just do a few tests with halides on/off. I have ATI Purple Plus T5s and they are really not visible when my Halides are lit. I had just Halides before upgrading to this fixture and never experimented a lot but believe I will do the blue T5s next round. It's really a matter of opinion. Only difference I see with the purple bulbs is that they seem to make the purple stand out more and oranges pop more.
 
I'd think you have an LFS local that you could pick up the T5s from. They should want to be your friend considering the size of the tank so you could pick up a combination of the two and just do a few tests with halides on/off. I have ATI Purple Plus T5s and they are really not visible when my Halides are lit. I had just Halides before upgrading to this fixture and never experimented a lot but believe I will do the blue T5s next round. It's really a matter of opinion. Only difference I see with the purple bulbs is that they seem to make the purple stand out more and oranges pop more.

I see what you are saying... Yes, I think they make the pinks/reds pop also.. i was thinking of maybe just putting the purples in the middle,, but then again,,, i guess I wont really know untill I actually have a good amount of corals in there..
so maybe, i'll do the blues now and add the purples later when I actually have corals in the tank
 
I'd also add that I don't much like the coloration of my tank before and after the Halides believe I'd enjoy it if it were blue instead of the purple:(
 
(i just wrote an entire page and safari quite on me!!!:furious:)
The person who setup my system is horrible.. saeaquatics in ny, please stay away fro RICHARD YANG,, Scam artist and there is no way he has done other tanks.. everything he did up till now has been a complete disaster! used pump that leaks, top off installed wrong.. lighting w/outlet strips in ceiling and I can literally give an entire page of more problems... I spent over 40 hrs last week correcting simple mistakes.. And a big thank you to all of you here on reef central for helping me out.. (should have done it alone, and saved money, because im doing that now anyway!)

SOME QUESTIONS
Okay.. Problems... I adjusted the filter socks.. Took out that old piece w/ small socks and added 7 inch socks w. velcro.. They are sticking out of the water a bit to reduce splash,, is this ok?

Lighting: I have 14k ushio bulbs w 6 24 watt aqua plus blu.. The t5's do nothing.. look like a very very dim blue.. does not color up my corals at all.. My fixture is 2 ft from the water.. I though of adding a 1 inch strip of LEDS suspended in the tank (flush) on each long side... and using a tab to hold it inside the tank.. (that make sense?) I can get two 3 ft fixtures on each side.. or hopefully can get a 2 6 ft ones made up.

sand... sux to clean it.. its more like gravel.. my snails do burrow through it.. Im thinking w. the tunzes i may have a chance..

Algae.. way too much on the glass everyday.. i bought a great white magnet and its way too powerful on my 3/4 glass.. i will down grade to a tiger shark.. Is this algae somewhat temp? (hope its just still part of the cycle!)

Flow: I am using 4 1200 mjs modded for now (under 200 bux) and will replace w tunze soon as i get cash)

things to do: fix lighting, more cheato and sand in fuge..
what to do w/ the 75 gallon that was suppose to be used as a frag tank? just place more cheato in? not sure yet.. add some splash guards to sock area.. buy another 300 wt jaber heater
BTW, tank comes no where near overflowing now when system is off..

PIX and stock list below!
 
Last edited:
fish/verts/corals:
a pair of crosshatch triggers, 3 yellow tangs, a red sea sailfin tang, a clownfish which will be replaced w/ a snowcasso pair, 3 chromis, a midas blenny.. an achilles in qt.. and would like to add several more fish ;)
i have several cleaner shrimp, emral crabs. and various snails... i also have mixed lps, soft corals and sps for testing right now..
2eyz3vd.jpg


nofz0o.jpg


2i6pfkj.jpg


wrevja.jpg


2wpplap.jpg


2qdrgye.jpg


ml42dl.jpg


e99ceg.jpg


30ubk1y.jpg
 
Last edited:
Ushio 14k's are very yellow. I ran them for a while and was extremely disappointed. If you want a more blue look you should go with Phoenix 14k's.

Sorry to hear about the bad luck with your LFS guy helping you. I seem to hear that a lot so maybe I should just always take what they say with a grain of salt.
 
One of your last pics, the one you were sitting down looking at the tank.
What did you see what you could change? :idea:What I saw was, "tooo much" light outside the tank. The room is to bright, if your looking for more blue you should get a nice LED pendant.
something like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsYyA2z5wVw&feature=fvsr

I was taking the pic.. Its def much brighter in the pic.. I am def going to change the fixtures now sooner or later to LEDS.. Im just way too deep in w/ $$ right now...

So If I get the phonix bulbs, maybe i won't need more led light strips? I should def give this a try
 
I don't believe you need to ADD anymore lighting, you need to change the bulbs you've got. Don't add things to fix the current problems unless you know exactly what the problem is, ie not enough flow needs bigger pump, too dark needs lighting. Color is an easy less expensive manipulation. I'd go to see the "Grim Reaper" on the lighting forum. Tell him what you want, what you've got and he'll get you there. Personally I'd move away from any color on the T5's, actinic only. Then if it's still too white, change one or two MH's to 20K or different manufacturer. Just what I'd do. Good luck!
 
I don't believe you need to ADD anymore lighting, you need to change the bulbs you've got. Don't add things to fix the current problems unless you know exactly what the problem is, ie not enough flow needs bigger pump, too dark needs lighting. Color is an easy less expensive manipulation. I'd go to see the "Grim Reaper" on the lighting forum. Tell him what you want, what you've got and he'll get you there. Personally I'd move away from any color on the T5's, actinic only. Then if it's still too white, change one or two MH's to 20K or different manufacturer. Just what I'd do. Good luck!

thank you! yes, will def change the mh bulbs out! that should fix it.. i'll def post on the lighting forum
 
Sorry to hear about your lf guy messing things up for ya, but we all make mistakes and learn as we go. Just keep up the great work and it will all pay off soon ! :thumbsup:
 
Sorry to hear about your lf guy messing things up for ya, but we all make mistakes and learn as we go. Just keep up the great work and it will all pay off soon ! :thumbsup:

thanx man, only way i can look at it..

UPDATE

taking out all the crushed coral.. it sux.. no way i can clean this when corals start growing and it is way too much to clean.. going with caribsea floor grade sand.. Was going to go Bare bottom, but nah........ Im only going to do 2-3 inch sand bed and im going to go with radium 20k on my icecap ballasts....(400w each)

any input on my thoughts?
 
Back
Top