Returning to what I love - My new 180 Rimless

[jbanks]

Jonathan, MAN you tank is unbelieveable! I can't believe you missed the earthquake....It was wild. My wife was away and when she found out about it, I told her I had to go finish mopping up the kitchen from the water that came out of my tank! LOL, Really had her going!

The new question is not how to deal with the hurricane? I know for one, I am caught with my pants down...Couldn't get a generator and not sure of a gameplan at the moment. I hope it is light, but being in the pine barrons of NJ, with all these trees, when the power goes out I wonder how long it will be. Actually had a call today from the power co stating that they expected days of power outages

What backup do you have?

Thanks Taz! You were so wrong to do that to your wife! LOL! I totally missed it Bro. As for backup plan... battery backup for vortechs and a battery powered air pump..... How's thats for being prepared gosh!

I'm planning to by a generator in the spring. Good luck Bro!

Looks very good man!!! keep up with good work!

are you ready for Irene?

Thanks Bro! You inspired me to step it up a notch after seeing your tank for the first time some years ago. Are we ever really ready??? LOL

Great progress shots... Thanks for sharing.

Tahir

Thanks so much Tahir!

 

[Hammerleaf]

Jonathan, I just went through your thread and I'm really impressed. I'm going to be setting up a new 120 system and you've given me some inspiration for aquascape and lighting.

I had a question for you about alkalinity and carbon dosing. You had mentioned that it is important to keep alkalinity low when carbon dosing, why is that? What is a level to keep it at? I ask because I've been using biopellets and been having an issue keeping the alkalinity at my target of 11.5dKH. This has caused me to really dose extra alk in my 2 part. I hope I haven't been doing damage to my corals.

Thanks!

Drew

 

[afernandez]

It Looks OK thruw pictures ....but live is jaw droping. This tank is just beautiful the colors are really amazing and the the PE is impressive. Can't wait to see the next update .

 

[jbanks]

Jonathan, I just went through your thread and I'm really impressed. I'm going to be setting up a new 120 system and you've given me some inspiration for aquascape and lighting.

I had a question for you about alkalinity and carbon dosing. You had mentioned that it is important to keep alkalinity low when carbon dosing, why is that? What is a level to keep it at? I ask because I've been using biopellets and been having an issue keeping the alkalinity at my target of 11.5dKH. This has caused me to really dose extra alk in my 2 part. I hope I haven't been doing damage to my corals.

Thanks!

Drew

Thanks Buddy.. I'm glad that I was able to give you some ideas.. When I first started learning about carbon dosing, regardless of which carbon source used, I learned that high alkalinity leads to blunt and or brunt tips on Acros. I have see both in my system. With blunt tips, the branches just round out and stop growing and with Burnt tips, The coral just starts dying from the tips.. I have see this with both Acros and Birdsnests... The sweet spot that I aim for is between 6.5 and 7.5dkh. All our systems are different and it's a matter of finding just the right amount to dose to get you spot on. If it's too high, stop dosing the alk and let it fall.. when it gets to where you want, start your daily dose again.. At that point, the value should stay right where you want with maybe a small tweak here and there.

It Looks OK thruw pictures ....but live is jaw droping. This tank is just beautiful the colors are really amazing and the the PE is impressive. Can't wait to see the next update .

Thanks Guy! I'm gonna wait a few weeks and post some updates. Stay tuned!

 

[clowndude]

Hi Jbanks, quick question for you. Are you still running the sea swirls and if so do you still like them? Thinking of putting them on my next tank or maybe even this tank

 

[shiver905]

Your tank has been a real inspiration.


I just went threw the whole thread.. Another late night
:sad2:

Im in the process of my own but on a smaller scale but the ratios are alike

FOLLOWING

 

[jbanks]

Hi Jbanks, quick question for you. Are you still running the sea swirls and if so do you still like them? Thinking of putting them on my next tank or maybe even this tank

Yep. They are syill running on this tank. The only thing that I would change is that I would have gone for the smaller size. I have a to really restrict my reeflo dart, which is used for my returns or my water level will get too high and thats with two 2 inch drains. So, by cutting down my flow to the returns, I don't get as much flow as i would like. If I had gotten a smaller size, the restriction would have given me a more forceful flow. So, keep this in mind when sizing them for your tank. They are a really good addition to a tank for creatibg an changing current and a good alternate to a closed loop. However, they are not a substitute for a good water mover like a vortech. Hope this info helps!

Your tank has been a real inspiration.


I just went threw the whole thread.. Another late night
:sad2:

Im in the process of my own but on a smaller scale but the ratios are alike

FOLLOWING

Thank you That's great news about your new build. Please feel free to come back and ask questions and to post the link of your build thread should you decide to do one. Good luck!

 

[clowndude]

Are u running the 1" sea swirls? I was thinking of going with either those or two 3/4 inch ones with the return pump. Then getting two mp40s. Its going on a 5-6 foot tank so trying to plan out the proper water circ. Also, how are u liking your bk 250? That is the same model I plan on u using for the next tank.

 

[jbanks]

I'm using the 1", but I would probably have been fine with the 3/4 or even the 1/2. Sounds like you're putting together a really sound plan. The SM250 is a little overkill on my tank, but its an awesome performer. Love it!

 

[dvanacker]

If you wanted more pressure could you not just stick a reducer bushing in the sea swirl? They don't add any length.

 

[Reef_Noob]

Those progression shots are drool material....
It's cool to see those progression shots, makes u real happy and proud seeing ur efforts have been rewarded and the reef has grown into something beautiful.
Good luck and wishing u the very best!!

 

[jbanks]

If you wanted more pressure could you not just stick a reducer bushing in the sea swirl? They don't add any length.

Bro! What's up! - Yes, you are right, I do have them reduced some with the hose nipples that I use, but I believe you can also use loc-line eductors.. Your pumps should be pressured rated when using these.. The dart is not really a pressure pump, but because of the short distance that I have from my pump to the return, it should be pretty effective.. I just haven't tried it yet.

Those progression shots are drool material....
It's cool to see those progression shots, makes u real happy and proud seeing ur efforts have been rewarded and the reef has grown into something beautiful.
Good luck and wishing u the very best!!

Hey RN.... Thanks man! It does make you feel proud, especially knowing the challenges along the way. My favorite part of this hobby is watching a coral grow from a frag to a colony and being able to share it with you all...

 

[jbanks]

Hey Everyone. The tank continues to do well after rebounding from the Levamisole treatments for AEFWs. Currently dealing with a light Cyano bloom, due to the phosphate spike caused by the treatments. Fortunately, it's already on the run. Here are a few random shots that I took the other night that I thought were cool.. FT and top-down shots coming in a couple of weeks...

 

[Pallobi]

Awesome!!!

 

[afernandez]

Inspiration at it's best..

 

[clowndude]

Wow, just when I thought the tank couldn't look any better I'm proved wrong. Great looking. Keep up the great work.

 

[aquaph8]

Wow man, some of those colonies are looking huge. Keeps getting better and better.

 

[dvanacker]

Beautiful as always.

What is this guy? Is it shades of fall?

 

[jbanks]

Awesome!!!

Inspiration at it's best..

Wow, just when I thought the tank couldn't look any better I'm proved wrong. Great looking. Keep up the great work.

Thanks Guys!

Wow man, some of those colonies are looking huge. Keeps getting better and better.

Brett, it's funny some look like they're being juiced and others are taking thier sweet time.. As always, thanks for your support!!

Beautiful as always.

What is this guy? Is it shades of fall?

Thanks D! Keep giving me inspiration Bro! Your tank is on fire right now! That's an Aussie Strawberry Shortcake - from Uniquecorals.com
It's been a pretty slow grower, but has definitely picked up in the last few months.

 

[MSHUR]

Super color Jon!!!