Shallow reef build

[Piper27]

Got the dry rock and sand in, cycle should start soon, and new fish in qt . I will tell you what, it's fun starting a new tank. So much so I felt like ripping the 210 down and starting over with it! We are ordering bulbs tomorrow and the canopy should be done by the end of the cycle.

Any suggestions on a 6 bulb combo for this thing?

 

[Piper27]

Only problem so far is some zoas aren't looking to good. Started after a shipment was left in the mail two long. All thoes zoas died and I think started to make a few others sick. No pests or anything, they just close up. Some end up looking really wierd like mushrooms or just deformed.

 

[A. Grandis]

Got the dry rock and sand in, cycle should start soon, and new fish in qt . I will tell you what, it's fun starting a new tank. So much so I felt like ripping the 210 down and starting over with it! We are ordering bulbs tomorrow and the canopy should be done by the end of the cycle.

Any suggestions on a 6 bulb combo for this thing?

There are too many choices for T5 bulbs and I've leaned that no matter what I say people have their own tastes. So my advice would be to get at least 3 or 4 blueplus bulbs there and the other two would be whites, like Aquablue special. GE 6500K, Aquasun 10000K, etc...
No purple and no pink bulbs!

Please search the forum. I'm sure you'll find lots of combinations and suggestions for your bulbs.

Grandis.

 

[A. Grandis]

Only problem so far is some zoas aren't looking to good. Started after a shipment was left in the mail two long. All thoes zoas died and I think started to make a few others sick. No pests or anything, they just close up. Some end up looking really wierd like mushrooms or just deformed.

If the mushroom looking is the umbrella syndrome, the problem could be light, water flow, water chemistry, nutrients, predation, irritation, or a combination of those.
Too many things could be happening...
Not easy to figure out.

Grandis.

 

[Piper27]

Again why no purple or pink bulbs?

 

[cpt cautious]

I dont like purple or pink, i find that it overpowers the blues/whites and makes the tank look more pink than blue (im a fan of a light blue tank)

on my 8 bulk unit, 4 blue+, 3 aquablue special, and one purple/pink and the tank looks to pink for me.

Im happy with at blue + and whites 50/50 mix

 

[A. Grandis]

Again why no purple or pink bulbs?

It's for girls!!!

Seriously, they won't contribute in anything for your needs!!!
Pink and purple bulbs will actually be on the opposite side of the spectrum you want for you tank.

Grandis.

 

[Piper27]

Ahhhh. I got you thanks!

Capt cautious I am the same way I can't stand tanks with to much blue.

Also I think the problems with a few of the zoas could be from the low ph that my 210 runs at, it's like 7.7 to 7.9. Who knows.

 

[A. Grandis]

pH should be between 7.9 and 8.4.
Try maintain between 8.0 - 8.2 for the best.
Keep alk in check!

Grandis.

 

[Piper27]

I am really struggling to maintain a decent ph, last night I cleaned the calcium reactor and went from running the media at 6.35 to 6.5 hoping that it will bump the ph up at least a little. I run Kalk through the top off and opening the windows only temporarily raises the ph for a couple of days. Today the ph raised maybe .2 from normal so hopefully the few pieces perk up.

 

[Piper27]

So my girl had an amazing idea last night. She saw some of the stained glass lamps that my mom makes and said "Hey lets put some stained glass in the canopy". So now I am trying to think of the best looking way I can do that. I am definatly going to have to coat in in something too. I was thinking of just putting some strips of stained glass around the top of the canopy right under the lights and right above the flip up doors. That way the light will shine through well. She wanted the whole top of the canopy done like a freakin lamp! Woah, sounds complicated.

 

[glennvandyke]

very nice set up n zoas!

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

i know the right ones are capt america but what are the other ones called??

 

[Piper27]

Purple death and a bleeding heart morph or something, not sure and not too good with names. I should probly post a few more pics of what's going to be in the tank.

 

[Piper27]

Here are a couple of the fish we got so far.

Ember blenny (I think), a pair of scooters, and a handful of vanderbelts (we will see how many make it...)

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Thanks for answering the zoa ?. Nice addition to the tank. Can't wait for pieces to go inside.

 

[Piper27]

A couple bad I phone pics of the progress. Tank is aquascaped and sump room is done, after a while of running it with fish I might use the black 5 gallon as a fuge.

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Looking good.

 

[tommer725]

Any ways where did you get the tank?

 

[Piper27]

A local guy built it, not the best by far but it works. I got a good deal on it too.