Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

Status
Not open for further replies.
I'm not SunnyX but have had a similar experience. The white stuff is most likely bacteria growth of some type. My corals were not stressed nor did I notice a slowdown in growth.

The largest danger with overdosing is where the carbon source causes the O2 in the tank to become depleted causing fish to really stress and corals can follow closely behind.

My .02 cents FWIW
This happens to me before.
Overdosage of Mb7 can cause bacteria boom or a white screen in your water or white furry stuff growing on your glasses. Solution is you better do 10-20% water changes and cut down on the Mb7 too. You do not wish to get an outright bloom of HA due to overdosage (:

Happy Reefing,
Marc J.
 
Hello Marc,

A couple reefers have reported a hardening of substrate when dosing carbon/bacteria. From what I recall, they found out that it was an issue with calcium bonding with bacteria. I am not 100% on the specifics, but that is what had happened. I know in my tank that some sections of my sandbed have clumps, most likely attributed to bacterial growth. I siphon the sand once a month and it helps to keep the sand loose and clean.

I had the same black sections of sand when I started up carbon dosing. After a couple rounds of vacuuming the black areas went away. Up until now they have not come back.

Is your sandbed a DSB?
Hello Sonny,

Oh, so it is true that substrate does harden in carbon/bacteria dosing. But that will be quite scary ain't it. Suppose we rely on the sandbed as much as the rocks for biological filtration. But do you think the phenomenon of subtrate hardening can cause tank crashes due to lack of transfer in oxygen levels in between the substrate?

Oh, alrights. about the black sections of sand, guess I am not the paranoid one. lol. but it does scare me quite a bit and especially when I get black stinky skimmate from my skimmer too! :S So well I'll take up your advice and do gravel washing for my next tank because I've decided to tear down my current tank due to overwhelming HA and also give myself a deserved break from the hobby and spend more quality time with my girlfriend. :celeb2: (her 21st birthday is coming plus Christmas! means got to spend money! :X) :celeb1::eek2:

Anyway regards to your question, is 2" a DSB? haha. I think it's a shallow sandbed bro. Because I was actually planning to keep wrasses so got to give them space to sleep/dig in, but now guess that got to hold till after 14 Feb :X hahaha. But I'll be back soon I hope. Saving money to get a AP851, a new sump, a new display tank and some nice toys to go along :D also deciding to go for a shallower sandbed. say 1"? lol.:beer:

Happy Reefing brothers and sisters,
Marc J.
 
Sunny do you dose any iron supplements in this tank?

Nope. My green's are doing just fine. :D

Hey,

Have you ever measured your par readings? If so can you share?

Thanks,
Alex

Sorry, I dont have access to a PAR meter.

Hello Sonny,

Oh, so it is true that substrate does harden in carbon/bacteria dosing. But that will be quite scary ain't it. Suppose we rely on the sandbed as much as the rocks for biological filtration. But do you think the phenomenon of subtrate hardening can cause tank crashes due to lack of transfer in oxygen levels in between the substrate?

Oh, alrights. about the black sections of sand, guess I am not the paranoid one. lol. but it does scare me quite a bit and especially when I get black stinky skimmate from my skimmer too! :S So well I'll take up your advice and do gravel washing for my next tank because I've decided to tear down my current tank due to overwhelming HA and also give myself a deserved break from the hobby and spend more quality time with my girlfriend. :celeb2: (her 21st birthday is coming plus Christmas! means got to spend money! :X) :celeb1::eek2:

Anyway regards to your question, is 2" a DSB? haha. I think it's a shallow sandbed bro. Because I was actually planning to keep wrasses so got to give them space to sleep/dig in, but now guess that got to hold till after 14 Feb :X hahaha. But I'll be back soon I hope. Saving money to get a AP851, a new sump, a new display tank and some nice toys to go along :D also deciding to go for a shallower sandbed. say 1"? lol.:beer:

Happy Reefing brothers and sisters,
Marc J.

Well, I hope you are not gone for too long. :D Concerning the substrate hardening, as long and you break it up once a month I wouldn't worry about any negative effects.
 
Sunny, will I see similar results of vodka dosing by using Brightwell BioFuel? If I use just Brightwell MB7 will I see a difference in the coloration of my corals or a decrease in algae or is that only if I use it in conjunction with vodka?
 
Sunny,
I've got a ati powermodule six bulb with the following bulbs:

ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

What would you change? Thanks.
 
Sunny, will I see similar results of vodka dosing by using Brightwell BioFuel? If I use just Brightwell MB7 will I see a difference in the coloration of my corals or a decrease in algae or is that only if I use it in conjunction with vodka?

From what I have heard, Vodka is actually stronger than Biofuel. Not sure if you will see a difference if you are only dosing MB7, as I have always dosed it in conjunction with vodka. You could test it out and then let us know your results. :D

Sunny,
I've got a ati powermodule six bulb with the following bulbs:

ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

What would you change? Thanks.


Looks good to me. The choice of bulbs is really based on your preferences. If it is too yellow/white then pop out the GE bulb and replace it with a Blue+.
 
I picked up a KZ Fiji Purple bulb today(thanks Marvin! :D) and it looks AMAZING with 4xBlue+!!! :eek:

After seeing how good the Fiji Purple looks I may be taking one of my Aquablue's out and replacing it with a Blue+.

Believe the hype! The Fiji Purple is the REAL DEAL. :thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
I will try out that positioning tonight and see how it goes. Thanks! :D

Depending on the wiring of your lights i'd aim for the fiji in possition 3. 4th bulb if you have to.

let us know how you go and post some pics. This bulb really brings out reds, pinks and purples.



Newest_FTS.jpg




4purplegreentipacro.jpg




3redmilli.jpg
 
:lol: SEINFELD: "Not thats there anything wrong with it!"



Hello,

Nikon D50 SLR

I use Photoshop and Lightroom 2 to adjust white balance.

Hey Sonny, what lens r u shooting with and what mode? I have a D80 and I'm using the standard 18-55 VR lens, shooting in "flower" mode. My pics are OK, but I'm always playing around with the camera to try and get better pics, just curious what settings and lens u're using.
 
Depending on the wiring of your lights i'd aim for the fiji in possition 3. 4th bulb if you have to.

let us know how you go and post some pics. This bulb really brings out reds, pinks and purples.

Amazing setup! :thumbsup: Seriously, great work mate! :beer: Snaza: Australian for great reefer! :lol: :lol:
 
I am about ready to fill my new 120 gal tank and 75 gal sump. I am using the Constellation fixture and Votech MP40W. I will try the bulb conbination you suggested as I have not ordered my bulbs yet.

I was wondering if I should use the MB7 during the cycle. I am using about 100 lbs of dry Fiji rock and about 2-3" of Carib sugar sand. If I don't start with the MB7, when should it be started. I was planning on running the new tank for a couple of months before putting any livestock in the tank. I have two other tanks, so no hurry.
 
Hey Sonny, what lens r u shooting with and what mode? I have a D80 and I'm using the standard 18-55 VR lens, shooting in "flower" mode. My pics are OK, but I'm always playing around with the camera to try and get better pics, just curious what settings and lens u're using.

Hello,

I have the same lens, dont use the flower mode for anything other then close ups. Personally, I like to use only custom settings. Sometimes I will use portrait or landscape mode for full tank shots, but most of the time I use custom settings.

Basically ISO 200 and auto white balance. This is the greatest Nikon guide out there: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50/d50-settings.htm

He has guides for many cameras, not just the D50.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top