Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[tas5tas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15333297#post15333297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
I have them down about 4", on opposite sides Parallel to each other. So far my corals and system has been loving the unique flow.

That's pretty close to where I have mine........mine are also about 2" away from the front glass so they don't blast corals that are in the middle of the tank. My Blue Voodoo is about 9.5" away on the left side of the tank and my Blue Mili is about 13" away on the right side of the tank. I eventually plan on adding 2 more to put behind my rock structure at the bottom on each side.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15333412#post15333412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tas5tas
That's pretty close to where I have mine........mine are also about 2" away from the front glass so they don't blast corals that are in the middle of the tank. My Blue Voodoo is about 9.5" away on the left side of the tank and my Blue Mili is about 13" away on the right side of the tank. I eventually plan on adding 2 more to put behind my rock structure at the bottom on each side.

2 more?! What are the dimensions of your display tank?

 

[Gondore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15333319#post15333319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
I recently upped it to 2ML and it seems like the best dosage for me right now. I am using 80 proof Vodka.

Oh, and I will have pics for you guys no later then this weekend, most likely tomorrow.

Since we are on the topic of pictures I was wondering what settings you shoot with on your Nikon Sunny?

 

[tas5tas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15333495#post15333495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
2 more?! What are the dimensions of your display tank?

72x18x21.....Barebottom

 

[platax88]

Hey Sunny ... Which bulb combo would you recommend for a 72X24X24 tank. The bulbs would have to be staggered.

OPTION 1

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Option 2

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Fuji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special

THANKS!!!!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15333588#post15333588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
Since we are on the topic of pictures I was wondering what settings you shoot with on your Nikon Sunny?

I will double check them when I got a chance later on today. I know the WB is auto and ISO 200. I have to take at least 150 pics in order to find 10 that I like. Even then, I have to run them through Photoshop and Adobe Lighthouse in order to get the right white balance.

Its not easy taking a good shot with all those blue bulbs.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15333755#post15333755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tas5tas
72x18x21.....Barebottom

Ok, I just seen the tank in your thread. Looks like your systems is doing and look good. :thumbsup:

4 Vortechs may be over kill for you tank. My friend has two in his 180gl(72x24x24) and they do a great job. Its all about finding the right positioning with these pumps.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15334878#post15334878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by platax88
Hey Sunny ... Which bulb combo would you recommend for a 72X24X24 tank. The bulbs would have to be staggered.

OPTION 1

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Option 2

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Fuji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special

THANKS!!!!

Well, it depends on the colors you like. Are you looking for 10K,14K, or 20K?

If it where my tank I would go with option #1. It would probably be a good idea to buy one extra bulb, Blue+ or Fiji Purple, in order to get the exact colors you would like.

 

[platax88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15334956#post15334956 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Well, it depends on the colors you like. Are you looking for 10K,14K, or 20K?

If it where my tank I would go with option #1. It would probably be a good idea to buy one extra bulb, Blue+ or Fiji Purple, in order to get the exact colors you would like.

K... will do!

Gracias Sunny!

 

[reefsahoy]

sunny, do you have the frag tank plumbed into the main tank? if so obviously the water parameters are identical so is there a big difference with coral colors and health between the t5's and MH? what bulb do you use in the MH fixture and is it supplemented with t5's?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15334972#post15334972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
sunny, do you have the frag tank plumbed into the main tank? if so obviously the water parameters are identical so is there a big difference with coral colors and health between the t5's and MH? what bulb do you use in the MH fixture and is it supplemented with t5's?

Yes, the two systems are plumbed together and there is a difference in color. The same corals in the main display under T5 look better. I am not sure if it in because of the move or not but the corals under MH just dont look as good. The coral are healthy annd look good under MH, just not as colorful. One thing I will say is the corals in the MH tank are growing quite well, as fast and in some cases faster then T5.

I am running a 250W DE Phoenix 14K and no supplemental lighting. Im sure that if I were to run a couple Blue+ I would be getting much better looking corals in the MH tank.

If I ever ran MH again it would be with at least two Blue+ T5's. Supplemental lighting makes a big difference when it comes to color.

 

[Gondore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335057#post15335057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Yes, the two systems are plumbed together and there is a difference in color. The same corals in the main display under T5 look better. I am not sure if it in because of the move or not but the corals under MH just dont look as good. The coral are healthy annd look good under MH, just not as colorful. One thing I will say is the corals in the MH tank are growing quite well, as fast and in some cases faster then T5.

I am running a 250W DE Phoenix 14K and no supplemental lighting. Im sure that if I were to run a couple Blue+ I would be getting much better looking corals in the MH tank.

If I ever ran MH again it would be with at least two Blue+ T5's. Supplemental lighting makes a big difference when it comes to color.

I know this comment is highly debatable but I have seen several systems now that have ran both all T5s and then MHs with supplementation and I am convinced that MHs still provide for better growth. I also think that with T5 supplementation and a high K metal halide bulb you can get close to T5 colors. Just my thoughts though.

Did you ever run the Radium bulbs on your last tank Sunny?

 

[Tobit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335077#post15335077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
I know this comment is highly debatable but I have seen several systems now that have ran both all T5s and then MHs with supplementation and I am convinced that MHs still provide for better growth. I also think that with T5 supplementation and a high K metal halide bulb you can get close to T5 colors.

I'd have to agree with this plus there is the added benefit of the shimmer effect you can only get with MH.

On my new 40G Breeder, I am going with 175W 15KK's and a pair of Blue+ T5's. I can't wait to see how it looks. :smokin:

 

[reefsahoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335057#post15335057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Yes, the two systems are plumbed together and there is a difference in color. The same corals in the main display under T5 look better. I am not sure if it in because of the move or not but the corals under MH just dont look as good. The coral are healthy annd look good under MH, just not as colorful. One thing I will say is the corals in the MH tank are growing quite well, as fast and in some cases faster then T5.

I am running a 250W DE Phoenix 14K and no supplemental lighting. Im sure that if I were to run a couple Blue+ I would be getting much better looking corals in the MH tank.

If I ever ran MH again it would be with at least two Blue+ T5's. Supplemental lighting makes a big difference when it comes to color.

as you know i'm running MH giesseman megachrome 14ks and it's supplemented with 4t'5 blue + or giesseman aquablue (i think it's pretty much the same bulb). for me, the greens, orange, and pinks are better than when i had it under t5's but the blues and reds are nowhere near the t5's. i was using figi purple in the t5 setup and will probably be playing bulb swap with the t5s this weekend to custom adjust for colors. I have an arsenal of t5 bulbs including but not limited to figi purple, super atinics, UVL 25. 75, pure atinics, aqua blue+ etc.. hopefully i can get close to the colors i had with t5's.

 

[reefsahoy]

I just want to make it clear that i'm not debating MH vs T5's. I just wanted to know from someone what their experience is with both. I'm a newbie to MH as I've always ran T5's and when i upgraded it was and extreemely difficult decision to try MH's because of the success i had with t5's. It's still a bit early but I'm not happy with the MH colors yet even though it gives shimmer, but hopefully with alittle luck i can adjust and get the results i'm looking for. I will say the MH definitely is a bit hotter and i'm running only 150 watts bulbs for a total of 200 watts more on the identical tank as sunny. The fixture is 18" above the water where the t5's were only 6". only time will tell so i'll be patient.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335077#post15335077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
I know this comment is highly debatable but I have seen several systems now that have ran both all T5s and then MHs with supplementation and I am convinced that MHs still provide for better growth. I also think that with T5 supplementation and a high K metal halide bulb you can get close to T5 colors. Just my thoughts though.

Did you ever run the Radium bulbs on your last tank Sunny?

Growth with MH is a sure thing. I never ran Radiums but I did run 20K XMs which were close in color and with higher PAR.

I think a combo of XM10K and ATI Blue+ bulbs would be great. If I decide to go with a larger tank soon I may have to use a couple MH's as running 100% T5 on a large tank can be tough due to the 5' limitation here in the USA. I cant wait until we get the 6' fixture like the ones in Europe.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335173#post15335173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
I just want to make it clear that i'm not debating MH vs T5's. I just wanted to know from someone what their experience is with both. I'm a newbie to MH as I've always ran T5's and when i upgraded it was and extreemely difficult decision to try MH's because of the success i had with t5's. It's still a bit early but I'm not happy with the MH colors yet even though it gives shimmer, but hopefully with alittle luck i can adjust and get the results i'm looking for. I will say the MH definitely is a bit hotter and i'm running only 150 watts bulbs for a total of 200 watts more on the identical tank as sunny. The fixture is 18" above the water where the t5's were only 6". only time will tell so i'll be patient.

Give it time. MH's are tried and true and they will color up and grow corals. 18" seems awfully high even for MH's. When I was running MH on my last setup I had the reflectors about 6" over the rim of the tank.

 

[reefsahoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335305#post15335305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Give it time. MH's are tried and true and they will color up and grow corals. 18" seems awfully high even for MH's. When I was running MH on my last setup I had the reflectors about 6" over the rim of the tank.

yeah i know 18" is high but being extra careful not to shock the corals from the transition. will lower the lights to 12 " by sunday. like i've said i'm a newbie to MH so don't want to have any bad experiences! lol
how often are you vacuuming your sand?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335330#post15335330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
yeah i know 18" is high but being extra careful not to shock the corals from the transition. will lower the lights to 12 " by Sunday. like I've said i'm a newbie to MH so don't want to have any bad experiences! lol
how often are you vacuuming your sand?

Yeah, take your time and allow the corals to properly adjust.

I am vacuuming the sandbed about once a month now.

 

[A.VOID]

Sunny:

I've been vodka dosing for a couple months, and I have my maintenance dose now at 1.6.
I got some of the annoying Cyano on my rocks, so I'm starting M7 this week-end. Cyano is nothing out of control, but annoying and I don't want it.

What's your thoughts on M7 dosing amounts for my system?
I'm zero'd out now on nitates and po4. So this would be low nutrient.
Also, I see you just leave the skimmer running for your M7. I assumed that's not an issue since I add the bacteria to the sump.