Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[Gondore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335285#post15335285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
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.

From what I have seen and read the Radiums provide more pop then what the XM 20Ks do.

I previously ran Reeflux 10k bulbs and man were they REALLY bright. They were almost like looking at the sun or something. I used two T5s for supplementation and I have to say you could tell a difference because the 10K just dominated. I have a feeling this would be the same with the XM 10Ks. What I was surpised to find is that my growth was as good with the 20K Radiums as it had been with the 10K Reeflux bulbs.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335374#post15335374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
From what I have seen and read the Radiums provide more pop then what the XM 20Ks do.

I previously ran Reeflux 10k bulbs and man were they REALLY bright. They were almost like looking at the sun or something. I used two T5s for supplementation and I have to say you could tell a difference because the 10K just dominated. I have a feeling this would be the same with the XM 10Ks. What I was surprised to find is that my growth was as good with the 20K Radiums as it had been with the 10K Reeflux bulbs.

The Radiums do put out a color like nothing else out there. The XM10K were probably my favorite of all the MH I have ever used. The color and sheer volume of light they produce cant be touched by other MH's.

 

[Gondore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335914#post15335914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
The Radiums do put out a color like nothing else out there. The XM10K were probably my favorite of all the MH I have ever used. The color and sheer volume of light they produce cant be touched by other MH's.

You think the XM 10Ks have better color then the Radiums? What ballast did you run them on?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335358#post15335358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

Hello

Red Cyano was the reason why I initially incorporated MB7 into my vodka dosing regiment.

On a 75G I would start at 6 drops per day and stick to it for two weeks. After that I would decrease or increase the dosage based on your observations.

I dose the bacteria directly into the main display while the skimmer continues to operate.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335928#post15335928 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
You think the XM 10Ks have better color then the Radiums? What ballast did you run them on?

The Radiums put out amazing colors but its all personal preference. The XM10k's with blue+ or Actinic supplementation looks the best and most natural to MY eyes.

I love the color I had on my old tank with the XM10K's and actinic's:

 

[Quatro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335351#post15335351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Yeah, take your time and allow the corals to properly adjust.

I am vacuuming the sandbed about once a month now.

In theory, wouldn't vacuuming the sand bed prove to be detrimental for the bacterial population you are cultivating with the MB7 and Vodka? Any negative side effects? Are you pulling out a lot of debris from the sandbed during a vacuum? When you siphon, do you stay in one spot until the water runs clear out of the sand?

Thanks

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15336213#post15336213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Quatro
In theory, wouldn't vacuuming the sand bed prove to be detrimental for the bacterial population you are cultivating with the MB7 and Vodka? Any negative side effects? Are you pulling out a lot of debris from the sandbed during a vacuum? When you siphon, do you stay in one spot until the water runs clear out of the sand?

Thanks

I offset any loss of bacteria with a large dose of MB7(4 caps spread over a day). When I siphon out the sandbed I leave the hose in one spot until it has run clear. I pull out nasty black detritus every month when siphoning, usually 3 buckets worth of it.

I have been doing this monthly with no negative side effects thus far. Only time will tell how well the vacuuming will work out.

 

[Mike de Leon]

Hey Sonny What do you think of this deal, someone selling a second hand unit here in Toronto-

Sfiligoi Stealth 12x80watt 60" T5HO, with bulbs less than 2 months old, includes 8 ATI Blu Plus, 2 ATI AquaBlue Special and 2 ATI Procolor - $1800

This unit is 2K USD brand new. What do you think of the bulb selection?

Thanks,
mike

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15340627#post15340627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike de Leon
Hey Sonny What do you think of this deal, someone selling a second hand unit here in Toronto-

Sfiligoi Stealth 12x80watt 60" T5HO, with bulbs less than 2 months old, includes 8 ATI Blu Plus, 2 ATI AquaBlue Special and 2 ATI Procolor - $1800

This unit is 2K USD brand new. What do you think of the bulb selection?

Thanks,
mike

Sounds like a great deal to me!

The bulbs look good but I would swap out the Pro colors for Aquablue Specials.

The Stealth is a beautiful fixture, congrats!

 

[Mike de Leon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15340640#post15340640 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Sounds like a great deal to me!

The bulbs look good but I would swap out the Pro colors for Aquablue Specials.

The Stealth is a beautiful fixture, congrats!

I haven't bought it yet. I am hesitant due to the number of bulbs. Seems a little much.

 

[JCR's Reef]

More bulbs just means more color Gives you more to play around with. Not all of them have to be high PAR'd bulbs..

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15340672#post15340672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike de Leon
I haven't bought it yet. I am hesitant due to the number of bulbs. Seems a little much.

You are right, I just noticed you tank is 28" wide. 12 bulbs may be a bit over kill. I wouldnt go more then 10 bulbs on your tank.

10 bulb ATI Powermodule WITH bulbs $1469:

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...__10x80W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

 

[JCR's Reef]

Is there a general rule of thumb to how many t5's to put over a tank? Besides the 50/50 mix..

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15341147#post15341147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCR's Reef
Is there a general rule of thumb to how many t5's to put over a tank? Besides the 50/50 mix..

I dont believe so. It all depends on where you would like to place your corals.

You could run a 4' fixture on a 6 foot tank if you placed the corals accordingly.

My next system wont have light over the entire tank.

 

[JCR's Reef]

I have a tank thats 30" high x 6'L. Its being lit right now with only one 150w MH in the center. I really dont think the whole entire tank needs to be lit for corals to live. You just wont be able to produce the colors you want with 1 bulb. I'm maintaining montipora on the bottom of the 30" tank in the sandbed. LPS and Softies seem to be getting enough light for them to thrive on the sides of the tank too.

 

[Gondore]

Do you plan to post new pics this weekend Sunny?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15341426#post15341426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
Do you plan to post new pics this weekend Sunny?

I will have some up for you guys this evening.

 

[xtm]

Hi Sonny,

I've been following your tank thread, and I must say I'm very impressed with your attention to detail and your tank in general. Keep up the great work!

Let me share something I learned from one of your threads.. I found an old Lugols bottle in the garage, still full. If I recall correctly I might have used it for dips, and dips ONLY. So I took it and started dosing Lugols in my tank - 2 drops per day, everyday, for 3 weeks. All I can say is.... well, there's DEFINITELY an improvement in coloration! My Milleporas have never had a great PE, now it's so hairy that I can't even see the skin anymore!

I'm thinking about trying Vodka next

Again, thanks for the advice. Lugols is good stuff.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15341711#post15341711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
Hi Sonny,

I've been following your tank thread, and I must say I'm very impressed with your attention to detail and your tank in general. Keep up the great work!

Let me share something I learned from one of your threads.. I found an old Lugols bottle in the garage, still full. If I recall correctly I might have used it for dips, and dips ONLY. So I took it and started dosing Lugols in my tank - 2 drops per day, everyday, for 3 weeks. All I can say is.... well, there's DEFINITELY an improvement in coloration! My Milleporas have never had a great PE, now it's so hairy that I can't even see the skin anymore!

I'm thinking about trying Vodka next

Again, thanks for the advice. Lugols is good stuff.

Hello and thank you!

I am glad the Lugols has worked out well for you. I have been using it for years with great results.

If you plan on starting up vodka next I suggest to add a bacterial supplement as well, such as MB7(Brightwell Microbacter7). This will ensure that you are feeding only the "good" bacteria and aid in preventing bad bacteria such as red cyano from forming.

Good luck!

Sonny :thumbsup:

 

[SunnyX]

New pics coming within the hour......are you excited?!

Nothing really special, just some full tank shots and stuff.......