Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[SunnyX]

More pics. You will notice that some corals have been trimmed back and moved:

Pink Lemonade growing fast!

Ride the wave!

 

[Henry Bowman]

Sonny,

What kind of substrate are you using and how deep is it?
Have any specific critters cleaning it?

 

[jennmac415]

Sonny,

my nitrates are at 0... and have been for some time... although I have been using sugar instead of vodka to keep them at 0...do I now begin using MB7??? and should I switch to vodka? and when do the AA begin??? I am still confused at the actual logistics of all of this... I understand what each DOES... just don't understand the dosing of it all...sorry...remember, I am just an old "reefmama"...LOL ... as always thanks for all your help.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15535200#post15535200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dmorel
Hi Sunny,
I've read way more of this thread than should be possible over the last few weeks

Obviously, awesome info and an amazing tank.

I've been dosing the MB7 for two weeks now and getting ready to start on dosing vodka today. Anecdotally I can tell you I do see a difference in water clarity. I think it's more to do with binding up particulate in the water than anything, but I like it!

Wanted to run a few things past you if you don't mind.


You say you run your GFO 5 days a month.
Do you let the reactor simply sit in between? I would be concerned about the foul water in the reactor after a long period of time... Or do you run it passively as you do the carbon?

Speaking of carbon, you do run some passive carbon, but I believe you've stated in the past that there is no reason not to run carbon in a reactor. I intend to continue running carbon in the reactor. See any reason that's a problem?

Looks like people are all over the place on ozone, the RC article (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php) on vodka dosing seems to be in favor of it. I do have ozone running now and think I shall continue, but would appreciate your thoughts. UV I get, and the zeo-heads seems to be against using anything other than zeo, but seems like a simple MB7/Vodka regimen ozone should be ok, perhaps even desirable. Have thoughts on that?

Refugium is currently reasonably stocked with algaes. Wait until they start die off, then pull em? After that, does the fuge serve any purpose other than a place for more rock and water volume?

Lastly, thanks. There are many great threads on RC that advance the hobby for so many of us and this is a quintessential example of one of those.

-dm

Hello,

When not running the GFO reactor on my tank I am using it on my new salt water. I run carbon passively and see no problems running it through a reactor.

Most reefers wont run ozone as it is really not needed when your water has almost no nutrients. With the water already being so clear and clean Ozone may hurt the system by making it "too clean".

The algae will eventually die off, its up to you if you would like to remove the algae now or wait and see if carbon dosing is for you.

Sonny

 

[stunreefer]

Looks awesome bro, keep it up! :thumbsup:

I feel a TOTM Round 2 comin' up...

 

[Reeferon]

Hi Sonny:
First I want to say, thanks for all the great help you've provided to the reefing community!

and I have a question:
I am going to be setting up a 30 or 40 breeder soon. I have a lumenbright 250 set up that I was going to use.

The thing is, I am trying to set up this tank as economically and ecologically efficient as possible.
Aquatic life has a 4 bulb T5 fixture that I am considering getting. Its not the prettiest fixture, but the price is right.

Do you think this 4 bulb fixture will be enough to keep sps happy and growing? ...or should I stick with the 250/175 single 20K halide in the lumenbright reflector?

Thanks again.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15544030#post15544030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
Looks awesome bro, keep it up! :thumbsup:

I feel a TOTM Round 2 comin' up...

It would an honor to win once again. If my fellow reefers deem my reef fit to win a second time and nominate me, then I can only humbly accept.

I really appreciate the positive feedback from everyone here. You guys keep me interested and passionate about reefing. :thumbsup:

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15535876#post15535876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RealReef7
hey sunny just curious how much did that orange cap you had in your old tank grow in a month? In your experience are they fast growers or on the slower side? Btw your new tank looks stunning as well.

Hello and thank you!

I dont have any measurements on how fast my orange cap grew in the past but I can tell you that it was a fast grower once it reached the proper size.

Like most corals, the orange cap will start out slow but will then exponentially grow based on how large the coral is. The larger the coral, the faster the growth appears to be.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15537174#post15537174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
I think your suppose to keep ramping up the dosage till NO3 and PO3 is down to nothing.

+1

Keep upping the dose on the Vodka until the levels reach 0. the No3 will hit 0 much sooner then the Po4.

Just keep on dosing and let the vodka do its magic.

 

[SunnyX]

Re: sand

Re: sand

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15539602#post15539602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SOLANA34
hello sunny i was wondering do you get any sand storms even with the larger sand? What do you think of bare bottom/starboard bottom tankss over sand??

Hello,

With the larger grain sand I have no issues with sandstorms, even with the Vortech's going 100%.

I have tried BB in the past and absolutely hated it. It looked horrible and I had the hardest time keeping my PH/ALK in check.

Some people have no issues with BB, but in a carbon based system I would not have one.

 

[adddo]

Its so beautiful that its almost unbelievable. I loved your last tank with all the big corals especially the huge montiporas. This tank is a stunner in its own sence with smaller corals that seems to thrive and color out very nicely.

Guessing you will be the first to have two separate tanks becoming TOTM

 

[rtparty]

Sunny,

Great thread! Your tank really is gorgeous.

I have a few questions for you. I am getting ready to set up a 40 gallon breeder that will be SPS dominate. I have decided to go the route of Vodka dosing and using MB7. Should I start dosing from day 1 or let it cylce a little and then start the dosing?

Also how do you keep the acans from bleaching? That is a big concern for me. I will be running 6 T5's over the tank and am worrying I may have too much light to keep them happy.

Thanks man!

Ryan

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15541359#post15541359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mark54321
Hi Sonny,I started dosing MB7 for 15 days now and starting to dose vodka ,I am on my 3rd day now at 0.25ml (total water volume is 65gal.).Per instructions i found on this thread i am going to up the dose to 0.5ml for next 3 days.According to salifert tests my NO3 and PO4 are 0,but i have some macroalge growing so i know there are nutrients in my tank.My questions is how do i find out the right dose for my system if i can't measure NO3 & PO4,what would you do?Thanx Sonny great thread and awesome tank you have

Hello,

If levels are at 0 I would stay with your current dose. So long as your corals are colorful and growing I wouldn't worry about the macro algae as it will eventually starve and die off. If you can, I suggest you pull out as much of it as you can.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15543328#post15543328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BucNtears
Sunny I took your advice and removed all the sand and cheato from my sump. The only thing I've left was the live rock(suspended) off the bottom and placed a modded maxijet 900 for water movement(placed under rock). I have increased water movement in the tank as well(via tuze nanostreams). The sump is lighted on a reverse cycle.

I've been dosing Vodka for several weeks and finally I've reached the near 0 stage. I'm dosing 1 ml, I'm feeding more and also I'm only dosing AA once a week.

I'm topping of with just RO (no kalk) Ph swing from am to pm is 8.05-8.17.

I'll list all parameters and hopefully you can guide me as to where I'm at and what my next step should be.

Thanks for all the help this thread has given me and everyone else...

Ph 8.05
Temp 80.0
Ca. 460 (still dailing my controller in)
Dkh 7.728 Alk. 2.76 (dailed in)
Mg. 1500
N03 5ppm
P04 0 undectable

Hello,

I am glad that the recommendations have worked out well for you. You are planting the seeds of success, continue on this path and soon you will be enjoying the fruits of you labor.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15543375#post15543375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Henry Bowman
Sonny,

What kind of substrate are you using and how deep is it?
Have any specific critters cleaning it?

Hello,

I am using Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade sand. It is .5-1" deep.

Other then 1,000,000+ bristle worms I have two very large serpent stars.

I vacuum the sand once a month in order to keep the shallow bed from becoming a nutrient sink.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15543964#post15543964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
Sonny,

my nitrates are at 0... and have been for some time... although I have been using sugar instead of vodka to keep them at 0...do I now begin using MB7??? and should I switch to vodka? and when do the AA begin??? I am still confused at the actual logistics of all of this... I understand what each DOES... just don't understand the dosing of it all...sorry...remember, I am just an old "reefmama"...LOL ... as always thanks for all your help.

Hello,

If sugar is working well for you then I see no need to change over to vodka. I prefer vodka as it is easier to measure and dose.

You can start MB7 now but with the "low Nutrient" dose as you have already gotten your nutrients down.

The AA's should only be used ONLY if and when your corals start to lighten up due to a lack of nutrients. Usually you will have to be a few months into the MB7/carbon dosing before having the need to use AA's. A safer method of supplementing the corals would be to simply feed your fish more.

I have guide on my method in the works. It will be illustrated and provide clear and concise information. I have been busy lately so its taking longer to put the guide together. I still need to contact a few other reefers to see what information they would also like to include.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15544048#post15544048 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reeferon
Hi Sonny:
First I want to say, thanks for all the great help you've provided to the reefing community!

and I have a question:
I am going to be setting up a 30 or 40 breeder soon. I have a lumenbright 250 set up that I was going to use.

The thing is, I am trying to set up this tank as economically and ecologically efficient as possible.
Aquatic life has a 4 bulb T5 fixture that I am considering getting. Its not the prettiest fixture, but the price is right.

Do you think this 4 bulb fixture will be enough to keep sps happy and growing? ...or should I stick with the 250/175 single 20K halide in the lumenbright reflector?

Thanks again.

Hello and thank you!

I have not heard much information the Aquatic life fixture so I really cant comment on its performance. I am sure some reefers over in the lighting section here on RC.

I do know that you would have no problems with a 250W MH over the new tank.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15544337#post15544337 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Sunny,

Great thread! Your tank really is gorgeous.

I have a few questions for you. I am getting ready to set up a 40 gallon breeder that will be SPS dominate. I have decided to go the route of Vodka dosing and using MB7. Should I start dosing from day 1 or let it cylce a little and then start the dosing?

Also how do you keep the acans from bleaching? That is a big concern for me. I will be running 6 T5's over the tank and am worrying I may have too much light to keep them happy.

Thanks man!

Ryan

Hello,

I would start up the MB7 day one, heavy dosage. Hold off on the vodka until 2-4 weeks out depending on what happens in the tank/cycle.

I have my acans on the outskirts of the lighting as they will bleach even on the sand bed if placed directly under the T5's. Your best bet it to create a section of sand where the light is not directly over it for the acans and other LPS.

 

[saltygeek]

Looks great as always. Thanks for posting the pink lemonade! Its gonna be a mini colony in no time!

 

[AlexNg]

hi sunny

thanks your detail to me , i am keeping sps better than not use mb7 be4.

More than two weeks started to have different

i am dosing with VODKA now ( using mb7 day 15 )