Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13955320#post13955320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cato
Hey Sonny, apologies if this was already asked/answered. How are you dosing Reefbooster? Time/skimmer off etc... Thanks.

I dose it week or every other week depending on what I see going on in the tank. If my glass is getting dirty quickly or my skimmer is still pulling out alot of gunk ill wait.

When I dose it I drop it in during the day. I turn off my main system pump and skimmer for about 2 hours. Many people would say that dosing at night is best but my corals all extend their feeders anyway when feeding.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13955352#post13955352 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ty1e
does the constellation have active cooling?
do you think it's better then the solar flare.

Yes, it has active cooling. You also get an extra bulb with the constellation. The Solareflare will overdrive your bulbs which will increase output but decrease lifespan.

I would go with the Constellation.

 

[Ty1e]

sounds good sunny.

 

[Lowredranger]

Great looking Tank sunny i got through the whole thread today, loving the new setup.

Have you considered doing more with a cleanup crew instead of having to vacuum?

Since you seem to be the expert on t-5's I have been looking at the ATI powermodule 10x80w for a 72x36x25. Do you think that will be a good mixed reef light or i know they are coming out with a new 6 bulb sunpower module and i considered going with 2 of those.

Can't wait to see the tank in 6 months.

Jason

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13973362#post13973362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lowredranger
Great looking Tank sunny i got through the whole thread today, loving the new setup.

Have you considered doing more with a cleanup crew instead of having to vacuum?

Since you seem to be the expert on t-5's I have been looking at the ATI powermodule 10x80w for a 72x36x25. Do you think that will be a good mixed reef light or i know they are coming out with a new 6 bulb sunpower module and i considered going with 2 of those.

Can't wait to see the tank in 6 months.

Jason

Thank you.

I wouldn't be able to support a cleanup crew with my tank being as clean as it is. They would starve or eat each other in due time.

I have had cleanup crews in the past but have found them to be more trouble then they are worth. They knock over small corals and frags, add to the bio load, and look ugly on the glass and in the tank.

I have two snails, two large serpent stars, and a million pods and bristle worms. The bristle worms do a great job of keeping the tank clean so I am happy.

The problem I see with cleanup crews is that people over do them, and part of the blame lies on retailers. You DO NOT NEED 100 snails or a 100 crabs in your tank. If you do, then you have issues in your tank that need to be addressed.

I may end up adding 4-8 scarlet red hermit crabs. They are probably the most docile of all hermits and usually are good tank mates. With my tank being so clean, feeding them may be a problem.

The stuff I vacuumed up from the sand bed was very, very small in particle size so I am not sure a cleanup crew would have helped. I don't mind vacuuming the sand once a month. Its pretty easy to do in my tank since it is shallow and open top. It doesn't take me any longer to do then a regular water change.


The Ati 10x80W would be a great fixture for your tank. You should have no problems growing anything in there. If you want to save a little money tank a look at the 72" Aquactinic Constellation or even a Ice Cap Retrofit. I seen some nice Ice Cap retros there with bulbs for a good price. I wouldn't go more than 10 bulbs. A mix of blue and white bulbs will give you the growth and color we are all looking for.

I also cant wait to see my tank in 6 months.

 

[Lowredranger]

Thanks Sunny, yea i wasn't sure about the clean up crew i just didn't know if there sand sifting would keep your sand from clumping.

I like the constellation fixture as well i just figured i would have to get 2 of them for the width of tank. That was why i was hoping 10bulbs would be good so i only have to go with 1 fixture. I looked into the retrofits i just thought i read that without the active cooling they aren't as good. I looked at 9 overdriven bulbs 100w each from reefgeek but after seeing all the nice fixtures figured i would go open top and do one of them.

We may not even have to wait 6 months on your tank as fast as your corals grow.

Jason

 

[snaza]

Hi Sonny,

You replied to my thead about still having dark SPS tissue. thanks for that. Anyway, i wanted to know how you get your water so clean and nutrients so low? We can:t get prodibio here in Australia so i started vodka dosing. What is your dosing schedule and what products?

tank look as good as always

thanks

Aaron

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13981876#post13981876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hi Sonny,

You replied to my thead about still having dark SPS tissue. thanks for that. Anyway, i wanted to know how you get your water so clean and nutrients so low? We can:t get prodibio here in Australia so i started vodka dosing. What is your dosing schedule and what products?

tank look as good as always

thanks

Aaron

Hello Aaron,


I currently dose vodka following the 80 proof schedule in this article: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

I have been dosing Prodibio Reefbooster every couple weeks or so but that really has nothing to due with water clarity.

I dose 4 drop of Lugols solution once a week.

I use a two part dosing solution and manually add alk and Ca daily.

I think my over sized skimmer skimmer really keeps the tank looking clear. Since dosing vodka it has really been pulling out some awful stuff.

I use carbon and replace it once a month.

I do water changes of 10-20% every 2-4 weeks.

Not really much else I can think of......

 

[CeeGee]

Sonny,

Can you give me your thoughts about how to set up good flow?

The setup of my 75 is imminent and I am worried about not getting the flow right. I am going to be running two stream 6100's (upgrading my 6000's :rollface ) and I bought a nano stream 6045 to blow across the bottom of my tank (may need more don't know yet) and yes it will be bare bottom.

I really want to get the detritus down to the skimmer this go round. I am pretty sure a big part of my current tanks problems is the fact that not enough of the dirt makes it to the skimmer.

Thanks,
C.G.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13983105#post13983105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
Sonny,

Can you give me your thoughts about how to set up good flow?

The setup of my 75 is imminent and I am worried about not getting the flow right. I am going to be running two stream 6100's (upgrading my 6000's :rollface ) and I bought a nano stream 6045 to blow across the bottom of my tank (may need more don't know yet) and yes it will be bare bottom.

I really want to get the detritus down to the skimmer this go round. I am pretty sure a big part of my current tanks problems is the fact that not enough of the dirt makes it to the skimmer.

Thanks,
C.G.

Well, from what you have listed it sounds like you will have adequate flow. I would place a powerhead in the sump also to keep detritus in suspension.

Where in the tank do you plan on putting the 6100's?

 

[CeeGee]

Probably on the back walls. Not really sure that is why I was asking for your thoughts. It is pretty obvious that I got something wrong on my 38 gallon as the detritus settles on the bottom instead of ending up in my skimmer cup. I have more than enough flow in my current 38 and my skimmer is way overkill (although it isn't a very good skimmer overall imo) for the size tank I am running. I plan on getting something good down the road like a atb or something of that caliber. I wouldn't mind getting this tank going well though and spend a little money on some livestock for a change. I haven't bought anything other than three turbo snails in over 2 years!

My powerhead placement presents a little bit of a challenge as my overflow is in the left back corner. I do think I would like to keep all the powerheads on the back as I have it painted black and the powerheads are black.

Dang I messed up my rollface on that previous post! :mad2:

 

[SunnyX]

Ok, maybe something like this?

If you want to keep them on the back wall then just angle them towards the front center.

 

[snaza]

Thank,

do you still run rowaphos? Do you still use bioptim or biodigest? Do you find lugos solution worthwhile. Does it improve sps colors?

thanks

 

[CeeGee]

your drawing makes alot of sense as that would create a "swirling" motion that would get things moving towards the overflow.

I think I will try the front center and if that isn't working I will move the streams to the position you have drawn out and try that.

Thanks for the help.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13983802#post13983802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Thank,

do you still run rowaphos? Do you still use bioptim or biodigest? Do you find lugos solution worthwhile. Does it improve sps colors?

thanks

Hello again,

I am still using Rowa but only until I exhaust whats left in the reactor. A couple more weeks and it should be off completely. I don't want it competing with the bacteria for food.

I have replaced Bioptim with vodka. I am finding better results with vodka, increased skimmate, water clarity, etc.

I still use Biodigest but may give the Brightwell Bacteria a shot soon.

I have been using Lugols for years with great results. I received a nice sps coral from my friend a month ago. It looked good but when I placed it into my tank the tip turned an intense blue within two weeks. It really helps keep the corals healthy and brings out the blues in your corals. If you are not using it I would give it a try. I dose four drops a week.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13985772#post13985772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
your drawing makes alot of sense as that would create a "swirling" motion that would get things moving towards the overflow.

I think I will try the front center and if that isn't working I will move the streams to the position you have drawn out and try that.

Thanks for the help.

Check out this article, its a great read. CLICK HERE

 

[CeeGee]

Bookmarked.

Thanks Sonny. I will check it out late tonight after the kids are asleep!

 

[Brandan]

Sonny, I can't help to notice that you do not have hardly any LR in your DT. Last week when I did some re-aquascaping, I removed 3 10" pieces of LR from my DT and placed them in the fuge. I would like to remove more and have two islands as you do in your tank. HOWEVER, I have having trouble mounting some of my larger corals. My Green Staghorn is attached to a 4" piece of LR and it tips over very easily if not placed just right, and my Stylophora is becoming very hard to manage due to it being on on frag plug still. Do you have any advice on mounting larger colonies and how you plan to manage yours once they start growing into each other.

 

[SunnyX]

Brandan,

Larger corals can sometimes be a pain. I have a very large Tri color that took 30 minutes alone to place right. There really is to secret to placing large corals, you just need to keep working it until it fits.

To combat coral warfare I try and keep similar corals next to each other. On the left side of my tank I have green, orange, and Superman Digi's growing next to each other. If corals are touching and causing problems you will have to frag them.

Be sure to give your corals lots of space to grow. Many reefers make the mistake of placing too many corals in their tanks, causing issues down the road.

 

[grandp10]

Hi Sonny, I know you said you took out the procolor and the colors are still great without it. Do the pinks still look good without the red spectrum. I am running 2 UVL aquasuns and this is kind of similar maybe not quite as red as a procolor though. Thanks