Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14629345#post14629345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rutz81
I read that article a while back, too. I am by no means smarter than them, but, it doesn't make sense to me. If the water is moving in a gyre type flow, won't it make the corals grow in an unorthodox way, since all the water will always be flowing in the same direction? To me it sounds like they want you to create a "toilet bowl" effect, where all the water is moving, it just seems not right to me.

There definitely is that school of thought too...but I think the point they make is that in a reef tank, you won't get a true gyre because the LR will break up the flow and make it chaotic (so you don't need opposing powerheads to achieve randow flow). But you still want to strive for a gyre type flow to maximize your average water velocity (and thus the amount of water passing over your corals and delivering minerals for calcification and food), and then you just let the aquascape add randomness.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14630309#post14630309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
There definitely is that school of thought too...but I think the point they make is that in a reef tank, you won't get a true gyre because the LR will break up the flow and make it chaotic (so you don't need opposing powerheads to achieve randow flow). But you still want to strive for a gyre type flow to maximize your average water velocity (and thus the amount of water passing over your corals and delivering minerals for calcification and food), and then you just let the aquascape add randomness.

Thats a great explanation. :thumbsup:

Ill give it a whirl when I get home and let you guys know how it goes. Although I may be a little delayed, our first good day of weather may hold me up.

 

[volcom69]

Glad you like them i also have 2 and love them. What speed do you have yours on.

 

[uhuru]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14629345#post14629345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rutz81
I read that article a while back, too. I am by no means smarter than them, but, it doesn't make sense to me. If the water is moving in a gyre type flow, won't it make the corals grow in an unorthodox way, since all the water will always be flowing in the same direction? To me it sounds like they want you to create a "toilet bowl" effect, where all the water is moving, it just seems not right to me.

ideally you would have the gyre alternate direction of flow every 15-30 min... unfortunately you can't do this with vortechs on their controllers (yet), though I remember in their forum they were thinking of including longer intervals in the future

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14631139#post14631139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by volcom69
Glad you like them i also have 2 and love them. What speed do you have yours on.

Currently I only have one but plan on getting another one very soon.

I have it set at 100% in "Reef Crest" mode. I have played around with a few modes and have not really settled on anything yet.

What mode are you running?

 

[volcom69]

Both are on reef crest mode and both are about 75% or alittle less on speed. If i go anymore then this the water will splash out of the tank lol. These are my main source of waterflow plus my return, have a good bit of water flow. Everyone seems to like it except my green birdsnest it seems to get hit pretty good with water flow off the glass, but his polyps are still out.

 

[ONEWAY]

Hi sunny love your tank I see you had the best of both worlds in terms of lighting so id like to know if you can help me out. I have a 120 long sps tank with 3 250 watt mh 20k radium and 3 80 watt t5s. Iwant to go with 9 80watt t5s what do you think? It seems like I can never get my tank bright enough and I dont know that my corals are getting enough light.

 

[jamierk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14627890#post14627890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
jamie here's a full translation of his web site. keep in mind that in every translation there's gonna be some amount of what i call "read between the lines interpettation" to get the full info. no secret here! lol

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translat.../4534/156972.html&lp=de_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

Lol, those translations are classic:

"The fish existence was somewhat supplemented"
Sounds a bit sci-fi to me

"July 2008: after long Abstinenz"
Has anyone else tried abstinence as a technique for improving sps coloration?

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14633062#post14633062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ONEWAY
Hi sunny love your tank I see you had the best of both worlds in terms of lighting so id like to know if you can help me out. I have a 120 long sps tank with 3 250 watt mh 20k radium and 3 80 watt t5s. Iwant to go with 9 80watt t5s what do you think? It seems like I can never get my tank bright enough and I dont know that my corals are getting enough light.

I'll chime in that that is waaaaaay overkill. A 120 long is about 18" wide correct? No more than 6x80w is needed to light that up IMO.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14633555#post14633555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
I'll chime in that that is waaaaaay overkill. A 120 long is about 18" wide correct? No more than 6x80w is needed to light that up IMO.

LOL with 9x80w you could probably watch the corals bleach in real time. :lol: Go with the 6x80W as Mcliffy2 already suggested.

If your tank is a 120 Long(60x18x24?) six bulbs will be more then enough.

 

[Leopard Man]

Sunny,

THis is a fantastic tank. It's so relaxing and so colourful.

OK, I have a 30Lx25wx18H tank, would a 10x24w ATI power module or any other 10x24w T5 light fixture be too much light? Would I just need 8x24w?

Thanks!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14635127#post14635127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leopard Man
Sunny,

THis is a fantastic tank. It's so relaxing and so colourful.

OK, I have a 30Lx25wx18H tank, would a 10x24w ATI power module or any other 10x24w T5 light fixture be too much light? Would I just need 8x24w?

Thanks!

Thank you.

I would go with the 8x24w option. You could go for the 10 bulb option and use the extra bulbs for actinics but I don't think its worth the extra money.

 

[boodlefish]

Sonny, i think a FTS is in order, you know due to the vortech mp40w upgrade...

i Knew you would like them, now can we see them? please?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14636636#post14636636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boodlefish
Sonny, i think a FTS is in order, you know due to the vortech mp40w upgrade...

i Knew you would like them, now can we see them? please?

OK, since you asked so nicely.

Ill have some pics up for sure this afternoon.

My corals are really loving the VorTech. :smokin:

 

[kaserpick]

Sonny, are you still using two part for your Ca+, Alk, and Mg? If so, how do you like it? Also, how do you dose it (litermeter, daily dose, etc.)? Thanks!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14636904#post14636904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaserpick
Sonny, are you still using two part for your Ca+, Alk, and Mg? If so, how do you like it? Also, how do you dose it (litermeter, daily dose, etc.)? Thanks!

Yes, still doing the Randy's Two Part. I like using it because its simple and gets thee job done. My corals are growing great and my levels stay stable. I guess the only bad thing about it is you need to watch your salinity level as the dosing will raise it. I mostly offset this by skimming wet but from time to time I will swap out some tank water for fresh water to correct the levels.

I love the fact that I don't have the problems of PO4 addition,CO2, and low PH problems as i had with a Ca reactor. For now, I manually dose 70ml a day of Ca and Alk. I thought about getting a dosing pump but it really isnt worth the cost. It only takes me about 10 seconds to dose so I feel it would be waste full to buy a dosing pump.

All in all I find that I am having better success with the two part than the Ca reactor and Deltec Kalk stirrer I previously ran.

 

[macreefster]

glad youre enjoying the vortech sonny, you'll love having two even more!

if the invite is still open i'd love to come see your tank and have you check out mine. i just started dosing vodka today and would love for you evaluate my system and give me some pointers.

looking forward to seeing your new pics.

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14635875#post14635875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Thank you.

I would go with the 8x24w option. You could go for the 10 bulb option and use the extra bulbs for actinics but I don't think its worth the extra money.

Thanks! 8x24W it is

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637134#post14637134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by macreefster
glad youre enjoying the vortech sonny, you'll love having two even more!

if the invite is still open i'd love to come see your tank and have you check out mine. i just started dosing vodka today and would love for you evaluate my system and give me some pointers.

looking forward to seeing your new pics.

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you on the PM. I get a ton of PM's everyday so sometimes I fall behind. I have been pretty busy with work/school lately but will probably have some free time this or next weekend.

Let me know how the vodka works out for you. You should see a noticeable clearing of your water within the first two days. Just be sure to keep your simmer running as bacteria can quickly eat up available oxygen.

 

[SunnyX]

If my tank wasn't rimless I would love to do a Gyre wave like this : http://vimeo.com/3624039