Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704050#post14704050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
Looking forward to the pics...

Since you are already here, I have a question for you.

What are your thoughts on the Fiji Purple bulb? Does it help bring out certain colors? Basically, does it live up to the hype?

 

[tatoofr]

Hi Sonny,
If you were using prodibio and get red slime what would you do,
keep dosing the bacs without the bioptim?
Thanks,
Frank

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704258#post14704258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Since you are already here, I have a question for you.

What are your thoughts on the Fiji Purple bulb? Does it help bring out certain colors? Basically, does it live up to the hype?

I love it - it brings out the reds/pinks, has a TON of PAR (about the same as the daylight bulbs), and doesn't have the yellow/orange overtones like a pro color does (a bulb I really don't like for a number of reasons - both the color and the fact it puts out as much PAR as an actinic).

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704306#post14704306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
I love it - it brings out the reds/pinks, has a TON of PAR (about the same as the daylight bulbs), and doesn't have the yellow/orange overtones like a pro color does (a bulb I really don't like for a number of reasons - both the color and the fact it puts out as much PAR as an actinic).

Sounds good. I was just worried about getting a bulb that would make my tank look pink.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704280#post14704280 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Hi Sonny,
If you were using prodibio and get red slime what would you do,
keep dosing the bacs without the bioptim?
Thanks,
Frank

Yes, continue dosing bacteria but back off the carbon source. Siphoning out as much slime as you can will help speed along the process.

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704306#post14704306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
I love it - it brings out the reds/pinks, has a TON of PAR (about the same as the daylight bulbs), and doesn't have the yellow/orange overtones like a pro color does (a bulb I really don't like for a number of reasons - both the color and the fact it puts out as much PAR as an actinic).

I agree. Dont worry 1 fiji in 7 bulbs wont make your tank look pink at all. I run 7 bulbs like you, 4 blue plus, 2 aqua blue and 1 fiji. Looks great I reckon. Brings out reds and pinks really nicely but isnt over powering like the pro colors. My tank still looks very 14k crisp with ablue hue.

 

[Mike de Leon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14702900#post14702900 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Just be careful not to overdose. If you notice any red or brown slime forming then stop dosing vodka for a week. During that week only dose a bacteria source. This way, you will repopulate the tank with good bacteria.

Sometimes bad bacteria such as red slime can use vodka as a carbon source so supplementing your aquarium with good bacteria is very important IMO.

Thanks!

 

[CeeGee]

where them pics be?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14713184#post14713184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
where them pics be?

I took a bunch of pics but they ALL came out crappy! :mad2:

Something is wrong with the exposure and hue of the pics. Im thinking its because I replaced an Aquablue Special with a Blue bulb. Im gonna put the white bulb in and see what happens.

 

[ONEWAY]

Sunny love your tank. What temp do you run your tank at?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14713282#post14713282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ONEWAY
Sunny love your tank. What temp do you run your tank at?

Thank you

I keep my reef around 77-78 degrees.

 

[skyrne_isk]

Sonny-

I picked up a similar product to brightwell's microbak7 at premium aquatics over the weekend...as they were out of the brightwells.http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=EL-SBH16&Category_Code=Mircobe

It is a similar product - microbe-lift special blend, but with a little different dosing instructions.

So a couple of questions:

It appears you are dosing the bacteria according to the suggested weekly regimen (indicated for long-term, stable, low-nutrient environments) is this correct?

Both of these products suggest switching the skimmer off for a couple of hours after addition, do you find this necessary?

The literature also indicates an uptake period of a week where most significant changes are effected by the use of this product. About how long does it typically take for you to be able to get any cyano/slime under control? I imagine this product would start to make the cyano fade in color and then dissolve as the nutrients are exported and things are re-balanced...is that about right?

Lastly, I don't want to induce a bloom - though I know this isn't really a "problem" if it were to happen. But I am concerned I am not adding enough product (by following the directions) and the guidelines are very general at best. Have you ever induced any bac blooms intentionally and how do you dial in your dosing of the bac? Is it merely an observation exercise and keep upping the dose gradually until the cyano fades or just follow the directions until it all settles out over time.

Sorry for the multitude of questions, but there doesn't seem to be a "bac" primer on RC like there is for vodka dosing....maybe it would be good to get something out there!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14722373#post14722373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skyrne_isk
Sonny-

I picked up a similar product to brightwell's microbak7 at premium aquatics over the weekend...as they were out of the brightwells.http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=EL-SBH16&Category_Code=Mircobe

It is a similar product - microbe-lift special blend, but with a little different dosing instructions.

So a couple of questions:

It appears you are dosing the bacteria according to the suggested weekly regimen (indicated for long-term, stable, low-nutrient environments) is this correct?

Yes, but I opted to dose it daily. I use 3 drops a day.

Both of these products suggest switching the skimmer off for a couple of hours after addition, do you find this necessary?

I leave my skimmer on. The only time my skimmer is off is when I am dosing AA's.

The literature also indicates an uptake period of a week where most significant changes are effected by the use of this product. About how long does it typically take for you to be able to get any cyano/slime under control? I imagine this product would start to make the cyano fade in color and then dissolve as the nutrients are exported and things are re-balanced...is that about right?

It will will vary, based on the amount of surface area(Live Rock, Sand) you have. I would say 1-2 weeks in the norm. As for the Cyano that also varies and am not sure how long it will take in your system. When dosing the bacteria you will see the cyano losing ground day by day.

Lastly, I don't want to induce a bloom - though I know this isn't really a "problem" if it were to happen. But I am concerned I am not adding enough product (by following the directions) and the guidelines are very general at best. Have you ever induced any bac blooms intentionally and how do you dial in your dosing of the bac? Is it merely an observation exercise and keep upping the dose gradually until the cyano fades or just follow the directions until it all settles out over time.

I have heard of people successfully inducing bacterial blooms with vinegar to out compete bad bacteria but I have never tried so myself.


Sorry for the multitude of questions, but there doesn't seem to be a "bac" primer on RC like there is for vodka dosing....maybe it would be good to get something out there!

 

[SunnyX]

Well, I finally got the camera to work somewhat in my favor so here are the pics as promised. Better late then never.

ORA Borealis

Green Digi and Blue Slimer

Tabling yellow/peach/lime Mille and ORA Marshall Island Blue Bottlebrush

3x Ati Blue+

Full lighting(the damsel looks crazy blue)

Left side

I took the picture and the exposure is way off.

 

[SunnyX]

And the tank as of today

 

[mpoletti]

The tank is coming along very nicely Sonny

 

[gasman059]

excellent sunny- coming along very very nice

 

[achillesheel]

love the pix, the blue slimer is great.

how do you clean the acrylic on your constellation? im having a heck of a time keeping streaks off of it.

 

[volcom69]

Holy clean looking tank, did you put back in the aquablue special or did you leave it out. Do you clean the glass often or is it really just that clean.

 

[SunnyX]

Thanks guys!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14733943#post14733943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by achillesheel
love the pix, the blue slimer is great.

how do you clean the acrylic on your constellation? im having a heck of a time keeping streaks off of it.

Streaks? Are you talking about the streaks that show up after you clean the acrylic panel? I get some streaks but I really dont worry about them much.