Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14887668#post14887668 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
sunny, do you use any mechanical filters in your tank or are you simply relying on skimming?

No mechanical filters here. The only reason I used them in the past was to combat micro-bubbles. With a much smaller return pump now(Ehiem1260 vs Reeflo Dart) I no longer have to worry about bubbles.

I used filter socks in the past but:

1. They were a pain to change out and clean or take off when dosing AA and food.

2.I believe that they were taking food away from my corals.

3. If you are not diligent about monitoring and cleaning them regularly you end up doing more harm then good.

4. If you are dosing bacteria they will quickly clog up with bacteria growth and be exported efficiently from the skimmer.

If you need to use just be sure to keep them clean.

 

[rutz81]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14887679#post14887679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Hello.

I was able to fight the red cotton candy growth by decreasing my vodka dosage and dosing an increased amount of bacteria at the same time as vodka. It has been a couple months now and the red stuff has not come back with a daily dosing of 1.8ml. I believe that the increase in bacteria dosage has kept all harmful bacteria in check.

If you decide to start up the Vodka/bacteria method be sure to seed your tank with bacteria for at least a week before starting up bacteria. This way you will have good bacteria take in the vodka as opposed to harmful bacteria that may be lying dormant somewhere in your system.

Concerning your lighting, what you picked out would be much whiter than a Radium. I suggest that you give this a try:

ATI Blue +
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue Special
ATI Blue +

I would try it this way first and see how you like it. You may need to move around the Fiji Purple and Aquablue Special in order to achieve the desired affect on your corals.

I just hooked up my 6 bulb Sunpower and I was looking for a Radium/Actinic color, also. I am using the EXACT same bulbs Sonny reccomended above and it look very similar to what I had before(Radium/Actinic).

 

[rutz81]

Actually, after re-reading, that is a 5 bulb combo. My sixth is a UVL Super Actinic.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14887831#post14887831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rutz81
Actually, after re-reading, that is a 5 bulb combo. My sixth is a UVL Super Actinic.

How are you liking the Super actinic? The ones I have seen in person have been really dull.

 

[reefsahoy]

the uvl atinic bulbs are excellent! alot mor powerful than giesman!

 

[SunnyX]

Just updated my blog with some new info, check it out:
Vacuuming your reef?!?!

 

[mille239]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14888474#post14888474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Just updated my blog with some new info, check it out:
Vacuuming your reef?!?!

Couldn't agree more, nor put it better myself!!!!!!! Cheers.

 

[jeff127]

Interesting stuff about how much of a difference it made to your tank. Could you please explain in a bit more detail how you actual vacuum it?


Thanks,

Jeff.

 

[DFason]

Sonny,
Your tank is looking great. I took a ton of your advise from your SPS keeping thread.

Added a powerhead in my sump, simple sump and just ordered a new H&S rated for 100g for my 30g

I really want to try out siphoning the sand bed because there is a ton of junk that get collected. It was AMAZING to see all the junk that my skimmer caught with the powerhead in the sump!

-Dave

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14888760#post14888760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeff127
Interesting stuff about how much of a difference it made to your tank. Could you please explain in a bit more detail how you actual vacuum it?


Thanks,

Jeff.

Hello.

I use this http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754084 to siphon out the waste into an empty salt bucket.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I add triple my normal bacteria dosage to make up for any loss in bacteria from siphoning.

 

[GSMguy]

that is what I need, thanks sonny I might just run by petsmart tonight.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14889178#post14889178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
that is what I need, thanks sonny I might just run by petsmart tonight.

It really comes in handy. It is especially useful when trying to get in between the rock work and siphon up the waste in the rocks.

 

[scaryperson27]

I don't like those gravel vacuums. The top fin ones are a ton better.

The other ones just break.

I grabbed one of these and just punched the one way valve out.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752298

It works perfect.

 

[reefsahoy]

sometimes i use a filter sock and syphon into my sump so i don't lose water. this way i can do it if i don't want to do a water change.

 

[rutz81]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14887899#post14887899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
How are you liking the Super actinic? The ones I have seen in person have been really dull.

They are defintely duller than the Blue+ or defintely Aquablue Specials like you use; but, I really like the dusk dawn effect of that with a Fiji Purple. And, my tank is only 16" deep, so the amount of PAR I might be losing for one bulb that adds a color I like is worth it, IMO. And the UVL are at least brighter than the Giesemann Pure Actinic.

 

[mnml]

hi sonny, had a question for you.

did you start dosing bacteria the same time you started ramping up your vodka dosing? or did you wait until your nutrient levels were low then started the bacteria?

your tank is very inspirational!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14890717#post14890717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thin crust
hi sonny, had a question for you.

did you start dosing bacteria the same time you started ramping up your vodka dosing? or did you wait until your nutrient levels were low then started the bacteria?

your tank is very inspirational!

Hello. Initially when i ventured into Vodka dosing I was not using a bacteria supplement, looking back on it I wish I had. After encountering a few issues with Vodka(red cotton bacteria) I halted dosage of vodka and picked up some bacteria. I seeded the tank for one week with bacteria before starting up vodka dosing once more. With the dosing of good bacteria I was able to improve the effectiveness of the vodka and circumvent any harmful bacteria from taking over.

If you are starting a vodka regime I suggest you seed the system with bacteria for one week prior to starting.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14888843#post14888843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DFason
Sonny,
Your tank is looking great. I took a ton of your advise from your SPS keeping thread.

Added a powerhead in my sump, simple sump and just ordered a new H&S rated for 100g for my 30g

I really want to try out siphoning the sand bed because there is a ton of junk that get collected. It was AMAZING to see all the junk that my skimmer caught with the powerhead in the sump!

-Dave

Congrats Dave! I have been watching your thread and it looks like you are off to a great start. In 6 months your tank will start to take off and look fantastic! :thumbsup:

I would hold off on siphoning the sand for now. Let the tank settle in for a couple months before you start to sift through the sand.

 

[bilpiper]

Sonny,
Been following your thread and I'm very impressed with your results.

Will a powerhead in the sump still work if the skimmer is gravity fed from the display tank or will this just send all the detrius back into the tank?

bill

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14894092#post14894092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bilpiper
Sonny,
Been following your thread and I'm very impressed with your results.

Will a powerhead in the sump still work if the skimmer is gravity fed from the display tank or will this just send all the detrius back into the tank?

bill

Hello and thank you.

It does not matter whether the skimmer is gravity or pump fed. What we are trying to accomplish with the powerhead in the sump is keep the detritus in suspension until it can be removed, by mechanical or other filtration.