Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15200616#post15200616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SERVO
You know, other than Calfo, not alot of people really talk about this phenomenon. Even Calfo will tell you that a substrate will only affect the chemistry of the system if the pH plummets.

I don't think that is true. Antecdotally, I ran a system in the late 90's and 00's whose substate was coase crushed coral. Never have I had an easier and sucessful system. The tank was everything that people preach against. No skimmer. No reactor. Very low flow. But this SPS heavy system did fantastic. Now, I was religious about water changes and I always remineralized my top off, but I certainly think that the substrate helped as it tended to "shrink" over time.

When I set up my 400 gallon bare bottom, It took me about 2 years to dial in the tank so to speak.

Yeah, after my horrible experience with BB I will never go back. Even if it didn't cause me ALK issues I still wouldn't go BB due to how ugly it make the display look.

You are right about the technology. You really dont need every gizmo out there, but they sure do make reefing easier.

 

[FiSHy sAy HeY]

Does vodka have postivie effects on zoas, rics, and LPS as well as SPS?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15201708#post15201708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
Sunnyx, i just want to let you know i think your thread is one of the best around. any reefer, beginner of experienced who wants to keep sps can come here and get excellent info on requirements without the strong opinions of how to do it or else it can't work attitude. As we all know there's multitude ways of keeping any type reef and there is no one right way but IMHO you give great advise. I keep sps too for some time now and I come here for advise. i can't ever remember disagreeing with your advise anywhere here on your thread. For example, there are many reefers, even today, who will say T5's can't keep sps but you have done the MH way and now turn to the T5 way. Now i'm not saying one way is better than another, that's for the individual to determine for themselves, Im saying it can be done and you're open minded enough to try and also be successful in both. Then you're kind enough to share your experience, thoughts and suggestions with everyone here on RC. That's what i think RC should be about, not the "i'm the best attitude" but to help others be successful!

GREAT JOB SunnyX and thanks for your help in the past and future!!

N

Oh wow...I dont know what do say.

Thank you very much for the kind words. I try and help where and when I can. This hobby is such a great hobby that I want to help as many people as possible enjoy the same successes as I have had. I see too many people leaving this hobby and it makes me sad that they could not receive the help they needed in time.

I get quite a few emails and PM's but if if anyone else would like help please do not hesitate to send me a message or post here. It may take me a day or two to get back due to the volume of requests, but I will get back to you with a solution.

My dream is for everyone to have colors that would rival the variety and vibrance of nature. Many people will never have a chance to see the wonders of a reef in person due to a disability,income, etc. But we as hobbyist can do our best to bring the reef to them.

Lets show people that nature is beautiful and worth protecting!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15202199#post15202199 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FiSHy sAy HeY
Does vodka have postivie effects on zoas, rics, and LPS as well as SPS?

Well, clean water is always a good thing so vodka should have positive effects. I have zoo's, acan, and other LPS and they grow and are colorful.

So the answer to you question is yes, Vodka can have positive results on "softer" corals.

 

[epleeds]

Sunny,

i am going to upgrade my bulbs and I have an 8 bulb unit. If you could add another bulb to your mix, which one would you add.

Also, I have 4 bulbs on one plug and the other 4 on another, would you but the blue+ on one and the aquablues on the other, or just mix it up.

thanks.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172174#post15172174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Hello

3x Blue+ : Noon-11:30PM
Blue+, Aquablue Special: 2:30PM-10:30PM
2x Aquablue Special: 4:30PM-9:30PM

FRONT
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue Special
Aquascience Blue 22K

 

[sjm817]

Hi Sonny,
Awhile back you posted about an algae bloom that you thought may have been caused by an ATI Pro Color bulb in the mix
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1446670

Did you ever do any more testing with this? Was the tank newly set up at that time? Did removing the Pro Color solve this?

In a 6 bulb setup, you like 4 x B+ and 2 x AB?

Thanks

 

[Tommy Tang]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15202055#post15202055 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
The bulb combo looks good although I would swap out the actinic for another ATI Blue+ and the GE 65K for an ATI Aquablue Special. I would rearrange to bulbs to look like this:

FRONT
ATI Blue plus
ATI Blue plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue plus

What dont you like about your colors? PM me a picture.

Sonny

Thank your for your replay, corals doesn't color up with all the T5 on , I get good look white sun rise and sun set.
Toomy

 

[sps1-2-b]

Hi Sonny, just started dosing 5 drops of mb7 today on my 200 gal. Is it better to refrigerate the bottle or do you keep it room temp?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15205651#post15205651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by epleeds
Sunny,

i am going to upgrade my bulbs and I have an 8 bulb unit. If you could add another bulb to your mix, which one would you add.

Also, I have 4 bulbs on one plug and the other 4 on another, would you but the blue+ on one and the aquablues on the other, or just mix it up.

thanks.

Well, it depends on how you like your colors. Do you enjoy a crisp "natural" look or something more florescent and blue? If you like a white look go with an Aquablue Special, and if you want something bluer go with a blue+ .

Personally, I would order a spare bulb to see what you like better. Color is always a preference so the extra bulb would help out in making a decision.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15205822#post15205822 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Hi Sonny,
Awhile back you posted about an algae bloom that you thought may have been caused by an ATI Pro Color bulb in the mix
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1446670

Did you ever do any more testing with this? Was the tank newly set up at that time? Did removing the Pro Color solve this?

In a 6 bulb setup, you like 4 x B+ and 2 x AB?

Thanks

At the time the tank had just been setup but I dont think that may have been the issue. The entire volume of water in the new tank came over from the old tank along with the live rock. I thought that maybe I lost some bacteria and that was causing some brown diatoms on the sand and glass.

I took the Pro Color out and waited another 6 months to try it out again. I placed the bulb in the fixture and within a week my sand and glass were covered in diatoms once more. It usually takes about 7-9 days for a light dusting of algae to appear on my glass, but with the Pro Color in it was showing up within 3 days!

After reading the articles by Dana Riddle over on Advanced Aquarist concerning the detrimental effects on corals from the red spectrum and my own experience I will never go back to a red bulb.

I spoke to a vendor the other day and was told that ATI has now discontinued the Pro Color.

With that said, I would steer clear of that bulb.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15207095#post15207095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sps1-2-b
Hi Sonny, just started dosing 5 drops of mb7 today on my 200 gal. Is it better to refrigerate the bottle or do you keep it room temp?

The bottle will be fine at room temp. Your dosage of 5 drops is pretty low for a tank that size. I would do 10 drops a day for now and possibly more/less depending on how "clean" your system is.

 

[gmneil]

alot to read sorry if i missed it but can you give me the details on this mb7, i am interested in giving this a try

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15207842#post15207842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gmneil
alot to read sorry if i missed it but can you give me the details on this mb7, i am interested in giving this a try

I started using MB7 after getting some unwanted bacterial growth( Red Cyano) in my system due to the vodka. I stopped dosing Vodka for a week and then began dosing MB7 to out compete the bad bacteria. Four months later and my tank is still clean and Cyano free. The MB7 additions have increased my skimmer waste production and improved the health of my system overall.

I believe that Carbon/ bacterial driven systems are the future of reef filtration here in the USA. It is cost effective and uses natural instead of artificial means to clean and maintain your system. Europeans have been using these systems for years with fantastic results.

 

[SERVO]

Why don't you pop off some top down shots!!!?!?!??!??

Pleez?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15207942#post15207942 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SERVO
Why don't you pop off some top down shots!!!?!?!??!??

Pleez?

:lol: I will see what I can do when I get home. I had a minor rocks slide yesterday and need to adjust the left side a bit. I moved one rock which led to 3 hours of pain! I am unhappy with the slightly new look and will be playing around with it a bit these next few days. I now have lots of frags for sale apter try to restructure the rock work. I have a couple guys coming over today to check out the system so I may not have time to work on the tank.

Since you brought up the top down shot question I have to point out that it is the one thing that becomes complicated with T5 setups. The bulbs reflect well off the surface and make it harder to get a decent shot. I guess the only way to counter it would be to get and acrylic photo box.

Im gonna have to track one down......

 

[jbanks]

Hey Sonny, do you have any snails and crabs in your system... I haven't seen any in your pictures ... I'm assuming that because you run such a clean system that they may starve in there... Since a lot of what I am doing is modeled after your setup( although I'm still a gadget fanatic :lol: ), I wanted to ask before I order any.. I wouldn't want those guys to starve...

Also, would a Kor.Fiji Purple be considered a red bulb in your oppinion?

Thanks

 

[BucNtears]

Sunnyx, I continue coming back to your thread and taking what I can in order to get my tank heading in the right direction.

Couple questions.
1. Water changes how often and how much?
2. You've stop dosing Vodka?
3. What results are you getting useing MB7 as compared to Vodka?
4. Are you running carbon and if so how?
5. Can't remember if your useing filter socks and if not why?

Thanks Sunnyx for keeping this thread as update as possible

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15208250#post15208250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbanks
Hey Sonny, do you have any snails and crabs in your system... I haven't seen any in your pictures ... I'm assuming that because you run such a clean system that they may starve in there... Since a lot of what I am doing is modeled after your setup( although I'm still a gadget fanatic :lol: ), I wanted to ask before I order any.. I wouldn't want those guys to starve...

Also, would a Kor.Fiji Purple be considered a red bulb in your oppinion?

Thanks

Hello

I have two whole snails in my setup and no crabs. But, I do have to very large serpent stars that do a great job at getting to uneaten food and waste.

I dont like snails because they take away from the viewing of the tank. Nothing is worse than having 50 snails on your glass when taking a photo. I dont like crabs because they knock corals over and really serve no purpose in my display.

Besides, a multitude of snails and crabs would likely starve in my system. I guess about 10 snails couldn't hurt if you are really set on them.

Check out the serpent stars as they are great scavengers and only come out during feeding or at night.

I have seen the Fiji Purple in person and it is much much much whiter than the Pro Color. The Pro Color looked like Darth Vader's lightsaber.

For added pop go for the Fiji Purple if you would like do so.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15209259#post15209259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BucNtears
Sunnyx, I continue coming back to your thread and taking what I can in order to get my tank heading in the right direction.

Couple questions.
1. Water changes how often and how much?
2. You've stop dosing Vodka?
3. What results are you getting using MB7 as compared to Vodka?
4. Are you running carbon and if so how?
5. Can't remember if your using filter socks and if not why?

Thanks Sunnyx for keeping this thread as update as possible

Hello and thank you

Please keep in mind that what I do may or may not work for you. Every system is different. You will need to take my recommendations and then fine tune them to your systems needs.

1. 20-30gl once a month. I used to do more but I found that it was causing some of my corals to suffer. Once a month has worked out great.
2. Still dosing Vodka. 1.8ml daily.
3. I am dosing MB7 along with Vodka. The mB7 has worked out great as my system is now cleaner and I no longer have to worry about harmful bacteria.
4. I run about 3 cups of carbon in a mesh bag near the system pump. I change it out once a month.
5. No filter socks. I used to use them on my old system to combat micro bubbles. With the new system I no longer have to mess with filter socks because the small return pumps create no bubbles.

My skimmer picks up much of the waste in the water so I have almost nothing floating around. I have a modded Tunze 6025 in my sump pointed away from the return pump pushing water into my skimmer feed pump.

90% of my photos are taken with my pumps fully on.

Anything I missed?

 

[BucNtears]

None, I'll think for abit and come up with something. Lol