Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15220011#post15220011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HBtank
Sunny,

Whats your opinion of GFO usage with a dosing system such as yours?

My system is almost 3 years old and I am interested in going to bacteria to give it a kick and long term success. But I have always used GFO, so I am curious how it plays into it.

Great thread man, and nice to see other people kicking butt with T5's! Been AWOL for like a year and it seems like many people have taken a liking to them.

Welcome back!

Some people say that you shouldn't run GFO, and others say it is no problem. I have tried it both ways and see no problem with doing so IF you still have some stubborn PO4. If your system is at 0 PO4 then there is really no need to run a GFO.

I have some GFO in my salt water mixing tub and will run the GFO in the main tank whenever I do a large water change or siphon out the sand.

I say keep a close eye on your levels. Every system is different and you will have to sine tunes yours accordingly.

 

[HBtank]

Thanks for the help. Ill have to blow the dust off the hanna and get it to work

Also, I am curious if you have had any problems with macro algae and how this system has effected it?

I have a well established valonia problem (though not really present in the main due to emeralds and a rabbit) as well as a newer unidentified bryposis/hair like algae in the main. Its easy enough to remove, but getting on my nerves now.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15221825#post15221825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HBtank
Thanks for the help. Ill have to blow the dust off the hanna and get it to work

Also, I am curious if you have had any problems with macro algae and how this system has effected it?

I have a well established valonia problem (though not really present in the main due to emeralds and a rabbit) as well as a newer unidentified bryposis/hair like algae in the main. Its easy enough to remove, but getting on my nerves now.

The bacteria should eventually starve out the algae. Are you going to be using vodka along with MB7?

 

[HBtank]

That's my plan as of now, though I have a bunch of reading to do before I start.

From just the small amount I have done, i was planning on using the MB7 for a bit to establish/replenish the bacteria I want before starting any vodka.

But I am pretty intrigued and it seems like a good direction to take my tank and "clean" it out and undercut any nutrients from the algae.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15222268#post15222268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HBtank
That's my plan as of now, though I have a bunch of reading to do before I start.

From just the small amount I have done, i was planning on using the MB7 for a bit to establish/replenish the bacteria I want before starting any vodka.

But I am pretty intrigued and it seems like a good direction to take my tank and "clean" it out and undercut any nutrients from the algae.

Good luck and please let us know how it works out for you! :thumbsup:

 

[t5Nitro]

I should have my bottle of MB7 showing up this coming week sometime. I'm going to do the two week dose period with MB7 and then it says to go to the low nutrient dose and at that time I plan to start the vodka with it.

Sonny, when you dose the MB7, is it all at one time or is the daily dose spread out throughout the day? I know with vodka it says to do half dose and then another half dose later.

Thanks.

 

[tatoofr]

Hi Sunny,
I just got my MP40, what mode do you use?
I was expecting a little more power to this thing?
Frank

 

[t5Nitro]

I believe he uses reef crest and lagoon. I'm also curious because when my MP20 comes in I'd like to know which is better to use with a koralia 4.

 

[mojo~]

I got my microbacter 7. I dumped in the whole bottle. is that right? jk..
Started off with what is says on bottle for low nutrient. Ill see how it goes. Thanks agaiin.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15223406#post15223406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by t5Nitro
I should have my bottle of MB7 showing up this coming week sometime. I'm going to do the two week dose period with MB7 and then it says to go to the low nutrient dose and at that time I plan to start the vodka with it.

Sonny, when you dose the MB7, is it all at one time or is the daily dose spread out throughout the day? I know with vodka it says to do half dose and then another half dose later.

Thanks.

Hello

I have found better results with spreading out my dosing daily. I do about 8-10 drops a day now.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15223448#post15223448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Hi Sunny,
I just got my MP40, what mode do you use?
I was expecting a little more power to this thing?
Frank

t5Nitro is correct, I run a combo of Reefcrest and Lagoon.

I run Reefcrest on the MP40W and Lagoon on the MP20. The pump put out quite a bit of flow, pushing the entire body of water.

Where have you positioned yours and at what power and settings?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15223680#post15223680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
I got my microbacter 7. I dumped in the whole bottle. is that right? jk..
Started off with what is says on bottle for low nutrient. Ill see how it goes. Thanks agaiin.

:lol: I almost had a heart attack until I read the "jk".

After a week you should notice a little more skimmate along with clearer and cleaner water.

Keep us in the loop.

Sonny

 

[tatoofr]

Hi Sunny,
I have it monted on the side middle of the glass, 4 inches from the surface.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224121#post15224121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Hi Sunny,
I have it monted on the side middle of the glass, 4 inches from the surface.

Same here. The undertow is great on them. Do you have yours set to 100%? Mine pushes out an amazing volume of water.

 

[tatoofr]

Yes 100%,
I guess I just have more reef built up in front of it?
Frank

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224161#post15224161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Yes 100%,
I guess I just have more reef built up in front of it?
Frank

Could be. I have nothing obstructing the flow of fine so it really pushes some water.

Perhaps you could move it unto a more open area?

 

[t5Nitro]

Hey sonny, my new ATI fixture heated the tank up 2 degrees today while I was at work. Came home to the tank being 84F. I put a few bags of ice in and dropped it a degree. Ouch. I have them in a small canopy though (with the lid open). Tomorrow they're getting hung from the ceiling. How high do you have your constellation off of the surface of the water?

 

[DML08]

Sunny, with a size of a tank as yours and running all T5 do you run a chillier?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15225600#post15225600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by t5Nitro
Hey sonny, my new ATI fixture heated the tank up 2 degrees today while I was at work. Came home to the tank being 84F. I put a few bags of ice in and dropped it a degree. Ouch. I have them in a small canopy though (with the lid open). Tomorrow they're getting hung from the ceiling. How high do you have your constellation off of the surface of the water?

DO NOT RUN THESE FIXTURES IN A CANOPY. The fans are designed to expel warm air while taking in fresh cool air. If the fixture is trapped in a canopy it can heat up the bulbs and degrade light quality, bulb life, and output.

I have my fixture about 3" from the glass rim of my tank.

Good luck!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15226393#post15226393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DML08
Sunny, with a size of a tank as yours and running all T5 do you run a chillier?

No chiller here. The T5 fixture is cool to the touch and emits almost no heat. I actually have a hard time keeping my temperature over 78 as my tank is open top and well ventilated.

The T5 fixtures I have used or seen are MUCH cooler than the MH fixtures I have used.