Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[tonyespinoza]

Awe, shucks... thanks for the kind words, Sonny.

Yup, sounds like the constellation may be the ticket... (pun intended!

-tE

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14822438#post14822438 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Hello and thanks for following along!

The last time I seen an Ati power module in person I couldn't really tell how loud it was due to background noise and such of other aquariums there.

Now, with the Constellation I have to REALLY listen closely in order to hear it. Compared to a single 4" fan that I ran on my previous 400W halides, the Constellation is much quieter.

I suggest you get in contact with one of the local SF reefers. I know of at least three guys in your area who have them up and running.

Judging by your impressive resume and line of work I am sure you can find a way to dampen the sound of the fixture without degrading the quality and output of the bulbs.

 

[ECFENCING]

Sonny

Are you still using seachem salt?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14835958#post14835958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ECFENCING
Sonny

Are you still using seachem salt?

Seachem salt? When did I say I was using that? I have been using Reef Crystals for about 10 years now. In the old tank I tried out a bucket of the the seachem salt when it first came out but quickly went back to RC.

RC is still the best salt for cost/quality.

 

[ECFENCING]

Sonny

I read that on your rimless reef site that you were happy with seachem but I didn't read further

Thanks for clarifying

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14836045#post14836045 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ECFENCING
Sonny

I read that on your rimless reef site that you were happy with seachem but I didn't read further

Thanks for clarifying

Hmmmm.... I am looking for that on my website but cant find where I mentioned Seachem. Oh well...

 

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14829708#post14829708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
From what I have seen and in my personal experience eggcrate always creates a diatom bloom in my systems. Now, I am not sure what they are leaching but it is never good... Anyone have any frag holding alternatives or maybe methods of soaking the eggcrate?

Sunny I leach all the PO4s (and more) out of eggcrate by placing it in a shallow tub and soaking in RO/DI water for ~ a week doing 100% water changes on the tub daily. Pulls out everything and no algae blooms

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14836082#post14836082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
Sunny I leach all the PO4s (and more) out of eggcrate by placing it in a shallow tub and soaking in RO/DI water for ~ a week doing 100% water changes on the tub daily. Pulls out everything and no algae blooms

Hello stranger.
I see that you have been quite busy as of late.

That sounds like a good idea. I have heard some people also washing the eggcrate in vinegar afterward.

 

[kaserpick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14836082#post14836082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
Sunny I leach all the PO4s (and more) out of eggcrate by placing it in a shallow tub and soaking in RO/DI water for ~ a week doing 100% water changes on the tub daily. Pulls out everything and no algae blooms

Something I thought of recently (not that it's original), would be to soak the eggcrate in a kalkwasser solution to bound with the PO4's. I don't know if that's stupid, but I figured it would maybe work. After a week, let it dry and place it in the tank. The only thing I can see would be a slow rise in pH and/or dKH. Would it be too high of an increase? I don't know; I was thinking it might bring the pH to 8.6 over time.

Just a thought.

 

[ChiiBear]

Hi Sonny,

What is MB7 and where can I buy it? and for Vodka, which kind/brand are you using? Can I get it from Safeway/Wholefood or I'll need to go to liquor store to get it. You can tell I'm new to this! Thanks!

 

[dustinP]

mb7 is microbactor 7 made by brightwell aquatics

 

[macreefster]

any 80 proof vodka will do, so you might as well buy the cheapest. save buying the grey goose for yourself!

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14837131#post14837131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaserpick
Something I thought of recently (not that it's original), would be to soak the eggcrate in a kalkwasser solution to bound with the PO4's. I don't know if that's stupid, but I figured it would maybe work. After a week, let it dry and place it in the tank. The only thing I can see would be a slow rise in pH and/or dKH. Would it be too high of an increase? I don't know; I was thinking it might bring the pH to 8.6 over time.

Just a thought.

That's not a bad idea. I will have to give it a shot once the frag tank is up and running. I am still working on lighting the frag tank. I was originally going with an ATI Sunpower but that would'nt make business sense. I am trying to keep the overhead and investment as low as possible to make it a worthwhile project. I am not looking to start up a business but I need a decent tank to grow out small corals and sell the excess frags. I figure the sale of frags should easily cover salt,supplements, and bulb replacements.

There are lots of good deals out there on used lights so I am going to keep my eyes peeled.

 

[SunnyX]

Personally, I use 40 Proof, but anything between 40-160 Proof will work. Just be sure to follow the dosing charts here as they will differ based on the strength of vodka: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

 

[maroun.c]

weirdly my post just disappeared... so here goes again.
Just finsihed reading through your thread. very informative. your tank and picture takeing ar ejust great. Website is great too.
for those frag racks, the ceramic frag stations are just great they come in 5 , 10 and 20.

http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=329

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14843848#post14843848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maroun.c
weirdly my post just disappeared... so here goes again.
Just finsihed reading through your thread. very informative. your tank and picture takeing ar ejust great. Website is great too.
for those frag racks, the ceramic frag stations are just great they come in 5 , 10 and 20.

http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=329

Thanks!

Too bad you had to take your tank down, I could have taken some sweet pics of it when I visit Lebanon this summer. My father just purchased an apartment in Mar'ellies, Beirut and I am eager to check it.

The ceramic housing really look like the way to go for now. Now, I just need to find a someone to watch my tank for a month this summer.

My cousin just sent me a picture from his apartment on Ra'malt Baida teasing me:

 

[maroun.c]

tank was not taken down, Just moved to my parents house for one year till our appartment is finished. (which means another move in one year) It was setup the same as before( with some modification of the scaping and plumbing... however the location in the room is not as pleasing as in our old appt... so you'll be able to see it as well as take as many pics as you like. any idea when you'll be here?
Your cousin has a really nice view and it's a very nice area to live in too...

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849724#post14849724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maroun.c
tank was not taken down, Just moved to my parents house for one year till our appartment is finished. (which means another move in one year) It was setup the same as before( with some modification of the scaping and plumbing... however the location in the room is not as pleasing as in our old appt... so you'll be able to see it as well as take as many pics as you like. any idea when you'll be here?

Oh OK. That's good that you still have the tank up. I was going to go down to Lebanon and vote in the upcoming elections but I pushed my ticket back to early July.

I have to tie up a few loose ends before I go.Besides, I had enough bullets,bombs, and death in the late 80's and early 90's so I will wait until after the elections and everything has settled down. I was born here in the USA and have dual citizenship so I can vote in both countries. My father is from Tibnin in the south of Lebanon and he emigrated to the USA during the Civil war.

One day I hope to move to Lebanon, there is no place like it on earth.

 

[ksed]

Which dosing pump are you using at the moment for calc mag and alk.
Do you like the 2 part method better than calcium reactor?

Thanks
Kevin

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14851284#post14851284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ksed
Which dosing pump are you using at the moment for calc mag and alk.
Do you like the 2 part method better than calcium reactor?

Thanks
Kevin

Hello.

I use the best dosser possible....my hands.

I have used a Ca reactor and Kalk stirrer in the past and i like the two part better. The two part has made my system more stable,is cheap, and very easy to use.

Unless you have a large system there is really no need for a Ca or Kalk reactor.

 

[ksed]

Thanks for your quick respone.
I forgot to mention before that, I am aware that with the two part it is recommended to do a 10% weekly water change for the chlorides that buid up,but would it be a problem if say you went on vacation for two weeks and had nobody to trust to do a water change?

Thanks