Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.
- Thread starter JohnL
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SunnyX
New member
I was referring to ZEO.
I sat back and thought about it and said why would I want to complicate and mess a good thing up. So, I decided not to add the reactor and go full blown Zeo, but I may add a Zeo product or two into the rotation just to see how much further I can push my coloration.
I was considering ZEO simply out of curiosity. After considering all the complications and dangers of reworking my filtration I decided against it.
Plus, I have switched over so many of you guys to the MB7/Vodka, T5, etc that I would be considered a blasphemer for changing course.
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197227#post15197227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Plus, I have switched over so many of you guys to the MB7/Vodka, T5, etc that it would be considered a blasphemer for changing course.
Amen Brother :lol:
So Sonny, I've had water in my tank about a month now... I have been dosing MB7 on the heavy side.. In your oppinion, when should I start with the vodka.. I do have a small trace of phosphate that I would love to get out of there...
SunnyX
New member
Hi Sonny, it's me again (the one with the DSB in my sump). I've been doing research and some say that DSB help with alk fluctuations. Do you think this is the case? Obviously you don't run a DSB and are doing awesome. Do you like DSB at all or do you think I'll be better off removing mine. I know that this has always been a debate regarding DSB. I know you've been doing this for 9 yrs or so and regard your opinion and experience highly. Thanks.
tonyespinoza
Premium Member
excited to see you prove out the long term viability of the vodka/mb7/sonny approach! for all the folks who seem to know a lot about zeo, i see very few zeo tanks (particularly in the US) that look as good as yours.
SunnyX
New member
In my experience, any sand in your setup will is better then no sand in terms of ALK stability. I ran bare bottom in the past for 4 months and had the hardest time maintain ALK.
If the DSB is old I say remove it and place about 2" of Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade into your main display.
SunnyX
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197853#post15197853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyespinoza
excited to see you prove out the long term viability of the vodka/mb7/sonny approach! for all the folks who seem to know a lot about zeo, i see very few zeo tanks (particularly in the US) that look as good as yours.
Thanks!
I really appreciate the comments and support. Have you started up the new monster system?
trueblackpercula
New member
SunnyX
Shot you a PM
Michael
How do you like Dosing Vodka? I was thinking about joining the club.
Shot you a PM
Michael
JCR's Reef
New member
I noticed you just started dosing AA. Do you dose before you feed the coral? And how exactly are you dosing it to your tank?
I was so called spot feeding the coral with AA. Now I just dose the tank about a half hour before I feed the coral because I feel the AA makes the corals open up a bit more before actually feeding them. Whats your thoughts on this? I just dose it to the return side of my sump to disperse thoughout the tank.
I was so called spot feeding the coral with AA. Now I just dose the tank about a half hour before I feed the coral because I feel the AA makes the corals open up a bit more before actually feeding them. Whats your thoughts on this? I just dose it to the return side of my sump to disperse thoughout the tank.
Tommy Tang
New member
hi sunny
Can you give me your opinion my light is T5 good growth OK color, my light set up is as follow
ATI Blue plus
UVL Actinic white
ATI Blue plus
GE 6500k day light
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue plus
I would like same more color on my SPS
Thank you
Can you give me your opinion my light is T5 good growth OK color, my light set up is as follow
ATI Blue plus
UVL Actinic white
ATI Blue plus
GE 6500k day light
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue plus
I would like same more color on my SPS
Thank you
Aqua Keepers
New member
I'm glad to hear that you will stick to your regimen. A guy with your experience already knows that stability & consistency are just two huge factors in keeping a successful system. I just see it too often. Someone has an awesome, changes something, and the tank goes to crap. I encourage experimentation as the hobby would not advance if not pushed to the limits, but start a new tank to experiment on. This one is the $h!ZZnet. If we ever get TOTM back, I bet you can get a *2ND* nomination.
SERVO
New member
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.
SunnyX
New member
PM replied to.
I like the vodka as it has definitely improved water clarity. Within the first week of dosing I noticed incredible clarity. In turn, my corals received more light which increased growth and coloration.
For those hesitant to get into vodka dosing I suggest they at least give bacteria a shot. I have never heard of anyone crashing a system or killing of corals with bacteria. So long as you have proper O2/CO2 exchanges on the surface and a large skimmer you will be fine. Dose the bacteria for a couple weeks and you should start seeing a difference in the waste build up and health of the system.
Look into THE REEF AQUARIUM Vol 3 in the section where they talk about vodka and you will see and interesting graph showing interesting results. It shows very little change in the graph when dosing Vodka up until the around the 28th day or so. After the 28th day the NO3 and PO4 levels drop dramatically to 0. Interesting phenomenon....
I assume that you all have the book listed above as it is a great resource. I have read it countless times and it is always a good point of reference when you are unsure about something. If you guys dont have this book I suggest that you put it on the top of your list.
Aquariums get algae for different reasons. Some people feed too much and lack a good means of nutrient export. Others dont keep up with basic maintenance and let small problems become big problems. Vodka/bacteria is not a cure all but will make your job as a reef keeper alot easier.
Just be sure and have a large enough skimmer to remove the excess waste the vodka/bacteria will export.
reefsahoy
I can see thru you!
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
GREAT JOB SunnyX and thanks for your help in the past and future!!
N
SunnyX
New member
Hello
I have been doing the Brightwell AA's for a couple weeks now and so far so good. I am not really sure about the dosing instructions listed on the bottle as it seems pretty high. The maximum dosage PER 50gl is 5ML so I decided to try 2ML(20 drops) and ended up getting some brown on my sand. I have since cut it down to 6 drops every 3 days.
The sand is usually a good indicator of AA overdosing so look out for that. I have noticed increased polyp extension but I did add another Vortech power head so I am not 100% sure what is aiding it.
I still use Prodibio Reefbooster, but only a vial a month now. Reefbooster is super concentrated and works well, but I hate the fact that I have to leave my skimmer off for 36hrs or it will overflow.
Just a friendly reminder, under no circumstances should you dose AA"s or Reefbooster if your system is not already ULN(Ultra Low Nutrient). The fish food and waste already provide enough AA's for your system. Manual AA dosing is needed in an ULNS so that you dont run the risk of starving out your corals.
Start the AA's at a very low dosage(20% of recommend dosage) and slowly work your way up. If you notice corals darkening up then cut back to half of what you were dosing working your way back up. Usually your sand will develop brow diatoms before your corals indicate an overdose.
Good luck! :thumbsup:
SunnyX
New member
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
SunnyX
New member
Thank you.
I really appreciate your kind words and agree with you that sometimes change can be bad. I wont change things on this tank but the next tank will incorporate some great low tech,low cost, and easily accessible components and methods.
As for a 2nd TOTM, I still need to grow my corals out a bit and do some fine tuning, but I would be honored if my fellow reefers saw it fit to nominate me in the future.
Happy reefing!
Sonny.
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