SPS Growth Pics
- Thread starter Grayout
- Start date
nikonosis
New member
well the reason im wondering is because we are using aragonite sand in our 24g right now and in our old 75g we had silica sand in it. In the 75g we always had diatom problems, even 6+ months after the tank had been running. In our 24g we had diatoms for like a week and haven't had them since.
Grayout
Premium Member
Yea, every tank is different. That's why you get so many different opinions in this hobbie. You could have had diatoms for a multitude of reasons. I wouldn't even attempt to guess.
All I can speak for is my current reef. I don't get diatoms on the substrate and only occasionally clean the acrylic with a magfloat. I really like the particle size of my current substrate and REALLY liked the price.
All I can speak for is my current reef. I don't get diatoms on the substrate and only occasionally clean the acrylic with a magfloat. I really like the particle size of my current substrate and REALLY liked the price.
Grayout
Premium Member
When it slowly dissolves, it helps to stabilize trace element levels/alk/calcium etc. Therefore, you have to replenish it over the years. Particle size is really the important issue. Dr. Ron used to preach about this in his old forum all the time.
Then there is the whole dsb vs bb thing that I won't get into. It's been beaten to death in other forums.
I don't use it because I'm running a calcium reactor and nilsen reactor to keep my calcium levels/alk at acceptable levels.
All I know is that it's effective for me, breaks down phosphates and leads to beneficial microbial populations.
Then there is the whole dsb vs bb thing that I won't get into. It's been beaten to death in other forums.
I don't use it because I'm running a calcium reactor and nilsen reactor to keep my calcium levels/alk at acceptable levels.
All I know is that it's effective for me, breaks down phosphates and leads to beneficial microbial populations.
Grayout
Premium Member
Yea, I think it's the picture. The sps look differently too. I'm still trying to figure out the white setting on my camera. When you purchase the play sand from HD, it's very white.
My sump has actually changed quite a bit since that photo. I'll get a new shot up tomorrow. I actually made that sump from acrylic pieces and weldon. It holds about thirty gallons and has a fuge on the right side.
My sump has actually changed quite a bit since that photo. I'll get a new shot up tomorrow. I actually made that sump from acrylic pieces and weldon. It holds about thirty gallons and has a fuge on the right side.
Grayout
Premium Member
Here are some updated photos of my acrylic sump. The left compartment holds the skimmer, which is slightly elevated. A drain from the center overflow drains into a separate compartment within this section. I have ozone feeding into the beckett skimmer at 50 percent. The ozone generator is connected to an air dryer and air pump. The ozone is regulated by the controller to turn off at 400 orp. A bubble trap, with three baffles separates this compartment from the return compartment. A Mag pump returns the filtered water to two sea swirls situated at opposite corners of the tank. The sea swirls can be adjusted by ball valves just before the outlet. I also have a ebo jager heater in the return section.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010074.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
I have a Neptune controller monitoring the system, as well as a Tunze osmolator, connected to a freshwater container (under a table directly next to the tank and shielded by a table cloth) to control evaporation. Directly on top of the sump is a nilsen reactor, which is connected to my tunze osmolator return. The evap water is fed through the reactor to increase it's ph and calcium level. The calcium reactor is also on top of the sump and is connected to its CO2 supply, which is located next to the freshwater container. The calcium reactor is fed directly from the overflow drains, to eliminate the need for an extra pump.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010075.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010181.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
The left side of the sump contains a fuge with LR and mangroves. I have a mini pc suspended over this section, which is illuminated at night, on a reverse photo period. The second of the two return lines is fed directly into this compartment as well. A spill over grate keeps large pieces of macro, snails etc from getting into the return section.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010080.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
This is a valve that I hook up a hose to when I do my weekly water changes. I simply plug in the hose, turn the ball valve and drain water into a bucket.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010076.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010074.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
I have a Neptune controller monitoring the system, as well as a Tunze osmolator, connected to a freshwater container (under a table directly next to the tank and shielded by a table cloth) to control evaporation. Directly on top of the sump is a nilsen reactor, which is connected to my tunze osmolator return. The evap water is fed through the reactor to increase it's ph and calcium level. The calcium reactor is also on top of the sump and is connected to its CO2 supply, which is located next to the freshwater container. The calcium reactor is fed directly from the overflow drains, to eliminate the need for an extra pump.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010075.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010181.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
The left side of the sump contains a fuge with LR and mangroves. I have a mini pc suspended over this section, which is illuminated at night, on a reverse photo period. The second of the two return lines is fed directly into this compartment as well. A spill over grate keeps large pieces of macro, snails etc from getting into the return section.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010080.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
This is a valve that I hook up a hose to when I do my weekly water changes. I simply plug in the hose, turn the ball valve and drain water into a bucket.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f313/grayout/P1010076.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
Last edited:
