Tank upgrade --> 300 Gallon Marineland Project

[joe22883]

You just dont wanna share your sps steriod recipe Crazy nice growth. You really should make time to get some not soo blue pics so I can see the colors, very nice colonies either way! Im sure a couple days without the reactor dropped your tanks alk n ca alot. No burnt tips trying to bring it back up? Seems like everyones going with dosing pumps nowadays but cause of your success with the reactor/kalk setup Ill keep mine going.

Hey Dan,

There isn't anything special in the water. I use plain old Reef Crystals. I use a calcium reactor and Kalkwasser mostly. I did let my levels get to low a while ago after my co2 tank went empty. I have been using sachem two part for the past few months trying to get my levels back up to where they should be. The standard calcium of 400, alk at 7-8 DKH and PH at 8.1 - 8.4.

I have a huge old skool skimmer and cant believe these newer little ones can keep up, keep us updated on how that one does for you with your large water volume. It has to be saving you some $ on the electric either way.

+1 on big tanks not in all ways being easier.

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Looking like TOTM material. Growth is superb! I'm liking your fish choice as well.

 

[Herk]

Your tank is truly inspiring. Love the colonies of SPS.

 

[aquavista99]

Your reef tank looks fantastic, Mike!!! Sorry to see your amazing RC 1000 skimmer being retired. I am a big fan of the Euroreef/Reef Dynamics skimmers and yours was a beast. How do you like your new skimmer?

I changed out my skimmer. I downsized to a Vertex 250 internal.


Pic of the old and new one installed.

 

[mike660r]

You just dont wanna share your sps steriod recipe Crazy nice growth. You really should make time to get some not soo blue pics so I can see the colors, very nice colonies either way! Im sure a couple days without the reactor dropped your tanks alk n ca alot. No burnt tips trying to bring it back up? Seems like everyones going with dosing pumps nowadays but cause of your success with the reactor/kalk setup Ill keep mine going.




I have a huge old skool skimmer and cant believe these newer little ones can keep up, keep us updated on how that one does for you with your large water volume. It has to be saving you some $ on the electric either way.

+1 on big tanks not in all ways being easier.

Hey Joe,

I wish I had better camera skills to provide some better photos to share. The levels do fall pretty quick on this system. I have started to keep some spares on hand since this tank is being affected by failures with my calcium reactor. I did find the culprit with my leaking CO2. The electronic selenoid had worked iteself loose from the metal body. The o-ring failed and allowed for a leak. I found it with soapy water after draining a 10lb and 20lb tank. Thank goodness I had a "spare" solenoid on hand. It has been said that having both calcium reactor/Kalk and two part is a good combo. I have seen some color enhancements while adding the Seachem 2 part. I intend to pursue the dual supplement method in the future with dosing pumps.

The vertex skimmer has been in operation since November of last year I believe. I clean it twice a week so that it pulls out as much gunk as it can. I really enjoy not having to be concerned with 6 pumps (1 feed and 5 circulation). When I purchased the RC1000 the word on the street was buy as big of a skimmer as your budget will allow. I took that advice in 2005 and ran with it. My intentions were for a larger display then what I ended up with as well. So after all these years of changes and new cone models coming out I started to reevaluate what I was doing. I talked to others and read as much as I could and determined I could use something smaller. I wanted something internal as well. I had a few instances when the RC1000 had overflowed onto the floor. Now, if the vertex goes nuts for whatever reason it will just drain back into the sump. The adjustment of the Vertex is very simple. I don't have to worry about cleaning the air intake valves once a week either. I have the skimmer on a 6 month cleaning cycle. That means that I pull it from the sump and break it down completely and give it a thurough cleaning. I'd like to mention an issue I had with the original Vertex 250 that I ordered. There was a manufacturing defect that came from a glue joint where the water is discharged from the skimmer body. Glue had ran down to the bottom base place and fused the upper cone and the base plate together. I contacted PA and they in turn notified Royal Exclusive. Within a few days I had a new skimmer body at my door. I was very pleased with the correspondence and customer service from both business. Overall, I am very satisfied with this skimmer.

 

[joe22883]

I hear ya on the skimmer swap, 6 pumps!!! Theres always something to go wrong like a solenoid

We would like to come stare at your tank some day, mine is not much to look at compared but your welcomed to stop by...

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Mike, I had a great time meeting you. This has to be the nicest tank I've ever seen! You really have that magic touch, I felt like I went on a dive in Hawaii when I set eyes upon this reef. Great job, very inspirational!

 

[maxxII]

New pics?

Nick

 

[mike660r]

I have added a few things to my system. I'll try and find some time to gather some pictures and put them up. Here are some tank shots that I recently shared else where.

 

[mike660r]

 

[mike660r]

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Everything looks great. I like those brighter pictures! That stag is unbelievable and the efflo!!

How long did it take you to turn those frags into colonies?

How about a bright fts?

 

[maxxII]

Gorgeous! What are you using for lighting now?

Nick

 

[mike660r]

Phoenix 14K 250 MH and 3 - 6' 454 VHOs with 1 - 6' Super actinic.

 

[jformani]

Great tank I cant believe the size of the stag. Nice chalice as well. Did you get that last chalice from Paradise? I live in Medina and would love to check it out one day.

 

[maxxII]

Ahh, okay. I'm using Pheonix 14ks and VHO's as well. Wasnt sure if you had switched to LED's or if the white balance on your camera was making the tank look that blue. I know my camera's white balance is thrown off by the Phoenix bulbs and my tank is not anywhere near that blue in person.

Thanks Mike!

Nick

Phoenix 14K 250 MH and 3 - 6' 454 VHOs with 1 - 6' Super actinic.

 

[mike660r]

Great tank I cant believe the size of the stag. Nice chalice as well. Did you get that last chalice from Paradise? I live in Medina and would love to check it out one day.

Thank you,

You are correct that coral was the medium sized piece of the pink paradise they were selling. My buddy was edging me on to buy the 1000 dollar colony they had. Way too pricey for me. What part of Medina do you live in? Maybe we can set up a time for you to come over.

 

[jformani]

Yeah I was looking at that chalice ever other day on fragswap but picked up a few different ones in Columbus, now that you bought one I want one...ha! I'm on the west side of Medina but work half mile east of the square. Let me know, Jo Jo's and then a tank tour!!!

 

[Renton777]

Got a chance to stop by and see this tank in person. You do not realize how nice the tank is until you actually get a chance to see it up close and personal. Thanks for having me Mike. I am disappointed I forgot my camera I would have loved to have gotten some pictures. It is another excuse to stop by again!

 

[mike660r]

Here is a video that was taken by my friend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNGbi-NHkv4&feature=channel_video_title