The Reef Central Corner Club Thread
- Thread starter Michael
- Start date
reefscape15
New member
Boret - The tank is coming along very nicely! Lots of growth on those Monti caps, and your Zoa collection is very impressive. What lighting are you using? I added a 250watt MH to my tank and growth is a lot better than what it was, but I went with 20k. Now I wish I would've gone with 14 or 15 instead. I like the color, but i'd like more growth as well.
Bzuber - I have been looking at the new Vertex skimmers and comparing them with Aqua Euro, Reef Octo, ASM G series, Bubble Magus, and other comparable sizes to G-2 or Reef Octo NW 200. Vertex seems to have some very impressive reviews, and they tested the 250 model against ATB bubble cone, that retails for over $600. The $350 Vertex skimmer kept up with the ATB, and actually pulled out more skimmate that was just as dark and thick. That review alone was enough for me to almost make up my mind, but I really look into things before I buy.
Bzuber - I have been looking at the new Vertex skimmers and comparing them with Aqua Euro, Reef Octo, ASM G series, Bubble Magus, and other comparable sizes to G-2 or Reef Octo NW 200. Vertex seems to have some very impressive reviews, and they tested the 250 model against ATB bubble cone, that retails for over $600. The $350 Vertex skimmer kept up with the ATB, and actually pulled out more skimmate that was just as dark and thick. That review alone was enough for me to almost make up my mind, but I really look into things before I buy.
reefscape15
New member
Boret - Are those powerheads mounted on swirler steins or just on to the bracing on the corners of your tank? The steins make use of a small motor like what is used in a microwave turntable, and hooked up with a link that rotates a piece of PVC pipe back and forth. The pipes are then attached to your powerheads and you have random water motion for less than $50! This is most likely my next DIY project after I do my canopy
reefscape15
New member
Here's the link to the swirler stein thread if anyone is interested
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1483439
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1483439
boret
Premium Member
Just the rock you see in the system but working right now on a Remote Live Rock tank. Going to use a Rubbermaid 70 gl stock tank.
The idea is that I want the corals to be the center of attention, not the rock. At the beginning I had way too much rock.
I really enjoy the more open look, and allows me to play around with the location of the SPS.
boret
Premium Member
This is not my idea but I've seen it in several TOTM tanks and I love the look.
I wish yumas were cheaper though....
doing all florida rics now.Once the rics start filling up and spplitting it should cover the small rocks the have at the base.
I also want to keep the clams between the rics, but they are not collaborating and keep moving around throwing sand over the rics.
Hey guys. I'm still here. Not much changed except the tank is becoming pinker!!!!! The corals haven't done much yet, but I'm happy with no nuisance algeas rearing their head since most of my rock was drained dead!!!!
That piece of eggcrate is still in there. Been dealing with the Pens winning the cup and stuff. It's almost fully pink now.
That piece of eggcrate is still in there. Been dealing with the Pens winning the cup and stuff. It's almost fully pink now.
reefscape15
New member
Hahaha! I forgot you changed up your avatar for a while there. That must have been keeping you busy huh? HAHAHA!!!! I'm glad to hear that everyone's tanks are doing well, and Jesse, you'll probably be able to start fraging that eggcrate soon! It's been about 2 or 3 months. How much has it grown? 1/2 dozen? I'm excited to see where you place all the frags.
reefscape15
New member
Boret - I think my reflector may have some to do with the nono-amazing coral growth. I just made something to hold my bulb, and didn't really think about the importance of reflection until after it was made, but when I make a canopy i'm going to take all my lighting apart and re-do everything. I really want to add a bunch of those LED's that you used in your canopy. They look bigger and like they would put out some good blue spots in the tank. Also, I may switch my background around. The reverse side of my black background is blue, and I miss the blue that my old tank had. Here is a pic:
I looked so bright and full of life. Now with a black background and black sand, it just kind of makes everything look drab. The rocks don't seem to look the same as they used to, and just the whole thing is not what I was picturing it would turn out like. I read that using a dark background would make your corals stand out more, but I just figure using a brighter background and getting ultra bright corals would solve that one I've got my fingers crossed for this sump, and I can't wait to start tearing that tank apart! I think i may move the rockwork around a bit, and try to stir up some of the older Fiji Pink sand from under the top layer of black just to give a different look.
I looked so bright and full of life. Now with a black background and black sand, it just kind of makes everything look drab. The rocks don't seem to look the same as they used to, and just the whole thing is not what I was picturing it would turn out like. I read that using a dark background would make your corals stand out more, but I just figure using a brighter background and getting ultra bright corals would solve that one
I've got my fingers crossed for this sump, and I can't wait to start tearing that tank apart! I think i may move the rockwork around a bit, and try to stir up some of the older Fiji Pink sand from under the top layer of black just to give a different look.
reefscape15
New member
This is the beginning of a little shroom collection. I want to mix in all types of shroomz, and have a big patch of them eventually
reefscape15
New member
This is the beginning of a little shroom collection. I want to mix in all types of shroomz, and have a big patch of them eventually
Vertex are great, the only complaint I heard about was that they were not energy efficient and may run your electric bill a little higher than other skimmers. But I say who cares if your running 400w in lighting, wave makers, chillers, etc . . . in the long run whats a couple extra dollars in this hobby.
reefscape15
New member
Yes I agree with you 100%! I'll probably still be trying to decide which one I get right until the last possible moment. It seems like that just how I spend my money for some reason
reefscape15
New member
Oh jeez I almost forgot! The quieter the better for me with the new skimmer. My wife likes the tank, but since it's next to our bed, she doesn't like the noise all that much. So, everything I do to the tank has to not be too noisey. I hope I have good luck making the overflow and sump quiet
Hey all,
Well I am still trying to figure out my lighting dilemma for my new 92g corner. I currently only have a 400w MH light (no idea the spectrum, I'd guess 10k) hanging over the center, and don't want to run that light all day long. I am trying to figure out supplemental lighting. I don't have a canopy so I have to try and make this look "pretty" for my wife to give me a thumbs up as she doesn't want lots of wires and bulbs hanging loose. Above my tank is a shelf that has the MH bulb hanging from it in a small canopy right over the center of the tank. What I am thinking might work would be to get two 24" fixtures to hang on the outsides of the MH bulb. So essentially they would be running along the 2 back walls of the tank.
My question/s are would 2 24" fixtures of T5's work? PC's? Would the supplemental light be adequate along those 2 walls? I am also wondering, do I go 50/50? All actinic? Any recommendations would be most appreciated? Can you guys maybe recommend to me some fixtures that aren't going to be terribly expensive?
Right now all I really have is a couple fish and a bunch of live rock, have a leather coral and little bit of frogspawn. Eventually I will be wanting to get an anenome, clams, SPS, so know I need fairly intense lighting.
Thanks all!
Well I am still trying to figure out my lighting dilemma for my new 92g corner. I currently only have a 400w MH light (no idea the spectrum, I'd guess 10k) hanging over the center, and don't want to run that light all day long. I am trying to figure out supplemental lighting. I don't have a canopy so I have to try and make this look "pretty" for my wife to give me a thumbs up as she doesn't want lots of wires and bulbs hanging loose. Above my tank is a shelf that has the MH bulb hanging from it in a small canopy right over the center of the tank. What I am thinking might work would be to get two 24" fixtures to hang on the outsides of the MH bulb. So essentially they would be running along the 2 back walls of the tank.
My question/s are would 2 24" fixtures of T5's work? PC's? Would the supplemental light be adequate along those 2 walls? I am also wondering, do I go 50/50? All actinic? Any recommendations would be most appreciated? Can you guys maybe recommend to me some fixtures that aren't going to be terribly expensive?
Right now all I really have is a couple fish and a bunch of live rock, have a leather coral and little bit of frogspawn. Eventually I will be wanting to get an anenome, clams, SPS, so know I need fairly intense lighting.
Thanks all!
reefscape15
New member
I think if you got 2 fixtures you'd be set! If it's a 2 bulb go with 1 daytime and 1 actinic in each, but if they are 4 bulb fixtures, go with 1 daytime and 3 actinic. T-5's perform way better than PC's IMO. Current Nova Extreme 24" are about $150 a fixture.
reefscape15
New member
Boret - I read your review on your skimmer selection on the other site, and i might be sold on SWC! That thing looks amazing!
boret
Premium Member
LOL, yeah the SWC 300 is a beast!!!
Everyone told me I was crazy to put such a big skimmer (rated for 600g) in a 92g tank (aprox 150g total system volume). They told me it won't skim... etc...
All I have to say is that I am finally happy with a Skimmer. I have gone through HOB, el cheapo CPR, deltec knock offs, etc... and I finally have a skimmer that I like.
You've seen this image, but Ill post it here anyway, it is the skimmer I am using in a 92 corner after all:
I probably could have been ok with a 200 or a 250 but I am happy with the 300. If you have the space, go for it!
