Top down shots

[AD87]

Nice!

 

[Clarkii01]

I'm on the way back right now. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Kreeger1]

Lookin good Ed

 

[mzkrista]

So beautiful! Love to come and see your set up one day!

 

[007Bond]

Thanks, same as always 4x 54w Coral+ & Blue+ overdriven on Ice Cap ballast. I have two more bulbs to add

Hey Ed,...on your 4 bulbs, are they 2 of each and are they staggered B+,C+,B+,C+? How far apart are they spaced?...is the fixture a diy since your using ice cap ballasts?... and so are your going to add one more of each to the mix for a total of six over your tank? Can you say where you buy your bulbs and how often you change them out.
Sorry for all the questions,...thanks in advance.---Rick

 

[Big E]

Thanks Erik, Tony and mzkrista!


Rick--------

Yes, 2 of each and staggered .......I start with Blue+ in the front. I'm going to do 3x3 but the two new bubls will be with an ATI ballast, just because I have it from my frag tank.

I made a new 4 bulb fixture for my frag tank same setup with ice cap ballast.

I change bulbs every six months.

I buy them off the net and from LFS, or whenever I see sales or whatever best price happens to pop up. I never pay more than 20 per bulb and usually less.

 

[007Bond]

Thanks Ed!

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Ed,

Your corals look spectacular.

 

[Big E]

Thanks!

 

[Quiverfull]

Ed:

you mentioned you made your own fixture for the frag tank. How did you do this?

 

[Big E]

The best way to go about it is to buy the LET T5 retrofit kits.

If you want the 660 ballast you can get them used quite often. The Ati ballasts with the LET kits are fine if you just want to use those.

I just use some wood laying around to make a frame to mount everything.

If you want it to look pretty it costs about another $25-30 to make a floating canopy to house the fixture.

 

[rogerrgr]

Extremely beautiful corals! I've really enjoyed reading this thread numerous times and appreciate all the valuable information you have given.
I was always chasing my PO4 numbers and overdoing it with GFO and getting terrible colors. Took out the GFO and haven't tested in a while, but things are slowly coloring up and very noticeable growth.
Thanks!

 

[007Bond]

Hey Ed,...what about these t5 highbay fixtures would they work? They come with chrome reflectors, and I like the cost,...would you use over a frag tank? http://www.ebay.com/itm/361148437753?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ---Rick

 

[Big E]

Extremely beautiful corals! I've really enjoyed reading this thread numerous times and appreciate all the valuable information you have given.
I was always chasing my PO4 numbers and overdoing it with GFO and getting terrible colors. Took out the GFO and haven't tested in a while, but things are slowly coloring up and very noticeable growth.
Thanks!

Thanks Roger.........it's great to hear someone using some of my thought/practices and getting a benefit out of them.



Hi Rick,

Honestly I'd stear clear of that or any of the cheap fixtures on ebay. If the ballasts aren't the right type the par is going to suck. I'm not sure if those reflectors are individual which make a difference. Also, no waterproof end caps.

You get what you pay for..........I'm still using my same LET fixture from 8 years ago. They didn't have the ATI ballasts back then............it was the 660.


Hellolights has a retrofit similar to the LET. I would try that if you want to spend a little less. I believe they have the correct ballasts.

 

[AhmedLFC]

Ed do you run Carbon or do you run this in limited amounts also?

 

[Big E]

Since I have had the new tank with a new skimmer, I run carbon in a bag occasionally when the water loses some clarity when looking down from the 48" end of the tank.

I use about half the amount recommended by the manufacturers.

 

[ECreefer]

Since I have had the new tank with a new skimmer, I run carbon in a bag occasionally when the water loses some clarity when looking down from the 48" end of the tank.



I use about half the amount recommended by the manufacturers.

Big E, awesome tank... I have been following the progress for quite some time now. The colors are truly outstanding and make me quite jealous.

When you refer to a new skimmer and carbon; what do you mean by this.

Are you saying that the skimmer isn't broken in as much as your old one? Therefore you are supplementing with some carbon?

 

[Big E]

Thank you ECreefer,

I always try to run large 3-4x oversized skimmers. For example my old Sps setup had a Deltec Ap703 rated for 500g on my 160g total volume system for 8+ years.

When I started up this current system I bought an Amaxx ConeS3 rated for 450g and my total volume is 100g.

The carbon takes out nasties that skimmers don't take out ,so I occasionally use it ,but always half recommended amounts and slow flow.

Because I'm very fastidious about my water changes, I don't see the need to run my carbon all the time.

 

[ECreefer]

I cannot agree more, I have always run carbon passive since I change water weekly. I have been experiencing some full colors in the last few months though.

Got a good deal on a skimz sm253 and upgraded to that, rated for almost 800g on a 150g system. I have recently (within the last week) started to run it much dryer. I have also only run it on speed 4 of 6. Thinking it still might be pulling to much. Do you have any thoughts on over skimming? Is this even possible.

 

[Big E]

Do you have any thoughts on over skimming? Is this even possible.

No......it's only going to skim out the excess........what the bacteria and corals don't consume. They are much more efficient in getting what they need than any skimmer.

Bacteria is always first in line..................now if you're carbon dosing or using a product like Zeo you can starve your corals. The skimmer only acts as a tool to export that nutrient laden bacteria.

The input of food is much more important...........the skimmer can't take out what isn't there to begin with.