Urbanek's 250

[mhucasey]

April 23rd, 2016 Photo Update

It's been about 5 days since my last update, here's another photo bomb on the journal. Thanks for looking, feedback is always appreciated, both good and constructive.


A shot of my new Bubble King Supermarin 200. I've had it about a month now. Loving it.


Unknown Wild Acro


ORA Verde


Pets Inc Acro


Setosa - If any of you go way back on my old threads, this coral has been with me since the original Nano

I absolutely love your sump layout! I'm not one for filter socks but it certainly looks like using them has really helped keep your sump clean as a whistle!

 

[mpderksen]

First off: well done mate! Very inspiring and impressive.
Second: your photography continues to amaze me.
Last, a question: what is the estimated volume of your sump while in operation? Dimensions appreciated. And how much does it fill with the return off? (I.e. Safety volume)
I ask because I'm looking for a ratio of DT to sump size for my own upgrade......
Cheers,
Michael

 

[Bartel]

Your thread is a real inspiration and a clear example of how I would dream my set-up and my livestock to be one day. Keep up sharing your experiences, here in Europe followed with great attention.

 

[Bpb]

Skimmed this build thread a few times, Love everything about it. I may be missing it somewhere but would you share your bulb combo?

 

[MadsDK]

can't stop drooling! This aquarium setup is simply so perfect and beautiful.

 

[reefmutt]

Loooove that skimmer!
It's a thing of beauty.
Your corals are better but it's still pretty!

 

[urbaneks]

I absolutely love your sump layout! I'm not one for filter socks but it certainly looks like using them has really helped keep your sump clean as a whistle!

Mhucasey - filter socks definitely have their pros and cons. I've never used them in my previous builds and designed this sump so I could run with or without. I had planned to run them periodically but I found that it's not much work to keep them swapped out.

First off: well done mate! Very inspiring and impressive.
Second: your photography continues to amaze me.
Last, a question: what is the estimated volume of your sump while in operation? Dimensions appreciated. And how much does it fill with the return off? (I.e. Safety volume)
I ask because I'm looking for a ratio of DT to sump size for my own upgrade......
Cheers,
Michael

Michael - thanks and thanks. I really appreciate you taking the time to view and comment.

As for my sump, see below for the sketch I used for the build. It has all of the dimensions included. The sump holds 60g, I run the skimmer section at 9.5" which equates to 35g when the return pump is running. When the return pump turns off, I get about 2" of drain down which puts the sump at 43g. Still 17g of excess. Hope this is helpful for you

Your thread is a real inspiration and a clear example of how I would dream my set-up and my livestock to be one day. Keep up sharing your experiences, here in Europe followed with great attention.

Bartel - many thanks for the kind words.

Skimmed this build thread a few times, Love everything about it. I may be missing it somewhere but would you share your bulb combo?

Bpb - ah the bulb question. I'm still searching for that elusive perfect bulb combo. I just recently switched to Giesmann bulbs. I've ran ATI and KZ in the past and each seems to have its pros and cons. Right now I'm running the following combo which is as good as I've ever had in terms of growth, color and pleasing to look at. If you aren't familiar with Giesmann, their Actinic Blue is like an ATI blue plus. The Azure would be close to a coral plus with a bit less white.

Actinic Blue
Azure
Pure Actinic
Purple Plus
Actinic Blue
Pure Actinic
Azure
Actinic Blue

can't stop drooling! This aquarium setup is simply so perfect and beautiful.

MadsDK - thank you! Love the kind words.

Loooove that skimmer!
It's a thing of beauty.
Your corals are better but it's still pretty!

Reefmutt- it is a thing of beauty. Thanks for the continued views and comments.

 

[mpderksen]

Michael - thanks and thanks. I really appreciate you taking the time to view and comment.

As for my sump, see below for the sketch I used for the build. It has all of the dimensions included. The sump holds 60g, I run the skimmer section at 9.5" which equates to 35g when the return pump is running. When the return pump turns off, I get about 2" of drain down which puts the sump at 43g. Still 17g of excess. Hope this is helpful for you

Spot on. These dimensions exactly fit my plan for the potential 180g upgrade. Though I have a slightly different actual layout. This is quite helpful.

Michael

 

[urbaneks]

April 28th, 2016 - Photo Update

April 28th, 2016 - Photo Update

April 28th, 2016 - Photo Update

Just getting my weekly photo bomb added here. Thanks for looking.


Reef Raft - The Phong


Purple Humilis


Rocky Mountain Corals - Skull Cracker


Some random zoa - Think it's Armor of God


ORA Joe the Coral

 

[mpderksen]

Wow! I love blue coral. You probably said in the previous pages, but what lens are you using? What do you set your lights to for these shots? In fact, could you post your camera settings for me? Not to be a burden, but I'm struggling a bit and plan to get a macro soon.

 

[Bman562]

This tank is simply stunning!

 

[ezerasurfr]

Can we get an updated FTS? I feel like it has been a while.

 

[mhucasey]

Amazingly detailed pictures as always. I really enjoy viewing your updates!

 

[dtum]

Bravo, Brad! You are my inspiration.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[reef thief]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[urbaneks]

Wow! I love blue coral. You probably said in the previous pages, but what lens are you using? What do you set your lights to for these shots? In fact, could you post your camera settings for me? Not to be a burden, but I'm struggling a bit and plan to get a macro soon.

mpderksen - I vary the lighting that I take photos in but the more light you can provide the more play you have with the camera. I also, don't have a set of settings that I use. What I can tell you is I start with the aperture I want for the the depth of field I'm going for. I then try to get a shutter speed faster than or equal to 1/30th of a second if I'm hand holding the camera. Slower if I'm using a tripod. Keep your iso setting as low as you can and still achieve the shutter speed. Hope that helps.

This tank is simply stunning!

Bman - Thanks!

Can we get an updated FTS? I feel like it has been a while.

ezerasurfr - It has been a while, I will get one in the next few days.

Amazingly detailed pictures as always. I really enjoy viewing your updates!

mhucasey - Thank so much. I appreciate you continuing to check in.

Bravo, Brad! You are my inspiration.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

D - Really appreciate it but I think you may be going a bit overboard. Hope all is well on your end.

Thank you for sharing.

reef thief - Thanks for looking!

 

[TangingOut]

I had the pleasure of seeing this system in person recently and although the pictures are stunning in their own right, it was truly breathtaking. Everywhere you look in the tank there's something cool to see. It was actually too much to take in, as you miss a lot scanning through even the 2nd and 3rd time.

Don't even get me started on the stand, it truly is a piece of art work. So clean and buttoned up. And the height was just perfect. I couldn't believe how nearly silent the system was, even when the stand doors were removed.

I could go on and on about every component of the build/reef, but what stood out to me was how nonchalant Brad was about his system and seemed very humble about it. Like as if everything kinda just fell into place and an amazing reef tank was born. I can see how much planning, hard work, and skills went into it.

Great job Brad and thanks for letting me come check it out.

 

[SUPAkg]

Can you share your light schedule and led cycle pleas?

 

[urbaneks]

May 2nd, 2016 - Photo Update

Once again, it's been a few days since I've posted an update. Sticking with my resolution to continue posting, I'm gonna keep putting posts out there. Comments are always appreciated.



Cherry Corals - Boo Berry - I have high hopes for this coral. It's been a very slow grower thus far.



ORA Scrips Green Tip Staghorn



I recently redid some of my scape which resulted in some more open space and a couple archways. Here is a shot of one of my chromis, ducking in behind the arch.



I thought this was a funny photo with the Yellow Tang trying to shoal with the Chromis

 

[reefmutt]

Love that boo berry. There's a lot going on in that coral. It'll be fun to see that one grow out.