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Fritz's Home Display - Tank Build (1 Viewer)

Sold the microscope a year back. If I could get one where could I find reference charts?

I'd think you should be able to find a picture online if not, I could see if I have any pictures in books, or may be ask capman.
 
Update: After 2 weeks with the mag at way over 2000. I saw not only no results, the whatever algae(s) came back fiercer than ever. Another plucking was done on Saturday. I am blessed with some very generous friends and it became a plucky afternoon party. Thank you!

After seeing Jame's tank I must hang my head in shame!

I've had it too good with sumps twice the size of my display. With Motorcycle season around the corner I am even more motivated... and James and I have a trade I need to get the tank ready for :)

So other than over feeding, over stocking, moving the corals in too fast (because I took down the QT) and generally doing nothing that I advise, a few other issues have come up.

First flow, even with two mp40s its hard to get flow to the right place in the tank. The cube is hard to direct flow to the right place. I think the corals are happy enough, but I can't keep the rocks clean, partly flow partly rockwork issue.
And that flows into the second issue: the tabling rock work holds poo like a magnet... or a cup... or a welcome mat... "ya welcome mat that's the ticket".
Second, Heat. I already see the tank getting warm... I really want to make the MH work, but I might have to forfeit.
Third, Its hard to work in a 2' sump space!... even with that generous cabinet... OK now I am just whining. I'm just saying, if your spouse will let you do an in-wall with a fish room... DO IT! :gay1:

Still I love the tank up there, and if the algae would just stay down... it actually looks nice. But, its messing with my favorite corals when it gets too tall... SO IT MUST DIE!:mad_3:

Plan:

New plan is to hit it with every anecdotal cure.

I am doing 40-50g WC every time I have enough water to do a change. (probably end up being 1 time a week since I am hardly ever home). I figure it will take me 5-6 WC to get back down to a reasonable MG level to give the Kent a try... right now I am at 2150ppm.

The posphates are at .26 ppm... only 10X higher than recommended... The WC should help and I added a reactor I found in my mom's misc fish stuff. OH used equipment... I forgot what size to use on the via-aquas and took home a maxi 600... too strong a mini 606 too strong... then finally a 404... man I can waste money with the best of them. I am using the BRS GFO Granuals. I should have had a cup and a half... but I lost most down the drain using too big o pumps... oops Oh well next week I will swap out a new batch.

I also stole the magnificent rabbit from the display at work (Li just pulled him since he found a taste for his LE zoo collection).

I am only feeding pellets till I get things under control. "The sins of the father shall be visited upon the fish a thousand times?"...

Rachelle wants me to do some zeo something... but Li keeps forgetting to bring it... maybe she will chime in.

and i am going to add more bacteria power to the pellets. Both zeo stuff and prodibio.

I'm gonna get this sucker turned around! :cool::beerchug:
 
Good luck Fritz.

FWIW, it took a week or two to start seeing the bryopsis wilting, but it was still pretty prevalent. If it's not extended like a fan and is instead more stringy, I'd say the BRS stuff is working.

I used kent, btw.

the only other thing I'd do that you haven't mentioned is reducing your photo period. Also, in that space, does it get any direct sunlight during the day that you would want to cut off?

Good luck, man. I'm pretty eager for the trade. Tommy is jealous!
 
You mention making mh work but don't want the heat. I keep my 2 mh a foot off the surface of the tank, they are not in a cabinet, and only see a 1-2 degree change in water temp. I also have a chiller but it only kicks on in july and aug.
 
12" off the surface, your trading less light for less heat. If I'm going to run a MH, I would want to get the maximum intensity out of it. Most reflectors are design to be 6"-8" off the surface. Every inche higher you go the less intensity you get at the surface. If somewhat defeats the purpose.
 
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I've done par tests at the various heights from 4 inches to 18 inches. Not much difference. Between 8 and 12 however my tank ran cooler. You have to be willing to try things different if you expect different results.
 
That is true I had my mh about 10-12 " up and didn't get any color or growth,just about a month ago I lowered the the to3" above water and everything started to color up and grow.
this is just my experience.
 
I've done par tests at the various heights from 4 inches to 18 inches. Not much difference. Between 8 and 12 however my tank ran cooler. You have to be willing to try things different if you expect different results.

I'd add more ventalation and leave the height alone ( as long as reflector can provide the adequate spread ). Raising the MH would be the last resort and would probably look at lower the wattage instead.

Every 6" is 30% less in the highest peak intensity reading ( assuming lumenarc style reflector ). If you can run a 250w 6" lower than a 400W ( and still get the required light spread ), then basically getting the same intensity ( within <10% ) and less heat & electricity compared to the 400w.
 
I'd add more ventalation and leave the height alone ( as long as reflector can provide the adequate spread ). Raising the MH would be the last resort and would probably look at lower the wattage instead.

Every 6" is 30% less in the highest peak intensity reading ( assuming lumenarc style reflector ). If you can run a 250w 6" lower than a 400W ( and still get the required light spread ), then basically getting the same intensity ( within <10% ) and less heat & electricity compared to the 400w.

Check my build for par readings, I have over 200 in all areas of the sand bed. I think lowering it wouldn't be beneficial. Feel free to comment on there as I don't want to hijack Fritz's thread.
 
Did you ever post the PAR readings from your tank?

I can't find the picture Li and I made. Off to the sides im under 80 in a lot of places. Its actually the perfect spread for a mixed reef, but not an sps reef. Its ok I have been having fun sharing the tank with non-reefers and LPS rule that domain. I have to admit I was enthralled with James torch!
 
Update: After 2 weeks with the mag at way over 2000. I saw not only no results, the whatever algae(s) came back fiercer than ever...

I am doing 40-50g WC every time I have enough water to do a change. (probably end up being 1 time a week since I am hardly ever home). I figure it will take me 5-6 WC to get back down to a reasonable MG level to give the Kent a try... right now I am at 2150ppm.

TechM/Mg isn't working for me anymore. Must be a different strain of bryopsis, or a different algae altogether, that looks just like yours; either way, it sucks. Can't fit any herbivores in a 29g display.
 
TechM/Mg isn't working for me anymore. Must be a different strain of bryopsis, or a different algae altogether, that looks just like yours; either way, it sucks. Can't fit any herbivores in a 29g display.

As I mentioned in my build thread also it worked for me.
Bumped up Mag to 1450 with BRS (cheaper) and the rest with TechM up to 1550-1600.
Died off in a couple days
 
I can't find the picture Li and I made. Off to the sides im under 80 in a lot of places. Its actually the perfect spread for a mixed reef, but not an sps reef. Its ok I have been having fun sharing the tank with non-reefers and LPS rule that domain. I have to admit I was enthralled with James torch!

I think that torch is up to 4 or 5 heads. when it hits 10, it ought to be 2 feet across with those tentacles... I will then bring it into the store, Li can carve it in half with his saw, then YOU will have a torch like that. It is a crazy piece.

Mixed reef all the way baby, all sps is 'too easy'. Just turn the powerheads on high and walk away? What's the fun in that? ;)
 
Yes after the second day of running GFO they went from 2.6 to 1.5, if I recall. Also the algae has come back much slower. I will need to get in there again. I just switched GFO yesterday. I haven't had a chance to see what the levels are at yet. I hope to get some time in the morning :cool:
 

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