Wayne's 225

[waynemah]

Current equipment:
225 Gallon Tank 72lx30wx24h
DIY LED! 4 Dimmable Pendants of 36x3w Cree's. Each pendant will have 24 XP-E Royal Blue and 12 XP-G Cool white.
Skimz SM201 Skimmer
Tunze 3155 Osmolator ATO
Reeflo Super Dart Gold
Profilux Controller
BRS ROX/GFO
BRS Dosers (3) w/two part
Finnex 300w heaters
Biopellets with TLF reactor
IN-SUMP frag tank LED lit
RO/DI
Koralia 8 (one per side in back)
EcoTech MP40WES (one per side in front)
140lbs of rock
120lbs of sand



http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Tankonfloor.jpg

[lastlight]

I'm obviously tagging along.

[phi delt reefer]

go barebottom but leave that blanket there - looks awesome.

[lastlight]

He's already got sun and moon coral with a few star polyps as well. Not bad at all...

[waynemah]

Oh that tacky blanket is coming back to bite me... :redface:

[Delphinus]

Man I sure do like that tank. Great score Wayne! Can't wait to see this one back at it. :)

[Lance]

Yup. That's a tank that definitely needs SW in it.
What kind of system are you planning?

[waynemah]

Yup. That's a tank that definitely needs SW in it.
What kind of system are you planning?

I'm going to try my hand at a mixed reef and go from there. I keep seeing these macro shots of SPS and drool every time. Wife likes softies :surprise:

[Lance]

I'm going to try my hand at a mixed reef and go from there. I keep seeing these macro shots of SPS and drool every time. Wife likes softies :surprise:

Good choice. That tank deserves some nice SPS colonies. And as for the wife's choice: my condolences man. :lol:

[Funky_Fish14]

Wayne, looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

.... I see pokes at my lack of SW development when I had the system haha... *sniffle

[lastlight]

I'm still the only one who's gotten to salty second base with this tank.

That is a challenge btw...

[waynemah]

There isn't much I can do to top the build thread you had going for it, I hope to get the stand built within the month. This might be a slow one.

[lastlight]

There isn't much I can do to top the build thread you had going for it, I hope to get the stand built within the month. This might be a slow one.

Third base is corals and fish. I think you can easily top it and I'm looking forward to seeing it =)

[fishytime]

Wife likes softies :surprise:

And as for the wife's choice: my condolences man. :lol:

I'm still the only one who's gotten to salty second base

wow his tank journal thread isnt even a day old and I see that its already going down the path to debauchery and mayhem:twised:......


Gonna be a sweet tank fersure......following:biggrin:

[lastlight]

wow his tank journal thread isnt even a day old and I see that its already going down the path to debauchery and mayhem:twised:......


Gonna be a sweet tank fersure......following:biggrin:

I suspect the silicone absorbed my essence and we're seeing the effects of this now as it spills back out into his new thread.

Besides, Canreef is pretty dead right now so we may as well congregate somewhere =)

[waynemah]

I've worked up the courage to try and level the floor...

This is what 5 gallons of self leveling compound gets you.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/5gal.jpg

This is with 25 gallons.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/25gal.jpg

[waynemah]

Stand built, foam layed and tank is now on the stand!

Next is paint touch up and plumming!

The front of the stand will eventually be built into the wall. I want it to look like a clean ledge.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/onstand.jpg

[Dez]

Looks great!. Is that room seriously only about 7 feet wide? Did you build it just for the aquarium?

[waynemah]

Thanks! I bought the house with a finished basement, the space was pretty much useless. I'm thinking the previous owner built it for a bar.

[fishytime]

Well it should be nice and cozy for viewing the tank:biggrin:

[waynemah]

Who would have thought the most stressful part would be lighting the tank! If anyone has any good advice, please feel free to pass it on.


Here are my current choices on the table (in no particular order):


Pacific Sun Metis CRP 4x100W -- Right now, the top of my options. This light has everything that I want and more. It's by far the cleanest unit and will give me a lot of room to get into the tank. The down sides are the price and upgradeability.


Aqua Illuminations 6x75w pendants -- I've *virtually* seen many of these in action (YouTube, how-to’s, reviews etc...). I have a very good idea of what these can do, the price is still slightly high, but I don't want to get stuck in a void of having to add more and more expensive pendants to offset the spotlighting these are known to have.


DIY 4 panels of 42 Cree XP LEDs (cool white and royal blue) -- I have the knowledge and experience of soldering and working with electronics. The price is much lower than the other options and I can change out anything that dies on my own... Most likely having spare parts on hand. Huge down side is looks, I don't have the resources to fabricate an awesome fixture for DIY.


I've considered T5's and MH, but I’m the kind of guy to forget about the initial purchase and gripe about ongoing maintenance costs. With LED I believe it's a pay now or pay later situation.

[waynemah]

Lights are now chosen and ordered!

I'll be going with 4 seperate lights with 36 3w Cree LED's on each! 24 Royal Blue's and 12 Cool whites.

The best part is the ease of building these lights, pre-drilled and tapped heatsync, BJB connectors (solderless) and optics that click right into the BJB!

[lastlight]

Which lights are they? Have a link?

[waynemah]

I purchased them from http://www.reefledlights.com

There are many options, I just built each kit individually to get all the parts at a better price. After that I added a few items that I needed to complete the kit. They ship USPS and it's VERY affordable.

Here is a breakdown of what was ordered:


48 Cree XP-E Kit – 48 XP-E Royal Blue

4 CoolTron Fans w Powersupply ($19.90)
12 XP-G w ELN60-48D Driver & Carclo Optics ($121.00)
4-40 Allen Head Screws W Nylon Washers QTY 100 ($15.00)
Carclo Frosted Wide w Holder ($69.60)
60 BJB Connectors ($51.00)
2x 12"x8.46" Pre Drilled & Tapped ($115.00)
2 ELN 60-48D Dimmable ($65.00)
48 Cree XP-E Kit – 48 XP-E Royal Blue

4 CoolTron Fans w Powersupply ($19.90)
12 XP-G w ELN60-48D Driver & Carclo Optics ($121.00)
4-40 Allen Head Screws W Nylon Washers QTY 100 ($15.00)
Carclo Frosted Wide w Holder ($69.60)
60 BJB Connectors ($51.00)
2x 12"x8.46" Pre Drilled & Tapped ($115.00)
4 ELN 60-48D Dimmable ($130.00)
Set to 700mA ($16.00)
8 x Fuse Holder
10 x 5 Watt 1 Ohm Resistor

25 x CREE XP-G R5 Cool White 3W LED On Star

No Screws ($0.85)
Soft Wide ($1.45)
No Optics ($0.00)

[waynemah]

Picked up the rest of what I needed from Marine Aquaria. They always seem to have stock on special items and Harvey went out of his way to help me out!

Huge thanks guys!

[waynemah]

Received some equipment today!

I'm quite impressed by the Skimz SM201, it's a sexy beast!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/sm201.jpg

Several months into this hobby and I'm already WAY over my head.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/parts.jpg

Killer sump from Marine Aquaria (Super Dart Gold just fits beside it).

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/sump.jpg

[mseepman]

your light idea is looking good...one issue the concerns me is that the ELN drivers are known to cause harmonic issues when you use more than a few of them together...which could result in your in-wall wiring heating up and potentially being a fire risk. There is a lot of info on this on the DIY led thread on RC. That's why many people are going with the HLG driver and going parallel instead of serial. I suggest you look into it before your build. Otherwise...looking awesome:-)

[waynemah]

I believe it'll be fine. I appreciate your concern, it's a good one for sure.

Essentially the harmonic and inrush issues come with startup. I'll only have two drivers come online at any given time. The Blue's will just dim at night and never really turn off and the whites will come on in pendant pairs (one driver per pendant for whites). I've read cases where people are powering 8 of these things without issues. I'm not sure I can change my order or design at this point, so I guess we will see.

[Parker]

Picked up the rest of what I needed from Marine Aquaria. They always seem to have stock on special items and Harvey went out of his way to help me out!

Huge thanks guys!


I've always been treated very well when I go there as well, it's nice when people know your name when you walk in a store.

I can't believe I missed this build thread... look great so far! I'm looking forward to seeing pics of it lit up with the LED's.

[waynemah]

Some progress on the build! :)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0232.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0233.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0234.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0235.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0236.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0237.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0238.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0243.jpg

[lastlight]

Looking great what model skimz is that?

And you'd better be krylon-colouring those bright white threaded inserts :biggrin:

[waynemah]

The skimmer is Skimz - SM201.

I had another look today, those things are very bright white! Will they turn all green and nasty? or just to match the blacked out awsomeness?

[lastlight]

Lol I has thinking to match the black. Sorry and proceed please haha =)

[Zoaelite]

Subscribed!

Very interested to see how this puppy comes together, looks amazing at this point! Any ideas on a stocking list?

[waynemah]

Lol I has thinking to match the black. Sorry and proceed please haha =)

I totally agree with you!!! :) Matching would be awsome, I was worried about leaching chemicals into the water.

Subscribed!

Very interested to see how this puppy comes together, looks amazing at this point! Any ideas on a stocking list?

Thanks! :)

As for "fish" stocking list, I'll most likely just pickup whatever seems cool at the store's plus what I have now. For corals, I have no clue... I'll likely ask for some advice and help in this area.

[Zoaelite]

I totally agree with you!!! :) Matching would be awsome, I was worried about leaching chemicals into the water.



Thanks! :)

As for "fish" stocking list, I'll most likely just pickup whatever seems cool at the store's plus what I have now. For corals, I have no clue... I'll likely ask for some advice and help in this area.

Ohhh cmon have some fun with us, what sort of fish catch your eye? What do you have right now? You got tones of room in there.

[The Grizz]

I am in like flin, can't wait to see the LED lighting. Took a quick look at the site you got yours from, very interesting to say the least.

[waynemah]

Hah!

Okay okay!

I currently have: Red Sea Sailfin, Anthias (not sure what type), File fish, Algae blenny, tribal blenny, six line wrasse, ruby headed wrasse, Yelow-blue damsel, couple of standard clown fish.

Wanted: Yellow tang, kole tang, masked rabbitfish, regal tang, powder blue, any wrasse I can get my hands on (love these things), more anthias to school with my lonely one.... Pondering the idea of having a couple of trigger fish and angels in there.

I'm not planning to get all of the above fish, but will pick and choose depending on what my system will allow. Anyone know of a good way or rule of thumb for this?

[waynemah]

I am in like flin, can't wait to see the LED lighting. Took a quick look at the site you got yours from, very interesting to say the least.


The LED's shipped this week (they used UPS instead), it should be here Monday. Duties and taxes were already charged to my card ($159 on a $1500-ish order). Overally pretty good. I'm planning on sending the heat sinks away to get annodized black ($60 for all 4) :lol:

I cant wait to get going on that build, should be pretty fun.

[lastlight]

I'm not planning to get all of the above fish, but will pick and choose depending on what my system will allow. Anyone know of a good way or rule of thumb for this?

Do what you feel comfortable with and wait for a few people to start bitching. Then re-evaluate your choice accordingly LOL.

[The Grizz]

Do what you feel comfortable with and wait for a few people to start bitching.........


.........then tell them to **** off because it's not there money or tank :twised:

[kien]

Ooo, I missed the return of the promiscuous tank. She's still looking sexy as ever..

[fishytime]

I'm not planning to get all of the above fish, but will pick and choose depending on what my system will allow. Anyone know of a good way or rule of thumb for this?

It's kinda gonna depend on how much rock you plan on having in there.....your list may be ambitious if you plan on doing the minimalist approach with your aquascaping......we can't expect to keep 30 fish with only 50 lbs of rock:wink:.... that being said, I think that as long as you go slow when adding fish, to give the system enough time to adequately recover, then the tank and your fish will tell you when to stop addin

[waynemah]

I'm hoping to fit 150 - 200 lbs of rock in there, a bunch being in the sump.

I agree with taking time with the fish, also helps the wallet. I could see myself picking something up each month or so.

[lastlight]

I could see myself picking something up each month or so.

Good luck with that. Famous words those =)

[Lance]

Nice looking build. Nice and tidy and well thought out. Keep up the good work. :thumb::thumb::thumb:

Helpful hint: Next time you order Ca, Alk, from BRS get them in the 5 gallon size. With a 225g you'll save yourself a lot in time.

[waynemah]

Good luck with that. Famous words those =)

Ugh, it's like you know me. I'll try my best though.

[waynemah]

Nice looking build. Nice and tidy and well thought out. Keep up the good work. :thumb::thumb::thumb:

Helpful hint: Next time you order Ca, Alk, from BRS get them in the 5 gallon size. With a 225g you'll save yourself a lot in time.


Thank you!!! :)

5 gallon... I just checked it out, it's about $550 shipped, 1/2 shipping and 1/2 product! Is there some other method of getting this stuff? Hot tub store?

[The Grizz]

Thank you!!! :)

5 gallon... I just checked it out, it's about $550 shipped, 1/2 shipping and 1/2 product! Is there some other method of getting this stuff? Hot tub store?

Check out the bulk chem's from Marco Rock (Eli) I can't remember exactly what the website is actually called.

[The Grizz]

The LED's shipped this week (they used UPS instead), it should be here Monday. Duties and taxes were already charged to my card ($159 on a $1500-ish order). Overally pretty good. I'm planning on sending the heat sinks away to get annodized black ($60 for all 4) :lol:

I cant wait to get going on that build, should be pretty fun.

I might be following your lead on the DIY LED'S from the same place so lots of pics please.:biggrin:

[lastlight]

Nice looking build. Nice and tidy and well thought out. Keep up the good work. :thumb::thumb::thumb:

Helpful hint: Next time you order Ca, Alk, from BRS get them in the 5 gallon size. With a 225g you'll save yourself a lot in time.

Actually I've messed around with the shopping cart at BRS a lot. Shipping is purely based on weight so 5g is 5g. But you save money if you order 5 x 1g containers vs 1 x 5g pail due to quantity discounts.

[MarkoD]

Actually I've messed around with the shopping cart at BRS a lot. Shipping is purely based on weight so 5g is 5g. But you save money if you order 5 x 1g containers vs 1 x 5g pail due to quantity discounts.

with that much in shipping. its probably less expensive to have them pack up a crate and ship it up via truck

i've shipped a crate full of car parts from florida for less than 250

and i've shipped 4 car rims (about 80 pounds total) via bax global air for 150 from california

in both of these cases, they let you know when it arrives and you pick it up from their warehouse

[waynemah]

I feel a bulk shipment coming on! :lol:

Oh -- LED's arrived!!! I'll have some pictures up later.

[lastlight]

with that much in shipping. its probably less expensive to have them pack up a crate and ship it up via truck

i've shipped a crate full of car parts from florida for less than 250

and i've shipped 4 car rims (about 80 pounds total) via bax global air for 150 from california

in both of these cases, they let you know when it arrives and you pick it up from their warehouse

I'm def going to email them about this for next time.

[MarkoD]

I'm def going to email them about this for next time.

yeah just ask them if they can ship via a different provider.

ups and fedex are gonna rape you everytime

[Boomboy]

is there a subscribe button? cause i would of clicked it about 20 times by now. cant wait for this sexy beast to get wet.

[lastlight]

Things a person's significant other would never allow to be said anywhere else but here #381:

cant wait for this sexy beast to get wet.

[waynemah]

It's salty!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/28de8605.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/3c57ab98.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/4caada0e.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/cb18eb41.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/3b60829c.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/af3773f0.jpg

[waynemah]

I'll show off some pics once the heat syncs come back from Anderson Anodizing. Apparently they are only going to charge me $60 to turn those things black! I can't wait to get the LED's started.

On another note, the Skimz seems to be pulling out some stuff already. I need to tune it a bit as it's over flowed a couple of times... I'm assuming it has something to do with how new I am.

[lastlight]

Well that was speedy well done! There's no elegant way to mount those dj strips eh?

The heatsinks will be black? Are they going to be visible?

[waynemah]

Well that was speedy well done! There's no elegant way to mount those dj strips eh?

The heatsinks will be black? Are they going to be visible?

The build should slow down from here. Then speed up drastically once the rock is cured.

Those DJ's are amazing (I'll be painting those brackets ASAP), this one in particular can trample over any elegance the tank has left. It's worth it. Having it in the back cleans it up a bit, I wish I had the camera skill that you have! Please let me know your secrets :)

I'm not planning on hiding the lights at all at this point and aluminum likes to oxidize in humid situations, so it's a dual win. I'll either try and make them clean looking sitting over the tank, or I may try and integrate them into the drop ceiling somehow.

[The Grizz]

Where did you get the DJ strip from Wayne? I really like the look of them & would make thing a little easier to shut off things.

[waynemah]

Where did you get the DJ strip from Wayne? I really like the look of them & would make thing a little easier to shut off things.

You would need to ask Brett, it came with the tank. :mrgreen:

[lastlight]

I picked both up at Long and McQuade. I have one on my current system to they are awesome. I'll need a couple more for the basement build.

[The Grizz]

I picked both up at Long and McQuade. I have one on my current system to they are awesome. I'll need a couple more for the basement build.

Where is Long & McQuade? When you buy yours you can get me one for my BD :biggrin:

[Funky_Fish14]

Wayne, this is looking awesome! Great job with the tank round 3! :lol:

I just picked up a skimz a few weeks ago myself, and about to order an Aquaillumination pendant. I look forward to seeing how the skimz and LED's work for you!

What kind of heaters are you using?

And I agree with Brett on painting those goofy bushings black :razz:



Grizz - any 'large' music store that carries DJ equipment should have some sort of power strip like that. They are basically powerbars with a breaker that are designed to fit in an Amp rack/sound panel rack. American DJ, Chauvet (two types), American Audio. I have 2 of the Chauvet power strips and one of the Am DJ ones (from Brett).
OH and you dont have to crap yourself on the price... they are only about $30-40 bucks!

[waynemah]

Wayne, this is looking awesome! Great job with the tank round 3! :lol:

I just picked up a skimz a few weeks ago myself, and about to order an Aquaillumination pendant. I look forward to seeing how the skimz and LED's work for you!

What kind of heaters are you using?

And I agree with Brett on painting those goofy bushings black :razz:


Thanks! You really hooked me up :)

Aquaillumination pendants are very clean! I was tossing up 3 different types of LED's and they were one of them. Quite pricey for my size of a setup though.

I'm still debating on painting them black, but then again in person they don't stand out as much.

The heaters are from BRS "Finnex HPS" I believe. They are pretty awesome actually. Remote temperature probe and single button setup for temperature. The indicator is very cool as well.

[phi delt reefer]

cheaper option that i used for switched power bars;

http://images.highspeedbackbone.net/skuimages/large/U12-40629-main01-mc.jpg

$16.00


http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4823710&CatId=5313

[waynemah]

Couple more pictures, skimmer seems to be running awesome! and the anodized heat syncs were back last week.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0271.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0270.jpg

[waynemah]

I took down my previous tank and moved the fish over, everyone is happy and seem to like more space. I've also have a few new additions (blue throat, niger, Japanese swallowtail (female) and a mimic tang).

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0327.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0329.jpg

I've added a CREE LED light system to my sump, this will be my "frag tank" but for now, I'll be adding new coals here first.

The old 4 foot 4 bulb light puts out an amazing amount of light... I'm quite surprised at the coverage!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0345.jpg

LED's are taking shape. The Profilux unit will make this build super clean as everything will go through a single add-on (EVG-AP-2F). Essentially only 4 wires will be routed to each pendant. Pasting, screwing the LED's down to the heat sync and wiring took about an hour total.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0349.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0347.jpg

[The Grizz]

So what do you have there for LED's? Row of blue, then white then blue again?

[waynemah]

So what do you have there for LED's? Row of blue, then white then blue again?

Correct, I've also lef the center row available for more whites if needed.

It's possible to spread the whites out a little bit, but I believe the blue/white spread will be quite good with this configuration.

[waynemah]

Thought I'd post a quick update on my tank... Most fish died due to a Brooklynella outbreak in the tank :( also, a wicked case of Cyano has been around for a bit, I'm going to try and increase flow a bit and check my KH levels.

In the meantime, the DIY LED setup is complete. It was an easy build and mating with the Profilux was a breeze. Dimmable awsomeness!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0398.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0394.jpg

[lastlight]

those look super sweet with the black coat man nicely done. You keeping this open top? Any chance at a FTS with the new lights?

[waynemah]

I'll be removing the lids once I find a way to reduce my humidity, my house hits 60 - 70 % with them off and around 50 with them on. I'll likely do a humidistat connected to a bathroom fan venting outside.

As for a FTS, It's really embarrassing right now due to the amount of Cyano and lack of fish... Once I get that under control and the area cleaned up a bit there will be a FTS :)


The aluminum cantruss is really nice to work with, it has so many options I'm suprised it's not more popular. It also acts as a heatsync, so I dont need to use any fans! Lights peak at 110F.

[lastlight]

It's really embarrassing right now due to the amount of Cyano and lack of fish... Once I get that under control and the area cleaned up a bit there will be a FTS :)

Oh sure I share my valonia with everyone but your cyano is too special for the web? Lookin fwd to it good luck!

[waynemah]

The tank is much brighter in person and can't really see the "spot lighting"...

From here, some doors...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0504.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0512.jpg

[Skimmerking]

wana PM me the price on the lighting i like it alot if you dont mind. How high do you have the lights from the water

[The Grizz]

wana PM me the price on the lighting i like it alot if you dont mind. How high do you have the lights from the water

If I remember correctly earlier in the thread he said it was around $1700 shipped but I didn't see a price listed for the EVG board so I would say maybe around $1750 ish.

[waynemah]

The price was $1585 shipped, but I didn't use about $150 worth of the parts. Add another $60 for anodizing and your choice of mounting equipment.

You can enquire with Reef LED Lights, they are fairly quick in building a package.

The lights are exactly 12" away from the surface of the water.

[The Grizz]

Damn I was very close. :biggrin:

[The Grizz]

Oh ya, sorry to hear of the fish loss Wayne, that really sucks dude. LED's look great BTW, hope the tank turns around for ya I would love to see it with fish & coral in it with all that work you have but in there.

[waynemah]

Oh ya, sorry to hear of the fish loss Wayne, that really sucks dude. LED's look great BTW, hope the tank turns around for ya I would love to see it with fish & coral in it with all that work you have but in there.

Thanks :)

At this point I'll chock it up to a learning experience, I honestly think I rushed things a little too quick and it caught up with me. Alot of stress in the tank at that time. I'm working on aquiring frags right now and learning as much as possible to keep them healthy.

[waynemah]

While acclimating a couple of fish I decided to play around with my optics. They are currently Carclo wide frosted optics.

I noticed the frags I've placed in the tank seem to like the light when it's about %50 - %60 on the profilux, I didn’t understand why as people are generally running this many LED's at %100 during high noon.

The picture below is bad (I know ) but you can get the general idea. The lights are set to %60 blue and %60 white. The left hand side of the picture has the optics taken off of the cool white's and the right side has all of the optics in place.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/optics.jpg

[cuz]

quite a noticable difference!!

[waynemah]

Added BioPellets to the tank, noticed an immediate reduction in hair algae. I modded the TLF 550 reactor to work well with the pellets. Here's a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOhMYjyBBxo

[The Grizz]

I like the right side better.

[waynemah]

Time for some more pictures. I pulled a pesky tang out of the tank which lead to a re-do on the rockwork. I like it much better now.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0610.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0611.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0612.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0604.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0614.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0615.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0616.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0617.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0618.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0619.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0620.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0621.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0622.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0623.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0624.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0625.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0626.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0627.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0628.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0629.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0630.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0631.jpg


http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0633.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0634.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0635.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0636.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0637.jpg

[Funky_Fish14]

Loving the Desjardin Sailfin Wayne!

Tank is looking great! And interesting to see the difference with and without optics!

[waynemah]

I picked up a Kodak PlaySport ZX5 camera for $120 (best buy), this thing is water proof up to 10 feet and has an underwater compensation feature.


http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/100_0026.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/100_0024.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/100_0021.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/100_0019.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/100_0018.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/100_0015.jpg

[waynemah]

I wasn't happy with the rock at the center of the tank, Steve at Red Coral hooked me up with this piece! :mrgreen:

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/1112112.jpg

[Lance]

Oh yeah! That's the piece de resistance. The rock work looked good before, now it looks killer!

[lastlight]

Really want some of your wrasses! How are they all playing together? Is that a christmas and a pencil with your melanarus?

DROOL!

[waynemah]

I really lucked out with the wrasses. The Melanarus was first, pencil wrasse second and added the Christmas last. They dont really notice each other and they all avoid my cleaner shrimp! (fingers crossed).

The Pencil wrasse is one of the coolest active wrasses i've ever seen. It doesn't take to pellets like the others, but snacks on the pods in the tank until I dump in some frozen.

[H22_TURBO]

tank is looking really good wayne.

is this the waynemah the pro rc racer of edmonton :mrgreen:?

[waynemah]

tank is looking really good wayne.

is this the waynemah the pro rc racer of edmonton :mrgreen:?

Thanks :mrgreen:

Definitely not pro, but yes!?!.

[waynemah]

Just for fun, here is a video before I added the center rock.

lastlight -- I might need you to PM me your process for taking video with the iPhone as your quality is way better, maybe it's the LED setup?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-dvHZR18bE

[Nano]

I gave your video a thumbs up!!

Edit I tried to but my youtube account is EFFED! I will when I can lol

[noirsphynx]

That piece of rock is sweet! I LOVE all your long spine cardinals. I'm planning a bunch in my tank as well.

[waynemah]

That piece of rock is sweet! I LOVE all your long spine cardinals. I'm planning a bunch in my tank as well.

Thanks! I really like them, I really looked at all of the "schooling" fish and they seem to be the only ones that don't eat each other for fun. :twised:

The neat thing is they migrate from spot to spot in my tank, so one minute the tank looks full, the next it seems empty.

[waynemah]

I gave your video a thumbs up!!

Edit I tried to but my youtube account is EFFED! I will when I can lol

Appreciate it! Sorry for anyone that got dizzy watching it.

[lastlight]

I see you lost the flowerpot coral on the right. Hopefully the other survives =)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0604.jpg

[waynemah]

I see you lost the flowerpot coral on the right. Hopefully the other survives =)

I just spit pop all over my keyboard...

[waynemah]

Adding more pictures of some frags in the tank, some found new homes and I've added a few. These are very close to actual colors.

Some are still not the actual colour as they were browned out and now recovering.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0006_001.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0001.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0002.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0003.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0004.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0005.jpg


http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0006.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0007.jpg


http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0009.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0010.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0011.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0012.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0013.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0014.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0015.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0016.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0017.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0018.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0019.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0020.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0022.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0023.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0024.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0025.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0026.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0027.jpg

[lastlight]

This is not going to end well:

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0020.jpg

Grows like a WEED and is very close to the others. Not to mention the sweepers you never see during the day (in my experience) are likely almost long enough to hit your neighboring corals already...

Corals look great btw!

[waynemah]

This is not going to end well:


Grows like a WEED and is very close to the others. Not to mention the sweepers you never see during the day (in my experience) are likely almost long enough to hit your neighboring corals already...

Corals look great btw!

Hmm, good times :(

It does seem to grow rather quickly. I'm still able to move it, maybe it'll have it's own rock towards the bottom! Thanks for the heads up :mrgreen:

[fishoholic]

I see you lost the flowerpot coral on the right. Hopefully the other survives =)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0604.jpg

I just spit pop all over my keyboard...

:lol: I almost spit out my coffee after reading that.

Tank is looking good, love the royal pencil wrasse.

[waynemah]

Going on vacation in the next few days, I will have someone house/tank sit... I decided to cut up some vinyl for labels :lol:

I also received my probe holders from flazky. Well worth the money!!!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/zeovinyl.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/skimmervinyl.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/probeholders.jpg

[phi delt reefer]

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0018.jpg


looks like you might have some red bugs?

[waynemah]

These were actually retracted polyps, they are somewhat brown in appearance and dont move around. Good call though, I just double checked haha!

[waynemah]

I liked looking through other peoples growth pictures... So here it goes:

3 months growth:

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/100_0016.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312_4.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0622.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312_3.jpg

2 months growth:

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0020.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312_12.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0016.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0003.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312_5.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0014.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312_21.jpg

[ensquire]

Looking good, Pics not quite as good as in person.
But then you would have people tramping through your house all the time.
Thanks for the goodies. Looking good in my tank.

[Funky_Fish14]

Just want to say, was by Wayne's the other day and saw the tank in person.... It looks like a sexy beast. The whole dang system. Looks really good! The rockscape is great, the corals, the technology... its all awesome! Wayne, great job man!

Cheers,

Chris

[waynemah]

Just want to say, was by Wayne's the other day and saw the tank in person.... It looks like a sexy beast. The whole dang system. Looks really good! The rockscape is great, the corals, the technology... its all awesome! Wayne, great job man!

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks for the kind words Chris! It's always a pleasure to hang out with you!

[subman]

Wayne you make me sick!

Year after year of having you kick my A$$ at racing RC cars......now your kicking my A$$ at reefing!

You suck!!!!

You are banned from Kart racing!

(Tank looks Amazing BTW lol)

[waynemah]

Wayne you make me sick!

Year after year of having you kick my A$$ at racing RC cars......now your kicking my A$$ at reefing!

You suck!!!!

You are banned from Kart racing!

(Tank looks Amazing BTW lol)


What's a good kart to get? :lol:

I wouldn't call it "kicking a$$" but in general having more time lol (no kids yet).

Oh and thanks :)

[subman]

What's a good kart to get? :lol:

I wouldn't call it "kicking a$$" but in general having more time lol (no kids yet).

Oh and thanks :)

A slow kart, like one of John's lmao

All kidding aside the tank looks great and I'm not surprised.

[waynemah]

Some new pictures...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0157-1.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0165.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0175.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0176.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0177.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0184.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0188.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0194.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0205.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0222.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0207.jpg

[reefme]

Wish I can come over to see this beautiful setup.

[soaptray]

How much in total for that light setup. I am wanting to do LED's on the 200g I am building.

[waynemah]

It ran around $1500, but i'm sure the prices have changed since then.

I believe Modular LED has something similar which would be cheaper and easier to build. Also, from what i've seen AMAZING support.

http://www.modularled.ca/6-foot-tank-kit/

[soaptray]

Thanks a bunch! I will definitely check these out when I am ready to buy my lights.

[fishytime]

great fish pics!....I especially like the royal pencil wrasse pics....I just picked one up myself....love them.....

[waynemah]

Time for some more pictures. I've added a few more frags and fish.

I've also become some sort of waterchangeaholic. I'm now doing 30 gallons per week. I can't say that I've noticed a difference in corals, but the fish seem WAY healthier.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0537.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0546.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0542.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0535.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0531.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0529.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0506.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0500.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0492.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0488.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0487.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0462.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0461.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0438.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0435.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0434.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0429.jpghttp://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0428.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0425.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0424.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0422.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0420.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0417.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0416.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0415.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0413.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0410.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0409.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0408.jpg

[waynemah]

ID anyone???
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0491.jpg

I purchased this as a "Birds of paradise" frag, are they really this *furry* for the lack of a better term?
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0418.jpg

Milli, sigh... No polyp extension :cry:
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0412.jpg

[waynemah]

Sorry for the blurry pictures, I'll invest in a tripod soon. :mrgreen:

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0208.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0206.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0205.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0212.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0204.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0202.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0201.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0200.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0197.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0196.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0194.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0191.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0190.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0185.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0184.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0179.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0178.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0177.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0176.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0175.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0172.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/Corals%20July%2019%202012/DSC_0169.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

Looking amazing!

[waynemah]

Alright, I broke the #1 rule in the book and re-worked the rocks. I have plans for some really nice frags and wanted more room for them.

Let me know if I made a mistake, or if anyone has suggestions. I'm not sure I like it yet, but it's growing on me. Is there a good way to plan rock work around a tank busting at the seams with SPS??? :lol:

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0223.jpg

[fishytime]

Is there a good way to plan rock work around a tank busting at the seams with SPS??? :lol:

pile it higher:mrgreen:

[Nano]

Is there a good way to plan rock work around a tank busting at the seams with SPS?

Lol, if you find out let me know I'm in the same boat :lol: I want to keep mine open in a five kind of look but not sure how functional it'll be long term for sps

[waynemah]

Dez likely has one of the most epic tanks to be viewed in the world. I just went through some of his older pics and found this gem... I believe my space from the top of the water to the top of the rock is similar. Where do you draw the line between having nice rock work vs functional sps shelving for premium viewing.

Oh, Dez... I hope it's ok I used your picture?

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/des_sublime/IMG_3405.jpg?t=1256970498

[Dez]

Wayne, thanks for the props. I would utilize the sides of your tank since your tank is not viewable from the sides. You have a "mountain" look now. I leaned rock on the sides of my tank. Some people don't like to do that, but my overflow and returns are on the sides and I'm never selling my tank anyway so I wasn't worried about scratches. Also, the magnet trick, you could mount another 20 frags with magnets on the side and back wall. My tank is viewable both sides, so I have no back wall. That's prime real estate for you.

[waynemah]

Wayne, thanks for the props. I would utilize the sides of your tank since your tank is not viewable from the sides. You have a "mountain" look now. I leaned rock on the sides of my tank. Some people don't like to do that, but my overflow and returns are on the sides and I'm never selling my tank anyway so I wasn't worried about scratches. Also, the magnet trick, you could mount another 20 frags with magnets on the side and back wall. My tank is viewable both sides, so I have no back wall. That's prime real estate for you.

Thanks Dez :biggrin:

The rock is placed to utilize the available spread of light I have right now. It's fairly dark towards the back and the sides.

I might need to consider different / more lighting... or Lower my lights and take the optics off.

I then run into adding more rock to the DT. I've done it once with no problems, but not sure I want to risk it again.

[waynemah]

Another FTS for good measure, bad picture but I'll likely get the hang of it some day.

I'm starting to think the spilled lighting is causing my camera to go crazy.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0403.jpg

[fishytime]

looks awight to me.....you could try throwing a towel or two over the lights to block the spill....

[Nano]

Looks great Wayne, a few new pieces since my visit? ;) IMO the left side is fairly open, if it was me, again just my opinion (even the right cove area too mounting them to the rock face) I'd put my montis there and let them fill in, you'd eventually have to relocate the zoas, but it looks like prime real estate to me :P

[waynemah]

Looks great Wayne, a few new pieces since my visit? ;) IMO the left side is fairly open, if it was me, again just my opinion (even the right cove area too mounting them to the rock face) I'd put my montis there and let them fill in, you'd eventually have to relocate the zoas, but it looks like prime real estate to me :P

The poor tank is packed with frags which you can't see, but yes a few things added since you were here last :lol:

I was thinking the same thing (open left side), but I'm considering making a few other changes:

1. Rock in the front (digi cluster) will be moved towards the back once I get some supplement LED action in place back there.

2. Green Birdsnest colony will be relocated to the back area where your talking about to eventually take up the entire corner of the tank. I'm kind of hoping the birdsnest will grow around the vortech :biggrin:

3. Either add a Maxima clam dead center or a whole whack of LPS in the sand bed... Not sure on this one yet.

[Dez]

LPS for the Win!!!!!!

[waynemah]

Supplementary lighting.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/16F9A33D-FC9A-42BE-9D36-9654EEB7B71E-6071-0000077725833104.jpg

[Skimmerking]

Wayne man your colors are totally punked dude. those lights how are you liking them. Do the tank the way you like it. in the end you are the one who is going to see it all the time. Aquattro Stated thatto me and I believe in it. When you like it you will know.:mrgreen:

[waynemah]

Wayne man your colors are totally punked dude. those lights how are you liking them. Do the tank the way you like it. in the end you are the one who is going to see it all the time. Aquattro Stated thatto me and I believe in it. When you like it you will know.:mrgreen:

Thanks for the words, I'm happy with the colors and the lighting is fantastic. I just haven't found the spread out of them yet, I find myself to be my worst enemy when it comes to this tank. I hope to get it right soon :lol:

I made the light strip and it gives off a surprising amount of light. This is with a single 6 ft strip of 5x Cool White, 4x Royal Blue and 2x Blue Modular LED's. Tank is 72x30x24... Not bad.... I'd say white is at 60% and blues are at 90%.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/D149615B-FDF1-4789-B68C-3AC2E582BE76-7065-000008607BF53E4C.jpg

[waynemah]

Couple of pictures with the SLR, trying to play with some white balance...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0414.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0408-1.jpg

[mr_alberta]

Looks good buddy. Got any updated pics?

[waynemah]

Here are some growth photos from March - December 2012 (9 months)... It's hard to keep track of the changes until you see pictures... FTS at the bottom...

Oh and yes, dying coral on the return... sigh... product of not dosing start for a couple of months apparently :( sigh. It's stable now.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/4061ADB5-7E37-40CD-B283-4ED21DF965C6-3652-000007C2709B5AD0_zpsa8239cd3.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/93E9EFBC-9D65-4BAF-AF8F-C573A967DBCF-3652-000007C2AC03187A_zps3580edac.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0415.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/63E5D04F-8128-4216-9F95-947BE7FB35C7-3652-000007C2687CC338_zps0229cfb8.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/1453CBEE-5B46-4B04-84B4-F87F52B2B80D-3652-000007C2C0541038_zpsed3ed1bd.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/160312_2.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/cb1a9341-6d2e-423b-9762-1d24e6268c6a_zps5238b03c.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0222.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/C8135ADA-0922-4F54-8B3E-46DC6C95A4EA-3652-000007C260CEB9D4_zps34de62cd.jpg


http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0207.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/502D9AD5-772F-49D5-B119-1BCA00D4B9E7-3652-000007C247B27BE5_zps9b4f5edf.jpg

[craigwmiller]

Very nice growth!!

Being at the beginning of my growth, much to look forward to :D

[waynemah]

Oh.. one more :)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/3993F0DE-1A90-49F6-81C0-635870F5FE2F-3652-000007C29519A008_zps8b2d5aa3.jpg

[lastlight]

great idea mounting some sticks to your return nozzles! when those grow in more you'll never even see the returns (or be able to aim them anymore lol)

[waynemah]

great idea mounting some sticks to your return nozzles! when those grow in more you'll never even see the returns (or be able to aim them anymore lol)

It's a good idea on paper lol. I might try it with a less picky coral as this one died a bit because it was out of water for a good while during a power outage... in the cold basement.

[wmcinnes]

Looking good Wayne!

[waynemah]

More pics for fun.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/827DBC47-CEEF-4EC9-82C1-2283096BCDCA-1786-000002E86FB8844F_zpsf3654c84.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/AA4AE3A3-0BBF-47E4-B9FC-4977FC08BFBC-1786-000002E868ED0479_zps6ba9048e.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/63DD77AA-AC93-406E-95C1-2069BD6D6856-1786-000002E85B43B0F6_zpse2d797b1.jpg

[wmcinnes]

Looking good buddy!

[Mike-fish]

What is the coral in image #9

[waynemah]

What is the coral in image #9

If it's the green plating one with green dots on it, Hollywood Stunner Chalice.

[Mike-fish]

This guy

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225%20Jan%2014%202012/DSC_0020.jpg

[waynemah]

Yep. Hollywood stunner! I love it but has some long sweeping stingers that win every time. Good grower, amazing under actinics.

[mr_alberta]

Where's the monster stag you got?

[waynemah]

It's in the back left behind the blue stag. You can barely see it in the last FTS.

I really like it, lots of polyp extension.

[waynemah]

It's been a few months... Time for another FTS.

Fun going back in the thread and seeing how things progressed.

Harvey, don't do it!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/112F5322-F210-4E67-ADCC-0F892F057E29-17148-00000A3127BDA535_zpsd81c182d.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/112F5322-F210-4E67-ADCC-0F892F057E29-17148-00000A3127BDA535_zpsd81c182d.jpg.html)

[waynemah]

Oh yeah, and it looks like my tank is going to be zoaless in the next while.

Orange spotted rabbit fish demolished a 100+ head colony of space monsters, 50+ head colony of purple death, 20+ head colony of green death, 30+ head colony of armor of gods, 20+ head colony of blue eyed blonds... Left the entire colony of radioactive dragon eyes alone... ALL IN ONE DAY!

I looked at my tank and laughed...

[lastlight]

Looks incredible I'm in awe of how far this tank has come! You must have added some huge colonies?

I'd be getting my fishing line out btw.

[waynemah]

Several of the colony's in there have grown from frags, unfortunately it just looked unbalanced in many spots... So I added some that I've picked up along the way. I really like the look of fewer huge colony's.

[Proteus]

Holy s*** Wayne. Looks great. Looks like I need to come but frags

[Dez]

Instatank! You rule!

[waynemah]

Took this picture of my red scooter. Had to post it...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/0286EB34-5DED-4A89-A337-3E0832483244-10904-0000087493EBA084_zpsba6ec673.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/0286EB34-5DED-4A89-A337-3E0832483244-10904-0000087493EBA084_zpsba6ec673.jpg.html)

[waynemah]

Time for a thread photo explosion... All taken with an iPhone so excuse the quality (looks better on a 4" screen).

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/284D726E-B55A-4494-8A64-CC16EA492788-1656-000000E7BB6D8E4C_zpsb7d5f062.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/284D726E-B55A-4494-8A64-CC16EA492788-1656-000000E7BB6D8E4C_zpsb7d5f062.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/32E42E12-F4BA-4AD2-9445-11F4E8839EB5-1656-000000E7C28E47AD_zpsa97d8929.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/32E42E12-F4BA-4AD2-9445-11F4E8839EB5-1656-000000E7C28E47AD_zpsa97d8929.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/692E7C92-15B0-457A-882C-C56DE384592A-1656-000000E7CFD4390B_zpseaaf4ca1.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/692E7C92-15B0-457A-882C-C56DE384592A-1656-000000E7CFD4390B_zpseaaf4ca1.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/9303E1BE-55D7-4636-B2C7-078DA7E63554-1656-000000E7D6DEB773_zps548612ea.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/9303E1BE-55D7-4636-B2C7-078DA7E63554-1656-000000E7D6DEB773_zps548612ea.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/C681D92B-5B55-42DB-BD61-32D705B4DF6D-1656-000000E7DD529E59_zpse6d0a5da.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/C681D92B-5B55-42DB-BD61-32D705B4DF6D-1656-000000E7DD529E59_zpse6d0a5da.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/225A227E-E3D5-41FB-97C9-24F4CEF5F7A9-1656-000000E7E33C0DF8_zps87ebc476.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/225A227E-E3D5-41FB-97C9-24F4CEF5F7A9-1656-000000E7E33C0DF8_zps87ebc476.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/E3292384-6F3B-4D2B-902C-2D0D3F8717DB-1656-000000E7EAC563AA_zps6716ab66.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/E3292384-6F3B-4D2B-902C-2D0D3F8717DB-1656-000000E7EAC563AA_zps6716ab66.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/729801BE-F3F3-4992-A87A-43C852255EFA-1656-000000E7EFA7A1EC_zps6e084b3e.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/729801BE-F3F3-4992-A87A-43C852255EFA-1656-000000E7EFA7A1EC_zps6e084b3e.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/AFB18175-ACA7-404B-AA02-D09ACFE23628-1656-000000E7F4810DB4_zps57977375.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/AFB18175-ACA7-404B-AA02-D09ACFE23628-1656-000000E7F4810DB4_zps57977375.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/EDC55176-5C23-4B98-BCD5-7AF3C61EDC3B-1656-000000E7F9E2D0E4_zps0c7623b5.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/EDC55176-5C23-4B98-BCD5-7AF3C61EDC3B-1656-000000E7F9E2D0E4_zps0c7623b5.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/BD6DEB04-0FC8-4F42-A72C-A03D9C629D9C-1656-000000E7FEE486FA_zps19cdd308.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/BD6DEB04-0FC8-4F42-A72C-A03D9C629D9C-1656-000000E7FEE486FA_zps19cdd308.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/5C5FE52D-B639-4230-AD67-2CB8AE1C6B59-1656-000000E806BA48A8_zps4c4411a8.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/5C5FE52D-B639-4230-AD67-2CB8AE1C6B59-1656-000000E806BA48A8_zps4c4411a8.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/1BE89593-95A9-45ED-8860-522D29BE9D3E-1656-000000E80BFD458C_zps588b5627.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/1BE89593-95A9-45ED-8860-522D29BE9D3E-1656-000000E80BFD458C_zps588b5627.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/5F12BF2A-5B95-44D0-9BFE-D991228F6E8F-1656-000000E81081B19C_zps40989361.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/5F12BF2A-5B95-44D0-9BFE-D991228F6E8F-1656-000000E81081B19C_zps40989361.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/85C026DC-1B31-4012-9358-93F99F855F04-1656-000000E815556206_zpsd508f684.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/85C026DC-1B31-4012-9358-93F99F855F04-1656-000000E815556206_zpsd508f684.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/CDDBCBB1-7EF3-4126-A002-7A10AAE83061-1656-000000E8197C3156_zpse1d97898.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/CDDBCBB1-7EF3-4126-A002-7A10AAE83061-1656-000000E8197C3156_zpse1d97898.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/F59CC0F7-9F4D-4CBE-89EB-32EB98BF8B67-1656-000000E81E2A53D2_zpsc85203e9.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/F59CC0F7-9F4D-4CBE-89EB-32EB98BF8B67-1656-000000E81E2A53D2_zpsc85203e9.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/A5019EBD-4B4D-4E6A-B982-A496E79985F0-1656-000000E82A089A40_zpsb69e21db.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/A5019EBD-4B4D-4E6A-B982-A496E79985F0-1656-000000E82A089A40_zpsb69e21db.jpg.html)

[FishyFishy!]

WOW looking great!!!

Looks like you need some harlequin shrimp to take care of those asterina's.

Whats your thoughts on the Asterinas? I know its a big debate with most people, whether they remove them or not.

[waynemah]

WOW looking great!!!

Looks like you need some harlequin shrimp to take care of those asterina's.

Whats your thoughts on the Asterinas? I know its a big debate with most people, whether they remove them or not.

Thanks :)

I have a harlequin shrimp in there, but I could use a couple more. The type in my tank don't harm the corals or fish, so it's not a big deal. Just an eye sore to some. I'd like to find a balance where they stabilize, but continue to be a free food source... Right now they are winning.

[lastlight]

Your coral growth looks amazing! Wish you could white-balance your latest round of shots so we had a better idea of coloration. It's still evident that the corals are looking pretty!

[kien]

wow. Looking stellar Wayne!

[tang daddy]

This journal needs some love, great job Wayne!

Nice healthy sps, there's a colony of green acro with red tips do you know the name of the sps?( pic is above the chalice)

[waynemah]

Your coral growth looks amazing! Wish you could white-balance your latest round of shots so we had a better idea of coloration. It's still evident that the corals are looking pretty!
Thanks Brett! I just figured out how to adjust the WB on my D5100 last night. I can't wait to take some proper pictures.


wow. Looking stellar Wayne!

Thanks! Now for a lesson in photography? :redface:

This journal needs some love, great job Wayne!

Nice healthy sps, there's a colony of green acro with red tips do you know the name of the sps?( pic is above the chalice)

Strawberry Shortcake (no clue on the scientific name)... Love it though. As it turns out, it really likes lower light. I've seen amazing growth and color compared to having it up high.

[reeferfulton]

wow tank is looking great !
just quickly scanned the whole thread .. great progress .

what can you tell me about your maintenance and dosing routine ?
what do you test for , extra additives etc .

looking good

[waynemah]

wow tank is looking great !
just quickly scanned the whole thread .. great progress .

what can you tell me about your maintenance and dosing routine ?
what do you test for , extra additives etc .

looking good

Clean glass every 2 days.

Weekly - Bi-Weekly water change (Sometimes I forget). I matched temperature, ALK, CA, MAG and Salinity every water change. I stopped doing this for the last few water changes.

Zeovit - Reactor, bak, start and food. Pump every day-ish, start twice per day on an auto doser (0.4ml twice per day for 300Gal) and food/bak once per week. I haven't changed the zeolites in months.

Calcium reactor with ARM course media. PH set to 6.9 and just barely a stream for drip rate.

Carbon in a media reactor changed every 2 weeks (1.5 cups of media).

Skimmer dumped every week, cleaned every month.

[lastlight]

looks like you're not using your DIY lights any longer? Are those Vegas?

[mseepman]

Interesting on the Strawberry Shortcake..three of us in the Okanagan split a good sized chunk between us and all of us found that high light and high flow is the only way to make this not go pale and stop growing.

[waynemah]

looks like you're not using your DIY lights any longer? Are those Vegas?

The DIY had some epic growth and color, but didn't push the light all the way to the edges of the tank. These are Hydras, after some tweaking I can vouch they are an epic light. Default program eliminates the royal blues, I added them in to ramp with the other blues and the colors improved! UV seems to have added some color to the corals. Some of them are starting to get their "halide" luminescence back.

I've had a couple fail on me though (one main board and one burnt white LED which causes all of the others to go out). I also found out they don't use any heat transfer material between the LED boards and heatsink (maybe a non-issue as they seem to cool fine).

[tang daddy]

Thanks for the response Wayne, I thought it was ssc but just wanted to confirm... Did you aquire the colony or frag and grew it out?

Would you say it's a fast grower.... I recently aquired a frag and have mine roasting on the frag rack but kinda unimpressed with colour as its pale ATM, it's fully encrusted now I may try to move mine lower to see if it improves.

[waynemah]

Interesting on the Strawberry Shortcake..three of us in the Okanagan split a good sized chunk between us and all of us found that high light and high flow is the only way to make this not go pale and stop growing.

Are yours under LED or other? I gave a frag to a friend with halides and it reacted better up high... Mine lost the green base up high and turned more white/pink.

[waynemah]

Thanks for the response Wayne, I thought it was ssc but just wanted to confirm... Did you aquire the colony or frag and grew it out?

Would you say it's a fast grower.... I recently aquired a frag and have mine roasting on the frag rack but kinda unimpressed with colour as its pale ATM, it's fully encrusted now I may try to move mine lower to see if it improves.

I purchased it as a colony, but has significantly increased in size since I bought it (about 1/3). It came out of a halide tank and was pale white with pink tips.

For the past year I had an orange spotted rabbit fish that really enjoyed growth tips and zoas. The SSC was the only SPS he left alone, so it grew faster than my other corals lol.

[tang daddy]

Well since you have LEDs it would make sense that it likes lower, I forgot that when I first wrote my response, mine is under t5 and has good green but when I referred to pale it was the tips, they aren't exactly red.... More of a pastel pink hue. Maybe some more time suntanning may help it colour up.

[mseepman]

Are yours under LED or other? I gave a frag to a friend with halides and it reacted better up high... Mine lost the green base up high and turned more white/pink.

Mine is under my DIY LED fixture. The other two people also have LED, one uses D120s and the other uses a Sunbrite.

[waynemah]

Mine is under my DIY LED fixture. The other two people also have LED, one uses D120s and the other uses a Sunbrite.

There are so many different variables with our systems. It sounds like you found the solution to keeping yours happy and that's all that matters. I've had the same Red Planet in my tank for a long time now and it wont grow or color up like when I first got it. No clue what changed, but it did.

[mseepman]

Well your tank is looking beautiful...looking forward to more pictures.

[waynemah]

I'm starting to think I need a macro lense and tripod. Maybe one of those under water bags for top down?

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0311_zpsdbb5be32.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/DSC_0311_zpsdbb5be32.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0312_zpseb395e88.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/DSC_0312_zpseb395e88.jpg.html)

New additions: The blue one is pretty epic.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0325_zps18d3bd5e.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/DSC_0325_zps18d3bd5e.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0328_zpsd597dc0e.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/DSC_0328_zpsd597dc0e.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0344_zpsac3f118a.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/DSC_0344_zpsac3f118a.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0345_zps2e4748c9.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/DSC_0345_zps2e4748c9.jpg.html)

[lastlight]

holy cow your abro is still coloured like an abro. i bow down to you sir!

by blue one do you mean that thick looking piece behind it? what is that i want =)

[waynemah]

holy cow your abro is still coloured like an abro. i bow down to you sir!

by blue one do you mean that thick looking piece behind it? what is that i want =)

I can't take credit, this thing is a recent addition and the color is already swaying. It was orange tipped with green base, now it's going more pink at the tips and taking over more of the green. I guess we will see in a few months what it'll do.

The blue one behind it is unreal. I've never seen a brighter blue than this. I hope it's a good grower. I borderline wanted to name it.

[waynemah]

Going backwards...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/3BA05BCB-BA96-4EE5-89FF-37D9F5A42E2F-771-00000064D5F2F48C_zps0581141d.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/3BA05BCB-BA96-4EE5-89FF-37D9F5A42E2F-771-00000064D5F2F48C_zps0581141d.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/21FBF0E5-600F-433B-BA97-673E3C25F4FA-771-00000064E537AA4A_zps832efa75.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/21FBF0E5-600F-433B-BA97-673E3C25F4FA-771-00000064E537AA4A_zps832efa75.jpg.html)

[waynemah]

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/A38BAB83-CC57-45BC-813E-08CEEEBFC379-771-00000065DE1B3D1F_zps2794ecc2.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/A38BAB83-CC57-45BC-813E-08CEEEBFC379-771-00000065DE1B3D1F_zps2794ecc2.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/B24988A7-615E-4247-BCEE-133DD23468C2-771-00000065EAF7C891_zps53176c42.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/B24988A7-615E-4247-BCEE-133DD23468C2-771-00000065EAF7C891_zps53176c42.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/BC9CB89A-60F8-475A-A447-96899F5451BA-771-00000065FA1478A2_zpsad85aba1.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/BC9CB89A-60F8-475A-A447-96899F5451BA-771-00000065FA1478A2_zpsad85aba1.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/E199E2DE-4975-49E6-AD87-F1C6004482F8-771-000000663BEFF2AA_zps99369f4c.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/E199E2DE-4975-49E6-AD87-F1C6004482F8-771-000000663BEFF2AA_zps99369f4c.jpg.html)

[Kryptic4L]

omg its beeeeeeeeu ti full....

[lastlight]

looks awesome. how did you get those caps growing around the acros on the far right?

[waynemah]

omg its beeeeeeeeu ti full....

Thanks :)

looks awesome. how did you get those caps growing around the acros on the far right?

Lack of fagging maintenance... The orange cap on the left will start to do the same thing. Those things seriously grow like weeds.

[waynemah]

A FTS for good measure and a few top downs!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/73AF3624-CF23-455C-9818-34ABFEE7C2E3-3231-0000021B0F5ED390_zps0d58e704.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/73AF3624-CF23-455C-9818-34ABFEE7C2E3-3231-0000021B0F5ED390_zps0d58e704.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/2362B829-407F-409A-8C25-A987013BCCAE-3231-0000021B23F32ABB_zps74fe5949.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/2362B829-407F-409A-8C25-A987013BCCAE-3231-0000021B23F32ABB_zps74fe5949.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/D68E2C0A-3E1A-466B-A401-EA14D5AE6F40-3231-0000021B2B521105_zps55beaed5.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/D68E2C0A-3E1A-466B-A401-EA14D5AE6F40-3231-0000021B2B521105_zps55beaed5.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/D3A3B9FC-A666-4694-826F-A3BB22FC6FE0-3231-0000021B324F0AC4_zps26efe9dd.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/D3A3B9FC-A666-4694-826F-A3BB22FC6FE0-3231-0000021B324F0AC4_zps26efe9dd.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/AE67A7ED-C04F-4200-A412-1044018B970D-3231-0000021B384C52B0_zps8092f7aa.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/AE67A7ED-C04F-4200-A412-1044018B970D-3231-0000021B384C52B0_zps8092f7aa.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/E9885D26-DAF8-476F-A98D-B4D388230310-3231-0000021B3E3821FA_zpsafdf0d97.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/E9885D26-DAF8-476F-A98D-B4D388230310-3231-0000021B3E3821FA_zpsafdf0d97.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/EB19A5A5-4CAB-4C83-B3EB-809F68EBC4B2-3231-0000021B42FAE292_zps19d28915.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/EB19A5A5-4CAB-4C83-B3EB-809F68EBC4B2-3231-0000021B42FAE292_zps19d28915.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/EA2B3298-064E-41C2-B0F1-ABDEE4D593CB-3231-0000021B488B0772_zpsb638f8f3.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/EA2B3298-064E-41C2-B0F1-ABDEE4D593CB-3231-0000021B488B0772_zpsb638f8f3.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/BAE7D421-2346-4AC9-8D60-51058A7FD3B6-3231-0000021B4DC132E4_zps52ec1f53.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/BAE7D421-2346-4AC9-8D60-51058A7FD3B6-3231-0000021B4DC132E4_zps52ec1f53.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/69FF27ED-BF5D-4374-AFC9-56C6895052C2-3231-0000021B53467895_zps5b8d87e1.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/69FF27ED-BF5D-4374-AFC9-56C6895052C2-3231-0000021B53467895_zps5b8d87e1.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/D02133A0-DD97-4373-A9F4-9DC054F76000-3231-0000021B5ABC8CB7_zps5ea1dfec.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/D02133A0-DD97-4373-A9F4-9DC054F76000-3231-0000021B5ABC8CB7_zps5ea1dfec.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/80A79EBE-C6A8-4E61-9ED4-E5B6958078B1-3231-0000021B6063536D_zpsf46a3d5f.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/80A79EBE-C6A8-4E61-9ED4-E5B6958078B1-3231-0000021B6063536D_zpsf46a3d5f.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/B44F5853-A3A6-4E1F-A842-17E0FF76B88F-3231-0000021B6648CAEC_zpsfb33825d.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/B44F5853-A3A6-4E1F-A842-17E0FF76B88F-3231-0000021B6648CAEC_zpsfb33825d.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/20F6C7A6-D00D-4335-B478-3072C0F36C2D-3231-0000021B6C20F950_zps57f66c29.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/20F6C7A6-D00D-4335-B478-3072C0F36C2D-3231-0000021B6C20F950_zps57f66c29.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/9ACA6501-A007-4716-8564-F57EDD7DBDC8-3231-0000021B714F9116_zpsc54e4791.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/9ACA6501-A007-4716-8564-F57EDD7DBDC8-3231-0000021B714F9116_zpsc54e4791.jpg.html)

[reefme]

Wish my tank half as nice. Hope one day I can come over and learn it from you.

Good job and thank you for sharing.

[waynemah]

I've always wanted to make this thing look "in wall"... I think it turned out pretty well :biggrin:

From this...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/DSC_0537.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/DSC_0537.jpg.html)

To this...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/555FA776-A1A1-45EE-AB7B-63241A29C8A7-5951-000003B10A86E6DD_zpsae67fd31.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/555FA776-A1A1-45EE-AB7B-63241A29C8A7-5951-000003B10A86E6DD_zpsae67fd31.jpg.html)

[craigwmiller]

Awesome!

[gatzke]

you really pulled off the in wall tank amazingly. looks great. nice huge dead sps colony on the window sill

[HaZRaTTy]

Sick tank dude!!! when can I come pick up frags haha!

[Proteus]

Looks great wayne

[Madreefer]

Really nice tank and good carpentry. LEDs working pretty good for you.:biggrin:

[wickedfrags]

great stuff!

[lastlight]

looks stunning.

[waynemah]

Thanks for the kind words!

I haven't mounted any frags in a while, but will entertain requests if the colonies are about to touch others.

[lastlight]

i officially want my tank back. two words: re donculous.

[kien]

wow that looks awesome! Definitely a HUGE improvement over what the last owner had going on with it.

[waynemah]

i officially want my tank back. two words: re donculous.

I'll accept that as the highest form of complement! Every one of your builds is extremely high in quality and innovation.

wow that looks awesome! Definitely a HUGE improvement over what the last owner had going on with it.

Thanks Kien! The last owner had freshwater fish in it :lol:

[lastlight]

Thanks Kien! The last owner had freshwater fish in it :lol:

WERD.

[waynemah]

1 Month of growth under T5

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/D68E2C0A-3E1A-466B-A401-EA14D5AE6F40-3231-0000021B2B521105_zps55beaed5.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/D68E2C0A-3E1A-466B-A401-EA14D5AE6F40-3231-0000021B2B521105_zps55beaed5.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/776C82D9-08E5-4078-B533-A5E65302E75F-3802-0000035A404921E6_zpsb4c4fc49.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/776C82D9-08E5-4078-B533-A5E65302E75F-3802-0000035A404921E6_zpsb4c4fc49.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/20F6C7A6-D00D-4335-B478-3072C0F36C2D-3231-0000021B6C20F950_zps57f66c29.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/20F6C7A6-D00D-4335-B478-3072C0F36C2D-3231-0000021B6C20F950_zps57f66c29.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/C4D2B0A5-CF13-4DA9-80A0-46BC5703EF01-3802-0000035A3AAC9456_zps62bd0589.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/C4D2B0A5-CF13-4DA9-80A0-46BC5703EF01-3802-0000035A3AAC9456_zps62bd0589.jpg.html)

Random Cool shots...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/5D74A0BB-92B3-41C1-82FB-A65D68D0D9E5-3802-0000035A2FAE997A_zpsd9883612.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/5D74A0BB-92B3-41C1-82FB-A65D68D0D9E5-3802-0000035A2FAE997A_zpsd9883612.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/29B9D3CB-786E-40FD-8455-71079B206BA0-3802-0000035A2A7B82AE_zps2374208e.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/29B9D3CB-786E-40FD-8455-71079B206BA0-3802-0000035A2A7B82AE_zps2374208e.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/E1836AFA-F618-4D0D-A4CD-1D5583769C2A-3802-0000035A04130BB7_zps49830de0.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/E1836AFA-F618-4D0D-A4CD-1D5583769C2A-3802-0000035A04130BB7_zps49830de0.jpg.html)

[lastlight]

that's insane for one month. i wish!

[kien]

that's insane for one month. i wish!

T5s are the wave of the future.

[Doug]

:thumb:

Wholley snapping "uh" corals. Is that a gorgeous tank. What beautiful corals. Does that blue acro just grow with the green cap?

I assume you are still running your leds?

[kien]

I assume you are still running your leds?

LEDs are so 2012.

[waynemah]

:thumb:

Wholley snapping "uh" corals. Is that a gorgeous tank. What beautiful corals. Does that blue acro just grow with the green cap?

I assume you are still running your leds?

Thanks!

The blue stag is killed constantly by the green cap, but only where
It touches. The look of the cap growing around it is really nice though, good contrast in my opinion. The stag grows fairly quick now so I'm not too concerned.

I switched away from LED to a T5 fixture. There are ups and downs to both.

[nickguay]

I’m very impressed on your entire build, well done! I’m almost done setting up my 220 and I’ll be borrowing a few ideas from you :)

[Chase31]

This tank is so much more beautiful in person! Thanks for the frags and awesome tank!

[JDigital]

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/D02133A0-DD97-4373-A9F4-9DC054F76000-3231-0000021B5ABC8CB7_zps5ea1dfec.jpg


That looks INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! :shocked!::jaw:

[waynemah]

Thanks again guys!

I wish I could get top down colors from the side view. Hmmm... :idea: Next build, sideways aquascape with edge lit LED system!

[waynemah]

FTS Just under 2 1/2 years from dry.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/TankFeb2014_zps5fd47f24.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/TankFeb2014_zps5fd47f24.jpg.html)

[Snappy]

Very impressive collection! Looks fantastic.

[LoJack]

Going backwards...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/3BA05BCB-BA96-4EE5-89FF-37D9F5A42E2F-771-00000064D5F2F48C_zps0581141d.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/3BA05BCB-BA96-4EE5-89FF-37D9F5A42E2F-771-00000064D5F2F48C_zps0581141d.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/21FBF0E5-600F-433B-BA97-673E3C25F4FA-771-00000064E537AA4A_zps832efa75.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/21FBF0E5-600F-433B-BA97-673E3C25F4FA-771-00000064E537AA4A_zps832efa75.jpg.html)


I look at this as going forward. I did the same thing as you ... went from LED back to T-5 ... and that's all I'm going to use until the technology is no longer available to me. Dramatic difference in my tank after switching to T-5 ... and clearly you are having the same results. Phenomenal growth since the switch, and you have some amazing colors in that reef! Keep up the good work

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Tank is absolutely gorgeous. Great job. Beautiful pics too.

[Reef Pilot]

Just went through the journal, and very impressive and interesting indeed. I like how you persisted with the aquascaping and coral placement adjustments until you got it the way you wanted. Nice contrast, too, the large colonies and stags with the smaller frag colonies.

Amazing what can be done in just 2 1/2 years! And some good lessons for me in this build. Thanks.

[Rice Reef]

FTS Just under 2 1/2 years from dry.


Truly gorgeous! Can you share your thoughts of the sps growth under LEDs vs t5s and what made you switched?

[waynemah]

Truly gorgeous! Can you share your thoughts of the sps growth under LEDs vs t5s and what made you switched?

It really depends on the coral, I have some stuff that grew like crazy under LED and some that did absolutely nothing. Since switching to T5 everything is growing well, some of the stuff that was stagnant is starting to form growth tips. Other stuff that grew like crazy under LED is slow growing under T5. I think the trick to LED is to have a lot of coverage.

The reason for switching was purely financial at the time. I was almost $3000 into Hydras and found my tank required several more to get the proper coverage. It was cheaper to cut my losses and sell the Hydras and pick up a T5 fixture with some spare bulbs. In fact I pocketed a bunch of money and have bulbs for two years. I was worried about power consumption, but there was no difference, in fact my power bill seemed to go down a bit (pretty sure it's due to me enclosing the top of the tank).

[LoJack]

I found the same thing with the switch back to T5 Wayne.

I had certain corals that were growing like weeds under LED, but I had a lot that were stagnant, or lost all of their color.

I switched to T-5 and I was getting growth out of everything again … after about 3 months I started to notice certain stagnant browned out corals starting to sprout new life and morph colours.

That was enough for me … I've never looked back, and I'm planning an 8 foot upgrade in the next few months and It'll still be T-5

[Rice Reef]

It really depends on the coral, I have some stuff that grew like crazy under LED and some that did absolutely nothing. Since switching to T5 everything is growing well, some of the stuff that was stagnant is starting to form growth tips. Other stuff that grew like crazy under LED is slow growing under T5. I think the trick to LED is to have a lot of coverage.

The reason for switching was purely financial at the time. I was almost $3000 into Hydras and found my tank required several more to get the proper coverage. It was cheaper to cut my losses and sell the Hydras and pick up a T5 fixture with some spare bulbs. In fact I pocketed a bunch of money and have bulbs for two years. I was worried about power consumption, but there was no difference, in fact my power bill seemed to go down a bit (pretty sure it's due to me enclosing the top of the tank).

I found the same thing with the switch back to T5 Wayne.

I had certain corals that were growing like weeds under LED, but I had a lot that were stagnant, or lost all of their color.

I switched to T-5 and I was getting growth out of everything again … after about 3 months I started to notice certain stagnant browned out corals starting to sprout new life and morph colours.

That was enough for me … I've never looked back, and I'm planning an 8 foot upgrade in the next few months and It'll still be T-5

Thanks for sharing guys. I'm looking at prob switching to the Ati hybrid and trying to gather as much info before taking the plunge.

Wayne

[Leah]

i officially want my tank back. two words: re donculous.

Just this one? :wink:

[lastlight]

Just this one? :wink:

i have been putting a lot of man-hours into helping to setup my old 400 lol. at least wayne's not asking me for help sheesh.

[Gone Snorkelin']

Going backwards...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/3BA05BCB-BA96-4EE5-89FF-37D9F5A42E2F-771-00000064D5F2F48C_zps0581141d.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/3BA05BCB-BA96-4EE5-89FF-37D9F5A42E2F-771-00000064D5F2F48C_zps0581141d.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa364/waynemah/21FBF0E5-600F-433B-BA97-673E3C25F4FA-771-00000064E537AA4A_zps832efa75.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/waynemah/media/21FBF0E5-600F-433B-BA97-673E3C25F4FA-771-00000064E537AA4A_zps832efa75.jpg.html)

Your tank looks fantastic.
Could I ask you what combination of T-5 bulbs you are using and your time period?
Thanks.
Michael

[waynemah]

Your tank looks fantastic.
Could I ask you what combination of T-5 bulbs you are using and your time period?
Thanks.
Michael

No problem. :)

4x Blue+
2x Purple+
1x Aquablue Special
1x Coral+

From front to back it is... b+,c+,b+,p+,b+,as,p+,b+

[waynemah]

11-11 is two b+ and between 2 and 10 is the rest of them.

[Gone Snorkelin']

Thanks.

[Leah]

dang!

[waynemah]

It looks like we are closing the page on this build and moving on. I'm already dreaming of the next one in the new house. Moving a tank this size would likely result in a lot of die off and heart break. Instead I can help seed fellow hobbyists tanks and hopefully have many places to buy frags back from when I start up in a year or two.

Thanks to everyone who inspired me in this amazing hobby.

[Dez]

You're welcome...lol (for the inspiration). Haha. Glad to have met ya through canreef twin!