Scott's 270g aka Project Mayhem

[Slyguy00]

Awesome pics!

[Scythanith]

Sweet nice stuff

Is that red plate from bayside ? I see they got one on the website.

Thanks! Yes it is from Colby.

[reefermadness]

Your getting some nice colours already.... impressive. :)

[Scythanith]

Thanks! I have high hopes now that I have the ™ system dosing at a somewhat stable rate that the colours and growth will only get better :)

[Scythanith]

Some new shots! The growth is amazing!

The new games table is in place.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-z5ZXmrx/0/XL/i-z5ZXmrx-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-D3Tp5zP/0/XL/i-D3Tp5zP-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-sZhndzp/0/XL/i-sZhndzp-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-h5ZsCTn/0/XL/i-h5ZsCTn-XL.jpg

This one has streaks of pink in it as well :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-n28nfZb/0/XL/i-n28nfZb-XL.jpg

And this thing is amazing.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-sr7txjs/0/XL/i-sr7txjs-XL.jpg

The growth on the Monti's has been the most noticeable.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hrg8GzM/0/XL/i-hrg8GzM-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-XV4Hmvk/0/XL/i-XV4Hmvk-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mGKdM5S/0/XL/i-mGKdM5S-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

Some more SPS.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-NnNpf8K/0/XL/i-NnNpf8K-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-NHFHJM9/0/XL/i-NHFHJM9-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-NKchBM6/0/XL/i-NKchBM6-XL.jpg

The one half of this monti shows a nice whorled growth pattern where as the other side is freaking out!

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-DWjKc9v/0/XL/i-DWjKc9v-XL.jpg

And this is the toughest one to photograph. It's a yellow hammer with gold base and blue tinges on the periphery of the hammers. Super cool!

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-bdQMLqh/0/XL/i-bdQMLqh-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-tcp7JrV/0/XL/i-tcp7JrV-XL.jpg

[Slyguy00]

That is one badass games room:drinking:

[lastlight]

really sweet collection of corals! glad to see you're having success with the mitras too.

[Bayside Corals]

The Red fungia and the last Euphyllia are amazing!

[reefermadness]

Ya that red plate is killer.

Great progress. Is this your basement? It looks great.

[kien]

Red plate?! What manner of sorcery is this?!

[Scythanith]

Ya that red plate is killer.

Great progress. Is this your basement? It looks great.

Yep it's the basement. The other half that I am standing in while taking the picture has the snake wall and couch area with the tv.

[Myka]

Looks like the tank is settling in nicely! The basement looks great. I'm still in love with that red plate, and still kicking my own butt for not snagging it. You're right about that Hammer too - pictures don't do it justice - it is spectacular in person.

Is the cyano still on the back burner? Did you start up the biopellets again? Do you plan to?

[Scythanith]

The cyano is nothing but a bad dream now! I have not started up biopellets and I don't think I will any time soon. I like Colby's pov that they are a great fix to a problem, but they aren't a necessarily 24/7 media. I don't think I will bring it back online unless I start to see elevated nutrient values that water changes can't handle.

[Myka]

I've found a person has to be very careful with biopellets because they are VERY aggressive and can easily cause more harm than good. I'm glad to hear the cyano is nearly forgotten. :D

[reefermadness]

The cyano is nothing but a bad dream now! I have not started up biopellets and I don't think I will any time soon. I like Colby's pov that they are a great fix to a problem, but they aren't a necessarily 24/7 media. I don't think I will bring it back online unless I start to see elevated nutrient values that water changes can't handle.

I actually have nothing but good experience using them and have the opposite philosophy. I believe the are good to run full time and are best as a preventative tool vs. something you want to use to correct a problem. Most people get into trouble using biopellets when they are added to a system with a build up of PO4 and NO3. Things change too fast and problems can occur.

[Scythanith]

So how then with my system which was brand new, and tested flat for nuisance nutrients started getting a cyano problem? Then I take them offline, the problem goes away AND my nutrients stayed at zero's. I did buy them and the reactor with the idea to run them at all times, but then got cyano which the pellets are supposed to prevent are they not?

My last tank had hair algae and bryopsis, so in planning this one I wanted to use everything I could to prevent that nutrient build up! I'm not saying I won't try to bring them online again, just for now I don't have any issues so I don't want to introduce them.

[Reef Pilot]

Well,... there is a simple sure preventative for cyano. It's called MB7, and a must use with bio pellets, IMO. I have discussed it here many time....

[Myka]

Scott, I think what happened with your biopellet experience is that you were using too many for the amount of available nutrients. That's what I find causes cyano with biopellet use. Discussions with some very experienced professionals seem to come to the same conclusion. The amount of biopellets used needs to match the amount of nutrients available for the biopellets to feed on. Since your tank is so new and you have such massive nutrient reduction equipment already in place, it is possible that 1/2 cup of biopellets would be too much. In my 90-gallon SPS tank I used fractionally less biopellets than was recommended - any more and I would get cyano growth.

Well,... there is a simple sure preventative for cyano. It's called MB7

I've tried MB7 additions for cyano, and I've never seen any reduction in cyano. I know lots of people report success, but it's far from a "sure preventative".

[Reef Pilot]

I've tried MB7 additions for cyano, and I've never seen any reduction in cyano. I know lots of people report success, but it's far from a "sure preventative".

Exactly how did you use MB7, dose amounts and time, etc? Did you try it to reduce or eliminate cyano that you had in your tank, or use it as a preventative starting with a clean no cyano tank?

I stand by it as a sure preventative,... if used correctly. Like I said, I have discussed exactly how to accomplish that several times here in the past.

[Scythanith]

Honestly right now my problems aren't the algae type so I am not even thinking about biopellets lol. I am still trying to get my Ca, Alk, Mg balanced.

[Myka]

^ Pretty much. :lol:

[Scythanith]

It's been somewhat of a pain in the butt! I had my numbers balanced and started dosing equal parts of the three part ™ system. Within 2 days my alk and mg was low and my ca was ok. I up'd my Part B & C dosing and it seemed like no matter how high I kept dialling up my dosing my alk & mg wouldn't go up. I was dosing extra Part C to try and raise the mg but I could NOT get it past 1300 according to my salifert test (confirmed by Bayside Corals test).

Maybe the chemistry experts can help me. I have ~300g of water volume. I made up the ™ recommended mix of a one gallon solution and have been dosing 2 x 175ml of part B. Two days ago I had an Alk of 7.4 and today I have an Alk of 9.4. What's going on!?

I lowered my dosing back to 2 x 150ml a day Part B and will see what happens in a couple days.

[sphelps]

Scott your tank and basement look great. The problem with new tanks is your chemistry demand is always changing until it becomes more established with a healthy number of corals. Then demand becomes more stable and you can dial things in and maintain levels without constant adjustment. Until then it's test and adjust at least a few times a week. I found this to be particular frustrating when I ran a 3 stage dosing system myself, three separate parts to test and adjust several times a week was just a pain, Ca in particular is hard enough just to test consistently. This is why I switched back to a Ca reactor, I just test Alk and maintain that assuming the rest remains balanced which for the majority of the time is exactly the case.

In regards to your Mag, I'm not sure why you would want levels above 1300, I'd say anything above 1200 is ideal. As far as the alk jump, that's pretty typical after upping the dosage, sometimes it takes a bit for the adjustment to register. It might take a while to come down what that size tank and little stock so don't be too quick to adjust, if it remains stable you're probably at the right dosage. Also upping Ca can help decrease Alk levels.

[Scythanith]

Thanks Steve. I plan on just testing for 3-4 days now and not adjusting anything and seeing what happens with the numbers.

[reefermadness]

Don't try and use your dosing pumps to adjust the levels. You will constantly be adjusting them like a yo yo. It's much better to manually bump your parameters to the levels you want and keep the dosers set as close to maintenance you can get. You will always have a little drift but if you regularly test and bump if needed it's not a big deal.

[Scythanith]

Red plate?! What manner of sorcery is this?!

I really wanted to put a picture up of a certain card from the game cards against humanity but I'd get in trouble :) If you've played the game you likely know which card I mean!

This is the best I can do!

http://ih3.redbubble.net/image.12154131.9897/fc,550x550,orange.jpg

[Scythanith]

Don't try and use your dosing pumps to adjust the levels. You will constantly be adjusting them like a yo yo. It's much better to manually bump your parameters to the levels you want and keep the dosers set as close to maintenance you can get. You will always have a little drift but if you regularly test and bump if needed it's not a big deal.

Thanks Darryl, I will be just watching what happens for the next 3 days so that should show me a general consumption rate hopefully. One weird thing was I mixed up a 20g batch of fresh salt and it tested at 6.3 dKh. I asked Michael and he said that was normal. Seemed weird to me but he said that's the way the system worked. I googled it and saw reef builders mixed up a test batch and it tested at 8.3 dKh. Any opinions?

[Scythanith]

Well I have another little problem. I knew the bottom sump was too small after the first time I unplugged my main return pumps and the water from the display overwhelmed the bottom sump and dumped ~10g down the emergency drain. I had two power outages yesterday and each time it left my lower sump pump running half dry and emptied my ATO pail into the system. Now the ATO pail is currently only a 5g pail so it wasn't an issue but I made a promise to myself to not compromise anything in this project. So, I will need to build a larger bottom sump that can handle that extra volume. Right now the lower sump is 14 deep x 48 wide x 12 3/8 to the emergency overflow. That works out to ~36g. I need to up it to ~50g. SO I need to add ~14g of capacity. The stand itself can accomodate another 2" of sump to the front. I don't really want to go any taller and can't go any wider.

If I get a new sump made that is 5" deeper front to back that will add ~12.9g of volume which should be enough. That would also require me to build an add-on to the bottom of the sump stand to support the extra 3" of sump overhang.

Wendy suggested a sensor and pump that would start draining the lower sump when it got to a certain level and while I like that idea I know it would be fairly complex to work out not to mention the problem occurs when the power goes out so all the programming in the world isn't going to help at that moment. I honestly think a larger bottom sump is my safest & simplest solution. Any opinions or suggestions?

[FishyFishy!]

Can you run a simple check valve right after your pump? A george fischer wye check valve would be very effective and wouldn't limit flow very much.

[sphelps]

Scott did you ever try/consider cutting out the refugium to free up some extra volume in that lower sump?

[Myka]

Scott did you ever try/consider cutting out the refugium to free up some extra volume in that lower sump?

I like this idea.

[Scythanith]

Can you run a simple check valve right after your pump? A george fischer wye check valve would be very effective and wouldn't limit flow very much.

It's not backflow through the pumps, its the actual water volume from the display tank that is above the weir teeth draining into the sumps.When the top sump return pump is running, it raises the level in the main tank by ~1", the lower pump replenishes the top sump and makes up for any discrepancies in water height (usually due to evaporation). I already have a GF wye on the lower sump pump, so nothing drains back through it.

[Scythanith]

Scott did you ever try/consider cutting out the refugium to free up some extra volume in that lower sump?

By my calculations that would only gain me 1.24g of volume.

[Myka]

By my calculations that would only gain me 1.24g of volume.

Your refugium appears to be much bigger than that.

[Scythanith]

Yes but a refugium by nature is already filled with water. So say I cut out the refugium baffle, making the pump chamber that much larger. All I will gain for volume is about an extra 2" in height over a 14" x 12" (minus the emergency overflow 5" x 5"). My calculations come to 1.24g of water. Say I can lower the water another couple inches max!, I'd only gain another 2.6g and would likely start drawing in air vortices and blowing microbubbles everywhere. Does my math make sense to you guys or are you thinking of something I am not?

I still think my only option is a new sump.

[FishyFishy!]

Yes but a refugium by nature is already filled with water. So say I cut out the refugium baffle, making the pump chamber that much larger. All I will gain for volume is about an extra 2" in height over a 14" x 12" (minus the emergency overflow 5" x 5"). My calculations come to 1.24g of water. Say I can lower the water another couple inches max!, I'd only gain another 2.6g and would likely start drawing in air vortices and blowing microbubbles everywhere. Does my math make sense to you guys or are you thinking of something I am not?

I still think my only option is a new sump.

Ok, so if it's not the back flow, then the only recommendations is a bigger sump. The bigger the better. :-)

[BlueTang<3]

I had to go with a 180 gallon sumo and only run 8 inches of water in it, tank is 30 feet away 2 inch drain lines 30 feet long can hold a pile of water, plus the inch or so in the tank.

Could u consider changing the height of water in the tank using your drains, I can adjust mine so water is touching the euro race or take it to water just above the overflow slits.

[sphelps]

Yes but a refugium by nature is already filled with water. So say I cut out the refugium baffle, making the pump chamber that much larger. All I will gain for volume is about an extra 2" in height over a 14" x 12" (minus the emergency overflow 5" x 5"). My calculations come to 1.24g of water. Say I can lower the water another couple inches max!, I'd only gain another 2.6g and would likely start drawing in air vortices and blowing microbubbles everywhere. Does my math make sense to you guys or are you thinking of something I am not?

I still think my only option is a new sump.

You can't be running that sump with the water level only 2" below the overflow? What's the water level height is that sump currently running at?

[Myka]

Yes but a refugium by nature is already filled with water.

Isn't your refugium filled up all the way right now? Is it next to the return chamber? Is the return chamber normally filled only partway during normal operation? If these are all "yes", then you can switch up the baffling so the refugium is part of the return chamber and is only filled partway. You should be able to get more volume then.

I can't remember what your sump looks like, and no pic on first page or this page, so I gave up looking. :lol:

[Scythanith]

Maybe this will help :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-xP3Qn2C/0/XL/i-xP3Qn2C-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

Could u consider changing the height of water in the tank using your drains, I can adjust mine so water is touching the euro race or take it to water just above the overflow slits.

I thought about that when I first plumbed it but the extra water volume is produced by the sheer volume of water the pump itself is moving into the tank. I can raise the plumbing as much as I want but the pump will still create an inch of water over that height. That inch of water will then make it's way through the system into the bottom sump.

[Reef Pilot]

You could add an 90 degree elbow fitting to your return pump with the opening pointed down to allow a lower water level if so desired. I had to do that with a return pump to avoid it sucking air.

[Myka]

Yes, the pic helps! I think you made your sump too short in comparison to the height of the equipment.

You could add an 90 degree elbow fitting to your return pump with the opening pointed down to allow a lower water level if so desired. I had to do that with a return pump to avoid it sucking air.

I have this on most of my pumps so they can have lower water level.

[Scythanith]

Yes, the pic helps! I think you made your sump too short in comparison to the height of the equipment.



I have this on most of my pumps so they can have lower water level.

I would try with some long radius 90's but not the typical 90 elbow. The owners manual for these pumps has a big red X on a pump with a 90 on the intake side. Abyzz doesn't sell the 90 for the intake side like red dragon does. They obviously must not want it used on their pumps. The do sell a slotted 6" straight tube that fits on the intake.

[Scythanith]

Yes, the pic helps! I think you made your sump too short in comparison to the height of the equipment.



I have this on most of my pumps so they can have lower water level.

I can only just get the skimmer cup out as it is. Any taller and that would be a no go.

[Myka]

I would try with some long radius 90's but not the typical 90 elbow. The owners manual for these pumps has a big red X on a pump with a 90 on the intake side. Abyzz doesn't sell the 90 for the intake side like red dragon does. They obviously must not want it used on their pumps. The do sell a slotted 6" straight tube that fits on the intake.

Hmm ok. Is the slotted one only slotted on one side, so you can put the slots on the underside? that might help a bit. I'm not sure if that would give you as much space as you're looking for though.

[sphelps]

I think you have a little more potential in that sump worth exploring, worst case you're replacing the sump anyway so why not try this first.

1. Add a snorkel to the pump, I've done this lots, usually use long radius ABS fitting.
2. Lower that running water level, I scaled out 3" which I think is easily feasible, maybe even more.
3. Cut out refugium, it'll add more volume to the pump chamber as well so it will have more catch up volume as well during start up.
4. Add a little height to your overflow chamber, ie if it's 12-3/8", can you make it 12-7/8"?

If you can do all that the added volume I calculate is this:

Refugium cut out and lower water level: (27*3+27*2)*13.5 = 1800 in3
Higher E-O-Flow: 0.5*47.5*13.5 = 320 in3

Total = 2120 or just over 9 gallons.

Rough numbers obviously and I didn't exclude the overflow box but you get the idea. I'd also still add a check valve to both return pumps, while it's not a total back-flow issue it will still cut back on a decent amount of water flowing back to the sump (16' of 1.25" Pipe will hold about a gallon).

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/sump-2.jpg

[Scythanith]

Thanks Steve, but 9g is still ~2 plus gallons short of accomplishing my goals. I'd rather not spend all the time hacking up the sump, adding height to the emergency overflow, putting snorkels on the pump, etc. That results in me losing my refugium, or more appropriately my water change section. If the water level is already as low as it can be in the pump chamber then I won't be able to set up the water change programming.

Honestly I think a new sump is better than any other option.

[sphelps]

Yeah if you got the space bigger would be better. Let me know if I can help, I'll make you an acrylic one if you want ;)

[Scythanith]

Finally got my ATO pail half way to where I'd like it.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gDh5H3K/0/L/i-gDh5H3K-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Some new pictures :)

DV acro plus fruit loops in the background.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-tVgLPMC/0/L/i-tVgLPMC-L.jpg

Unnamed awesome Monti
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-6TxRWMv/0/L/i-6TxRWMv-L.jpg

Mummy Eye Chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-22ZQpkT/0/L/i-22ZQpkT-L.jpg

Unsure of name chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-bKQzJCX/0/L/i-bKQzJCX-L.jpg

Tyree Space Invaders Pectina. Not even kidding it's this bright!
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-wCgWNBk/0/L/i-wCgWNBk-L.jpg

Season's Greetings Monti
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WNSBwLh/0/L/i-WNSBwLh-L.jpg

Meteor Shower Cyphastrea
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-scKNHQV/0/L/i-scKNHQV-L.jpg

Rasta's
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nPftpqQ/0/L/i-nPftpqQ-L.jpg

Baby's Breath Favia
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-kxCbhpD/0/L/i-kxCbhpD-L.jpg

Watermelon Chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-rjMJvkt/0/L/i-rjMJvkt-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

DV Crazy Chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-2VjPtmk/0/L/i-2VjPtmk-L.jpg

SniperSPS Purple Urkle Chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9rwfTTH/0/L/i-9rwfTTH-L.jpg

DV Miami Hurricane Chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-m9WDvZR/0/L/i-m9WDvZR-L.jpg

Tubb's Blues
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-r6frgw3/0/L/i-r6frgw3-L.jpg

Nice Zoa carpet :)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-BGJdNHr/0/L/i-BGJdNHr-L.jpg

Yellow Hammer
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-VNnsgX8/0/L/i-VNnsgX8-L.jpg

DV Mystic Monti
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9QgMJhZ/0/L/i-9QgMJhZ-L.jpg

Tahitian Blue
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-L4MG6kS/0/L/i-L4MG6kS-L.jpg

A DV acro
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-B3c8hZb/0/L/i-B3c8hZb-L.jpg

I mentioned I have weird recession on my Sunset Monti, well here it is. Any guesses as to what's causing it?
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-x7SPjNk/0/L/i-x7SPjNk-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Monti setosa
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-NxXSZ9Z/0/L/i-NxXSZ9Z-L.jpg

Bonsai Acro
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-C7R8R5F/0/L/i-C7R8R5F-L.jpg

Captain America Paly's
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mPCHsTw/0/L/i-mPCHsTw-L.jpg

Palythoa grandis
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mXSXbL8/0/L/i-mXSXbL8-L.jpg

Close up on the mystic sunset monti
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qcRPKqq/0/L/i-qcRPKqq-L.jpg

The monti is winning the turf war!
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-M9JjcwV/0/L/i-M9JjcwV-L.jpg

Some new Japanese zoo's
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-k3KP7WP/0/L/i-k3KP7WP-L.jpg

Halloween Hermit out for a stroll
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3b9j2vj/0/L/i-3b9j2vj-L.jpg

Top shot of the clam
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qHLtD8G/0/L/i-qHLtD8G-L.jpg

Green monti with clam in background
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-HPTxGp6/0/L/i-HPTxGp6-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Not the most colourful until you get in real close and see the blue.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-G2xxGjt/0/L/i-G2xxGjt-L.jpg

Blue Hippo Chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-B5BLPRg/0/L/i-B5BLPRg-L.jpg

Another of the CA Paly's
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-pwJhftR/0/L/i-pwJhftR-L.jpg

Another of the DV Acro
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-DpNFhVK/0/L/i-DpNFhVK-L.jpg

Side shot of the Bonsai
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-t4w5ZTS/0/L/i-t4w5ZTS-L.jpg

Whole tank
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vG863zH/0/L/i-vG863zH-L.jpg

[kien]

wow. you've got quite the ridonkulous collection! Great photos !

[Scythanith]

Thanks kein!

[JDigital]

I see flatworms... :( Hate those buggers!

Your collection is sweet though!

[Scythanith]

Yep, I am grabbing a leopard wrasse likely tomorrow. And I will also grab a blue velvet nudi when Colby gets some in.

[reefermadness]

Wow....Im glad things are going well and your seeing some nice colour and growth.

[FishingGoalie]

Where are the flatworms? id like to know what they look like?

[JDigital]

Where are the flatworms? id like to know what they look like?

See the redish/brown square/rectangular shapes on the rock? Those are flatworms... They usually multiply faster than rabbits..

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nPftpqQ/0/L/i-nPftpqQ-L.jpg

[FishingGoalie]

O wow i had no idea just looked like rock to me?

[Scythanith]

Wow....Im glad things are going well and your seeing some nice colour and growth.

Thanks Dave. I am looking for some height in my tank. What types of SPS would you recommend? Thanks!

[Myka]

^ Stags always give nice height. A nice A exquisita is always stellar. Are you making any headway with the flatworms?

[Scythanith]

I just picked up what I think is a nice A. tenuis from Colby, but I am waiting for the cash to do a nice order from IA. I don't know if the wrasse is making a dint on the flatworms so I am going to dose Flatworm Exit before it gets too bad. I will have some water made up and just do some heavy water changes for a couple days after the treatment.

[reefwars]

I just picked up what I think is a nice A. tenuis from Colby, but I am waiting for the cash to do a nice order from IA. I don't know if the wrasse is making a dint on the flatworms so I am going to dose Flatworm Exit before it gets too bad. I will have some water made up and just do some heavy water changes for a couple days after the treatment.

they usually wont if the tank is large and the population is high enough ,they can only eat so many at a time and they breed fast , i would do the flatworm exit and then let the wrasses finish off whats left.

[Scythanith]

I did two separate siphon jobs on the tank to lower the flatworm population prior to dosing the tank with flatworm exit. I then dosed the FWE, turned the MP40's to a strong pulse mode and it took about 20 minutes until I could see the flatworms in distress. Once they were filling up the water column I cranked on the carbon reactor and then started netting out the floating flatworms with the largest fine mesh net I had. waited until the water was mostly clear and then did a 10% water change. All in all, three full days later the tank looks great! No negative side effects whatsoever. I'd recommend flatworm exit to anyone.

[Scythanith]

This is an example for a buddy that was asking me some camera questions.

First picture with a nikon nikkor 105mm f2.8 macro lens (http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-VR-Micro-Nikkor-105mm-f%252F2.8G-IF-ED.html).

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vWcMt7D/0/L/i-vWcMt7D-L.jpg

Second picture with a nikon nikkor 105mm f2.8 macro PLUS nikon TC-20E III teleconverter (http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-Teleconverter-TC-20E-III.html). The teleconverter essential increases the focal length of the lens, in this case making the 105mm a 210mm lens. Drawbacks are is there is more glass between the image and the sensor, which reduces the available light.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-XnKZR87/0/L/i-XnKZR87-L.jpg

Third option we discussed was using extension tubes. Extension tubes decrease the required distance a lens needs to focus. In the case of a fish tank, extension tubes aren't ideal since a closer focusing distance means you have to actually get closer to the subject. And unless you have a nice underwater housing for the D80 that isn't happening.

In the end the result is usually the same, a magnified image as compared to the lens alone. They just go about different ways of accomplishing it. For your needs, a good macro lens and a teleconverter would be all you need. And honestly, the teleconverter would likely be overkill. Just cropping the image would likely be enough.

Cheers!

[Scythanith]

Some new pictures :)

This is my new hammer... I am tickled blue and gold :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-QHqJjb2/0/XL/i-QHqJjb2-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ZwfMGxL/0/XL/i-ZwfMGxL-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gd8kXDX/0/XL/i-gd8kXDX-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-n3HxBhj/0/XL/i-n3HxBhj-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-w2hz6VV/0/XL/i-w2hz6VV-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-s7rP27C/0/XL/i-s7rP27C-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jDGB7j5/0/XL/i-jDGB7j5-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-5tJKdVG/0/XL/i-5tJKdVG-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3vKtSHC/0/XL/i-3vKtSHC-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-bmkfkFz/0/XL/i-bmkfkFz-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9TLbMZv/0/XL/i-9TLbMZv-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WkWVNrP/0/XL/i-WkWVNrP-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-429K6zn/0/XL/i-429K6zn-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-MK5DdMg/0/XL/i-MK5DdMg-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-SvKJC2K/0/XL/i-SvKJC2K-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nRsVQFf/0/XL/i-nRsVQFf-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gtS58bd/0/XL/i-gtS58bd-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-96D4csb/0/XL/i-96D4csb-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-MFzTPnJ/0/XL/i-MFzTPnJ-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-KQNd7VD/0/XL/i-KQNd7VD-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-4qsB6Ds/0/XL/i-4qsB6Ds-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-zBHzZ3s/0/XL/i-zBHzZ3s-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-kvBqHhK/0/XL/i-kvBqHhK-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-4qmnqVn/0/XL/i-4qmnqVn-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ZgqvHPT/0/XL/i-ZgqvHPT-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WqNh3px/0/XL/i-WqNh3px-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-4RZtCNJ/0/XL/i-4RZtCNJ-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Wx2RTkj/0/XL/i-Wx2RTkj-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-crkpMpv/0/XL/i-crkpMpv-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-v8Lsjvh/0/XL/i-v8Lsjvh-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

A new blue tipped Aussie elegance :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-6gPptGK/0/XL/i-6gPptGK-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Z7DdKMw/0/XL/i-Z7DdKMw-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-tQPdXkw/0/XL/i-tQPdXkw-XL.jpg

This is new as well. Tough to tell but the hammers are rainbow coloured :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-t9n4wJW/0/XL/i-t9n4wJW-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3nkJmdZ/0/XL/i-3nkJmdZ-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-GGrvBSr/0/XL/i-GGrvBSr-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-BwZWCK6/0/XL/i-BwZWCK6-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-QCDr7BN/0/XL/i-QCDr7BN-XL.jpg

Space Invaders as bright as ever.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-QDtGC7z/0/XL/i-QDtGC7z-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Gd8HSjX/0/XL/i-Gd8HSjX-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-4Vd7qfJ/0/XL/i-4Vd7qfJ-XL.jpg

[Trevor W]

Wow!!!!
Looks amazing. Great photos as well.

[Myka]

Those are some sweet new Hammers you picked up! That order Colby just got in is just INSANE!

I still see some flatworms, but it looks like the treatment worked well for you. Sometimes it takes a few doses. It's certainly easy stuff to work with, I'm glad it helped you out. :)

[Scythanith]

Yep there are still some around the tank. I will double the dose next time. It's pretty crazy! The orange/red fungia was pretty insane as well.

[kien]

wow those pics are ridonkulous !! Love your chalice collection !

[Myka]

Yeah I can't believe you didn't scoop that Fungia!

Sent from my Dungeon using mad Ninja Skillz.

[Scythanith]

Haahaa Colby didn't let me :) He knew I shouldn't lol!

[Scythanith]

wow those pics are ridonkulous !! Love your chalice collection !

Thanks kien! They are my favourite coral out there.

[Bugger]

space envaders and that watermelon chalice are awesome

[Scythanith]

I'm still looking for a bazooka Joe chalice if you know anyone that had a legit one :)

[DAVE]

Quite the collection of chalice and all around corals you have there sir.

Very nice!

[reefermadness]

Really love these updates. Everything looks so good and healthy.

[Scythanith]

Really love these updates. Everything looks so good and healthy.

Thanks Darryl, I may have to ask you the names of a couple of the Acropora sp. when they get a bit bigger. I have the names of what I bought, I'm just not sure which is which since I moved them from the 40g.

[Scythanith]

I just did another flatworm treatment regime before heading out to work. I siphoned oh I'd say 4000 or more flatworms and then treated the tank with a double dose of Flatworm Exit. It worked well, I followed the instructions (aside from the double dose) and everything looks great!

I am getting great growth and just ordered some new RR sps that I hope to get in the tank once I get home.

Check out the re-growth over the middle of the monti. Look back at the old pictures to see the previous recession.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-rHhBQ8S/0/L/i-rHhBQ8S-L.jpg

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7nN2bfK/0/L/i-7nN2bfK-L.jpg

And some simple candy apple reds :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-bFMnVpn/0/L/i-bFMnVpn-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Just ordered an Apogee MQ-200 and the sensor :) Now I can have some sort of quantitative measurement for the corals!

[Scythanith]

So my RR sps are showing up today and here are my test results from this morning:

Mg 1350, Ca 400, Alk 7.9 dKh, phosphate 0.04ppm, Nitrate 0.2ppm, s.g. 1.025

My apogee meter showed up and I will start testing today or tomorrow

I also picked up a couple nice chalices and some zoo's from the LFS. They are sweet!

[Scythanith]

Details:

Mitras 6100HV running in High Efficiency mode with max output at 80% (brightness set to 70% in Light composer)
Initial PAR numbers:

~280 at water surface (9.5" from lights)
~150 9" down from water surface
~80 20" down from water surface in somewhat shade

Mitras 6100HV running in High Efficiency mode with max output at 100% (brightness set to 95% in Light composer)

~480 at water surface
~250 9" down from water surface
~120 20" down from water surface in somewhat shade
~150 on bottom of tank

So the important question is do you think bringing up the average PAR values by 50% is a bad idea? Seems a little drastic to me. I am thinking maybe dial them back to a 25% increase and see how things react and then go back to the 95% brightness. Suggestions, opinions, etc?

[Scythanith]

I went ahead and dropped total brightness down to 82%. That put the PAR numbers all ~25-30% higher than original. I will see what response that gets and then go up from there hopefully. The whole reason i want to go up is from the reading I have been doing on PAR values around some of the SPS I'd like to keep.

[sphelps]

Things were looking pretty good before. Every time I tweak my mitras I bleach coral so I don't change it anymore. Good luck :lol:

[Scythanith]

Things were looking pretty good before. Every time I tweak my mitras I bleach coral so I don't change it anymore. Good luck :lol:

How much would you tweak the brightness and still see bleaching? I wonder if I went too much even raising the PAR 25%?

[Scythanith]

Now I am second guessing myself.... I am going to go dial it down some more...

[Scythanith]

RR Ultimate Orange Passion
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-fjkZgVg/0/L/i-fjkZgVg-L.jpg

RR Wolverine
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vCNvtCq/0/L/i-vCNvtCq-L.jpg

IAS Strawberry Shortcake
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-29X8Vkt/0/L/i-29X8Vkt-L.jpg

IAS Cali Blue Tort
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-SK9DZg6/0/L/i-SK9DZg6-L.jpg

RR Blue Matrix
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-XrV6xqr/0/L/i-XrV6xqr-L.jpg

RR Tropical Hurricane
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-xhzkZkR/0/L/i-xhzkZkR-L.jpg

Wicked Bonsai
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-5wcTsZg/0/L/i-5wcTsZg-L.jpg

Blue Hammer
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hpXhjX3/0/L/i-hpXhjX3-L.jpg

Mummy Eye & Dark magic Chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-fs5bk4N/0/L/i-fs5bk4N-L.jpg

Sweet grape chalice
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-wR4vL7d/0/L/i-wR4vL7d-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

IAS M. palawanesis
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vvSPzG9/0/L/i-vvSPzG9-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-k7xDGpL/0/L/i-k7xDGpL-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-fKgDvG8/0/L/i-fKgDvG8-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-kSJN4df/0/L/i-kSJN4df-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-TrTzfw9/0/L/i-TrTzfw9-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vjXq8sS/0/L/i-vjXq8sS-L.jpg

DV Mystic Monti
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vbs88Q8/0/L/i-vbs88Q8-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

I know I might be a little paranoid but is this an egg string?

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-w3rP7v2/0/L/i-w3rP7v2-L.png

[Scythanith]

I am told that this is a new polyp forming and I have nothing to worry about :)

[Skimmerking]

hey buddy tank is looking fine. what program do you have your mitras set at could ya post it would like to try another set up

[Scythanith]

I loaded up my 82% brightness file to a shared dropbox folder.

Link (https://www.dropbox.com/s/nqlrekisoua7ume/light%20composer%20project%2082%25.lpc?dl=0)

This project runs around 400 Par at the waters surface with the Mitras 6100HV (9.5" above water surface, High Efficiency Mode (set at 100%)). The colour temp is around 14K at the noon peak and dips to ~21K morning and evening.

[Skimmerking]

thanks bro i have the 6200 now so will that make a difference

[Skimmer Juice]

Space invader pectina and blue hammer so nice.

[Scythanith]

Yep it will make a difference. Different LED combinations. You can try and load it but I don't know what it will do.

Thanks Skimmer Juice, I think they are nice as well :)

[sphelps]

Sorry Scott, didn't mean to scare you back there. I just find every time I tweak the color (not so much output) I bleach out some of my LPS. Pretty sure I'm running them pretty high as far as output goes (don't know what exactly anymore) so tweaking the spectrum probably effects the par quite a bit. I don't know if you'll experience the same or not but I wanted to wish you luck non the less :wink:

That all said you do certainly seem to have better SPS growth than me, although hard to tell with monties as they tend to grow well regardless. I downloaded your program, might try it out as my spectrum is red in the morning and gets more blue as the day goes one and I'm a little board of the dull red mornings.

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mwRpTxm/0/XL/i-mwRpTxm-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qSg66c3/0/XL/i-qSg66c3-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-skt4vNW/0/XL/i-skt4vNW-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gkdqKJm/0/XL/i-gkdqKJm-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-GsvqPHT/0/XL/i-GsvqPHT-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-PspNFPd/0/XL/i-PspNFPd-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-8kTLcC7/0/XL/i-8kTLcC7-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-P9Sf8Mj/0/XL/i-P9Sf8Mj-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-VmB5b8z/0/XL/i-VmB5b8z-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hLkMXhm/0/XL/i-hLkMXhm-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-GvS4TNq/0/XL/i-GvS4TNq-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9zQG5rG/0/XL/i-9zQG5rG-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-RhmMvvx/0/XL/i-RhmMvvx-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Lq3BPpD/0/XL/i-Lq3BPpD-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mfsw8tp/0/XL/i-mfsw8tp-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-42WZXLH/0/XL/i-42WZXLH-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vR7WX6k/0/XL/i-vR7WX6k-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-H2d7Cw3/0/XL/i-H2d7Cw3-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gH97fCd/0/XL/i-gH97fCd-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-bJQHGmP/0/XL/i-bJQHGmP-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-VDhrgCg/0/XL/i-VDhrgCg-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-dvf5jH3/0/XL/i-dvf5jH3-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-dWCQxC9/0/XL/i-dWCQxC9-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nGwzhcs/0/XL/i-nGwzhcs-XL.jpg

[kien]

great pics! I especially like that "Undata vs Sunset monti: FIGHT!"

[Bill@IA]

Things look very happy Scott. Nicely done and Great Pictures!!!

[michika]

Incredible photos!

[Scythanith]

Check this out if you're bored :)

http://blog.lithicimages.com/?p=271

[KLUW]

WOW! awesome!!!

[Scythanith]

I am having issues with my 220v breaker kicking out and leaving my circulation pumps off. Problem is I don't know if it's a faulty GFCI breaker or the Abyzz pumps malfunctioning. And currently it's completely random. Any ideas on how I can test for either specifically? I have an electrician coming in to check the breaker and the load on the circuit.

[Wildechild_01]

I am having issues with my 220v breaker kicking out and leaving my circulation pumps off. Problem is I don't know if it's a faulty GFCI breaker or the Abyzz pumps malfunctioning. And currently it's completely random. Any ideas on how I can test for either specifically? I have an electrician coming in to check the breaker and the load on the circuit.

First off, I just read through this entire thread and WOW! amazing set up, as for your pump breaker question, I am an electrician and here are my thoughts.

A clamp type electrical meter is the easiest way to see if the pump is locking up and causing the circuit to overload, in these situations it is often best to let the qualified professional take a look at it.

I do wonder why did you choose to GFCI protect it? Canadian Electrical Code does NOT require that outlet to be GFCI protected, often people make the assumption that because there is water near by we need the GFCI but in cases like this one the GFCI can just lead to added headaches if they trip and things stop running properly. It is a similar situation to Sump Pumps for basements, yes there is water involved, but we do not want that pump to stop running because there is water nearby.

My recommendation would be to have a regular 2pole breaker installed, this will eliminate the problem of nuisance tripping of the GFCI and if it is an overload situation the new breaker will still trip properly.

Hopefully the pump is not shot.

[Scythanith]

Thanks Wildechild! The electrician that installed the 220v breaker is coming in tomorrow after work to check it out. I always assumed water = GFCI so I used a GFCI breaker. I think Jon will be bringing a common 2 pole breaker with him when he comes over. That seems like the simplest of fixes. Question, how would we test if it was indeed the pumps causing the issue, not the breaker?

[Wildechild_01]

Your electrician will hopefully have a meter he can clamp over wires in the panel to see how much current the pump is drawing. If the pump is the issue the new breaker will still trip when it tries to pull too much power. My gut feeling would be that it is a GFCI issue but without physically looking hard to know. Have your electrician check the connections in the box behind the receptacle as well as make sure all the connections are nice and tight at breakers as well as they can start to come loose over time and that can cause issues too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scythanith]

Ok so Jon checked it out and I had 1.2A on one side and 1.3A on the other. He said that wasn't leakage but that the two poles weren't sharing the load equally. He couldn't say why that was but he felt that it wasn't the VFD's from the pumps causing an issue. But the difference was enough to be tripping the GFCI. Why it only recently started, who knows. So we pulled the expensive GFCI breaker out and slapped a 2 pole in and so far so good *knock on computer*.

[Wildechild_01]

Yeah that's definitely enough to trip it. Really any motor can nuisance trip a gfci. My guess would be problem solved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scythanith]

Here's hoping :)

[Scythanith]

I am also looking into adding some T5's onto my lighting rig. Probably 8x36" to get full coverage in two bulbs. Level out the lighting and get rid of some of the darker spots. A little more pop with some of the T5 bulb combos. I have IceCap 660 ballasts, standoffs and individual reflectors that I am going to repurpose and add on to my aluminum frame.

------ ------
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Mitras x 3
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[Scythanith]

Ok update time. I'm still having a time balancing out the vibrance of the LED's and the blue/purple. Any suggestions are welcome!

RR UOP. Trust me, I'm not trying to make the raised coralites glow like that. They are a very nice blue but the LED's are raising hell with my camera sensor.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7xRGcL4/0/L/i-7xRGcL4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-C45T4h8/0/L/i-C45T4h8-L.jpg

DV aurora
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-cg75JmN/0/L/i-cg75JmN-L.jpg

IA Cobalt
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-2qTdtjt/0/L/i-2qTdtjt-L.jpg

IA stag
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-632qBL5/0/L/i-632qBL5-L.jpg

RR Blue Matrix still taking it's sweet time to colour up.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9JLLXSL/0/L/i-9JLLXSL-L.jpg

DV pokerstar
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-JX7NwZR/0/L/i-JX7NwZR-L.jpg

DV acro
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-TTPdmbD/0/L/i-TTPdmbD-L.jpg

DV Mystic
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-wGMNzBt/0/L/i-wGMNzBt-L.jpg

A nice setosa
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-sPQGsxX/0/L/i-sPQGsxX-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

RR Wolverine colouring up nicely
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jHzdpjf/0/L/i-jHzdpjf-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-sRThtbk/0/L/i-sRThtbk-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Tyree space invaders has come a long way :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-2V29WDv/0/M/i-2V29WDv-M.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WbKJ9Xp/0/M/i-WbKJ9Xp-M.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WRhwh8k/0/L/i-WRhwh8k-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Zj9WBrf/0/L/i-Zj9WBrf-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nxppNQf/0/L/i-nxppNQf-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-KwVGD7Q/0/L/i-KwVGD7Q-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gbbL84j/0/L/i-gbbL84j-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-zGq83vz/0/L/i-zGq83vz-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-P24qMmk/0/L/i-P24qMmk-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-B5CpKC4/0/L/i-B5CpKC4-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mR2BMSL/0/L/i-mR2BMSL-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-35wLnmX/0/L/i-35wLnmX-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3sZgLhc/0/L/i-3sZgLhc-L.jpg

[Skimmer Juice]

great looking space invader , I would really love to have that coral. Maybe one day. Some very nice corals and its always nice to see zoa's grown out instead of just on plugs .

[Scythanith]

Yeah I don't even know where the plug is under all that :)

[kien]

Very nice! Love that Zoa garden!

[Scythanith]

Some new sticks! Thanks Coral Master :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-BHgKmDC/0/L/i-BHgKmDC-L.jpg

[Snappy]

Was the water temp ok when they arrived? They look stressed - I swear they had great color when I packed them. Although that said, at least in theory, they should look better under the aquarium lighting.

[Scythanith]

Haahaa and here I thought they looked great! Honestly, the pictures aren't doing them justice. The tissue on the blue tipped tenuis looked a little rough but the rest looked ok to my layman's eye.

[Scythanith]

Was the water temp ok when they arrived? They look stressed - I swear they had great color when I packed them. Although that said, at least in theory, they should look better under the aquarium lighting.

Water temp was cold. About 55f.

[wickedfrags]

layman's eye? lol

Haahaa and here I thought they looked great! Honestly, the pictures aren't doing them justice. The tissue on the blue tipped tenuis looked a little rough but the rest looked ok to my layman's eye.

[Scythanith]

layman's eye? lol

I'm suggesting I am the simpleton someone who is more familiar with SPS would have to dumb down their explanation of SPS care to :) I could have went with inexperienced, would have worked better.

[Snappy]

Water temp was cold. About 55f.

That is pretty cold - I debated about adding another heat pack - I guess I should have added it.

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9tG3qdz/0/XL/i-9tG3qdz-XL.jpg

[Bill@IA]

Very Nice!!!!!!

[sphelps]

Wow looks great Scott, much more established than I expected.

[lastlight]

looking really nice! that asterina's got some nerve though...

[Scythanith]

Thanks everyone :) Yep, it's trying to steal the spotlight from the fish and corals. I have another 11 sticks to put up into the rocks but I am waiting for them acclimate a little more. I will move them half way up the tank tonight and then affix them to the rocks on the weekend. That should be enough time for them to get used to the light hopefully.

[Scythanith]

I'd love everyones opinions on where they'd put some key SPS in my tank. I have a green Dragon, Red planet, a couple nice hairy milli's (a blue and a peach), a blue stag and a tort. A couple more but you can see them on the previous page sitting in a pail.

All opinions welcome!

[Scythanith]

Red Planet
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-RWn2LmQ/0/L/i-RWn2LmQ-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-knFSMKR/0/L/i-knFSMKR-L.jpg

Glowstick sarmentosa
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-TnK4DhW/0/L/i-TnK4DhW-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-q8PD9Mb/0/L/i-q8PD9Mb-L.jpg

Pink lemonade
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-29gwhgq/0/L/i-29gwhgq-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-t35R2HP/0/L/i-t35R2HP-L.jpg

Wolverine
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-pXvLTwz/0/L/i-pXvLTwz-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ffZvTw4/0/L/i-ffZvTw4-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

setosa
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-X9VqXMD/0/L/i-X9VqXMD-L.jpg

UOP (still can't get a good picture of this one)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7HmRN2K/0/L/i-7HmRN2K-L.jpg

Nice tort
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-wwLSBgH/0/L/i-wwLSBgH-L.jpg

A nice shaggy mille
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-kJf3c7c/0/L/i-kJf3c7c-L.jpg

Nice blue polyp tenuis
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7SrDnZ6/0/L/i-7SrDnZ6-L.jpg

And the space invaders
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-2qjq6Tx/0/L/i-2qjq6Tx-L.jpg

[tang daddy]

Love the space invaders, so intense in colour.... Also sps encrusting nicely and coloured up. Thanks for sharing and Keep up the good work!

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-MSD27bb/0/L/i-MSD27bb-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hMnS42T/0/L/i-hMnS42T-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-R9D8sRv/0/L/i-R9D8sRv-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9tK7Lkt/0/L/i-9tK7Lkt-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mCg5k6C/0/L/i-mCg5k6C-L.jpg

[Slyguy00]

Incredible pictures. I think the blue polyp sps second from the bottom is austera but I could be wrong.

[Scythanith]

You very well could be right?! I am just going off what Greg (aka Coral Master) said it was :)

Incredible pictures. I think the blue polyp sps second from the bottom is austera but I could be wrong.

[Snappy]

You very well could be right?! I am just going off what Greg (aka Coral Master) said it was :)

Scott you may have gotten the bags mixed up after the fact unless I wrote the wrong thing on the wrong bag which is also a possibility. (Sometimes my eyes get blurry when doing multiple orders) :redface: When I saw your picture I thought - hey that looks like one of my blue polyp frags. The tenuis bag should have said blue tip tenuis. It looks great none the less. The red planet looks good too.
All your stuff is looking great!!

[Scythanith]

It said "blue tip tenuis" on the bag and I believe it even said freebie. I have a picture I can post :)

[Snappy]

It said "blue tip tenuis" on the bag and I believe it even said freebie. I have a picture I can post :)

I'll take your word for it - I must have been asleep at the wheel. Nice bonus frag either way! :biggrin:

[Scythanith]

It said "blue tip tenuis" on the bag and I believe it even said freebie. I have a picture I can post :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-CTCPCf7/0/L/i-CTCPCf7-L.jpg

:)

If it's not a tenuis, what is it? I like to keep records of what I have.

[Snappy]

If what you posted the picture of was in that bag I messed up with what I wrote on the bag for sure. Please give me a call and we can review your whole order if you like.

[Scythanith]

No need Greg :) I am happy with all the stuff you sent! Like I asked before, what is it lol?

[Snappy]

No need Greg :) I am happy with all the stuff you sent! Like I asked before, what is it lol?

My guess is A.austera

[sphelps]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7SrDnZ6/0/L/i-7SrDnZ6-L.jpg

Is this not it?

http://www.coralmaster.com/images/product_images/68d30a9594728bc39aa24be94b319d21.jpg
http://www.coralmaster.com/coralview.php?id=68d30a9594728bc39aa24be94b319d21

[Scythanith]

Haahaa, I have no idea :)

[Scythanith]

Montipora sp. purge!!! :(

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Z782tzn/0/L/i-Z782tzn-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-XL8gZP2/0/L/i-XL8gZP2-L.jpg

[reefwars]

Monti Nudis?

[Scythanith]

Yeppers. I am going to make a kalk paste and apply it on the left over monitpora that's encrusted to the rock. Any hints or tricks?

[reefwars]

If its left in tank then the options are limited to wrasses or peppermints and both are hit or miss

If your home often you can try to suck as many off as possible but there often many more than what you see hiding throughout and underneath , the babies are tiny too a lot smaller than zoa eating nudis.Other montis are at risk and I've heard of them going after chalices.

If it were me I'd try the manual route but you can clearly see the damage they do so you'll know when it's time to pull it out and qt with weekly dips......I've had to do this and keep the display fallow it sucks but they are fast breeding nasty little buggers lol not a lot of damage at first but once Colonie is taken over loses tissue faster and faster.

Such a nice growth pattern to , I hope it does pull through for you:)

[Scythanith]

Nope, it's trashed. I was talking about tips and tricks for kalk paste application.

[Snappy]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7SrDnZ6/0/L/i-7SrDnZ6-L.jpg

Is this not it?

http://www.coralmaster.com/images/product_images/68d30a9594728bc39aa24be94b319d21.jpg
http://www.coralmaster.com/coralview.php?id=68d30a9594728bc39aa24be94b319d21

Nope - Can often be hard to tell with pictures but the corallite structure is not the same at all.

[Scythanith]

I recently used the PAR meter to measure the difference between all mitras and Mitras plus T5. There is a larger difference than I anticipated. The mitras alone produced mid 200 PAR 6" under the water surface while adding the T5's boosted that number to ~400+. The biggest difference was a mid to lower depths. I noticed double the PAR with the addition of the T5's. I am using all superblues and the golds have a lot more "pop" now :)

[lastlight]

what overall power % is the fixture at and what about the individual channels to be reading 200?

i ask because my tank seems to prefer (i think) my red channels both turned entirely off and the whites drastically reduced. i keep thinking about toying with the idea of adding some t5 but with an open top there's no way to make that look pleasing.

[wickedfrags]

First one appears to be an Austera and the second a tenuis. Will see more of a difference once they start growing out in terms of shape. Both great corals with great colour. Keep them anywhere you like, both these corals always look great.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7SrDnZ6/0/L/i-7SrDnZ6-L.jpg


Is this not it?

http://www.coralmaster.com/images/product_images/68d30a9594728bc39aa24be94b319d21.jpg
http://www.coralmaster.com/coralview.php?id=68d30a9594728bc39aa24be94b319d21

[Scythanith]

what overall power % is the fixture at and what about the individual channels to be reading 200?

i ask because my tank seems to prefer (i think) my red channels both turned entirely off and the whites drastically reduced. i keep thinking about toying with the idea of adding some t5 but with an open top there's no way to make that look pleasing.

I'd have to go and look but I am pretty sure I am sitting around 70% total power output on high efficiency mode. The curves themselves are obviously variable throughout the day. I run some of every channel, but definitely on the low end (~25%-10%) for reds, warm whites, yellow. The cool white, blues, hyperviolet, etc all run up to around 80% at max.

I didn't add the T5's due to a lack of PAR, I added them for covering the shady areas the mitras seem to produce. I was just surprise at the actual increase in PAR and how the increase isn't linear in the tank. The lights are mounted at the front and back of the tank though, not through the middle like the mitras, so I suppose I should see a greater effect front and back.

[Scythanith]

For those that don't know how Mitas light levels work here is a quick breakdown.

First off you set the Mitras unit in either high efficiency or high output mode. I think high efficiency is 70% of what the total unit output is.

Secondly, you set a total output in that setting. I think mine is at 70 or 80%.

Thirdly, you set the total power output of each of the 9 led channels and the times which they turn on and off.

So essentially you set a percentage of a percentage of a percentage.

[reeferfulton]

wow so you are running the mitras pretty dialed back then eh . And your at 9.5 inch above water line.

Well this could explain my bleached out colors lol .. my pink and white red planet..

I have been running 5" above water . 100% high output. With white at bl , rb and white all at 100% . thats way above your settings..

time for me to dial back

thanks !

[Scythanith]

Everyones setups are different. Don't drastically alter yours or it could have an even more adverse effect for your corals. It would be interesting to see what kind of PAR numbers you're getting with that configuration though!

Also I started my coral placement when I was a little more naive to the requirements of some SPS versus others. I knew there was a difference between most montipora and acropora but still put my montis at mid level or higher in the tank. That prevented me from cranking my lights too much higher, as the montis began to suffer if I did. Now that I have purged the montis I plan to raise the overall intensity somewhat.

[Scythanith]

So the nudibranch's are doing their thing. The tank went through a rough patch most likely due to the die-off/chemical warfare going on. I have been gone to work for three weeks and am home now doing water changes and general tank maintenance. But through all of this the SPS are growing. A couple burnt tips though.

Test results from today 456 Ca, 8.4 Alk, 1350 MG, 1.026 sg, 25.6 Celsius, .03 Phos, 1.0 nitrates (too high in my opinion, likely due to the increased die-off).

Growing and new zoa/paly's

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hL5FMxK/0/XL/i-hL5FMxK-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WBSf72J/0/XL/i-WBSf72J-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-PnQzrV5/0/XL/i-PnQzrV5-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Z3vRTnD/0/XL/i-Z3vRTnD-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-k6Rm4PF/0/XL/i-k6Rm4PF-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-LkhQSkc/0/XL/i-LkhQSkc-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-k6JZBR7/0/XL/i-k6JZBR7-XL.jpg

[reefwars]

Nice colors on the tyree Armageddon one of my faves and yours are very bright :)

Looks great buddy :)

[Scythanith]

Some damaged and not so damaged LPS

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-8tp7kLh/0/XL/i-8tp7kLh-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-btkprpn/0/XL/i-btkprpn-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-wRxrPRX/0/XL/i-wRxrPRX-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gMP878c/0/XL/i-gMP878c-XL.jpg

Weird recession on a chalice.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-j9CTb5k/0/XL/i-j9CTb5k-XL.jpg

Not an LPS but still sweet :)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-tMRWwdZ/0/XL/i-tMRWwdZ-XL.jpg

So big I can't fit it into the full frame of my 105mm macro
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-6dqrF9K/0/XL/i-6dqrF9K-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qn8SKTH/0/XL/i-qn8SKTH-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qn8SKTH/0/XL/i-qn8SKTH-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

Damaged hammers. These two receded half way then stopped. My all gold hammer is done for :(

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-cg7wjhL/0/XL/i-cg7wjhL-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nVGVVZS/0/XL/i-nVGVVZS-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-X9TSsmz/0/XL/i-X9TSsmz-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-VdjbKH7/0/XL/i-VdjbKH7-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-R96WWpg/0/XL/i-R96WWpg-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-6pBmLhF/0/XL/i-6pBmLhF-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-M2hXBdb/0/XL/i-M2hXBdb-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-c7cDx8g/0/XL/i-c7cDx8g-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-vK8s2Pz/0/XL/i-vK8s2Pz-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nBgQkQn/0/XL/i-nBgQkQn-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-FVDVPqX/0/XL/i-FVDVPqX-XL.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-5fffPgr/0/XL/i-5fffPgr-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-rxSttkq/0/XL/i-rxSttkq-XL.jpg

Burnt tips
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-fGQk6wX/0/XL/i-fGQk6wX-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WHjq6vF/0/XL/i-WHjq6vF-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-8WCMHxz/0/XL/i-8WCMHxz-XL.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-XvnDx7j/0/XL/i-XvnDx7j-XL.jpg

[gregzz4]

Nice pics

[kien]

oh my GEE OH ESS H !

[lastlight]

Some really sweet pieces in your collection. I live your huge bright zoa and paly colonies!

My war coral prefers pretty low lighting. Looks like yours got a bit too much?

[Scythanith]

Some really sweet pieces in your collection. I live your huge bright zoa and paly colonies!

My war coral prefers pretty low lighting. Looks like yours got a bit too much?

They are stressed from the monti exodus. Usually a little deeper in colouration that that, but not much. It's on the bottom of the tank as it is.

[Scythanith]

B. opercularis is in the tank and eating like a pig :) The long-nosed Hawkfish is being a little bit of a jerk to him but nothing out of hand. Also, I witnessed my rhomboid flashing for the first time! Now that the two females are in the tank the supermale was seeing his reflection and flipping between a gold yellow and bright blue. I love Golden Rhomboids!

Also, my LFS just ordered a Claire's Wrasse... unreal! I'm not getting it, but I hope to see it before the proud new owner picks it up.

I stopped dosing Coral Snow. My corals were getting a little bleached at a half dose and the water didn't look any cleaner than before. I hope things will return to normal over the next couple weeks. The SPS weren't effected too much and have been growing well.

I have a poor video of the peppermint I will attach if I can figure it out. I guess just click on the picture and it takes you to the video :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-NgcbNzV/0/M/i-NgcbNzV-M.jpg (http://www.lithicimages.com/Images/Scotts-Fishtank/n-h9jbN/i-NgcbNzV/A)

[gregzz4]

Really likin' your new fish

[Scythanith]

Me too, he's fairly personable so far. Not shy at all. The candy basslet took a couple days to really get comfortable in the tank. This guy and the two G.R. females were at the front of the glass waiting to be fed as soon as we put them in.

[gregzz4]

Wow that's great
I'm still a bit leery to add fish that cost as much as some of your's

I'm happy enough when my $50 fish eat right away :wink:

[Scythanith]

Haahaa I wasn't home when Wendy landed our candy basslet.... I was stressed with that one but she knows what she's doing :)

[Myka]

B. opercularis is in the tank and eating like a pig :) The long-nosed Hawkfish is being a little bit of a jerk to him but nothing out of hand. Also, I witnessed my rhomboid flashing for the first time! Now that the two females are in the tank the supermale was seeing his reflection and flipping between a gold yellow and bright blue. I love Golden Rhomboids!

Awesome! I love the Opercularis. Is your Rhomboid a jerk?

Also, my LFS just ordered a Claire's Wrasse... unreal! I'm not getting it, but I hope to see it before the proud new owner picks it up.Yes, SO awesome!! We are so lucky we get to see these sweet fish pass through the LFS, and I'm lucky I get to hang out with them every week. :D

[Scythanith]

Rhomboid's an angel, just didn't like his own reflection that day :) The only two fish that seem bossy in the tank are the royal gramma dn the long-nosed hawkfish.

Are you doing weekly maintenance on that tank as well? If so good for you!

[Scythanith]

So spent a bit of time analyzing the PAR values/spread from a couple different light fixtures at Bayside (Thanks Colby for letting me in there!) and there were some neat results.

All lights are mounted ~24" off the water surface.

AI Sols (4 fixtures) Sorry I didn't take a lot of data points for this tank.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-z2CzH8f/0/L/i-z2CzH8f-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9C6KQDq/0/L/i-9C6KQDq-L.jpg

T5's (3 x 6 bulb fixtures mounted along the short axis - fixture on the right with a couple month old bulbs, other 2 fixtures almost a year old)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-btP4zGv/0/L/i-btP4zGv-L.jpg

Data gap in the middle from centre overflow :)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-HZ3t6hp/0/L/i-HZ3t6hp-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-JPfJDDK/0/L/i-JPfJDDK-L.jpg

Hybrid (4 x 2 bulbs one LED strip fixtures mounted longitudinally)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3HWnXwm/0/L/i-3HWnXwm-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-pFzrTtV/0/L/i-pFzrTtV-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-C98P8Vt/0/L/i-C98P8Vt-L.jpg

My observations:

Smaller frag tank
620 PAR at water surface
PAR levels at coral level concentrated under lights with poor diffusion anywhere other than under the lights.

360G
You can see where the centre overflow is on the 1” and 4” PAR graphs
Not much of a drop in PAR between fixtures, meaning good light diffusion from the T5’s (and reflectors)
You can see a little higher PAR values from the centre and right fixtures
light was predominately aligned along the length of the fixtures

270G
The light was surprisingly linear along the length of the tank, with the highest PAR values actually concentrated between the two fixtures, not directly underneath them
Concentrate corals with higher PAR requirements along the central third of the tank

Just thought it was interesting :)
Scott

[Scythanith]

Some new pictures.

Red Planet
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-pCtF39r/0/L/i-pCtF39r-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-699sWVF/0/L/i-699sWVF-L.jpg

RR Wolverine
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-4F4mk2P/0/L/i-4F4mk2P-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Qvt5vPN/0/L/i-Qvt5vPN-L.jpg

Glowstick Saramentosa
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qT5DGX3/0/L/i-qT5DGX3-L.jpg

CoralMaster ?
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-sSmGvkG/0/L/i-sSmGvkG-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-KkKK9Bp/0/L/i-KkKK9Bp-L.jpg

CoralMaster Mille
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hHgnkhK/0/L/i-hHgnkhK-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Tyree Rasta
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ZDLHfHF/0/L/i-ZDLHfHF-L.jpg

Agave (salted & blue?)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hVDd7PB/0/L/i-hVDd7PB-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-tMj3MVr/0/L/i-tMj3MVr-L.jpg

Armageddon
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Xqw2fNq/0/L/i-Xqw2fNq-L.jpg

Hodgepodge
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Z2jfqrF/0/L/i-Z2jfqrF-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Ttj4XXP/0/L/i-Ttj4XXP-L.jpg

A true yellow hammer
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-htLGSmz/0/L/i-htLGSmz-L.jpg

Blastos
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-TsNFnB5/0/L/i-TsNFnB5-L.jpg

Goniopora
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9bjR2kJ/0/L/i-9bjR2kJ-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Blue Hippo
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-SDZcktt/0/L/i-SDZcktt-L.jpg

Mummy Eye
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WFXdjhG/0/L/i-WFXdjhG-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-w7BBm2T/0/L/i-w7BBm2T-L.jpg

Pokerstar Monti
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qXfHVt4/0/L/i-qXfHVt4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-KXGt7sR/0/L/i-KXGt7sR-L.jpg

CM coral
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jP9Hk4v/0/L/i-jP9Hk4v-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-J8ZdtfM/0/L/i-J8ZdtfM-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

And I am still having a tough time getting pics of the RR UOP but it's getting better.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-zpddCLN/0/L/i-zpddCLN-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-czvF3t3/0/L/i-czvF3t3-L.jpg

RR Blue Matrix (looks like UOP almost)
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-KRFTpwg/0/L/i-KRFTpwg-L.jpg

[Myka]

I'm excited to see how your Orange Passion grows out - beautiful piece!

Are you doing weekly maintenance on that tank as well? If so good for you!

Yeah, I've been looking after that tank for a year now. It was just a few months old when I started with it. It's come a long way. I'll post some pics sometime.

[Snappy]

Things are looking really good.

[Scythanith]

Thanks Greg! Won't be long till I am looking at another order ;)

[Snappy]

Thanks Greg! Won't be long till I am looking at another order ;)

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[Scythanith]

So I am debating getting the local aquarium manufacturer to build me two water reservoirs. One for RO and one for fresh saltwater. The Profilux ATO and AWC systems will utilize the reservoirs. I am not skilled enough to make a system that automatically makes new saltwater based on conductivity and a salt hopper. I will still make the SW by hand, ~60-100g at a time. The system will change ~10g a week, or around 15% a month.

I am thinking the RO stacked over the SW, as many have already done. A manual valve to dump RO into the SW reservoir. An ATO pump will be located in the RO resevoir to take care of tank evaporation issues. I will have the RODI machine on a timed solenoid so it only turns on once a day, or maybe even once every couple days to ensure a good volume of water goes through the RODI membranes.

The SW reservoir will have a mixing pump, heater & transfer pump which will be controlled by the profilux. If I was smarter I could design a solenoid system that reduced my needs to one pump but I'm not that crafty :) The lower sump on my main system will have a dirty SW pump that empties a chamber (lower left, bottom sump). Once the profilux level sensor detects it's empty, it will shut that pump off and turn the transfer pump on until it reaches the full level sensor then shut off. Voila, water change :)

Anyone have suggestions or ideas? I may have it so I can add some probes as well. I bought an expansion box for the profilux so I can level sensors to the two reservoirs which will let me know if they are too full, too low, wrong temp and maybe even salinity in the fresh SW reservoir.

Thanks for the help!

[Myka]

Hey Scott, does the Profilux ATO have a valve, or is it just a pump with a line on it like the Tunze? If it's like the Tunze, it will siphon if the new RO container is higher than the end of the hose. Maybe the Profilux version operates with a valve??

Maybe you can figure out adding the salt automatically by using a hopper with a scale on it? Then the system will add a certain weight of salt.

[Scythanith]

Profilux ATO is accomplished with water level sensors and receptacle controls. No solenoids, specific pumps, etc. The siphoning is definitely a concern and that's why I have the SW tank on the bottom... that and gravity flowing RO water into the SW resevoir.

The auto salt making doesn't really appeal to me. I like a little manual labour, and I test parameters the same day. Too much to go wrong the other way around. I'm nervous enough with the AWC lol! But the profilux has some great built in safeties for that.

[Myka]

I think you misunderstood me, or I don't understand you (lol). I'm worried about the RO water siphoning into the sump through the ATO line.

Yeah, I hear you about full automation. I do like the idea of having things automated, but manually triggered. Such as, push button, salt is weighed and dumped in. There's a name for that isn't there? Same with the AWC, it would be nice to have the system do it itself, but I'd still like to be "monitoring" - can do testing while I'm waiting or something.

[Scythanith]

Yep, I had it in my head you were talking about the AWC line. Maybe I leave my tunze system where it is. And plug it into a receptacle controlled by the profilux. Then it turns on the tunze when it needs a top up. That would be like a triple redundancy system lol!

Automated vs autonomous :)

I'm fine with it doing the water change on it's own, but I want to make the salt :)

I think you misunderstood me, or I don't understand you (lol). I'm worried about the RO water siphoning into the sump through the ATO line.

Yeah, I hear you about full automation. I do like the idea of having things automated, but manually triggered. Such as, push button, salt is weighed and dumped in. There's a name for that isn't there? Same with the AWC, it would be nice to have the system do it itself, but I'd still like to be "monitoring" - can do testing while I'm waiting or something.

[Myka]

Triple is good! :D

Another way to do the salt mixing would be to have a mixing container that is big enough for a full bucket. Then you don't have to worry about settling or anything like that. That's how I did it with my breeding setup. Would that make you feel more comfortable with the automation?

I wish I had a fish room next to my tank so I could think of cool things like this too. :D

[Scythanith]

The TM bio-actif seems to get scummy if you let it circulate in the reservoir for too long. I'd be afraid to let 200g go scummy and waste the carbon dosing element as bacteria in the reservoir consume it. I could add UV I guess... Smaller batches (50-100g) seemed like a good idea.

I'm not worried about the actual AWC automation (aside from siphoning), more so the making actual sw automation. Some elaborate scale or hopper that adds salt to water, etc. That's an unwanted bit of automation for me.

When I am planning I may call you to come check it out and put in your 10 cents :)

[Scythanith]

Some new pictures :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-rGjFKfV/0/L/i-rGjFKfV-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-HCf7K7H/0/L/i-HCf7K7H-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-XjnbwLs/0/L/i-XjnbwLs-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-X883LvK/0/L/i-X883LvK-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hXvQBsq/0/L/i-hXvQBsq-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-fnqhs3h/0/L/i-fnqhs3h-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3FgD9TS/0/L/i-3FgD9TS-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-FbQzH6n/0/L/i-FbQzH6n-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-442gKR5/0/L/i-442gKR5-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-csQv3tZ/0/L/i-csQv3tZ-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-G3K5x5W/0/L/i-G3K5x5W-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-v38GhLg/0/L/i-v38GhLg-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-TCqdH5Z/0/L/i-TCqdH5Z-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gfSSJTG/0/L/i-gfSSJTG-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-TKFHWfP/0/L/i-TKFHWfP-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-cRDjkFs/0/L/i-cRDjkFs-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-x39JS4S/0/L/i-x39JS4S-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3KsnhXj/0/L/i-3KsnhXj-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-BwQgSgv/0/L/i-BwQgSgv-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-6dw4vvJ/0/L/i-6dw4vvJ-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-72R4K5x/0/L/i-72R4K5x-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-NPjLqt9/0/L/i-NPjLqt9-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-NWffTNg/0/L/i-NWffTNg-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Xd7JXBr/0/L/i-Xd7JXBr-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-2C6Dv4n/0/L/i-2C6Dv4n-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-KkmxLTR/0/L/i-KkmxLTR-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-9VW2J98/0/L/i-9VW2J98-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-MhBwfB7/0/L/i-MhBwfB7-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-8QcNQhJ/0/L/i-8QcNQhJ-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ZS6x7c3/0/L/i-ZS6x7c3-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-Jtp3K2k/0/L/i-Jtp3K2k-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-B2GzTpD/0/L/i-B2GzTpD-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jmZCxd4/0/L/i-jmZCxd4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-MQxLJQM/0/L/i-MQxLJQM-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-R68SQTQ/0/L/i-R68SQTQ-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ZKcngZn/0/L/i-ZKcngZn-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qtJDpd4/0/L/i-qtJDpd4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-R8Hv743/0/L/i-R8Hv743-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-CVr22vF/0/L/i-CVr22vF-L.jpg

[Myka]

Lookin good Scott! I hate photo quoting, but you posted so many...

What's this one? You have a shot of it top down too...
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ZS6x7c3/0/L/i-ZS6x7c3-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-cxGF6pj/0/L/i-cxGF6pj-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-j9rnFjz/0/L/i-j9rnFjz-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mS5sm6B/0/L/i-mS5sm6B-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jzDF8Jh/0/L/i-jzDF8Jh-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gRbMS3P/0/L/i-gRbMS3P-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-B7Ccj45/0/L/i-B7Ccj45-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-WQssmbm/0/L/i-WQssmbm-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Bonsai valida Acropora from Coral Masters.

Lookin good Scott! I hate photo quoting, but you posted so many...

What's this one? You have a shot of it top down too...
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-ZS6x7c3/0/L/i-ZS6x7c3-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Here is what I have come up with. Tanks are 24 x 30 x 24. I'd also like a spot for the JG float valve drilled in the top edge of the upper sump for the fresh RODI. Bulkheads are 3/4" I'd want tops to keep contaminants out but would need it to be easy to add salt (to the bottom reservoir). Also there would be some level sensors and piping coming out of the top of the bottom sump, sending clean SW to the main tank. I'd want styro on the bottoms of the tanks as well.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-8LhCHHf/0/XL/i-8LhCHHf-XL.jpg

[Myka]

Looks good! You could put trim on the top edges (maybe bottom too so it matches) and put regular ole glass tops with hinges.

(Sooo...what's the color I posted above?? :p )

[Scythanith]

I don't know what you mean by colour you posted above?

[Myka]

Auto correct... coral. :)

[sphelps]

Scott, you can't source any plastic containers that will work for you? With such a wide selection available it's always seemed weird to me to use glass tanks for water storage, especially custom made ones.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/plucdn/images/512053/86949099/original_ca23efe6df43804133e33e9bfb415378.jpg

[Snappy]

Scott the corals look to be doing well, glad to see that green dragon taking off for you.

[hillegom]

I wish I had a fish room. Especially a neat one

[Scythanith]

Bonsai valida Acropora from Coral Masters.

Here was the answer for you a couple posts back Mindy ;)

[Scythanith]

Scott, you can't source any plastic containers that will work for you? With such a wide selection available it's always seemed weird to me to use glass tanks for water storage, especially custom made ones.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/plucdn/images/512053/86949099/original_ca23efe6df43804133e33e9bfb415378.jpg

Those tanks you posted Steve would cost me probably $200+ a piece here in S'toon. CA had a post on their blog about price of plastic vs glass and I wanted to give them a shot at pricing it for me.

[Scythanith]

Scott the corals look to be doing well, glad to see that green dragon taking off for you.

Thanks! It's definitely starting to do something. The base is really beginning to encrust and there is vertical growth.

[Myka]

Here was the answer for you a couple posts back Mindy ;)

Whoops, sorry...missed it in between all the pics!

[Prariecanuck]

Those tanks you posted Steve would cost me probably $200+ a piece here in S'toon. CA had a post on their blog about price of plastic vs glass and I wanted to give them a shot at pricing it for me.

Hey Scott I'm a local guy building tanks shoot me the dimensions you want and I'll quote them no problem and if you let me deliver to your house I'd love to see that master piece of yours

[Scythanith]

I ordered up the glass reservoirs from Concept Aquariums :) One step closer to being done my main system as I envisioned it.

[Scythanith]

Hey Scott I'm a local guy building tanks shoot me the dimensions you want and I'll quote them no problem and if you let me deliver to your house I'd love to see that master piece of yours

You can come see my tank whenever you like :) Just shoot me a PM.

[Scythanith]

A couple new shots.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jQpCmRL/0/L/i-jQpCmRL-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-D8jmzj6/0/L/i-D8jmzj6-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-VHZ4kdQ/0/L/i-VHZ4kdQ-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-pjFfL95/0/L/i-pjFfL95-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jm8wWcX/0/L/i-jm8wWcX-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-QKGcZqH/0/L/i-QKGcZqH-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3rnjQ4h/0/L/i-3rnjQ4h-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-hDQ2xjH/0/L/i-hDQ2xjH-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-S6BMRjX/0/L/i-S6BMRjX-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-JZPXrZc/0/L/i-JZPXrZc-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-TdNtbzh/0/L/i-TdNtbzh-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3XwLzTN/0/L/i-3XwLzTN-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-k6BwPD5/0/L/i-k6BwPD5-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-X6R7bJ6/0/L/i-X6R7bJ6-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-w9qQVXs/0/L/i-w9qQVXs-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-LC2kZnf/0/L/i-LC2kZnf-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-R98H2R6/0/L/i-R98H2R6-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-zztbQ6b/0/L/i-zztbQ6b-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-wRcSCvw/0/L/i-wRcSCvw-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-m3vbr7d/0/L/i-m3vbr7d-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-fRFTFH4/0/L/i-fRFTFH4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gCj4BwW/0/L/i-gCj4BwW-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7m3XGMR/0/L/i-7m3XGMR-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mhkcTh4/0/L/i-mhkcTh4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3mKMFQd/0/L/i-3mKMFQd-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-GZZ6dKF/0/L/i-GZZ6dKF-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-pq2TSWf/0/L/i-pq2TSWf-L.jpg

[Bugger]

Do you feed your favia? I have a small frag but it never grows.
Have you seen any growth out of it

[Scythanith]

I always feed my favia's. LPS pellet food mostly at night. The smaller it is the slower it will grow. As it develops mouths it will start to grow much quicker. Feeding it at this early stage is pretty pivotal to getting faster growth.

[Bugger]

I think If I feed mine LPS fuana marin it would just fall off the coral. Sucks to be me

[daplatapus]

A couple new shots.


http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-VHZ4kdQ/0/L/i-VHZ4kdQ-L.jpg


That's cool. What is it?

[Myka]

That's cool. What is it?

Plate Coral. Really sweet one.

[Scythanith]

Maybe try something like thawed PE Mysis?

[Bayside Corals]

Plate Coral. Really sweet one.

Yes a very nice one indeed. Can't wait til it colors up a bit.

Now we need to see pics of that brain. Damn!

[Scythanith]

My wife pointed out to me that she feels the pokerstar monti is the most amazing coral in my tank... and I'm having a tough time disagreeing with her! We spend hundreds if not thousands on coral frags to have the best and the brightest when you can buy a PSM frag for all of $20.

I am the first to admit I get caught up in buying the cool new corals. But her view of what's "nice" in my tank encourages me to not only look for the newest and best, but the proven strains of the oldies as well :)

Blue base with orange/red polyps on leading edge
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-P75CDbN/0/L/i-P75CDbN-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-BNHJh6h/0/L/i-BNHJh6h-L.jpg

[reefwars]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-m3vbr7d/0/L/i-m3vbr7d-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-fRFTFH4/0/L/i-fRFTFH4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-gCj4BwW/0/L/i-gCj4BwW-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-7m3XGMR/0/L/i-7m3XGMR-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-mhkcTh4/0/L/i-mhkcTh4-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-3mKMFQd/0/L/i-3mKMFQd-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-GZZ6dKF/0/L/i-GZZ6dKF-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-pq2TSWf/0/L/i-pq2TSWf-L.jpg

Wow your getting some crazy blues out of that whitewalker you should come take pics for me lol

Awesome shots :)

[Myka]

My wife pointed out to me that she feels the pokerstar monti is the most amazing coral in my tank... and I'm having a tough time disagreeing with her! We spend hundreds if not thousands on coral frags to have the best and the brightest when you can buy a PSM frag for all of $20.

I am the first to admit I get caught up in buying the cool new corals. But her view of what's "nice" in my tank encourages me to not only look for the newest and best, but the proven strains of the oldies as well :)

Blue base with orange/red polyps on leading edge

Yeah there are lots of tried and true winners. One of my fav Acros is the Sunset Mille.

[Scythanith]

Yes a very nice one indeed. Can't wait til it colors up a bit.

Now we need to see pics of that brain. Damn!

Best I can do this early in the morning :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-X3K33HX/0/L/i-X3K33HX-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

And here is it's little brother. Excuse the LED craziness, it's just about bedtime in the light schedule.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-qRntHhw/0/L/i-qRntHhw-L.jpg

[Myka]

Love the red and gold one! The little rainbow ain't too bad either! ;)

[Bayside Corals]

Those are some sexy brain corals. Wish I could get some like that at my lfs......

[Myka]

Those are some sexy brain corals. Wish I could get some like that at my lfs......

HA! They're all gone by the time you get there.

[Duckhams]

Beautiful coral photography, really good build thread too! I feel very inspired.

[Scythanith]

Just picked up my two water tanks from Colby's! Thanks Concept, they look beefy! Hope the holes all line up ;)

[Scythanith]

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-dGzZDc8/0/L/i-dGzZDc8-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

AWC station stand is built! Now just to plumb it and program it all :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-nr7hGrq/0/L/i-nr7hGrq-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-cQgkXM5/0/L/i-cQgkXM5-L.jpg

Also I got the frag section lighting up and running. 3x36" T5's running off of an IceCap 430 ballast. PAR readings are ~150-200 in the middle of the frag section.

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-4P7TQd8/0/L/i-4P7TQd8-L.jpg

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-CrCQptq/0/L/i-CrCQptq-L.jpg

[gregzz4]

Coming along nicely :smile:

[Scythanith]

Got the recirculation plumbing in place. Waiting for stores to open tomorrow so I can get an o-ring for one of my unions. Then I can run some water :)

http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i-jxsB2w5/0/L/i-jxsB2w5-L.jpg

[Scythanith]

Leaks are fixed :) System can circulate now.

[Myka]

:thumb: