About to make the jump to CORALS!

texhorns98 · 11/12/2008, 03:37 PM

Just a few quick questions:

1. Is my lighting enough for everything but stonies?

2. I am adding 2 MJ-1200 on a Red Sea Wavemaster. Is this enough added flow?

3. Do any of you order frags on-line? If so, better sites for it? It's hard to tell how big of a frag you're getting. For example, Reef HotSpot has a sale on some pretty mushrooms and they say you get 2-3 animals for $29.99...how much area does that cover? Who knows!?

My FOWLR has been fun, but I'm nervous about adding this whole new dimension!

barbra · 11/12/2008, 04:04 PM

Your lighting is pretty dim, I would try mushrooms only for a few months and see how they do, it may be too dim even for those. Mushrooms vary in size, but 2-3 isn't much, although they do reproduce. It is a reasonable starting place though.

The canister filter isn't great, empty it out and run carbon if you have to have to run it at all.

Without knowing what your existing flow is it is hard to determine if the upgrade to MJ is enough. If it isn't you can always upgrade the MJ's with a couple of Sureflow 1600's.

Running an MJ on a wavemaker is sometimes a problem though. They don't always start in the right direction, they click and make noise when they start the wrong direction. Depending on your layout it could drive you batty in just a couple of days. It's hard on the little motors too, they seem to burn out quicker.

sassafrass · 11/12/2008, 04:06 PM

That amount of light is enough for lower light corals such as mushrooms and leathers and some zoo's .If I were to make a suggestion for lighting I would double that amount, then you could keep most all corals except the higher light ones. I would remove the filter media from your cannister filter ,maybe use it for carbon or phos remover. I am not sure how much flow your cannister prowides but I would add more. I much prefer buying corals from an LFS . Mushrooms can vary in size from 1/2" to 6" or more ,generally they are about 1" to 2 inches. $29.99 is pretty expensive in my area depending on the ones you are getting. This one was $6.00

texhorns98 · 11/12/2008, 04:27 PM

OK guys, thanks! A few responses to your responses!

The MJs I'm putting in there are, in fact, the Sure Flow 1600 upgrades. I've read pretty much everywhere that these were the best at handling the on/off of a wavemaker.

Upgrading the light fixture could prove to be a bit difficult since the one I have was made to fit flush with the top of my tank and fits (like a puzzle) with the other two parts of my top (the entire tank is covered). I thought about adding something like this:

Sundial T-5 HO

But I need to get home to measure if it will work. I've been through 3 different LFS people and they all seem to agree that I can keep all but the most finicky of soft corals with what I have now. With the above fixture would I be able to add some stonies, maybe? Or a clam?

KarlBob · 11/12/2008, 05:19 PM

The MJs with Sure Flow upgrades are great. If you're not willing to spend the $$ for one of the premium brands, they're a great choice. I use a modded MJ1200 and a Koralia 4 in my 80 gallon tank, without a wavemaker.

I have a 2x54w Nova Extreme T5HO. Softies and LPS like it, and even SPS can survive near the top of the tank. 2x39w is a bit less power, but I'm told the quality of the reflectors can make a big difference.

I think you'll be fine with mushrooms, zoanthids, palys, and soft corals at any level, but if you add any stonies, they may need to be placed high in your tank. You could try something like a duncanopsammia, for example. I don't know about a clam, but I suspect it might want more light.

texhorns98 · 11/12/2008, 06:06 PM

Thanks KarlBob,

I'm not sure what premium brand of PW you are talking about? The cost of these upgraded MJ were as much (or close) to Koralias. Are you talking about these $200 jobbers I've seen out there? That's a little rich for my blood for a PH!!

sassafrass · 11/12/2008, 06:45 PM

Something I learned from experience is "Don't take advice from someone who stands to make money from the answer they give you" That was an expensive lesson learned.
Lee

texhorns98 · 11/12/2008, 08:04 PM

Not sure what you mean by that sassafrass?

What I DO know is, the MJs with the upgrade (using the large propeller) just about blew my tank apart!

As they're rated that would be 4200 GPH plus what my canister does. I switched back to the small propellers and now have (rated) 3200 GPH plus my filter. For a few minutes there my fish were freaked the hell out! They all went and hid from this sudden movement of water. Is that normal? Also, one of the MJs is noisy...but only every couple of seconds, even when it's constantly on.

fliynhi · 11/12/2008, 08:16 PM

I think he was talking about the advice you got from your LFS. The good thing about RC is most aren't here to make $ off of you. For the most part its great advice for free with no strings attached. I would start with the mushrooms and some cheap zoo's to start with and go from there. Best of luck.

texhorns98 · 11/12/2008, 08:33 PM

ahhhh...I see. However, two of these LFS people are "kinda" friends, and I know they don't work off commission. In fact, they have suggested that I purchase a few items on-line because I can get them cheaper. The other person who gave me that advice is a former LFS guy I used to work with, but now is in the husbandry department at the GA Aquarium. I tend to trust the first two, but I definitely trust the latter. I just want to get numerous opinions, because I wantto make sure I do this thing right.

Anyone have any comments on my new flow rate? Or on my fishes reaction? I'm sure it takes some time to move around the flow directions, right?

fliynhi · 11/12/2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by texhorns98
The other person who gave me that advice is a former LFS guy I used to work with, but now is in the husbandry department at the GA Aquarium. I tend to trust the first two, but I definitely trust the latter.

I know its a bit off topic, but what a lucky guy. I've been to the GA Aquarium once and can't wait to go back. Definitely going to do the behind the scenes tour next time. As far as the flow goes, it seems like a bit much to me for the size of tank, but there are plenty of other more experienced opinions out there that may beg to differ. I'd probably follow their lead. Good luck with your tank.

texhorns98 · 11/12/2008, 11:23 PM

fliynhi,

I'm lucky too...I get to dive in that 6 million gallon tank once a week! Of course, I'm just there to scrub acrylic and vacuum substrate, but what a rush!! The behind the scenes tour is definitely worth it if you're a reefer. To lay eyes on 6 foot wide MH fixtures (7 or 8 lined up) and to see a ten foot tall protein skimmer? Wow...

nikon187 · 11/12/2008, 11:42 PM

i believe the premium brand of powerheads he was refering to would be tunze and vortec ( which have full wavemaking abbility, controllable ect.) your fish will be fine with the flow, there is much more current in the ocean than we could hope to reproduce. Yes the Mj with the mods are a little noisy, you could try a piece of airline tubing over the impeller shaft to quiet them down.

texhorns98 · 11/13/2008, 07:19 AM

I wonder why it's only the MJ that I have the SureGrip magnet holder on. The one with the suction cups is fairly quiet.

texhorns98 · 11/13/2008, 07:22 AM

One last thing, would I be OK without the 1600 mod? Would it be quieter maybe? These things are LOUD, man!

nikon187 · 11/13/2008, 01:30 PM

probably not no. That is one thing about the mods. They do hum from time to time. No real way around it. Did you try the airline thing on the shaft? You could always go tunze, they are dead silent

11/12/2008, 03:37 PM	#1
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	About to make the jump to CORALS! Just a few quick questions: 1. Is my lighting enough for everything but stonies? 2. I am adding 2 MJ-1200 on a Red Sea Wavemaster. Is this enough added flow? 3. Do any of you order frags on-line? If so, better sites for it? It's hard to tell how big of a frag you're getting. For example, Reef HotSpot has a sale on some pretty mushrooms and they say you get 2-3 animals for $29.99...how much area does that cover? Who knows!? My FOWLR has been fun, but I'm nervous about adding this whole new dimension!

11/12/2008, 04:27 PM	#4
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	OK guys, thanks! A few responses to your responses! The MJs I'm putting in there are, in fact, the Sure Flow 1600 upgrades. I've read pretty much everywhere that these were the best at handling the on/off of a wavemaker. Upgrading the light fixture could prove to be a bit difficult since the one I have was made to fit flush with the top of my tank and fits (like a puzzle) with the other two parts of my top (the entire tank is covered). I thought about adding something like this: Sundial T-5 HO But I need to get home to measure if it will work. I've been through 3 different LFS people and they all seem to agree that I can keep all but the most finicky of soft corals with what I have now. With the above fixture would I be able to add some stonies, maybe? Or a clam? Last edited by texhorns98; 11/12/2008 at 04:43 PM.

11/12/2008, 05:19 PM	#5
KarlBob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Laveen, AZ Posts: 2,309	The MJs with Sure Flow upgrades are great. If you're not willing to spend the $$ for one of the premium brands, they're a great choice. I use a modded MJ1200 and a Koralia 4 in my 80 gallon tank, without a wavemaker. I have a 2x54w Nova Extreme T5HO. Softies and LPS like it, and even SPS can survive near the top of the tank. 2x39w is a bit less power, but I'm told the quality of the reflectors can make a big difference. I think you'll be fine with mushrooms, zoanthids, palys, and soft corals at any level, but if you add any stonies, they may need to be placed high in your tank. You could try something like a duncanopsammia, for example. I don't know about a clam, but I suspect it might want more light. __________________ Later, KarlBob Current Tank Info: No tanks for now. Starting over in Austin sometime next year.

11/12/2008, 08:16 PM	#9
fliynhi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: columbus, oh Posts: 329	I think he was talking about the advice you got from your LFS. The good thing about RC is most aren't here to make $ off of you. For the most part its great advice for free with no strings attached. I would start with the mushrooms and some cheap zoo's to start with and go from there. Best of luck. __________________ A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do...and my wife tells me what I gotta do! Current Tank Info: 55 gal, maroon clown, fridmani pseudochromis, yellow tang, working on the reef part of it, 100+ lbs live rock, 50 lbs live sand, lots of worms, snails and crabs

11/12/2008, 11:42 PM	#13
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	i believe the premium brand of powerheads he was refering to would be tunze and vortec ( which have full wavemaking abbility, controllable ect.) your fish will be fine with the flow, there is much more current in the ocean than we could hope to reproduce. Yes the Mj with the mods are a little noisy, you could try a piece of airline tubing over the impeller shaft to quiet them down. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

11/12/2008, 04:04 PM	#2
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	Your lighting is pretty dim, I would try mushrooms only for a few months and see how they do, it may be too dim even for those. Mushrooms vary in size, but 2-3 isn't much, although they do reproduce. It is a reasonable starting place though. The canister filter isn't great, empty it out and run carbon if you have to have to run it at all. Without knowing what your existing flow is it is hard to determine if the upgrade to MJ is enough. If it isn't you can always upgrade the MJ's with a couple of Sureflow 1600's. Running an MJ on a wavemaker is sometimes a problem though. They don't always start in the right direction, they click and make noise when they start the wrong direction. Depending on your layout it could drive you batty in just a couple of days. It's hard on the little motors too, they seem to burn out quicker.

11/12/2008, 04:06 PM	#3
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	That amount of light is enough for lower light corals such as mushrooms and leathers and some zoo's .If I were to make a suggestion for lighting I would double that amount, then you could keep most all corals except the higher light ones. I would remove the filter media from your cannister filter ,maybe use it for carbon or phos remover. I am not sure how much flow your cannister prowides but I would add more. I much prefer buying corals from an LFS . Mushrooms can vary in size from 1/2" to 6" or more ,generally they are about 1" to 2 inches. $29.99 is pretty expensive in my area depending on the ones you are getting. This one was $6.00

11/12/2008, 06:06 PM	#6
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	Thanks KarlBob, I'm not sure what premium brand of PW you are talking about? The cost of these upgraded MJ were as much (or close) to Koralias. Are you talking about these $200 jobbers I've seen out there? That's a little rich for my blood for a PH!!

11/12/2008, 06:45 PM	#7
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	Something I learned from experience is "Don't take advice from someone who stands to make money from the answer they give you" That was an expensive lesson learned. Lee

11/12/2008, 08:04 PM	#8
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	Not sure what you mean by that sassafrass? What I DO know is, the MJs with the upgrade (using the large propeller) just about blew my tank apart! As they're rated that would be 4200 GPH plus what my canister does. I switched back to the small propellers and now have (rated) 3200 GPH plus my filter. For a few minutes there my fish were freaked the hell out! They all went and hid from this sudden movement of water. Is that normal? Also, one of the MJs is noisy...but only every couple of seconds, even when it's constantly on.

11/12/2008, 08:33 PM	#10
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	ahhhh...I see. However, two of these LFS people are "kinda" friends, and I know they don't work off commission. In fact, they have suggested that I purchase a few items on-line because I can get them cheaper. The other person who gave me that advice is a former LFS guy I used to work with, but now is in the husbandry department at the GA Aquarium. I tend to trust the first two, but I definitely trust the latter. I just want to get numerous opinions, because I wantto make sure I do this thing right. Anyone have any comments on my new flow rate? Or on my fishes reaction? I'm sure it takes some time to move around the flow directions, right?

11/12/2008, 11:23 PM	#12
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	fliynhi, I'm lucky too...I get to dive in that 6 million gallon tank once a week! Of course, I'm just there to scrub acrylic and vacuum substrate, but what a rush!! The behind the scenes tour is definitely worth it if you're a reefer. To lay eyes on 6 foot wide MH fixtures (7 or 8 lined up) and to see a ten foot tall protein skimmer? Wow...

11/13/2008, 07:19 AM	#14
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	I wonder why it's only the MJ that I have the SureGrip magnet holder on. The one with the suction cups is fairly quiet.

11/13/2008, 07:22 AM	#15
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	One last thing, would I be OK without the 1600 mod? Would it be quieter maybe? These things are LOUD, man!

11/13/2008, 01:30 PM	#16
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	probably not no. That is one thing about the mods. They do hum from time to time. No real way around it. Did you try the airline thing on the shaft? You could always go tunze, they are dead silent __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.