Hello im new, Would like some opinions

andrzadr000 · 08/16/2013, 05:20 PM

Hi all, My name is Adrian. I would first like to introduce myself and my tank.
I have a 72 gallon bow front. It has a 40 gallon sump. Its not drilled( has an overflow box ). The skimmer is a H.O.B. Reef octopus. Two koralia power heads one is 900gph and ones 700gph. Im running 2 48" T5's red sea actinic and pink. And two 36'' bulbs actnic and deep blue both red sea. My tank has been up since december. I was wondering if you guys could help me out and steer me in the right direction for what else i would need to have better coral growth. Im striving for more of an sps dominated tank. (reactors, dosing, food, etc). I will post a picture soon.
Thanks in advance

Mel 2038 · 08/16/2013, 05:29 PM

Hi, and Welcome to RC,
You should go to the SPS forum and read the stickies. Take special interest in the one about ALK, CAL, and MAG. Then when you have specific questions post those.
Best of Luck,
Mel

Reefmedic79 · 08/16/2013, 06:48 PM

To Reef Central

Are your lights in a canopy? If you can manage 2 more bulbs that would help. Also, as listed in previous post, learn the correlation between Alk, Calc and Mag, and get them at the appropriate levels.

andrzadr000 · 08/16/2013, 06:49 PM

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andrzadr000 · 08/16/2013, 06:50 PM

They are not in a canopy

andrzadr000 · 08/16/2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefmedic79

To Reef Central

Are your lights in a canopy? If you can manage 2 more bulbs that would help. Also, as listed in previous post, learn the correlation between Alk, Calc and Mag, and get them at the appropriate levels.

What do you mean "If i can run two or more bulbs". I have 4 bulbs actinic deep blue and pink

sparky5785 · 08/16/2013, 06:56 PM

Yes you "only" have 4 bulbs. Most would recommend 8 bulbs but at the very least 6. Or maybe look into led technology. There are some cost efficient options out there.

AdamSabina · 08/16/2013, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrzadr000

They are not in a canopy

Great you'll have room to add light if you need higher par levels. I'd wait to learn before you buy though. If you want SPS dominated tank you might want to go MH, or to the high end LED, or a mix, or at least know that you don't want to go that way.

Two piece of equipment you didn't mention having. A possible controller (I love them) and ATO. I think every tank including nano should have an auto top off. They make life so much easier to control salinity. I like less work.

As also previously stated I'd go to the SPS section about Alk and Calc. It's probably a good place to look up lighting too. BRS has good YouTube videos on the subject.

Reefmedic79 · 08/16/2013, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky5785

Yes you "only" have 4 bulbs. Most would recommend 8 bulbs but at the very least 6. Or maybe look into led technology. There are some cost efficient options out there.

That's what I meant. Increase or upgrade your lighting will be the first big step I'd suggest. Also, changing your skimmer to an in sump model would probably be beneficial as well.

jinks · 08/16/2013, 07:44 PM

I don't know that your rock work is like but you might want to up the flow. You could add 2 x 250w mh and keep 2 of the t5 for color.

andrzadr000 · 08/16/2013, 08:43 PM

Ok so if i were to upgrade to Mh Is there a good brand? I should get? How many would I need? How much more electricity do they take?

andrzadr000 · 08/16/2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinks

I don't know that your rock work is like but you might want to up the flow. You could add 2 x 250w mh and keep 2 of the t5 for color.

what do you mean with my rock work

andrzadr000 · 08/16/2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamSabina

Great you'll have room to add light if you need higher par levels. I'd wait to learn before you buy though. If you want SPS dominated tank you might want to go MH, or to the high end LED, or a mix, or at least know that you don't want to go that way.

Two piece of equipment you didn't mention having. A possible controller (I love them) and ATO. I think every tank including nano should have an auto top off. They make life so much easier to control salinity. I like less work.

As also previously stated I'd go to the SPS section about Alk and Calc. It's probably a good place to look up lighting too. BRS has good YouTube videos on the subject.

What kind of controller? could you post a link? what brand is a good ATO?

Kobashi · 08/16/2013, 09:46 PM

I have a 72g bow with a 29 sump and have been doing this for years. I have a 4 bulb 48" T5 with 2 separate panoramic 36 retro D LED lights. Only since getting the LEDs (doubled my par) have I seen any real growth in at least some of my SPS corals. I would say, what you have is fine for LPS or softies. I would have to agree, that your number one priority to sustain SPS (from what you have now) is lighting. MH's are tried and true, but in the long run, I think LEDs will pay for themselves about year 3 or 4 when you will be doing your 4th MH light change (and then still have about 10 years to go). A friend visited my tank and said that nothing's bleached in the change, so I could actually probably use a little more even. Because SPS are considerably more fragile than LPS or softies, the other reactors and ATO's are a good idea, but if you have the time and patience, you could do without (as long as you have light). Personally, if I were starting, I would just pony up for a quality (what you can afford, but not the cheap Chineese knock-offs) LED lights that have the par to do SPS. The skimmer would be 2nd on my list, and then the rest. My recommendation, would to be to stick to softies and LPS (I actually enjoy some of these more than my SPS) for a year... make sure you have a handle on your tank's chemistry... and then start making more of a switch. Of course you could try one or two SPS's placing them really high in your tank, but if you explore the hardier LPS and softies, for a while, you may not be so frustrated with the corals that require the most upkeep (SPS)... and you can also then acquire slowly some of the toys that will assist in keeping SPS.

Craigdillman · 08/16/2013, 10:30 PM

You have any pictures of your set up ?

FTDelta · 08/16/2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrzadr000

what do you mean with my rock work

He means how is your rock is laid out in your tank.

jinks · 08/16/2013, 11:52 PM

If you have a more open rock work you might be able to use a little less flow. Tunze 6045 might be a good pick. Then you could use the koralias you have if you feel you still have dead spots. For mh I like aqua medic. They are not the best but you get a good light for a nice price. Hamilton and giesmann both make very good lights too. LEDs could do the job too. I like to plug my lights in and know they are doing their job without having to mess around with them. I'm not trying to say LEDs have something wrong with them. People just seem to have to tune them more. I like to pop a bulb in and go. Light, flow, and skimmer would be what I would do first. Then move on to all the dosing as your tank grows a need for it.

AdamSabina · 08/18/2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrzadr000

What kind of controller? could you post a link? what brand is a good ATO?

Neptune is in my opinion the best. I must say I do not have one I have a reef keeper elite with most of the add on stuff.

http://www.neptunesystems.com/.

The other

Http://www.digitalaquatics.com/

End game they are both good but Apex might be better. I don't know.

08/16/2013, 05:20 PM	#1
andrzadr000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: seattle Posts: 158	Hello im new, Would like some opinions Hi all, My name is Adrian. I would first like to introduce myself and my tank. I have a 72 gallon bow front. It has a 40 gallon sump. Its not drilled( has an overflow box ). The skimmer is a H.O.B. Reef octopus. Two koralia power heads one is 900gph and ones 700gph. Im running 2 48" T5's red sea actinic and pink. And two 36'' bulbs actnic and deep blue both red sea. My tank has been up since december. I was wondering if you guys could help me out and steer me in the right direction for what else i would need to have better coral growth. Im striving for more of an sps dominated tank. (reactors, dosing, food, etc). I will post a picture soon. Thanks in advance

08/16/2013, 06:48 PM	#3
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	*To Reef Central* Are your lights in a canopy? If you can manage 2 more bulbs that would help. Also, as listed in previous post, learn the correlation between Alk, Calc and Mag, and get them at the appropriate levels. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

08/16/2013, 06:49 PM	#4
andrzadr000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: seattle Posts: 158	[IMG][/IMG]

08/16/2013, 09:46 PM	#14
Kobashi Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Phoenix, AZ Posts: 202	I have a 72g bow with a 29 sump and have been doing this for years. I have a 4 bulb 48" T5 with 2 separate panoramic 36 retro D LED lights. Only since getting the LEDs (doubled my par) have I seen any real growth in at least some of my SPS corals. I would say, what you have is fine for LPS or softies. I would have to agree, that your number one priority to sustain SPS (from what you have now) is lighting. MH's are tried and true, but in the long run, I think LEDs will pay for themselves about year 3 or 4 when you will be doing your 4th MH light change (and then still have about 10 years to go). A friend visited my tank and said that nothing's bleached in the change, so I could actually probably use a little more even. Because SPS are considerably more fragile than LPS or softies, the other reactors and ATO's are a good idea, but if you have the time and patience, you could do without (as long as you have light). Personally, if I were starting, I would just pony up for a quality (what you can afford, but not the cheap Chineese knock-offs) LED lights that have the par to do SPS. The skimmer would be 2nd on my list, and then the rest. My recommendation, would to be to stick to softies and LPS (I actually enjoy some of these more than my SPS) for a year... make sure you have a handle on your tank's chemistry... and then start making more of a switch. Of course you could try one or two SPS's placing them really high in your tank, but if you explore the hardier LPS and softies, for a while, you may not be so frustrated with the corals that require the most upkeep (SPS)... and you can also then acquire slowly some of the toys that will assist in keeping SPS. __________________ I'm not a Newbie... I've had some experience... Trust me, I'm much more dangerous! Current Tank Info: All Mixed Reef : QT-8G Nano / Classroom1:12G Nano / Classroom2:20G Tall / Home:72g Bowfront w/ 29g Sump/Fuge

08/16/2013, 10:30 PM	#15
Craigdillman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lethbirdge Posts: 487	You have any pictures of your set up ? __________________ Current tank---125 gallon mixed reef 60 gallon sump, Reef octopus nw200 skimmer, Rapid LEDs, Maxspec gyre, Mp10s, Fuge, Biweekly 20% WC, QT everything

08/16/2013, 05:29 PM	#2
Mel 2038 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bolingbrook,IL Posts: 172	Hi, and Welcome to RC, You should go to the SPS forum and read the stickies. Take special interest in the one about ALK, CAL, and MAG. Then when you have specific questions post those. Best of Luck, Mel

08/16/2013, 06:50 PM	#5
andrzadr000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: seattle Posts: 158	They are not in a canopy

08/16/2013, 06:56 PM	#7
sparky5785 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 143	Yes you "only" have 4 bulbs. Most would recommend 8 bulbs but at the very least 6. Or maybe look into led technology. There are some cost efficient options out there.

08/16/2013, 07:44 PM	#10
jinks Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 581	I don't know that your rock work is like but you might want to up the flow. You could add 2 x 250w mh and keep 2 of the t5 for color.

08/16/2013, 08:43 PM	#11
andrzadr000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: seattle Posts: 158	Ok so if i were to upgrade to Mh Is there a good brand? I should get? How many would I need? How much more electricity do they take?

08/16/2013, 11:52 PM	#17
jinks Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 581	If you have a more open rock work you might be able to use a little less flow. Tunze 6045 might be a good pick. Then you could use the koralias you have if you feel you still have dead spots. For mh I like aqua medic. They are not the best but you get a good light for a nice price. Hamilton and giesmann both make very good lights too. LEDs could do the job too. I like to plug my lights in and know they are doing their job without having to mess around with them. I'm not trying to say LEDs have something wrong with them. People just seem to have to tune them more. I like to pop a bulb in and go. Light, flow, and skimmer would be what I would do first. Then move on to all the dosing as your tank grows a need for it.