Need advice- Pics

srkr1432 · 05/12/2007, 09:28 AM

I look on this site at others pictures of their reefs and My gosh I'm blown away. I love my tank a lot but I'm just not blown away. what do you guys think?

opinions wanted....be honest please. Shane

Victoria · 05/12/2007, 09:39 AM

I think you just need to redecorate your tank. Looks like you have to much rock. Your tank need more of a design.

Design: 1. to prepare the preliminary plan for 2. to plan and fashion skillfully 3. to form in the mind 4. to make sketches or plans. 5. to plan an pbject work of art. 6. the organization of elements in an object. 7. an ornamental pattern 9. purpose.

Honestly Victoria

sperry · 05/12/2007, 09:50 AM

Just my $0.02
I would re-aquascape with less rock and move it away from the sides so I could clean them, I dont like the tonga branch. Get more / colorful corals and place on the new aquascape so they are prominently shown. Get rid of all the power heads and replace them with 2 Hydor Koralia syle pumps. Hide the heater better behind the rockwork. Attach some Green Star Polyps to the overflow so it gets covered and looks more a part of the reef.

HBtank · 05/12/2007, 09:52 AM

I agree with victoria, and also think that you need better lighting. Not stronger, but lighting that brings out the color of your coral.

What lihting do you have. WHat kind of bilbs?

srkr1432 · 05/12/2007, 09:59 AM

I have this

http://www.coralreefsupply.com/index...g_cu_out_orbit

My Halide wasn't warmed up yet..Ill post another pic now its HOT.....

Ritten · 05/12/2007, 10:05 AM

I like your reef because it is different. Once you get more coral growth (expecially on the rock structure in the middle top) it will be awesome.

plyle02 · 05/12/2007, 10:21 AM

srkr1432,
I like the look, the rock seems very mature with nice colors. I really think it matters on your long term plans for your reef. I have recently removed about 33% of the LR from my tank to make room for more corals, and the BB switch I made. IMO, I like the open look, with less LR. Again, depending on your plans for the type of reef you ultimately desire, will determine what aquascaping, corals, inverts, and equipment will be needed. Just my opinion though, good luck....keep us posted.....

srkr1432 · 05/12/2007, 10:22 AM

Ok this is what I've done now...When I originally purchased this light it came with 2 duel 96w acentic blues and 150 halide. I replaced one of the acentic with with 1 dual 96w daylight and only ran my halide for 5 hours. Now I have put the blue acentic back which means I'm running all blue except for my halide...better?

Heres a pic:

If i keep Both blues acentic...how long should I run my halide?

Sarcophyton874 · 05/12/2007, 10:24 AM

After seeing numerous coral reef documentaries, I think that your tank has a realistic look to it. Most reefs around the world don't have 100 species of coral in one small area. If you have a halide, I would suggest looking into buying some small SPS frags to give your reef a "grow-in" look. I do think you might have too much rock, which could be a problem. It doesn't look like you have enough flow between those rocks.

Victoria · 05/12/2007, 10:45 AM

srkr I have that same light. I took my 10k mh out and replaced it with a 14k. I think the 10k give better growth and the 14k better color. My tank is grown out so I went with a 14k. With a little finess your tank look great. Your on your way. Here a shot of my tank with the 14k so you can see the difference in color.

blazzent · 05/12/2007, 10:54 AM

I think your tank looks good, as said above has a mature look to it. I also like the idea of useing green star polyps to hide things, they look cool. I too look at other peoples tanks and am blown away, and then look at mine and say "it needs something more" Its the "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" thing. IMO your tank looks good.

CeeGee · 05/12/2007, 11:00 AM

I think your tank is looking good. I think it would help tremendously if you were to scrape the coraline off the glass.

Victoria,
your tank is amazing! Get that coraline off the back though!

05/12/2007, 09:28 AM	#1
srkr1432 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TEXAS Posts: 72	Need advice- Pics I look on this site at others pictures of their reefs and My gosh I'm blown away. I love my tank a lot but I'm just not blown away. what do you guys think? opinions wanted....be honest please. Shane

05/12/2007, 09:50 AM	#3
sperry Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,244	Just my $0.02 I would re-aquascape with less rock and move it away from the sides so I could clean them, I dont like the tonga branch. Get more / colorful corals and place on the new aquascape so they are prominently shown. Get rid of all the power heads and replace them with 2 Hydor Koralia syle pumps. Hide the heater better behind the rockwork. Attach some Green Star Polyps to the overflow so it gets covered and looks more a part of the reef. __________________ For a mandarin to keep, a refugium you must have young Padawan.

05/12/2007, 09:52 AM	#4
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	I agree with victoria, and also think that you need better lighting. Not stronger, but lighting that brings out the color of your coral. What lihting do you have. WHat kind of bilbs? __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA

05/12/2007, 10:21 AM	#7
plyle02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lake Helen, FL Posts: 5,526	srkr1432, I like the look, the rock seems very mature with nice colors. I really think it matters on your long term plans for your reef. I have recently removed about 33% of the LR from my tank to make room for more corals, and the BB switch I made. IMO, I like the open look, with less LR. Again, depending on your plans for the type of reef you ultimately desire, will determine what aquascaping, corals, inverts, and equipment will be needed. Just my opinion though, good luck....keep us posted..... __________________ Perry "Anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die" ~Buddha~ Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon AIO Cube, Aquamaxx WS-1 Skimmer, LED/ Hybrid 4x24 watt t5

05/12/2007, 11:00 AM	#12
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	I think your tank is looking good. I think it would help tremendously if you were to scrape the coraline off the glass. Victoria, your tank is amazing! Get that coraline off the back though! __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

05/12/2007, 09:39 AM	#2
Victoria Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Camp Verde AZ Posts: 945	I think you just need to redecorate your tank. Looks like you have to much rock. Your tank need more of a design. Design: 1. to prepare the preliminary plan for 2. to plan and fashion skillfully 3. to form in the mind 4. to make sketches or plans. 5. to plan an pbject work of art. 6. the organization of elements in an object. 7. an ornamental pattern 9. purpose. Honestly Victoria

05/12/2007, 09:59 AM	#5
srkr1432 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TEXAS Posts: 72	I have this http://www.coralreefsupply.com/index...g_cu_out_orbit My Halide wasn't warmed up yet..Ill post another pic now its HOT.....

05/12/2007, 10:05 AM	#6
Ritten Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,164	I like your reef because it is different. Once you get more coral growth (expecially on the rock structure in the middle top) it will be awesome.

05/12/2007, 10:22 AM	#8
srkr1432 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TEXAS Posts: 72	Ok this is what I've done now...When I originally purchased this light it came with 2 duel 96w acentic blues and 150 halide. I replaced one of the acentic with with 1 dual 96w daylight and only ran my halide for 5 hours. Now I have put the blue acentic back which means I'm running all blue except for my halide...better? Heres a pic: If i keep Both blues acentic...how long should I run my halide?

05/12/2007, 10:24 AM	#9
Sarcophyton874 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 215	After seeing numerous coral reef documentaries, I think that your tank has a realistic look to it. Most reefs around the world don't have 100 species of coral in one small area. If you have a halide, I would suggest looking into buying some small SPS frags to give your reef a "grow-in" look. I do think you might have too much rock, which could be a problem. It doesn't look like you have enough flow between those rocks.

05/12/2007, 10:45 AM	#10
Victoria Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Camp Verde AZ Posts: 945	srkr I have that same light. I took my 10k mh out and replaced it with a 14k. I think the 10k give better growth and the 14k better color. My tank is grown out so I went with a 14k. With a little finess your tank look great. Your on your way. Here a shot of my tank with the 14k so you can see the difference in color.

05/12/2007, 10:54 AM	#11
blazzent Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 37	I think your tank looks good, as said above has a mature look to it. I also like the idea of useing green star polyps to hide things, they look cool. I too look at other peoples tanks and am blown away, and then look at mine and say "it needs something more" Its the "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" thing. IMO your tank looks good.