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07/20/2015, 02:20 AM | #101 |
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That's handy being able to dim the LED's easily Joe, i think the way you're going is much safer and removes a possible cause of problems down the track. I really think you might be best grabbing the regular bar Mindy rather than the XHO.
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08/13/2015, 05:38 PM | #102 |
Acros & wieners, oh my!
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Location: Oceanside, California
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Hi Joe, any update on the reef? Have you noticed any changes since turning the reef rites down?
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- Matt I call the big one "Bitey" - Homer Simpson See my tank thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2468548 Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Rimless Starphire Shallow Reef. Reef Octopus Diablo EXT-200 skimmer, Chaeto Reactor, Lighting: ATI Sunpower 8X39W, 6X39W Sunpower |
08/14/2015, 08:37 AM | #103 |
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I had a few issues with the tank recently. First I have been monitoring my Alk every day or two and about two weeks ago, I noticed that the alk was trending down so I just upped my Ca reactor a little to compensate, next day it looked good, but then it started to go down again so I made another adjustment but still next day it was down again. So at that point I pulled out a different test kit (I had been using the Hanna Digital Alk kit), my trusty Salifert. The Salifert Alk kit measured 9.3 dKh, much higher than the 6.5 the Hanna was telling me! So then I use the calibration fluid that is included in the Salifert on both the Salifert and the Hanna. The Salifert is spot on, the Hanna is way off. At this point I shut off the reactor for afew days and go with the Salifert as the correct reading. But the damage was done and I burned a few frags, including the pearlberry and a nice Red Dragon frag that I had. So I lost them.
Reading up on the Hanna accuracy later I found out that the titration fluid becomes less accurate as you near the end of the bottle, my bottle was almost done. I had another unopened titration bottle that I bought, so I pulled that out and the numbers then matched up against the Salifert exactly. Now I am a little leery of using the Hanna knowing that it can drift drastically at some point. Then last week, a freak storm hit in the early morning about 5 AM on the North Shore of Long Island and effected only a select few towns, of which one of them was mine. Crazy lightning, hail, and trees down all over, I've never seen anything like it here. We lost power for about 13 hours, luckily I have a generator and was able to stay home from work to fire up the generator and keep the tank going. All was well in the end and I had zero issues, but it was an unhappy day for me for sure. ah, to et to your actual question, the ReefBrites I think really might have been my issue for the past 6 months or so. Using them on my tank, I was finding that my acros were really struggling and would burn up at the slightest change in the system, especially when moving around frags in the tank. Since delegating the LED for dusk only duty, those issues seem to have gone away. I even received a nice shipment of frags and was able to acclimate them much easier than some of the other ones from the past few months. So I think I will only use the ReefBrites for a dusk effect and stick to the MH/T5 solution for the rest. I'll get some pics of some different frags up over the weekend.
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-Joe TOTM Sept 2002 | Reefland April 2004 | CORAL Magazine Nov 2007 Featured Tank "Coral Reef Aquarium" 2011 | Reef Spotlight 2018 Current Tank Info: 270G SPS Tank, 140G sumps, 35G Frag Tank, Ultra Reef Akula UKS-200 Skimmer, Apex, Giesemann Spectra 3x250W MH 4x80W T5, 2xReefbrite Tech 72" Blue LED, Triton Dosing, ARID C30 Algae Reactor, Maxspect Gyre |
08/14/2015, 09:25 AM | #104 | |
Reefing On My Mind
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Quote:
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Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders |
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08/14/2015, 09:39 AM | #105 |
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Hey JB, I tossed my Hanna meters a long time ago. I lost some corals because of false readings. I only trust the salient and use a back up f Red Sea for a positive number in case I see something just not sitting well with me. As far as po4 meters I went with a Milwaukee photometer, yes expensive but it's the best and doesn't shut off on you when it takes you longer than three minutes to dissolve the reagent.
On another note those Reefbrite LEDs are powerful as with most LEDs. I was the guinea pig for LEDs because of massive heat issues even with chillers on. I was an led aholic and couldn't pull away from them even when my acros were bleaching, browning, rtning and stning. I had a lot of money invested in to them and wanted to force my tank to make them work. Well a lot of time and money burnt literally in those long led years of my tank are coming to an end, I'll be using them for supplement dawn dusk and coral viewing fluorescence at night. I'm going back to my tried and trust never fail me 400 watt MH radiiums 20k with either Galaxy or coralvue ballasts or a mix of both. So glad I never sold them. So to end this hijack of mine on your thread JB lol I'll just say this. You made a thread of " LED's Suck Prove Me Wrong " somewhere and all I have to say is I can't prove you wrong. Your right! Side question, why don't you have a natural gas generator, it's basically insurance for your tank and you can power certain other things in your house as well depending on the size of the generator. I'll never get caught without one of those again, the losses were greater than the generator and install. Need to update my signature now, it should read 8 400watt MH's and 5 radion pros
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787 gal. Sps display tank/ 80 gal. frag tank / 75 gal. fuge / 300 gal. sump 8 Radion Pros/ 8 400W MH 20K Radiums /Vertex Doser for Cal. Alk. Mag/ Avast Kalk ATO/ Reef Dynamics BP1000 Reactor/ Avast G Current Tank Info: 787 Gallon Sps Lps |
08/14/2015, 10:01 AM | #106 |
Acropora Gardener
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Awesome set up. I really like your aquascape.
Regarding your test kit problem, I have found that if I use a Salifert KH test kit over a long period (say over 6 months), towards the end, titration accuracy drops. I always use a separate reference solution (in addition to Salifert's own) to double check if a test reading looks unusual. I would like to ask you a question. I would like to know how much light (if you have ever measured it with a quantum sensor) the coral shown in this link receives in your tank. I believe that I have exactly the same coral (see attachment). I bought it from this shop. I hope that mine will look exactly like yours soon.
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Featured Tank OCT 2016 | "Reef Hobbyist Magazine" TOTM OCT 2016 | "Ultimate Reef", UK FB | "/troutsReefTank/" 65G SPS Reef- ATI 8 X 39W PM; TM [Bacto-Balance A-; Reef Actif; Nitribiotic; Iodine] |
08/14/2015, 10:05 AM | #107 |
Ultimate Reefer
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Sorry about the tank issues Joe. Hopefully all is well.
I tossed my Hanna stuff in the useless tank stuff cupboard a few years ago. My Hanna ULR Phosphorus meter was only as good as the reagents...some reagent batches were useless. I use Salifert for most of my tank parameters. They are very cheap too. I dont trust Redsea test kits either...plenty of bad reviews over the years on UK forums on some of the kits. Salifert, Elos and API are my chosen brands. |
08/14/2015, 10:19 AM | #108 |
Acros & wieners, oh my!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Oceanside, California
Posts: 3,706
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Bummer on the Alk issues and coral losses
Very good info on the lights, i had played with the idea of setting up an LED bar with royal blue only between the T5 fixtures. Now if i do, i will go with no lenses and with dimming capabilities. I'm with you on the Hanna test- i thought they were awesone til i tested the salifert reference solution and was over 1DKH off. No hanna testers for me ever again. I'm near the end of a salifert Alk test kit and i tested the reference and was spot on, you just need to carefully clean the syringes between tests to ensure no drift. I use the Milwauke(Martini) phosphate colorimeter and its very good and repeatable.
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- Matt I call the big one "Bitey" - Homer Simpson See my tank thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2468548 Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Rimless Starphire Shallow Reef. Reef Octopus Diablo EXT-200 skimmer, Chaeto Reactor, Lighting: ATI Sunpower 8X39W, 6X39W Sunpower |
08/14/2015, 10:33 AM | #109 |
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Salifert kits with the cute red sea bottle holders for the shakin (titration).
Sorry about the Alk issue, I don't think I trust any of the kits. I swirl the salifert fluid every test to hopefully prevent any inaccuracy creeping in as I get to the bottom of the bottle.
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-- Mark 150G (72x18x27) | 35G sump | SRO-XP2000INT Skimmer | ATI SunPower T5 / NanoBox LED hybrid 60" x 4 + 8 NanoBox v3.1 arrays |
08/14/2015, 10:37 AM | #110 |
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Joe, sorry to hear about the storm and alk issues.. It's always one step forward then two step back!
I have always found that when a new tank is in the process of reaching its stability stage, LEDs really mess with the corals, but once a system is rock solid, the corals can thrive under them... I am seeing so many phenomenal sps tanks under Radions, these days.. Don't want to really use you as a guinea pig... Well maybe a little... But I'd be curious to see if you had the same problem with the reef brites in 6 months or so.. Having said this, I did read recently that Jo Peck had a similar issue as you... I think he had used hydra 26s Now.... You said something about new frags!!!!!gotta see'em.
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Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer |
08/14/2015, 11:23 AM | #111 |
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Good luck with V2. I remember your tank from back in the day and always thought it was one of the best. Nice to see a bunch of RC vets chiming in too.
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The bake sale to raise money for the carwash has been cancelled - due to confusion. Current Tank Info: 125 fowlr: 280watts VHO, 75LBS of mixed rock, Deltec AP600 skimmer, wet dry, GRi 518 return pump, 15 watt Aqua UV,(2) tunze 6000 on a 7095, goldflake angel(RIP), flame angel(8 years old), mitratus butterfly, yellow tang, majestic rabbitfsih |
08/15/2015, 12:10 PM | #112 | ||||||||
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While I do jump on many threads about LED The " LED's Suck Prove Me Wrong " thread author is jackson6745. Quote:
That coral was a Hawkin Echinata, it was under about 300 PAR, on the left side of the tank slightly lower than midway down from the top. Quote:
Thanks Sahin, no worries mate it's all part of the journey. The set backs are what make you appreciate the success. Salifert are my go to kits as well. I had bad luck with the Red Sea kits too. Quote:
I clean out my test kits each time I am finished using them. I have had good luck with the Hanna PO4 HI 93713, tested it a few times against a hach spectrophotometer that a buddy of mine has and it's been pretty spot on so far. Quote:
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I am sure when the tank has some more mature colonies I will play with the LED some more, for now, just some nighttime viewing with them at low levels. Frag pictures are coming up! Quote:
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-Joe TOTM Sept 2002 | Reefland April 2004 | CORAL Magazine Nov 2007 Featured Tank "Coral Reef Aquarium" 2011 | Reef Spotlight 2018 Current Tank Info: 270G SPS Tank, 140G sumps, 35G Frag Tank, Ultra Reef Akula UKS-200 Skimmer, Apex, Giesemann Spectra 3x250W MH 4x80W T5, 2xReefbrite Tech 72" Blue LED, Triton Dosing, ARID C30 Algae Reactor, Maxspect Gyre |
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08/15/2015, 12:19 PM | #113 |
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OK, some SPS pics,
All these seem to be doing good, coloration is starting to happen, just need the growth to step up a notch. Sky Dopple frag about two weeks old. Finally getting some good encrusting going on with this guy, color is good too. Wild coral I have had about a month, so far it is keeping it color, blues and greens like crazy. This guys is at the bottom of the tank and really doing well for color. This is still slowly encrusting but it is holding it's color as ll for a wild coral, I really wan this guy to make it, such cool colors. Coloring up! This guy is doing great, purple with crazy green polyps!
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-Joe TOTM Sept 2002 | Reefland April 2004 | CORAL Magazine Nov 2007 Featured Tank "Coral Reef Aquarium" 2011 | Reef Spotlight 2018 Current Tank Info: 270G SPS Tank, 140G sumps, 35G Frag Tank, Ultra Reef Akula UKS-200 Skimmer, Apex, Giesemann Spectra 3x250W MH 4x80W T5, 2xReefbrite Tech 72" Blue LED, Triton Dosing, ARID C30 Algae Reactor, Maxspect Gyre |
08/15/2015, 12:28 PM | #114 |
Ultimate Reefer
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Very nice. With the level of saturated colours on those frags, once they are colonies they should look stunning.
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08/15/2015, 04:25 PM | #116 |
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Nice frags Joe! Sorry to hear about the recent minor bumps in the road. This hobby always keeps you on your toes.
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*March 2009 TOTM* *July 2003 TOTM* Current Tank Info: Eurobraced 187g Low Iron Glass Tank |
08/15/2015, 07:44 PM | #117 |
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Hi Joe! Good luck in your reassembly!
I'm also taking up the course in these last three months, because I was only two years taking care of my beloved fish after a few storms of life. I've always had a passion for HQI lighting and don't relinquish them together with the T5 for nothing. You've beautiful frags! What level of phosphate and nitrate tested on your system? Best wishes and good luck in this new success walk. I apologize for my English!
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ZEOVIT Dream Tank of the Quarter of 2011. DTQM Current Tank Info: 1700 liters (445 G), Tunze and Reef Octupus Skimmers, 6 MP40 Vortech, Zeovit Reactor, light 8 T5 and 4 MH, Balling powered |
08/15/2015, 08:13 PM | #118 |
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Very good looking frags!
They seem very comfy in their new digs. Growth time!! I keep debating with myself about getting some blue led strips.. Half the people say they have browned their corals and the other half love them.... Hm..
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Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer |
08/16/2015, 07:07 AM | #119 |
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I have to think some of the bad experience with blue LED strips is the very high PAR a DIY 3 watt royal blue strip can produce. I'm using lower wattage BML fixtures with a mix of blues and violets and at 100% these can increase PAR by a surprising amount. Just a guess though.
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-- Mark 150G (72x18x27) | 35G sump | SRO-XP2000INT Skimmer | ATI SunPower T5 / NanoBox LED hybrid 60" x 4 + 8 NanoBox v3.1 arrays |
08/16/2015, 09:17 AM | #120 |
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Wow, I remember your tank from years ago. Crazy to hear about the crash. Do you attribute any of the crash to the mystical "old tank syndrome" which has been debated in the past to old sand beds.
So collospongia is a pest sponge? Wow, LOL. I think WWC was selling it for awhile. I think I have a piece or two of it on one rock in my tank, they're tiny. Mine is purple, seemingly non porous and slippery to the touch. Sounds like I should take it out eh? I run two strips of reefbrites too, one XHO and one regular. Both all blue. But I'm running a powermodule and light my tank as follows Reefbrites: 9:30am to 9:30pm T5 Sunrise/sunset (2 bulbs): 11:30am to 8pm Other 6 bulbs on powermodule: 12:30 to 3:30pm. The main tank at world wide corals did this years ago, running limited lighting (some LED strips and a few T5 bulbs) for most of the day and their metal halides (that the don't use anymore, lol) for just 3 to 4 hours per day for full sun effect. Their results were hard to argue and I had similar results doing the same.
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The more I learn about reefing the less I know. Current Tank Info: -SPS-120g Rimless Starfire, Garage sump/equip room with rimless frag tank, reefkeeper & Apex Jr, Reeflo Super Dart Gold return, ATI Powermodule, four Vortech MP40's, SRO XP3000 cone w/self cleaning head, two reefbrite LED, AF three part balling Last edited by cham; 08/16/2015 at 09:23 AM. |
08/16/2015, 11:08 AM | #121 |
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Joe the only item you aren't adding seems to be iodine.
Also old reefers seem to go back to old school ideas , meaning adding strontium .IMO food that we purchase and salts seem cleaner to me than in the old days . Nitrates and po4 were out of control now we are adding to keep tank healthy. |
08/16/2015, 12:15 PM | #122 | |
Acros & wieners, oh my!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Oceanside, California
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Quote:
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- Matt I call the big one "Bitey" - Homer Simpson See my tank thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2468548 Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Rimless Starphire Shallow Reef. Reef Octopus Diablo EXT-200 skimmer, Chaeto Reactor, Lighting: ATI Sunpower 8X39W, 6X39W Sunpower |
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08/17/2015, 08:59 AM | #123 |
B'rer Reefer
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Hey Joe, great job on both the reboot and your own stick-to-itiveness in tracking down your issues. I've got to start a thread like this myself as I too have had a few down years, in my case, due to copper initially, and now on the road to recovery. On another note, you wouldn't happen to have any photos of that invasive sponge you were dealing with, would you? I'd love to see it...y'know digitally, of course.
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08/17/2015, 10:00 AM | #124 | |
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The more I learn about reefing the less I know. Current Tank Info: -SPS-120g Rimless Starfire, Garage sump/equip room with rimless frag tank, reefkeeper & Apex Jr, Reeflo Super Dart Gold return, ATI Powermodule, four Vortech MP40's, SRO XP3000 cone w/self cleaning head, two reefbrite LED, AF three part balling |
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08/17/2015, 01:41 PM | #125 |
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Beautiful colors coming through on those frags Joe, great quality pics too mate
I'm glad you're getting over those setbacks, there's nothing worse than not having confidence in the test results a kit is giving you. I went nuts last year chasing a problem and it was as simple as buying a $10- bottle of refractometer calibration fluid.... Looking forward to more updates and pics.
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