bprinehart

Scott your rock work is beautiful!

Anybody know of an LFS that sells T5HO endcaps and standoffs in the area? I ran up to TFP because they used to carry them and they told me they don't carry T5 anymore because "It's older technology" lol I just need to find one pair, tried my luck in the the WTB forum, but I really don't want to order another pair online and wait for them to ship and pay shipping.

Hello there, checking in from Glen Burnie / Linthicum area!

Does anyone know if any of our local sponsors carry vortech pumps? Im looking to find a pair of mp10s because the mp40 is a little much for my cube. I'd much rather support a LFS and if they are a WAMAS sponsor all the better.

Nice shots, I really like the polyp extended shots "Feed Me!". Welcome to WAMAS by the way!

Sorry double post.

Excellent, good points for consideration zygote. So if I have a 45 cube, do you think for all practical purposes a 20 H with a DSB, and an ATS screen would provide enough filtration? This is taking into account I have approximately 30lbs of live rock in the display that displaces about 12 gallons of water.

I'm seriously considering more natural methods of filtration / nutrient export with this tank, because of the types of animals I want to keep. Primarily will be looking at lagoon type LPS, zoanthids, ricordea, etc, so I will have a little wiggle room with nutrient requirements to experiment with nutrient export.

I'm considering adding an algae screen filter / trough to my current build. Just curious if anyone in the club currently runs one, has any input on their efficiency vs just macros in the sump, or thoughts on their maintenance requirements? Thanks, Brian

That is exactly the kind of system in talking about. Thoroughly planned and researched. I'd love to see some pics when you are operational. --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.184580,-76.635577

Hi Jan, Thanks for your reply. In a sense I suppose you are correct. I guess I'm looking for more of a species specific approach. I've heard of people doing tank for one particular type of seahorse, with one particular type of gorgonian. That type of biotope, rather than in the general sense. Looking through the gallery is a good idea.

Hey guys... I've got a couple ideas I'm tossing around, and I would like to see if anyone else has done something similar, and if you have, would you mind linking to / sharing pics of your setup? I'm considering doing a Clown / BTA biotope or possibly a Cardinal (PJ or Bangai)setup, something I was inspired by watching a Science Channel film on Raja Ampat, or a Carribean / Gulf of Mexico biotope. Anyone have anything along these lines they'd like to share? Thanks, Brian

That's a sweet fish, I've seen plenty of yellows with white spots on them like that in wholesale tanks before.

Welcome to WAMAS! You'll find everyone here is friendly, and more than willing to help. I'd suggest looking at different systems as part of your research process. Don't worry the education will come along during the journey whether you like it or not. The only dumb questions are the un-asked ones. Cheers Brian Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

I know the feeling! I couldn't completely get out myself! The tank is lookin good, keep updating progress.

Coupled with the fact that you are also known to kick puppies, and occasionally smack babies, this only confirms that you are indeed--- THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD. But, I will try help you out at the meeting, if Gadgets doesn't get all my money first.

Aren't the Radiums relatively low par? I was always under the assumption that they do not encourage fantastic growth, but give good color. Also I've heard they have to changed frequently. Any truth?

Thanks, but its not as impressive as it sounds. I basically had to start over from scratch when my last tank crashed. Thanks to the generosity of many Wamas members, it's well on it's way to being better than before. I'll be starting a dedicated thread eventually. Once I feel it's show worthy.

Ok, question for all the monti lovers/ growers out there. What color temp do you guys find is the best compromise for growth and color? In my display my superman and rainbows are exhibiting outstanding color, growth is slow, however it is steady, I'd say approximately 1/4 inch in all directions, per month. I will say that I've taken some pretty ugly looking browned out frags, and after a short time under the T5s they color up beautifully. My lighting in the display consists of 4x54W T5, 2 Blue +, 1 Aquablue special, 1 Aquasun, and 2 VHO actinics. For circulation I have a closed loop pushing 1200G/hr, 2 nanostream 6025s, and 1 6045, and a Sure-Flow MJ1200, pushing about 1600G/hr, so I should be around ~70 x turnover/hr. Probably more so, if I knew the actual water volume of just the display, but regardless, sps do very well so far. I'm going to be tying in a frag tank to the system, as I'd like to be able to propagate my corals for trade, grow out new arrivals, and also to have a backup in the event of a tank disaster. I had to start over once already when my heater imploded, and want to be better prepared this time. I would also be able to contribute to coral conservation in some small way. For the frag tank, I have a 250W SE MH, Icecap Ballast and spider reflector. I'm figuring on keeping higher light montis in the main portion of that halides effective area, and lower light demanding species to the outside supplemented by a pair of 24" T5s. What I'm looking for are suggestions for the Metal halide bulb to use. I currently have a reeflux 10k, which has a few more months of good life left in it, but would like to switch it in the very near future. Looking forward to your input!

I ended up just drilling my closed loop. I was going to use the "over the top" pvc route, but decided in order to keep the peace with the Mrs. on aesthetics, it would be better to just drill it. I made 1 larger inlet, and two smaller outlets for mine, and connected to the pump through regular old bulkhead fittings. Look around online, there are a million and 1 closed loop designs. If I could do anything differently it would have been to think a little harder about my pump placement before I glued it all in place. Good luck, this is the fun stuff! Just make sure you're satisfied with it, cuz there ain't no pokin no more holes in it once it's filled!