TonyD

I think I will start out with 6 bulbs for the initial setup. If I need more due to not enough coverage or coral growth, I can add more later. That's what I like the most about the P38s, it's modular. The decision now is 12k vs 20k? 40, 60 or 80 degree optics? Thanks for your input Basser. At this stage, I appreciate any and all feedback and opinions so that I can make an informed decision. Since I have 0 experience in aquarium LEDs, I'm open to anything.

Rob, Yes. I plan on putting them on track lighting. I think I like the 60 degree optics better than the 40 degree just so it doesn't look like light beams coming down. I like the adjustable pendants. Are those at Lowes? Are the Ecoxotics only available in 40 degree optics? I had planned on doing 3 12ks and 3 455nm, but it looks like I'll need 6 12k P38s based on your pictures. Thanks!

I have a 175 gallon, bowfront tank. It's 6' long and split into 3 24" section with 2 center braces. I am considering moving from (3) 150W MHs to the Ecoxotic PAR 38 LEDs or the Nanocustoms' Evilc66 PAR 38s. The question is : 1) How many for a 6 foot long tank? I was thinking 6 lamps would provide enough coverage. 2) Do I go with 12k lamps or 20k lamps? 40 degree optics? 60 degree optics or 80 degree optics? 3) If going with 12k lamps, I think I would do 3 12k lamps and 3 455nm lamps. So many combinations between 12k, 20k, 455nm lamps and different degree optics and I have no idea what is best. I need some advice from the more experienced LED users. I would like nice even coverage. I have a combination of mushrooms, lps and sps if that will help with the advice.

It looks like a galaxea coral to me.

I didn't know arrow crabs might be harmful to seahorses. Sorry for that bit of misinformation. I know that when I had arrow crabs in my tank, I would see it eating bristle worms all the time and kept them under control. It didn't bother any of my other hermit crabs, snails or fish. They worked for me in my tank. But that's good to know about their interactions with seahorses for one day when I might keep some.

Arrow crab

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I have a Reef Octopus skimmer (don't know model other than it's in sump) with an OTP-1000 pump. Should I replace the pump with the same brand or is there an equivalent pump I can buy instead? Anyone have one for sale? Recommendations/opinions?

Just to be safe and make sure we are all on the same page. The yellow tang is a pale yellow, almost off white and there is a light brown stripe down the center? If that's what yo're seeing, that's normal. If you're seeing something else, I have no idea.

That is normal. The pale color is the nighttime mode when it sleeps.

Dissolved everything including parts of his finger.....that's why they call him nubby.

I'll get you more mushrooms....free of charge.

Hippo tangs are known to be ich magnets. That said, my hippo tang gets ich occasionally and I don't do anything other than feed and maintain proper water parameters. It usually goes away on its own without spreading to the other fish.

Yes, they are blue clove polyps. They appear blue when at the bottom of the tank. But since they are on my return and closer to the MH, they do look brown for some reason. They are the same as these. Blue clove polyps

http://s858.photobucket.com/albums/ab149/tonyd_wamas/?action=view&current=DSC_0004.jpg Trying again with file attachment.

Here is a picture of blue clove polyps growing on my return.

I like the color. It very similar to the color I just painted my living room where a new fish tank went. The color was called "saltwater" from Behr.

I can take a picture. You could superglue a small peice of rubble rock to the return until the blue clove spreads, then remove the rubble rock.

I have blue clove polyps growing on my returns. This was not by choice. They just sprouted everywhere.

Sean is a good guy and will help you. It was definitely an upgrade when I went from a 44 gallon tank to a 175.

I bought my 175 gallon Oceanic bowfront from SuperPets in Annandale. It was around $2k for the tank, stand and top canopy.

I have brought them back from the beach before and they have never lasted long in my tank either. But since they burrow in the sand, I thought they might be good sand stirrers. I've also brought back tiny beach clams too, but they became food for my hermit crabs.

Anyone have experience keeping sand fleas in their tanks? I see them for sale every now and then from Marine Scene. Are they useful to have in a reef tank?

FWIW....I have a ton of asterina starfish and my 6-line won't touch them.

Are you dosing with anything?