jamesbuf

Looking to go back to metal halides over my 60gal cube. What ballast is best for this bulb? Was going to get an icecap or Coralvue electronic ballast, but I read that HQI are supposedly better. Why is this? Also, where is the best place to buy them? The prices have definitely gone up the last few years since I had to buy MH bulbs. They are $90 for the 250watt bulb on premiumaquatics!! Crazy!!!

How old are the stunners?

Having LEDs myself, I can say that you might have a light spread problem if you go with LEDs only in such a wide tank. I have a 60gal cube and it's 2' front to back, and if I didn't supplement with T5s, my entire tank wouldn't be covered like I was with a single metal halide. You just don't get the spread you do from LEDs as compared to halides. You could probably get away with just the LEDs if you strategically placed your SPS, but your overall tank won't be very bight since the LEDs are focused. You could go with a few 4' long T5s to supplement. Just 2 additional 24" T5s singnificantly brightens up my 60gal, and the aquablue + actinic bulbs help to add alot of pop to the corals colors. I have a 150gal 3'X3' cube waiting to be setup and I've been pondering what I'm gonna do with lighting since its 3' deep like your tank. Definitely following along to see your outcome......

For what its worth, I love my Solaris I generation. My corals and anemones also love it. I do supplement with two actinic plus T5s for more spread. I also loved my MH/T5 combo that I had on my old 92gal corner. Radium and Phoenix bulbs offer some amazing color. Its really all about the look you're going for.

What!!! Oh crap, not again!! There were no cracks in the tank, can't believe it just gave way like that. I'm so sorry Bruce.

By the way, do you have a new thread for the new 120gal?

That is am awesome idea. Sucks algae blennies aren't compatible with jawfish though. I'm definitely copying that idea!

I've been tagging along for over a year now, waiting for the same!! Put me down for a couple free frags once you're up and running.

Looks good man. So the magnets are working out? Making me miss my old 92gal corner.

Wow, nice tank!!! I've never had clove polyps. I had no idea they grew that fast!! It's not killing any of your corals is it?

Maxijet pumps are half the price of a Mag pumps. Just go with a MJ900, you won't be disappointed.

I have that exact skimmer, and I used to use maxijet pumps as my feed pumps. If you want wet skimmate, use a maxijet 1200 as your feed pump. If you want dryer skimmate, use a maxijet 900.

So I'd have to use all of these right? Sorry, I'm a total newbie when it comes to wordworking

Thanks Brian. Will Home Depot or Lowes have that, or do I need to get it at a marine/boating shop?

I just built my new canopy for my 60gal and I want to paint the inside of the canopy to help it stand up to water damage. What paint or sealant should I use??? Also, my canopy is a plain old plywood veneer right now, and I want to stain/paint it black so it matches my black stand and tank trim. Should I just paint it with one of "glossy" paints, or should I stain the wood black and cover it with a clear coat? Obviously this is new to me, so any advice is much appreciated. Thanks everyone

Do you guys run the outflow of the reactors directly into a protein skimmer, or just back into your tank/sump?

So I've seen more and more clones of the biopellets come out now. Does this mean the system actually works for reducing nitrates and phosphates, or are companies just hopping on the bandwagon on the latest product to make a buck? Has anyone used them in a reactor and had success with them?? Iunderstand the science behind it. Provide a carbon source so bacteria can thrive and reproduce, thereby consuming nitrates and phosphates, and then the bacteria gets removed by the skimmer. Let's here some real life experiences!!!!!

Wow, really cool. Never even knew something like this existed. Tagging along......

Chris, I'm a certified lip reader. Pretty sure those clowns are trying to say they want to live in a tank with 5+ different types of anenomes to host in. Wonder where you can find a tank like that.............

Simply amazing!! More more!!

Wow, you just described exactly how I have my Riteri setup. I agree with everything you stated. I had my anem wander a couple years ago and kill a bunch of corals. I used some PVC and designed a tower for the Riteri to perch on top of, completely separate from other rock and the glass. It loves the light intensity being that high up. It does wander on the top rock, but doesn't travel down the tower, partly because the top rock has a steep cliff/turn to make it down the tower. I have my Vortech on the blue pulse mode, creating a nice wave back and forth in my tank, and it seems to like this over any other settings. I have had this anem for close to 5 years now. I have had it under: Aquactincs 72" T5 only system 400watt Radiums 400watt Hamilton 14K 250Watt Phoenix 14K 150watt 10K XM and now its under a Solaris LED light. It has thrived under all of these lighting systems. I have noticed that flow has more to do with it's "happiness" than what light its under. Best of luck with your new purchases. Make sure you post some pics!!!!!

So I've got a few sponges that are starting to overtake a few zoa frags. I've keep the sponges at bay by periodically taking the frags out of the fragtank and letting them sit out in air. Doesn't hurt the zoas and the sponges seem to die off to a degree. I'm wondering what people do to keep the sponges at bay when they aren't able to take their zoas out of the tank?? Other than Angels (which are also knows to eat zoas), what creatures out there eat sponges??

Add some sand. It'll help cover up those outputs on the bottom and give it a more natural look. Rockwork looks good

I'm using one of their dual float switches and it has worked great thus far.

I've used FFAquatics carbon and I've had very good results. Carbon is carbon to me. I replace it every 4-6 weeks, so I don't think there's any advantage in buying the "elite" stuff.