dandy7200

Looks good. Hey, I got a question: How do you set your white balance when shooting actinic?

Ahhhhhh...... now I give you linky .

You realize it doesn't have to be that way don't you? Why start off with a uphill battle? You have a great start with some killer equipment, I would lay off the lights get some various macro algae ( I have plenty if you want) and get some algae eaters in there ASAP. Sorry to be a little harsh but, your tank looks pretty sad right now and it seems that you could benefit from the advice. Maybe your very busy and have little time right now, you can tell me to buzz off I just think you could be a little further along at the 2 month mark. Dan

I can't take any of your post seriously with that aweful avitar. I couldn't even read what this thread was about other than the title. Do you hate us?

Sorry to hear of your loss. I hate heaters :( . Keep your head up, this hobby is painful at times but worth it in the long run. I know it seems funny to become attached to "only a fish" but, if you never let yourself become emotionally attached to these creatures than you will never get to experience the true joy of their life. Dan

My Photoperiod: VHO Actinic: Noon - Midnight (12hrs) T-5 Blue Plus: 1pm - 10pm (9hrs) 250w MH: 2pm - 11pm (9hrs) Every system is differant. If you do decide to extend your photoperiod, do it over the course of a few weeks to avoid shocking the corals and fish. You may see a growth spurt of diatoms or nuicence algae at first but, the system will adjust to the change and balance itself out.

Exactly. Bulb heat is radiant. Bulb heating air is convection. Remove the air and you still have radiant. There is no temperature differance in the two just efficiency. Don't waste your power on exhaust. Aim the fans at the water.

Fans should blow on the bulbs and across the water. Exhausting pulls moist air right over your endcaps. Put a vent or a small hole that can be covered with eggcrate on the top or back of the hood to allow for evaporation. Also there is a PAR increase with t-5 when fans are being blown on the bulbs.

http://reeftopia.com/

Shopping carts.....now thats dangerous

Heres what I did for my 75. 1/4" glass corner overflow 8"x6" with holes for 3 ea 3/4" bulkheads. Then 1/4" black acrylic is added. With the back painted it somewhat disappears. I drilled a bit differant. Bottom hole is main drain that is restricted with a gate valve, middle hole is emergency overflow standpipe, third top is return. Heres the external on my 54. Both skim the surface very well turning 10x the tank volume through the sump.

How big? What are your ideas?

It's your call.

Give us a little info on the skimmer. Body diameter, neck diameter, body height, neck height, current pump/pumps used.