Origami September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 I don't know about the magnesium and "pop," but have you recently changed to the 14KK Ushio lamps from something else? Maybe the lamp color has changed some? For example, I think that I went to Ushio's once from Phoenix 14KK lamps. The Ushio lamps were whiter and, as a consequence, the corals didn't fluoresce as much.
Origami September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 from 20k Radiums to 14k Ushio Why? That very well could be the reason for less "pop." You're not seeing as much fluorescence under the Ushios.
STEVE September 14, 2012 Author September 14, 2012 Yea....have not had a lot of pop with the radiums either...they were better tho...switching back to radiums today.
Ryan S September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 Having used 10k, 14k, and 20k MHs; they each definitely have pros and cons. My sps never grew faster than when I had 10k's over them. Super fast, but the colors sucked. They never looked better than when I had 20k radiums over them. Someone on the boards here with a mega sps tank (I forget who), likes to run his tank with 10k's for a year or 2, then switch to 20k to color up. I think that's a fabulous idea for maximum growth rate then enjoying the colors once they have grown. I eventually settled on 14/15k as a nice compromise. Good growth and coloration. Not as good of growth as 10k, and the colors weren't as good as 20k, but it was a nice mix. So that's what I used for a couple of years before I broke my last tank down.
Ryan S September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 Yea....have not had a lot of pop with the radiums either...they were better tho...switching back to radiums today. What are you supplementing your MHs with?
STEVE September 14, 2012 Author September 14, 2012 Why the switch to LEDS if you were so happy with the MH's...sorry, I couldnt resist! You know I love ya Ryan!
Origami September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 What are you supplementing your MHs with? Post 24 said 2 t12 vho super actincs. Steve, any issues with signs of elevated nitrates / phosphates? Algae growth? Is the lack of color a brown-out or just "blah" coloration?
Ryan S September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 (edited) Why the switch to LEDS if you were so happy with the MH's...sorry, I couldnt resist! You know I love ya Ryan! Ya Ya. It is a fair question, especially since I was very happy with MH's before. It came down to the canopy of my 150g DD being too shallow for a MH reflector, so I went with the 1" radions. It was a timing thing more than anything. Evan, Mike, Travis - they all know I still think about getting a custom canopy and tossing a MH up there to this day. As for your 2 t12s - I have never used t12s, how strong are they? What if you switched to T5s? And more of them? Say 4 or 6? Surely that would give you the POP you seek? Edited September 14, 2012 by Ryan S
STEVE September 14, 2012 Author September 14, 2012 Tom, just blah ! My green Acro is starting to stn i just noticed while typing to Ryan!!! Overall the rocks are starting to get a green tint to them aswell??? Phos are at 0.04-5 and Nitrate is at 1. I lost your number Tom, PM it to me, I will give ya a call.
STEVE September 14, 2012 Author September 14, 2012 You are correct probably Ryan about the T-5's. I am on the fence about switching over to t-5 soley!
Origami September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 T12 VHO actinics (with the internal reflector) are (or at least were) a standard for performance at one time. Where's the STN starting from, the base or tips? Or elsewhere? Any other corals showing health issues? I'll pm you my numbers.
Ryan S September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 This is what 100% T5 could look like for you: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/126-tank-of-the-month ORRRRR... You could just pony up and get some Radions... And never have to worry about lighting again. And talk about POP!
trockafella September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 This is what 100% T5 could look like for you: http://reefkeeping.c...nk-of-the-month ORRRRR... You could just pony up and get some Radions... And never have to worry about lighting again. And talk about POP! Talk about POP alright, especially in your wallet.... SOrry, just couldnt help myself Ryan.
STEVE September 14, 2012 Author September 14, 2012 I will try to post a pic of the 20k's....if I figure out how to do it now???
Ryan S September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 (edited) k.....that didnt work... its close you want the IMG at the start and then /IMG at the end the website in the middle, and brackets on the IMGs delete the http you have at the start and make sure there are just 1 IMG tag at the front and end. Edited September 14, 2012 by Ryan S
STEVE September 14, 2012 Author September 14, 2012 Ryan, I know youve never heard this before, but its too big! lol:biggrin:
Ryan S September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 (edited) Ryan, I know youve never heard this before, but its too big! lol:biggrin: lol. the forum resizes them automatically. exit the thread and reopen it on your computer. it will resize automatically to fit your computer screen. Edited September 14, 2012 by Ryan S
Origami September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 k.....that didnt work... Ha! I fixed your link before I scrolled down to see that you reposted....
GraffitiSpotCorals September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 What are you doing for alk? Hand dosing? I would make sure that's on point before blaming your lights. You need to choose something and stick with it. I don't know what "pop" your looking for but I think my 10ks make my corals look just fine. I am happy with that alone. They don't look the way I WANT them too but they look good and that's what I am after. I think lights play just a small part of how our corals look anyways. Also your tank looks nice bro! And I will take thoes 14k ushios if you aren't going to use them
zygote2k September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 (edited) Thanks Tom and Eric....Yes I think time and patience is the answer. Trying to get it to around 1200. I do my water changes with Reef Crystals and I know that is probably keeping it up there aswell. Thanks Josh for your humor, "I told ya" ! FYI.... 90 Gallon tank, 120 total volume, 30 gallon fuge , dosing alk and calc, top off thru kalk stirrer Alk 11.5 Mag 1450-1500 Calc 380 Salanity 1.026/35 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 1 Am 0 Phos 0.05 78-80 Temp 14k Ushio bulbs 250 with Lumen Tek balast HQI 2 t12 vho super actincs sps, just doesnt seem to have the "POP" I'm looking for....thinking the mag has something to do with it...??? When I had the bryopsis issue, it was in an SPS tank. At no time did the SPS react visibly to Mg above 2000ppm. Your Alk at 11.5 might be more suspect than magnesium. FWIW, the tank grows SPS like mad when the Cal is 375-ish and 9.6-10 dkh. Nitrate is in the 10ppm range too. Edited September 14, 2012 by zygote2k
epleeds September 14, 2012 September 14, 2012 I was going to say that your ALK seems high. I usually run mine between 8-9. How long have your had it at 11.5? And my calcium was around 400
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now