dread240 May 6, 2016 Share May 6, 2016 are you metal halide now? why do you need a chiller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati May 6, 2016 Author Share May 6, 2016 are you metal halide now? why do you need a chiller? I have been running MH for 16+ years and do not need a chiller. However, I would like assistance during the difficult stretch of the summer months when the home air conditioner is not running and the outside humidity is high. During those days the system will approach 82 degrees. A couple of fans and dehumidifier have been my key cooling tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCReefer1964 May 7, 2016 Share May 7, 2016 Thanks for asking. The system is doing well. There are a few updates that I will briefly discuss. Compare to the image on post #464 1. Incorporated Aquaforest Three months ago, I started using Aquaforest products to feed corals and manage nutrients. Using Zeomix, Pro Bio S, NP Pro, AF Aminos, AF Vitamins, AF Energy, AF Build, AF Micro E, and AF Reef Salt. Over the years I have learned that Manganese and Potassium are key elements in my system. 2. Corals The system is 98% stocked with SPS; need to acquire the JF Fox Flame and Firecracker. Chalices are not doing very well; I think the 400w MH and strong flow does not provide optimal conditions. Most likely will remove the chalices and bring in more Acan Lords. The sampling of Acans I collected a few weeks ago are doing well. 3. Custom sump I recently had a custom sump built (60x24x16) by Pure Reef and plan to install it in a couple weeks. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is top notch, impressive. Thanks to Marco for facilitating. My sump design was inspired by the Royal Exclusiv Dreambox. No filter socks as I am not a fan of removing the goodness from the reef. 4. Fish collection Not much traction in this area. The Barbonius Anthias is the most recent addition. 5. On the horizon Install chiller, frag tank (have not committed), and install ReefBrite XHO. Why am I always the last to know. Pure Reefs is my new AquaBox. Their work is excellent, and priced right. Looking good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals May 8, 2016 Share May 8, 2016 Awesome update! Our tanks are at very similar points now. I am using aquaforrest as well. How are you running the zeo mix? How much potassium do you have to dose daily? Do you notice a difference when using their (or any) bacteria supplement? We're you using vodka and vinegar before you switched to aquaforrest? If so how did you make the switch? I am currently using a mix of the three even though they say not to. I would guess that's because they can't make money from vodka and vinegar. I am going to order some salifert potassium tests from china soon if you want to throw down and get some on my order, they are pretty cheap. My corals have also benefited from maganese and potassium especially now that the tanks adjusted to a high amount of carbon sources. I wish our experience with Brendan went anywhere near well. In the end of the long horrible experience our tanks crashed because we never got the skimmer we paid for and it was like a row of dominos after that. Thank god the bank got our money back eventually. I will be making my own stuff from now on. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati May 9, 2016 Author Share May 9, 2016 Awesome update! Our tanks are at very similar points now. I am using aquaforrest as well. How are you running the zeo mix? How much potassium do you have to dose daily? Do you notice a difference when using their (or any) bacteria supplement? We're you using vodka and vinegar before you switched to aquaforrest? If so how did you make the switch? I am currently using a mix of the three even though they say not to. I would guess that's because they can't make money from vodka and vinegar. I am going to order some salifert potassium tests from china soon if you want to throw down and get some on my order, they are pretty cheap. My corals have also benefited from maganese and potassium especially now that the tanks adjusted to a high amount of carbon sources. I wish our experience with Brendan went anywhere near well. In the end of the long horrible experience our tanks crashed because we never got the skimmer we paid for and it was like a row of dominos after that. Thank god the bank got our money back eventually. I will be making my own stuff from now on. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk I am running 3 liters of Zeomix at 300 gph. I have not setup the dosing pump for potassium waiting until I install the new sump. Currently manual dosing potassium 3 ppm per week. My system went two months without dosing a carbon source, the system did not need it. I attribute that to my low fish bio load. The new Salifert potassium test kits should be in country as of this post. Keep an eye open at BRS, PA, MD, and Amazon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals May 10, 2016 Share May 10, 2016 Ok I was wondering when they would get here. Thanks for the update! Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati May 22, 2016 Author Share May 22, 2016 Installed the sump without any issues. Due to the increased water volume, adjustments were needed on the calcium reactor and coral feeding (aminos, vitamins, and micro elements). The sump added approximately 50g to overall system volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCReefer1964 May 24, 2016 Share May 24, 2016 Did you calculate the equipment displacement of water ? Not really 50 gallons. Just saying. Looking good lots of open space to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati May 24, 2016 Author Share May 24, 2016 Did you calculate the equipment displacement of water ? Not really 50 gallons. Just saying. Looking good lots of open space to work with. From above. ...approximately 50g... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals June 11, 2016 Share June 11, 2016 Do you think you will ever switch to using the a b and c elements from aqua Forrest? What reactor are you using for the zeo mix? Are you shaking the stones? I am going to switch over to the dosing bottles of a b and c elements once my system is used to the zeo mix. This is my first time running any zeo stones. I may pm you a few questions if that's cool . You have been really helpful in the past and I appreciate that. Also what lighting are you thinking about using in the long run? Radium's without supplements? Keep the updates coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati June 11, 2016 Author Share June 11, 2016 (edited) With frequent water changes with a good salt and small dosages of a product I am trying out; I most likely will not use AF Components A,B, or C. I am running 2.5 liters of Zeomix in a Vertex reactor at 250 gph. No need to shake the stones. Shaking the stones helps keep them clean of detritus, but AF does not require it. I am running the following AF products in order of preference: AF Zeomix - 2.5 liters changed every six weeks AF Pro Bio S - 6 drops per day - maintains nitrates at 2ppm and phosphates .02ppm AF NP Pro - 6 drops per day - maintains nitrates at 2ppm and phosphates .02ppm AF Aminos - 12 drops per day AF Vitamins - 12 drops per day AF Build - not currently using AF Energy - not currently using due to experimentation with another product AF Micro E - not currently using due to experimentation with another product Test product #1 and #2 - 5ml per day I recently matched one Reefbrite XHO with the Radiums. 1,200 watts of Radiums are overpowering the Reefbrites, I can barely tell they are on. I am going to try running at 250w for six months to see how well the system responds. Edited June 11, 2016 by ridetheducati Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals September 24, 2016 Share September 24, 2016 How's the tank going? How do you like the AF stuff so far? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf November 27, 2016 Share November 27, 2016 Updates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals November 30, 2016 Share November 30, 2016 I know where you at tony? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati November 30, 2016 Author Share November 30, 2016 (edited) Sorry for the delay. The system is maturing, not as quickly as I would like, but maturing. I can attribute the slow pace to using 100% dead rock. High quality seasoned live rock, such as Tampa Bay Saltwater is the best method. Never doing 100% dead rock again. 22 months in and I am just starting to see signs of a mature system. With a mature system mistakes can be made and the system does not reactor negatively. The old salts out there know what I am talking about. Still running AF. I run my nitrates at 2 - 5 PPM and phosphates at .02 - .05 PPM. I stopped running AF ABVE because of my moderate nutrient levels. Only running Pro BIOS and NP Pro. For those hobbyist that rinse Zeomix several days in advance of using it, ensure that you make note of the day the media was rinsed. Otherwise, a blanket of silicate based brown algae film will form on glass and sand bed. Guess how I became aware of this scenario. Came home today to a Luxcore metal halide ballast not working. Initial troubleshooting indicates a ballast problem, not a bulb problem. Edited November 30, 2016 by ridetheducati Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati December 1, 2016 Author Share December 1, 2016 Came home today to a Luxcore metal halide ballast not working. Initial troubleshooting indicates a ballast problem, not a bulb problem. After further review, it was a faulty bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals December 3, 2016 Share December 3, 2016 Cool man, glad to hear it's going ok. I need to get some new ballasts and am not sure which route to go. I am using the select a watt lumatek right now on 400hqi with reflux 12ks. What would you suggest if I stay with the reflux bulbs? How do you like running your system with some readable nitrates and phosphates? Seems a lot of people are going that route now and hitting thoes same parameters. Oh and where is the FTS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridetheducati December 4, 2016 Author Share December 4, 2016 Cool man, glad to hear it's going ok. I need to get some new ballasts and am not sure which route to go. I am using the select a watt lumatek right now on 400hqi with reflux 12ks. What would you suggest if I stay with the reflux bulbs? How do you like running your system with some readable nitrates and phosphates? Seems a lot of people are going that route now and hitting thoes same parameters. Oh and where is the FTS? Not sure if you can find Lumatek ballasts any more. Luxcore is available. Never was a fan of running a zero and zero system (NO3 and PO4) for a SPS dominated system. I like a dynamic high energy system, high inputs and aggressive exports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xabo November 4, 2017 Share November 4, 2017 How's the tank doing? Hoping all is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime December 21, 2017 Share December 21, 2017 I'll echo Xabo's sentiments, it's been over a year since the last update! I hope the tank is still setup, and you're still rocking and rolling. Love an update! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals April 17, 2018 Share April 17, 2018 Everything ok? I would love to see how things are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ford May 26, 2018 Share May 26, 2018 Bueller.... Bueller... Bueller.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals May 28, 2018 Share May 28, 2018 Hope everything's going well Tony! Update us when you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind May 30, 2018 Share May 30, 2018 Tony, we need pictures!! It looks like its been a long time, about nine months since you've logged in. Hopefully everything is good with you and the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals November 30, 2019 Share November 30, 2019 You ok man? Tank still running? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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