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Dejavu
06/05/2010, 06:31 AM
This month we are featuring the beautiful 198-gallon mixed reef aquarium of Krzysztof Tryc.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/briantvu/TOTM/fst_lg.jpg

More details can be found here (http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/65-tank-of-the-month).

Congratulations, Krzysztof!

Also check out the new Reefkeeping blog (http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/reefkeeping-blog)!



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<center><font color="#FFFFFF" size="-1">If you'd like to nominate a tank
for Tank of the Month, click <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/newthread.php?s=&action=newthread&forumid=189" target="_blank"><font color="#FFFFFF">here</font></a>
or use the button to the right.</font></center>
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<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="27%"><img src="http://reefkeeping.com/images/nominate1.gif" border="0"> (http://reefcentral.com/forums/newthread.php?s=&action=newthread&forumid=189)
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kev apsley
06/05/2010, 06:56 AM
Congratulations! This is one of the finest tanks I have ever laid eyes on! Just a beautiful, beautiful, aquarium!!

mpoletti
06/05/2010, 07:46 AM
Congratulations Krzysztof. Your tank is amazing. Thank you for sharing :thumbsup:

Ian
06/05/2010, 09:59 AM
Great Aquarium!!

Can you share what bulb combination you currently use?

Oldude
06/05/2010, 10:05 AM
That is a spectacular looking reef! Congratulations on TOTM, well deserved.

lunar
06/05/2010, 11:07 AM
Great Aquarium!!

Can you share what bulb combination you currently use?

Thanks, guys for all nice comments!

Ian,from the front to the back there are: ATI blue plus, KZ NG coral light, KZ fiji purple, ATI aquablue spezial, KZ NG coral light, ATI blue plus, ATI aquablue spezial, ATI actinic blue, KZ NG coral light, ATI blue plus.

Krzysztof

Ian
06/05/2010, 11:14 AM
Thanks Krzysztof, have you been using the New Generation bulbs long?

I guess it gets the blue spectrum between the ABS and the B+, right?

lunar
06/05/2010, 11:30 AM
Thanks Krzysztof, have you been using the New Generation bulbs long?

I guess it gets the blue spectrum between the ABS and the B+, right?

I began with one bulb, I liked its spectrum, so added two more. I've been using them for several months.
It's exactly like you wrote. ABS gets a bit yellowish light, NG hasn't got this admixture.

jc-reef
06/05/2010, 11:52 AM
Very nice tank! I love the diversity of the colors throughout the scaping. It's tanks like this that give the newer generation of hobbyists, like myself, continuous inspiration to learn and one day have enjoyment of success like yourself!! :thumbsup:

chingchai
06/05/2010, 06:25 PM
Krzysztof,

Congratulation!
One of the best tank in this world.

Cheers,

kangym
06/05/2010, 07:17 PM
Congrats Krzysztof. Beautiful and amazing tank!

skinnywater
06/05/2010, 09:41 PM
Congrats, one of my favorite tanks. Beautiful!

dan223
06/05/2010, 11:35 PM
Awesome reef! It sounded like you used to run zeovit system. Are you still running it or did you just take some of the ideas from it. What can you tell us about maintaining nice rich colors?

syedjilani
06/06/2010, 04:04 AM
Congratulation Krzysztof,


Beautiful Tank. Well Done..... :thumbsup:....
To maintain calcium and alkalinity, how much ml (Milliliter) you dose the tank every day.

stone.david
06/06/2010, 06:07 AM
just amazing,

i was on the fence on starting the NP Biopellets in my system and now i cant place the order fast enough :)

How much do you use.

P.S Your now my wallpaper :)

Tobes
06/06/2010, 06:27 AM
WOW, a very very beautiful tank - well done man!!

NexDog
06/06/2010, 08:26 AM
Incredible. So you use the DIY 2-part recipe?

Rodrigo_BG
06/06/2010, 08:27 AM
Amazing tank, so colorful, best wishes!

fraggleRocks
06/06/2010, 08:29 AM
Congratulations, your tank is stunning!

MeuserReef
06/06/2010, 08:41 AM
Beautiful aquarium! Congrats on TOTM!

GhostCon1
06/06/2010, 08:48 AM
Absolutely beautiful tank!

Everything seems to be more beautiful if you have someone you can always share your passion and emotions with.

^Couldn't agree more.

Question: Do your angels nip at the polyps or your clam? I just double checked to see if you have a clam, it does look like one in the first pic, but I don't see it listed anywhere.

OCRick
06/06/2010, 09:27 AM
Very Nice!!!!!

lunar
06/06/2010, 09:33 AM
Very nice tank! I love the diversity of the colors throughout the scaping. It's tanks like this that give the newer generation of hobbyists, like myself, continuous inspiration to learn and one day have enjoyment of success like yourself!! :thumbsup:

Thank you. I'm glad you like my tank and wish you all best.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 09:36 AM
Krzysztof,

Congratulation!
One of the best tank in this world.

Cheers,

There are so many beautiful tanks here, there and everywhere. Look around better !
Thanks, you're always so friendly and generous with compliments.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 09:42 AM
Thank you, kangym and skinnywater. Your comments are really nice.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 09:58 AM
Awesome reef! It sounded like you used to run zeovit system. Are you still running it or did you just take some of the ideas from it. What can you tell us about maintaining nice rich colors?

Thank you a lot.
I stopped zeovit system nearly completely in February. For some time I have added some left over zeo products. At present there are only live rocks, the sand the amount of which I'm gradually reducing, a skimmer and reactor with NP-reducing BioPellets.
In my opinion zeovit is only for the most advanced aquarists. It teaches us more discipline and diligence. Thanks to zeo I fully realized the importance of bacteria in a system.
Health and colour of corals depends on many aspects. One of the most important ones for me is low NO3 and PO4 levels and adequate feeding of corals. It might seem that these are contradictory, but it doesn't have to be so if you find a filtration system that works for your tank.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 10:03 AM
Congratulation Krzysztof,


Beautiful Tank. Well Done..... :thumbsup:....
To maintain calcium and alkalinity, how much ml (Milliliter) you dose the tank every day.

Thank you, syedjilani.
I dose 170 ml of calcium and 750 ml of alkalinity every day.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 10:21 AM
just amazing,

i was on the fence on starting the NP Biopellets in my system and now i cant place the order fast enough :)

How much do you use.

P.S Your now my wallpaper :)

Thanks, stone.david.

I began with 1 liter of NP BP. Recently I've added one Australian Anthias (Latus Serranocirrhiu) and 10 of Anthias evansi (Mirolabrichthys evansi), so I increased the quantity of new formula NP BP to 1,5 l.
New fish are quite photogenic, look at them:

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp50/krzysztof_2008/001.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp50/krzysztof_2008/002.jpg

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 10:30 AM
Thank you, Tobes and NexDog.

Yes, I use the DIY 2-part recipe and it works for my tank very well. Mg level is rather stable and it is adjusted from time to time.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 10:36 AM
Rodrigo BG, fraggle Rocks and MeuserReef, you words are very nice. Thank you, guys.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 10:53 AM
Absolutely beautiful tank!



^Couldn't agree more.

Question: Do your angels nip at the polyps or your clam? I just double checked to see if you have a clam, it does look like one in the first pic, but I don't see it listed anywhere.

I've been lucky man so far, my angels are well-mannered and don't nip neither the polyps nor my single clam :)
Sorry, I forgot to list my clam.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 10:57 AM
Very Nice!!!!!

Thank you very much for your kind words and your exclamation marks. :)

Krzysztof

Baros
06/06/2010, 10:58 AM
Congratulations Krzysztof, a well deserved TOTM.
A real pleasure looking at your wonderful reef, keep up the good work :thumbsup:

tntneon
06/06/2010, 11:05 AM
-congratulations Krzysztof with your well deserved totm June :thumbsup:
You are a true inspiration for new ones like me.

greetingzz tntneon:)

lunar
06/06/2010, 11:15 AM
Congratulations Krzysztof, a well deserved TOTM.
A real pleasure looking at your wonderful reef, keep up the good work :thumbsup:

Thanks a lot, Baros. As you see, I've changed the salt twice since we talked about it last time.

Cheers,
Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 11:19 AM
-congratulations Krzysztof with your well deserved totm June :thumbsup:
You are a true inspiration for new ones like me.

greetingzz tntneon:)

Thank you, tntneon. I like reading what you write on RC.
Best wishes,

Krzysztof

dan223
06/06/2010, 11:22 AM
Do you dose bacteria daily or weekly or just let it be relying on the biopellets and the natural bacteria present in the tank? Have you noticed obvious and direct results from adding AA or iodine. I dont mean to interrogate you but its obvious your doing something, or alot of things right:lol2:

lunar
06/06/2010, 11:42 AM
Do you dose bacteria daily or weekly or just let it be relying on the biopellets and the natural bacteria present in the tank? Have you noticed obvious and direct results from adding AA or iodine. I dont mean to interrogate you but its obvious your doing something, or alot of things right:lol2:

I add some, not to much, various bacteria after every change water, i.e. once a week.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/06/2010, 12:25 PM
Do you dose bacteria daily or weekly or just let it be relying on the biopellets and the natural bacteria present in the tank? Have you noticed obvious and direct results from adding AA or iodine. I dont mean to interrogate you but its obvious your doing something, or alot of things right:lol2:

Sorry, I omitted by accident one question regarding AA and iodine.
It's hard to say whether AA is responsible for enhancing coloration, but it might be so. Except for Tropic Marin essential trace elements that contains also a bit of iodine, I don't use any another kind of iodine.

Krzysztof

oscar.millan
06/06/2010, 12:37 PM
It wasn't very long ago that I started to hear about NP reducing pellets, and I'm excited to research further and perhaps try it in one of my tanks after seeing the success of your tank.

Any advice for NP newb?

PS Amazing colors, selection of fish, and tank. It's very obvious that you've poured your heart into this hobby. Thank you for your contributions to this community.

Cheers!

berger9953
06/06/2010, 02:33 PM
Amazing tank! And congratulations!! I love the crystal clear water. And all of the colors are amazing! I hope my aquarium can be that beautiful someday!

klepto
06/06/2010, 03:15 PM
Krzysztof-
Congratulations on receiving TOTM! Well done on a lovely reef.

Two questions for you:

Do you know what species your large blue stag is?

When you removed your DSB, was there any reason that you decided to leave the 4-5cm of sandbed instead of reducing it to just a couple cm? Or are you still in the process of reducing the depth?

chingchai
06/06/2010, 05:44 PM
Hi Krzysztof,

Would love to have your FTS in high resolution.
Can you share it?
Thanks.

NexDog
06/06/2010, 06:38 PM
Wow, 10 Evansi. Would love to hear how they are doing. They don't have a great track record.

Reeferon
06/06/2010, 06:59 PM
Beautiful tank. The whole thing looks amazing. One of my favorite TOTMs.

+1 - What kind of blue stag is that?

James404
06/06/2010, 07:59 PM
Beautiful tank, congrats!!

adamPL
06/06/2010, 08:53 PM
Piekny tank Krzysztof, powodzenia

Adam

Sisterlimonpot
06/06/2010, 10:46 PM
Congrats, I too would like to see a FTS in higher res, if at all possible.

Toadally
06/06/2010, 11:04 PM
Absolutely amazing!!

Rothaquatix
06/06/2010, 11:29 PM
bulb combo? do i have to be the first to ask! lol stunning!

Toadally
06/06/2010, 11:47 PM
bulb combo? do i have to be the first to ask! lol stunning!

yes...lol that was my next question!

tamarindthai
06/06/2010, 11:59 PM
congrats TOTM,,very beautiful tank ,,yes,indeed.

gasman059
06/07/2010, 09:42 AM
yes sir yes sir! beautiful tank! congrats

Steedy
06/07/2010, 10:56 AM
Wooooooow amazing aquarium.. my congrats to perfect AQ..

Can I find yours aq somewhere in PL Forums?? I am from Czech :-)
I have some questions about yours aq.. many thx for yours answers..


Happy reefing

lunar
06/07/2010, 11:30 AM
It wasn't very long ago that I started to hear about NP reducing pellets, and I'm excited to research further and perhaps try it in one of my tanks after seeing the success of your tank.

Any advice for NP newb?

PS Amazing colors, selection of fish, and tank. It's very obvious that you've poured your heart into this hobby. Thank you for your contributions to this community.

Cheers!

Thank you for your comment :)

You already read the threat "NP reducing bio-pellets" on RC for sure. Here's a link for those who haven't been familiar with it yet, although it's nearly impossible: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1694529 It's a very informative threat based on our experience.

-If NO3 and PO4 levels in your tank are high, it would be better start with less quantity of BP and add them gradually to evade sudden changes in the quality of water.
-The water needs to be oxygenated well, because bacteria use a lot of O2.
-Don't neglect the advice of manufacturer regarding placing the outlet of the filter with pellets next to the inlet of your skimmer.
-I wouldn't use other organic carbon like vodka, sugar etc. together with the BP in the long run - according to the sentence "Too much breaks the bag".
-At last, give them some time to become convinced of their effectiveness. The BP are really effective if you don't interfere with them.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to ask me.

Krzysztof

gofor100
06/07/2010, 11:37 AM
All I can say is "WOW"...

gofor100
06/07/2010, 11:38 AM
Alright, now that I've picked my jaw up off the floor and stopped drooling, I've got a question. Is there a particular reason why you're depleting your Deep Sand Bed? I've got one right now in my Display Tank, and despite what some people say, haven't had any problems with it.

lunar
06/07/2010, 11:55 AM
Amazing tank! And congratulations!! I love the crystal clear water. And all of the colors are amazing! I hope my aquarium can be that beautiful someday!

Thanks a lot. I wish you more beautiful tank.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/07/2010, 12:46 PM
Krzysztof-
Congratulations on receiving TOTM! Well done on a lovely reef.

Two questions for you:

Do you know what species your large blue stag is?

When you removed your DSB, was there any reason that you decided to leave the 4-5cm of sandbed instead of reducing it to just a couple cm? Or are you still in the process of reducing the depth?


Thank you.
I bought this blue staghorn as acropora formosa 5 years ago.

The sandbed is still in the progress of reducing, I extended that for several months. Why 4-5 cm? I think that this depth is rather safe, it is neither too deep nor to shallow as well as gives the tank a natural look.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/07/2010, 01:20 PM
Wow, 10 Evansi. Would love to hear how they are doing. They don't have a great track record.

They seem to be quarantined well and healthy, not starved. They eat eagerly, swim freely and aren't afraid of anything. I hope they will survive on food that are fed on.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/07/2010, 01:25 PM
Reeferon and James404, thank you.

Reeferon, it's probably acropora formosa.,

Krzysztof

lunar
06/07/2010, 01:29 PM
Piekny tank Krzysztof, powodzenia

Adam

Dzięki, Adam. Robię, co mogę :)

Krzysztof

lunar
06/07/2010, 01:54 PM
Absolutely amazing!!

Thank you very much.

bulb combo? do i have to be the first to ask! lol stunning!

Thanks a lot.
Read reply no 6 on the first page.

congrats TOTM,,very beautiful tank ,,yes,indeed.

Thank you.

yes sir yes sir! beautiful tank! congrats

Thank you, sir! :)

Wooooooow amazing aquarium.. my congrats to perfect AQ..

Happy reefing

Thank a lot.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/07/2010, 02:09 PM
Alright, now that I've picked my jaw up off the floor and stopped drooling, I've got a question. Is there a particular reason why you're depleting your Deep Sand Bed? I've got one right now in my Display Tank, and despite what some people say, haven't had any problems with it.

Thank you, your compliment is very, very vivid:lmao:. Don't worry, I am in the same situation when I am looking at the other TOTM's.

I haven't had any problems with DSB so far, it has worked vey well. However, I think that it isn't necessary if my tank runs with BPs.

Krzysztof

goochesfish
06/07/2010, 11:17 PM
Beautiful tank. I'm happy to see another TOTM using lights I have, the ATI PM's. I also liked seeing sps at the bottom and doing well.

What kind of reactor are you using for the NP pellets?

Lyfey
06/08/2010, 09:43 AM
Kryzsztof, absolutely stunning..

As far as the lighting goes, I also run an ATI PM but its a 8x54w. How high above your water line is your lighting setup at? Do you find better growth/coloration with whiter type bulbs? It seems to be the norm with American reefers to go heavy on blue +, while you have only 3 blue+ and mostly other white bulbs. What is your opinion on this subject? Once again, awesome skill you have and congratulations on a well deserved TOTM!

-Christopher

jbanks
06/08/2010, 11:22 AM
Kryzsztof, Your tank is simply inspiring! However, your words are even more inspiring :) To quote you if I may....

" In spite of many ethnic, ideological and religious differences, we all constitute a large group – a reefkeepers’ community – which helps in hard times, and makes us enjoy the bright moments more."

If we, as the people of the world could only apply this to the world.. It would be as beautiful as your tank :) God Bless my friend :thumbsup:

lunar
06/08/2010, 02:32 PM
Beautiful tank. I'm happy to see another TOTM using lights I have, the ATI PM's. I also liked seeing sps at the bottom and doing well.

What kind of reactor are you using for the NP pellets?

I'm happy you like my tank. Thank you.

KZ reactor S was adapted for NP reducing BioPellets after some changes. It works very well.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/08/2010, 02:58 PM
Kryzsztof, absolutely stunning..

As far as the lighting goes, I also run an ATI PM but its a 8x54w. How high above your water line is your lighting setup at? Do you find better growth/coloration with whiter type bulbs? It seems to be the norm with American reefers to go heavy on blue +, while you have only 3 blue+ and mostly other white bulbs. What is your opinion on this subject? Once again, awesome skill you have and congratulations on a well deserved TOTM!

-Christopher

Thank you very much.
The lighting unit is 13 cm from the water line.
Yes, I think that whittier type of bulbs favors growth of corals.
My combination of bulbs gives also a lot of blue colour as well as it seems to be more natural for me.

lunar
06/08/2010, 03:07 PM
Kryzsztof, Your tank is simply inspiring! However, your words are even more inspiring :) To quote you if I may....

" In spite of many ethnic, ideological and religious differences, we all constitute a large group – a reefkeepers’ community – which helps in hard times, and makes us enjoy the bright moments more."

If we, as the people of the world could only apply this to the world.. It would be as beautiful as your tank :) God Bless my friend :thumbsup:

Thanks for your kind words.
Krzysztof

Trevor15
06/08/2010, 06:08 PM
Very beautiful tank. My question was about your dosing pump Grotech III. Would you recommend this brand and type of pump or do you feel another may be better? Also was wondering what you are dosing with your pump? Cal, Alk, Mag.. Anything else?

Trevor

SCManc
06/09/2010, 09:46 AM
Beatiful, simply and very beatiful !

Compliment Krzysztof.

lunar
06/09/2010, 10:41 AM
Very beautiful tank. My question was about your dosing pump Grotech III. Would you recommend this brand and type of pump or do you feel another may be better? Also was wondering what you are dosing with your pump? Cal, Alk, Mag.. Anything else?

Trevor

I've had Grotech Tec III NG for 4 years and it has worked great. I used to dose more liquids so I connected additional EP II modul. But this connection happens to get loose quite often. It seems to be halfbacket.
Currently EP II modul is not used, but I decided to keep it, maybe I will need it one day.
I use Tec III for dosing Ca and alk only, so the device is not fully used. Mg is rather stable, I add it manually from time to time. Trace elements aren't also dosed with this unit, because 1 ml per day is the minimal quantity I can set, which would be too much.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/09/2010, 10:44 AM
Beatiful, simply and very beatiful !

Compliment Krzysztof.

Thanks. I'm happy you like it.

Krzysztof

tedmc2
06/09/2010, 12:28 PM
Let me join with those in congratulations for TOTM. It is truely deserved. Your tank is an inspiration.

lunar
06/09/2010, 02:19 PM
Thank you for your kind words.

Krzysztof

Rekonn
06/09/2010, 09:28 PM
Meh, this tank is alright I guess...

:jester:

Of course I'm kidding :D. This tank is absolutely stunning! Can you give more details as to the quantity of food you're currently using? Also, can you tell us how the flow is set up? Is it an alternating gyre, pumps facing each other causing random turbulent flow, or something else? I'm guessing you have around 50x display volume of flow, ever have issues with the sandbed staying put?

smarcus3
06/09/2010, 10:11 PM
amazing

Ninong
06/10/2010, 12:41 AM
Congratulations! Your tank is beautiful.

:beer:

lunar
06/10/2010, 02:29 PM
Thanks guys for your comments.

Meh, this tank is alright I guess...

:jester:

Of course I'm kidding :D. This tank is absolutely stunning! Can you give more details as to the quantity of food you're currently using? Also, can you tell us how the flow is set up? Is it an alternating gyre, pumps facing each other causing random turbulent flow, or something else? I'm guessing you have around 50x display volume of flow, ever have issues with the sandbed staying put?

I feed on 6-7 frozen cubes of varied food daily. The food is enriched with Cyclop eeze flakes and spirulina, Nori. At night feeding tray automatically provides corals with ReefPearls.
Turbelle stream Tunze are only pulsatory pumps that give alternating gyre. They are situated at opposite sides of the tank, the others pumps work with continuous motion. Their outlets are on the back wall in the middle of the tank, on the wall of internal overflow box, the outlet of main pump there's on the back wall in the upper right part.
All the pumps are set in this way that they don't lift the sandbed, don't disturb it.

Krzysztof

alessandro
06/11/2010, 09:13 AM
Hi Krzysztof,
I am really happy your tank was nominated TOTM because it is one of the best tank around the world.
Im am now really interested about your experience Zeovit-Biopellets:
did you not notice any reaction in your corals ceasing to dose Aminoacids, Coral Vitalizer, Xtra, B-Balance, K-Balance Snow and Zym?

jdarr
06/12/2010, 12:42 AM
i really love everything you have done here...

lunar
06/12/2010, 11:51 AM
alessandro and jdarr, thanks a lot.

Hi Krzysztof,
I am really happy your tank was nominated TOTM because it is one of the best tank around the world.
Im am now really interested about your experience Zeovit-Biopellets:
did you not notice any reaction in your corals ceasing to dose Aminoacids, Coral Vitalizer, Xtra, B-Balance, K-Balance Snow and Zym?

I can't say whether all the KZ products are compatible with the NP reducing biopellets because I didn't use all of them together with the polymers. I only know from my experience that KZ aa, iron, kaliumiodid-fluor don't have any impact in conjunction with BP. I'm not going to combine zeo with BPs. For some time I have added some left over zeo products. They already ran down so I don't use any KZ products currently. My goal is both simplicity and lower costs.

Krzysztof

firereef
06/13/2010, 12:34 AM
One of the most beautiful aquariums Ive ever seen. This is what motivates me to be part of this wonderful hobby. Great Job!

lunar
06/13/2010, 03:24 AM
Thank you, firereef.
I wish you success in your reefing adventure.

Krzysztof

snaza
06/13/2010, 04:16 AM
AMAZING tank Lunar. It was only a matter of time until you got RC TOTM!

Can you please tell me which Tropic Marin Trace elements you use and how much daily. Do you use Tropic Marin Pro Coral K + and A -? Do you mix them in your 2 part solution or just dose them daily?

I'm in the middle of setting up a new tank with the same dimensions and same light. Only difference is i'm using an ATB skimmer.

thanks for the motivation

Aaron

lunar
06/13/2010, 05:24 AM
Thanks a lot, snaza. I really didn't reckon on TOTM, the news came as a great surprise to me.

Yes, I use Tropic Marin Pro Coral K + and A -, but these elements aren't dosed automatically every day. In my opinion it could be too much. I add them twice to three times a week so they can't be mixed with 2-part solution. If I notice more coating of algae on the glass I reduce them to minimum. However, as you know, every tank is different so demands for elements can vary too.

Krzysztof

Toadally
06/13/2010, 01:12 PM
Krzysztof, could you please tell us what bulb combination you use? Tanks!

grigsy
06/13/2010, 07:28 PM
Wow. What a nice tank you have.

Congrats.

Casy
06/13/2010, 07:36 PM
Congrats is beatyufull!!!!!!!!!!

snaza
06/13/2010, 07:57 PM
Thanks a lot, snaza. I really didn't reckon on TOTM, the news came as a great surprise to me.

Yes, I use Tropic Marin Pro Coral K + and A -, but these elements aren't dosed automatically every day. In my opinion it could be too much. I add them twice to three times a week so they can't be mixed with 2-part solution. If I notice more coating of algae on the glass I reduce them to minimum. However, as you know, every tank is different so demands for elements can vary too.

Krzysztof

Thanks for that. how much of each do you dose each time?

lunar
06/14/2010, 12:35 PM
Krzysztof, could you please tell us what bulb combination you use? Tanks!

From the front to the back there are: ATI blue plus, KZ NG coral light, KZ fiji purple, ATI aquablue spezial, KZ NG coral light, ATI blue plus, ATI aquablue spezial, ATI actinic blue, KZ NG coral light, ATI blue plus.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/14/2010, 12:37 PM
Thank you, grigsy and Casy for your nice comments.

lunar
06/14/2010, 12:41 PM
Thanks for that. how much of each do you dose each time?

Every time I add 1 ml of each only.

Krzysztof

NaClH2O Getaway
06/16/2010, 01:32 PM
Congrats! The tank is awesome and gives inspiration to the rest of us just starting with our SPS choices. If you have a second would you be willing to explain a lil more about the reactor with NP reducing BioPellets in a PM.

cromedogg33
06/16/2010, 02:41 PM
Awesome tank, love the colors.

lunar
06/17/2010, 10:36 AM
Thanks cromedogg33.

Congrats! The tank is awesome and gives inspiration to the rest of us just starting with our SPS choices. If you have a second would you be willing to explain a lil more about the reactor with NP reducing BioPellets in a PM.

Thanks NaClH20 Getaway.

I made use of zeovit reactor that I had left after zeo method. I removed a magnet and put tee in to provide a better water circulation, changed an original pump (1000 l/h) for a pump New-Jet 2300 with flow rate regulation and lifted the basket (where biopellets are placed) a little and blocked it. The flow is adjusted to 1200 l/h. The outlet of the reactor is located next to the inlet of my skimmer.

Krzysztof

DreamMachine
06/17/2010, 11:00 AM
Awesome tank! I love that you've taken different approach than most advanced keepers I know. Thanks for sharing!

lunar
06/18/2010, 10:30 AM
DreamMachine, thank you for your kind words.

If a tank is full of sensitive corals and you introduce a relatively new method, there's always a risk. However without taking a risk there would be no progression. Of course, I wasn't the first aquarist who used pellets, I could learn from others thanks to the thread N/P reducing pellets (solid vodka dosing) on RC. Thanks, tntneon.:thumbsup: I have read this threat ten times from the beginning to the end and then from the end to the beginning again. :reading: I drew own my conlusions and decided to run this method. And after 4 months I've still loved them , i.e. biopellets. :dance:

Krzysztof

lunar
06/18/2010, 10:56 AM
Sorry :( ....obviously I meant "thread" , not "threat".

Krzysztof

Toadally
06/18/2010, 11:48 AM
DreamMachine, thank you for your kind words.

If a tank is full of sensitive corals and you introduce a relatively new method, there's always a risk. However without taking a risk there would be no progression. Of course, I wasn't the first aquarist who used pellets, I could learn from others thanks to the thread N/P reducing pellets (solid vodka dosing) on RC. Thanks, tntneon.:thumbsup: I have read this threat ten times from the beginning to the end and then from the end to the beginning again. :reading: I drew own my conlusions and decided to run this method. And after 4 months I've still loved them , i.e. biopellets. :dance:

Krzysztof
So you like the NP Pellets much better than Zeo? I just started Zeo a few days ago. Are you dosing any bacteria source or food source?

Anemone0524
06/18/2010, 01:33 PM
excellent tank - really makes me want to go home and restart my tank NOW

questions -

Do you use a cover under your lighting unit to prevent salt spray? Do you have any splash issues with the lighting?

The tank is 3 years old right? What you have in there is 3 years of growth?

lunar
06/18/2010, 02:24 PM
So you like the NP Pellets much better than Zeo? I just started Zeo a few days ago. Are you dosing any bacteria source or food source?

Both methods are good, but I prefer biopellets to zeo. The latter one is more sophisticated and involving a great deal of time and work. As opposed to it, the pellets don't need such involvement. From time to time you need only to top up your reactor and that's all.
I don't dose any food for bacteria, the pellets by themselves are the food source. Sometimes, particularly after water change I add some bacteria.
But don't be confused, you can also have a great tank with zeo. I hope that you know that not a method is the most important, but you. Look around and you'll see many awesome tanks running in different way.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/18/2010, 03:04 PM
excellent tank - really makes me want to go home and restart my tank NOW

questions -

Do you use a cover under your lighting unit to prevent salt spray? Do you have any splash issues with the lighting?

The tank is 3 years old right? What you have in there is 3 years of growth?

Thanks, you're very kind.

Yes, ATI powermodule is fitted out with plexi "splash guard" and I clean it quite often.
No, the tank is older, it's almost 4 years after upgrading because of moving house. A lot of corals are 5-8 years old, but you can't see that, because I regularly trim them off Most of them grow so rapidly that I must fragment them often, otherwise I would have to upgrade the glass to bigger one fairly frequently.

Krzysztof

Toadally
06/18/2010, 04:31 PM
Both methods are good, but I prefer biopellets to zeo. The latter one is more sophisticated and involving a great deal of time and work. As opposed to it, the pellets don't need such involvement. From time to time you need only to top up your reactor and that's all.
I don't dose any food for bacteria, the pellets by themselves are the food source. Sometimes, particularly after water change I add some bacteria.
But don't be confused, you can also have a great tank with zeo. I hope that you know that not a method is the most important, but you. Look around and you'll see many awesome tanks running in different way.

Krzysztof

Thanks for the reply! I agree....it's all in the husbandry and keeping up with things.

ukrimless
06/18/2010, 05:21 PM
Still world class, you deserve TOTM for all your efforts.
Reefkeeping is a constant battle for many, but seeing your results certainly keeps me going. Thanks

Can you tell me why we are not to use the biofilm from the pellets to feed our corals as we would with the zeo stones?
I know skimming the film will remove the baceria laden with nitrate and phospate, but how does it differ from zeo?
Also a lot of threads I have read say pellets struggle to keep up with the removal of PO4, do you find it necessary to run any additional media?
Lastly do you rinse your frozen foods prior to feeding.

Thanks in advance

Vince

jsdancer
06/18/2010, 10:19 PM
What a gorgeous tank! It is wonderful to see someone else who found RC and made it their home for learning and sharing experiences.
I have questions but will look throughout the thread to see if someone has already asked.
1. Emperor angelfish
2. The pellet method
Ohhhh by the way MANY CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

urb77
06/19/2010, 10:46 AM
Beautiful tank.

Can you please guide me how preparing preparing Ca and kH solutions?
Thanks
urb77

lunar
06/19/2010, 02:28 PM
Still world class, you deserve TOTM for all your efforts.
Reefkeeping is a constant battle for many, but seeing your results certainly keeps me going. Thanks

Can you tell me why we are not to use the biofilm from the pellets to feed our corals as we would with the zeo stones?
I know skimming the film will remove the baceria laden with nitrate and phospate, but how does it differ from zeo?
Also a lot of threads I have read say pellets struggle to keep up with the removal of PO4, do you find it necessary to run any additional media?
Lastly do you rinse your frozen foods prior to feeding.

Thanks in advance

Vince

Thanks a lot.
What comes effortlessly doesn't give great satisfaction. So don't give up.

It's not really like that - the outlet of reactor is placed near the pump of the skimmer, it isn't fitted into the skimmer directly. Thus, not all biomass from the pellets is immediately removed by a skimmer, even as you have a very efficient one. In zeo a zeolith reactor is also suggested to be placed before the skimmer. So both methods remove the surplus of bacteria in the same way.
I don't need any additional media for removing PO4, the pellets are effective enough themselves.
Yes, I always rinse frozen food.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/19/2010, 02:29 PM
What a gorgeous tank! It is wonderful to see someone else who found RC and made it their home for learning and sharing experiences.
I have questions but will look throughout the thread to see if someone has already asked.
1. Emperor angelfish
2. The pellet method
Ohhhh by the way MANY CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Thanks for your comment. If you have a specific question, I'll reply willingly.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/19/2010, 03:08 PM
Beautiful tank.

Can you please guide me how preparing preparing Ca and kH solutions?
Thanks
urb77

Thanks a lot.

Presently I use two solutions through GROTECH TEC III dosing pump.
1) 480 g NaHCO3 (sodium hydrogen carbonate for kH in 5 l RO/DI water,
2) 2 kg CaCl2 x 2H2O (calcium chloride dehydrate) in 5 l RO/DI water
Mg is added manually from time to time when its level decreases.
I dissolve 2 kg MgCl2 x 6H2O (magnesium chloride hex hydrate) in 5 l RO/DI water.
The quantity of solutions that I add depends on the consumption in my tank. I check kH, Ca and Mg regularly and adjust the dosages accordingly.

Krzysztof

ashley41576
06/19/2010, 03:12 PM
wow!! gorgeous tank!!

jsdancer
06/19/2010, 10:46 PM
Ok here goes,
Looks like you have an emperor anglefish. While I love this fish I have been told it is a no, no for reef tanks.
How long have you had yours?
How is it coming along with you corals?
Why did you add one?

Pellets
Any links to places that carry the product?
I would like to know more about this product?

lunar
06/20/2010, 04:36 AM
I agree, generally angelfish isn't reef safe.You have to keep a close eye on it. First of all, they love soft corals, as juveniles at least. My imperator is juvenile, he has been peaceful and hasn't nipped any corals so far. I've had him for several months. I bought him for controlling my zoanthids but he hasn't fancied them up to now. He isn't the first imperator in my reef tank. The previous one loved not only zoanthids but also- unfortunatelly- clams. I had to catch him and give him to zoo. But none of them was interested in sps corals. But his taste is likely to change when he grows up.
Read this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1694529 Here you find not only reefers' opinions but also a lot of Jean Paul ten Klooster's explanations (he is the guy who developed biopellets, his nick: jptenklooster)

Krzysztof

lunar
06/20/2010, 04:38 AM
wow!! gorgeous tank!!

Thanks, I'm glad you like it.

Krzysztof

speedboat
06/20/2010, 04:40 AM
:eek2:WOW! awesome tank...
One dayn if I'm keeping sps I'll discuss with you pal...

lunar
06/20/2010, 04:57 AM
Thank you, hope you will join sps keepers soon. :)

Krzysztof

Anemone0524
06/20/2010, 01:34 PM
Krzysztof -i don't see that this was asked...where did you get the display tank from? Was it custom built for your system? What vendor? Thanks!

lunar
06/20/2010, 02:43 PM
I designed the tank myself and it was as a whole custom built in Poland.

The whole tank looks like that:
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5651/jpg0038edited2.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/i/jpg0038edited2.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

SunnyX
06/20/2010, 09:29 PM
Congrats Krzysztof, this is one of my favorite tanks in the world!!! :thumbsup:

moondoggy4
06/20/2010, 10:56 PM
Thanks for a great tank I just read the whole thread very inspiring, I just switched my tank to a new stand, and ready to start building it up again. What kind of glue do you use? I have never had any luck gluing rock or coral I found a grave yard of corals when I rinsed my sand.

lunar
06/21/2010, 01:03 PM
Congrats Krzysztof, this is one of my favorite tanks in the world!!! :thumbsup:

Thank you very much and vice-versa, I'm impressed by your "pearl".

Krzysztof

lunar
06/21/2010, 01:04 PM
Thanks for a great tank I just read the whole thread very inspiring, I just switched my tank to a new stand, and ready to start building it up again. What kind of glue do you use? I have never had any luck gluing rock or coral I found a grave yard of corals when I rinsed my sand.

Thanks a lot.
I neither drill holes into rocks nor fasten them together with epoxy, rods, airline tubing or putty. I don't want the rocks be fixed permanently. As regards the corals I use DD AuaScape construction epoxy most often.

Krzysztof

jsdancer
06/21/2010, 07:51 PM
Great! Thanks!
Ok here goes,
Looks like you have an emperor anglefish. While I love this fish I have been told it is a no, no for reef tanks.
How long have you had yours?
How is it coming along with you corals?
Why did you add one?

Pellets
Any links to places that carry the product?
I would like to know more about this product?

heaton
06/22/2010, 10:33 AM
Beautiful Tank!

Leucomelas
06/23/2010, 01:10 AM
Hi Krzysztof,

Very nice tank you've got there! I can only dream of that kind of colors in my tank. I really love your evansi's! Are they still doing well?

By the way, I think you don't have a Liopropoma carmabi, but a L. swalesi.
It's got the black dot on the anal fin, en the colors aren't as vivid as with the carmabi. They're being imported under the wrong name from the phillipines.
Beautiful fish though!!

Greets from Holland!

Tim

lunar
06/23/2010, 11:08 AM
Thanks heaton and Leukomelas.

Tim, regarding Liopropoma I got it as carmabi, but you are right - I checked that and I agree with you - it's swalesi. Thank you.
My evansi's feel very good, they are even faster than quamipinnis when I feed fish.

Greets from Poland! :beer:

Krzysztof

mteem
06/25/2010, 11:06 AM
Krzysztof how long have you had the Pomacanthus imperator in your tank. I would love to try one, but I've always been afraid that it would destroy my corals.

lunar
06/26/2010, 02:21 AM
Krzysztof how long have you had the Pomacanthus imperator in your tank. I would love to try one, but I've always been afraid that it would destroy my corals.

I have already written about it, read #114. You always take a risk that your imperator will have a fancy to sps corals even if it is juvenile.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/26/2010, 02:22 AM
beautiful!!!

Thanks a lot.

Krzysztof

Anemone0524
06/26/2010, 07:01 AM
Krzysztof - Sorry i searched everywhere and I could not find where you show what protein skimmer you are using in your setup. It looks like a BK maybe. Would you mind sharing?

Thanks!

lunar
06/26/2010, 12:44 PM
You're right, sorry. I placed a photo of the skimmer but forgot to call it. It was Korallenzucht Revolution M, not BK.

Krzysztof

PurdueMAN_08
07/04/2010, 07:03 AM
Your tank is beautiful and you inspired me for my recent purchase of 15 SPS frags that will be here Tuesday! I am also looking into the Biopellets and see they have reactors made specifically for them now which is nice.

On another note, I'm sure it would be nice for people asking questions to atleast read this thread since it is only 6 pages and the TOTM article. It is tiresome reading questions that were already talked about and even worse already answered by lunar in this thread.

plyle02
07/04/2010, 08:14 PM
Krzysztof,
Congrats on TOTM, well deserved and all together outstanding reef. I am weaning off zeo right now, and merged to NP Biopellets as well. I believe some of the zeo supps do interfere with NP performance as I suffer cyano and lately diatoms, incendentally, right after dosing zeo supps. I have been using in conjunction with Bak, SP, BB, KB, CS, ZZ, Zeo Spur, Extra, AAHC. I think they are simply designed with use of zeolites and start2, don't get me wrong, my colors are nice, but algae deposits are growing. I think I will discontinue all supplements and only feed and run biopellets for now. One question though, seems others have to run in conjunction with GFO, do you feel the pellets are keeping up with PO4 demands? Thanks in advance... Again, congratulations and keep the updates coming, it is very much appreciated.
Kindest Regards,

lunar
07/07/2010, 02:36 PM
Your tank is beautiful and you inspired me for my recent purchase of 15 SPS frags that will be here Tuesday! I am also looking into the Biopellets and see they have reactors made specifically for them now which is nice.

On another note, I'm sure it would be nice for people asking questions to atleast read this thread since it is only 6 pages and the TOTM article. It is tiresome reading questions that were already talked about and even worse already answered by lunar in this thread.

Sorry that I answer only now but I have been travelling for some time and I don't have the Internet access all time.

Thank you very much for your kind words. Hope your SPS frags are nice and you're happy.

Krzysztof

lunar
07/07/2010, 03:10 PM
Krzysztof,
Congrats on TOTM, well deserved and all together outstanding reef. I am weaning off zeo right now, and merged to NP Biopellets as well. I believe some of the zeo supps do interfere with NP performance as I suffer cyano and lately diatoms, incendentally, right after dosing zeo supps. I have been using in conjunction with Bak, SP, BB, KB, CS, ZZ, Zeo Spur, Extra, AAHC. I think they are simply designed with use of zeolites and start2, don't get me wrong, my colors are nice, but algae deposits are growing. I think I will discontinue all supplements and only feed and run biopellets for now. One question though, seems others have to run in conjunction with GFO, do you feel the pellets are keeping up with PO4 demands? Thanks in advance... Again, congratulations and keep the updates coming, it is very much appreciated.
Kindest Regards,

Thanks a lot. I saw your tank, the colours of your corals are really nice, congratulations.
Sorry to hear about algae in your tank, hope you'll cope with them quick.
I think that the biopellets in coniunction with regular water changes are sufficient in order to keep PO4 levels very low. But if you feed your fish and corals really heavy, you may need to combine BPs with GFO.

Krzysztof

plyle02
07/08/2010, 11:01 AM
Thanks a lot. I saw your tank, the colours of your corals are really nice, congratulations.
Sorry to hear about algae in your tank, hope you'll cope with them quick.
I think that the biopellets in coniunction with regular water changes are sufficient in order to keep PO4 levels very low. But if you feed your fish and corals really heavy, you may need to combine BPs with GFO.

Krzysztof

Thanks for the kind words Krzysztof:)
I appreciate the reply... Out of curiosity, what salts are you currently using in your system? I have been using TMPR myself for 2 years, but am thinking of making a new salt choice as I am almost depleted on my TMPR bucket... Thank You,

lunar
07/09/2010, 10:29 AM
I have been using Instant Ocean made in Europe and hope it doesn't differ from one made in US. I'm happy with it for the time being but it's too short time to be sure that it can be my favourite salt. I just came back to my first salt choice after many years of using different salt mixes.

Krzysztof

plyle02
07/09/2010, 04:22 PM
Thank you for your reply:)

AndrewB
07/19/2010, 06:05 AM
Hi Krzysztof

Great tank !!!

I too am considering the NP Biopellets router and also have a KZ Small Reactor on a 100 Gallon Tank.

Can you tell me what modifications you did to the unit to make it suitable for fluidising the pellets.

What pump are you using to feed the reactor

Many Thanks

Andrew

lunar
07/19/2010, 12:03 PM
Thank you, Andrew.

These are my modifications:
1/ I removed a magnet
2/ I put tee in to provide a better water circulation
3/ I changed an original pump for a pump New-Jet 2300 with regulation of flow
4/ The plunger was lifted a little and blocked (I don't use it)

Krzysztof

faln_star
07/29/2010, 07:53 PM
nice tank

SCIFI_3D_zoo
09/01/2010, 08:50 PM
The things that caught my attention about your setup was the focus on making it easy to maintain. I'll have to read more about BIOpellets. It's a recent thing for me and I know nothing about it. I've been using Prodibio bacterias to help me. So you don't do Zeovit at all now? That stuff.. I read about people using it and it sounds like too much work... 1 drop of this every day, 2 of this every other day, 3 of this 2 times a week. Way too much trouble. BUT... you seem to have gotten the same results with Zeovit. Beautiful colors, phenomenal growth.

Somebody was asking me about SPS's/corals not being able to be exposed to air when doing a water change. Your corals are pretty close to the top. I never heard of anything having a problem with air exposure except sponges. But I never thought about this before. Especiallly with the lights on and cooking a coral out of water. Is that an issue?

I thought about getting a Mg/Alk system like you with the Grotech pumps but I think I decided against it b/c you have to keep the jugs mixed up properly... and/or... I would have had to change it out all the time with a new jug. How does your setup run more specifically? Do you mix up your solutions with a pump? I'm using Limewater at the moment BUT if my tank has growth like yours it probably won't be enough.

I think this is the first time, at least in awhile, I've seen a TOTM with only T5's. Have you used HQI/MH before?

recife111
09/02/2010, 01:47 AM
Nice tank, are you using Fauna Marin Ultralith system.

lunar
09/03/2010, 01:35 PM
Thanks faln star, SCIFI 3D zoo.

I usually do a water change when the lights are dimmed, otherwise I turn them off for a moment. The corals are exposed to air for about 10-15 minutes, they release a bit of slime but get better quickly. It can't be so harmful to corals as I often do water changes - once a week - and my corals are fine.

Only NaHCO3 is mixed with a pump, other chemicals dissolve easily. I prepare the saturated solutions, so I don't have to change them out with a new jug too often, e.g. 20 liters of kH solution is prepared every 3-4 weeks and it's consumed most. This method has worked for me for 4 years.

Yes, I used to have HQI. Look at this thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1755962

Nice tank, are you using Fauna Marin Ultralith system.

Thanks recife111
No, I've never tried this system.

Krzysztof

SCIFI_3D_zoo
09/03/2010, 02:53 PM
Might be other factors here... but I can tell by the pics your old tank with HQI's is brighter. So what's the advantage of HQI's? It's more expensive, hotter, more electricity. It just replaces maybe 6 of the T5's? Save space. Maybe you get faster growth... which you prob. don't want now.

I was all set to go with a LFS and get a new light setup b/c a few people are telling me my 90gal 24" deep needs 250W MH's... I have a 150W with 2 pc bulbs now. Was gonna get a custom setup with nice reflectors, etc. THEN I see your tank with all T5's. DO wish it was a little brighter though.

It's only 2 things... Alk and Ca. So you don't need to mix your Ca soln'... and you have a small cheap pump in a Alk container? Prepare them?? You mean you buy bulk stuff chemicals? Like I was saying I was looking into Grotech pumps and doing this too then it seemed I would be going through a lot of chemicals and have to change it out weekly (have to refill my Kalk ATO weekly too tho), worry about mixing this stuff, etc. I ended up going with Kalk. How much Ca+ do you go through... gallons/week? You said you use Kh (ALK) 20 liters (5.5 gallons ) every 3-4 weeks. That's a lot but you have a lot of SPS's.

How do the Biopellets work?? I have an old Phosban reactor but... I got so sick of cleaning that thing.

I don't know how you guys keep your back glass so clean. I don't have a lot of "FRAGILE" sps's all over back there and I still break things, can't reach it all, etc. you must have an easy way to get back there and have 4-6" of space. I just let my back grow coralline and not it looks like a mess. I thought it would look more natural like a big rock.

SCIFI_3D_zoo
09/05/2010, 12:05 PM
Another thing... I usually have the lights on doing water changes and it takes me a lot longer than 10-15 mins. I wonder what other people's feelings are on this. Of all the TOTM's I've ready I never head anybody mention this as an issue.

lunar
09/05/2010, 12:32 PM
I don't think that T5's give a darker look of a tank than MH's. It depends what bulbs you use, you can put more of white lights on and the effect will be utterly different.

I buy all chemicals of pharmaceutical purity in the form of powders. I dissolve them with RO/DI water in 20 l buckets; as magnesium and calcium dissolve easily I mix them with a plastic tube for about 5 minutes; to prepare alk solution I put a pump into the bucket with the water and NaHCO3 powder and mix longer. How long, it depends on how cold the water is, the colder water the longer time - 1 hour or 2 hours... Then I pour my solutions from the buckets to the containers and turn the dosing pump on. Currently I dose 680 ml of kH solution and 160 of ca solution daily. Mg is added manually only if it is necessary.

The biopellets work greatly for me, I've never have had any problems with them. I've added 500 ml recently because the phosphates increased to 0,03 and after two days they came back to 0,01. Nitrates are undetectable all the time.

I don't clean the back glass because haven't access to it.

Krzysztof

SCIFI_3D_zoo
09/05/2010, 04:55 PM
I thought a MH is brighter than any T5... no? Even a number of T5 bulbs. I thought that was the main reason for going with a MH. Can't be b/c of heat and energy use.

You must just have a very very clean system. I can't keep diff. types of algae growing... and if I let it go for months it'll get worse and worse. The back of your tank, and elsewhere, are impecably clean. You clean your skimmer once a week or more? Plus you did say you feed 3x daily.

SCIFI_3D_zoo
09/06/2010, 03:27 PM
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1902494 Had an interesting topic in this thread of mine and wanted to know your opinion?? If you don't want to read.. it's basically about doing a 30% wtr chg with 11.5 dKh ALK on a tank that is 8 dKh. Is that gonna harm things, SPS's?? Doing the math it ends up being a sudden... 1.2 dKh chg or so. Not that big of a deal but I worry putting in 11-12 dKh water like that would be rough on corals.

lunar
09/12/2010, 09:59 AM
Sorry that you've waited for my reply so long
I clean my skimmer once a week at least. The cleaner skimmer the works better so I clean it as often as possible, if I have time, even every day.
Regarding the presence of algae in a tank, we use too many various additives in my opinion and they stimulate the growth of many types of algae. We aren't sure what minerals and what their quantities are really consumed by corals so add them just in case because others do that. I prefer to depend on regular water changes rather than to pour various "necessary" liquids. Perhaps that is why my tank is so clean, without any algae.
If you're happy with the salt mix except of its high alk level, why do you do 30% water change? Keep on using your salt mix but change your routine of wtr chg.- less of change water at a time and do that more often . Then you'll avoid a sudden increase of alk, your corals will consume that and your parameters will be more constant. It's a safer way and you won't worry about it. BTW 1,2 dKh change won't hurt the corals at once but it;s better to avoid such things. My situation is similar - tank water is 9 dkh and from some time I have used salt mix that is also reach in alk, about 11 dkh. I would be affraid to make a larger water change at once.

Krzysztof

SCIFI_3D_zoo
09/12/2010, 12:57 PM
I do it b/c... I'll go 1-2 months... even 3 months (but 2 was the goal)... without water changes. My tank is really established and I read about some other TOTM's going 2-3 months. My goal is as less maintainance as possible. That was one of the things I liked about your TOTM.. you mentioned how little work you do on it.

sam adams
09/12/2010, 01:03 PM
wow nice tank. i recently got back into the hobby with a smaller tank and must say its alot harder to keep things in line. whole lot of maint.

lunar
09/13/2010, 01:54 PM
Thank you, sam adams. I wish you great tank.

SCIFI 3D zoo, I'm not a believer such infrequent water changes, even if you have established tank. This way you can't keep stability in your tank. It would be better to find another salt mix with less alk.

Krzysztof

nuclearheli
09/15/2010, 07:38 AM
First, my hat is off to you. I am not new to reef tanks but I am only several months into building a new tank that I hope will come out like yours and your experience and advice is fantastic. Thank you, some day I hope my tank is equally as beautiful.


**** Sorry, just found the answer to my question on #114. No need to respond.

thanks

One question regarding your live stock. The Pomacanthus imperator struck my eye on the video and the picture on the web site. I have been debating adding this fish to my prior tanks and now this new tank for well over a year but always back off because everything I read states that the species is not reef compatible. I also have a Clam in the tank. You seem to have had excellent results. This may have been covered already but can you comment on the angel fish and how well it does in a tank with lots of SPS and some LPS corals?

lunar
09/15/2010, 12:34 PM
Thank you, nuclearheli. If you love your reef and you aren't too lazy, I'm sure you will succeed. Wish you all the best.

My imperator is 3 months older now and, fortunately, his taste hasn't changed, he has demonstrated indifference to my clam and SPS corals so far.

Krzysztof

Denadai
09/18/2010, 08:37 PM
Never is too late to say, awesome tank....one of the bests TOTM that I saw

This reef is a real inspiration for all of us

Well I will give a chance to biopellets in my new reef

Congrats !!

Best Regards

lunar
10/04/2010, 12:54 PM
Denadai, never is too late to say "thank you". :)
Sorry. I haven't looked here for some time.

Regards,
Krzysztof

reeflover7826
10/08/2010, 12:35 PM
Very very beautiful tank very deserving of tank of the month! This tank has inspired me.

I am wanting to change to biopellets because of the cost and simpleness.

I currently run full zeovit and it is starting to get a little pricey. How did you transition, was it slowly or did you you just take zeolites out one day and replaced with biopellets and stopped dosing zeostart?

Have you noticed any difference in color of corals?

Are you currently dosing any additives (besides ca alk and mg) at all?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm excited that there is a more simple approach to achieve a tank as beautiful as yours.

Thanks, Richard.

lunar
10/10/2010, 01:29 PM
Thanks Richard, you're very kind.

I gave up zeo immediately and replaced it with biopellets. If your tank is in good form, you can do it this way. But if you want to play safe, don't take zeolites and keep a reactor with pellets at the same time. After 2-3 weeks remove the zeolites.
The color of corals became deeper, they aren't so pale like in zeo method.
I mainly rely on frequent water changes and add anything sporadically.

Krzysztof

Schaun
10/27/2010, 03:58 AM
I was looking for some info on NP pellets when i stumbled across the tank of the month.
Your tank is every refers dream, proof of what can be done.
Iv always been a fan of the Zeovit system but i can simply not run it on my system as it is to big 2500L(660.43 US g)
I started my tank on NP Pellets because the idea seemed plausible to me.
But in SA I'm the only one using this method with success, everyone is just not getting it to work.

Now to me you are the benchmark to NP pellets.
Can you please give us some advice on how to run a system.
Some questions i have been pondering.

1. How many pallets do you use ?
2. How do you run the Zeo reactor, how many times a week do you give it a plunge ?
3. Must the pellets be in constant motion or not ?
4. Where is the zeo reactors outlet. Before or after your skimmer.
5. DO you use any other method with the pellets to keep the nutrients low or are your pallets doing the trick ?
6. Do you use any additives ?
7. How much water do you change and how often.
8. What do you feed your corals, how much and how often.

I know all the questions are overwhelming. But please help us with your knowledge. Would love to give my live stock the best and also have something as beautiful as yours.

SCIFI_3D_zoo
10/27/2010, 07:03 AM
I was thinking about BioPellets a couple of months ago myself until I started talking to my LFS's about a new larger setup. I started asking more and more questions about what they're doing in the store with the big display tanks. Some of the things I noticed...

- no biopellets
- no zeovit
- no phosban reactors
- NO REFUGIUMS
- no chemical additives
- no nothing

What they do use are good lights, excellent FLOW, and a really good SKIMMER. These are big 150-200 gallon tanks will full SPS and lots of big fish. Apparantly the skimmer is taking care of cleaning the water so well that you don't have to worry about a lot of stuff. Their sumps are so clean... no refugium, etc. Just filter socks, skimmer, return pump. You have to have a really good skimmer though..... (Bubble King, etc.) There are a few brands that are this good. But they are a little more expensive.

lunar
10/29/2010, 11:15 AM
I was looking for some info on NP pellets when i stumbled across the tank of the month.
Your tank is every refers dream, proof of what can be done.
Iv always been a fan of the Zeovit system but i can simply not run it on my system as it is to big 2500L(660.43 US g)
I started my tank on NP Pellets because the idea seemed plausible to me.
But in SA I'm the only one using this method with success, everyone is just not getting it to work.

Now to me you are the benchmark to NP pellets.
Can you please give us some advice on how to run a system.
Some questions i have been pondering.

1. How many pallets do you use ?
2. How do you run the Zeo reactor, how many times a week do you give it a plunge ?
3. Must the pellets be in constant motion or not ?
4. Where is the zeo reactors outlet. Before or after your skimmer.
5. DO you use any other method with the pellets to keep the nutrients low or are your pallets doing the trick ?
6. Do you use any additives ?
7. How much water do you change and how often.
8. What do you feed your corals, how much and how often.

I know all the questions are overwhelming. But please help us with your knowledge. Would love to give my live stock the best and also have something as beautiful as yours.

Thanks for your kind words.

It's a good idea to use biopellets in such a big tank. Some people find them too expensive, however the NP pellets seem to be cheaper than other methods in the course of time.

1. I started with 1000ml of NP pellets, then I increased their quantity to 2000ml.
2. I replaced the zeo reactor with a pellets reactor some time ago. But when I used the zeo reactor, I didn't give it a plunge at all.
3. Yes, they must be in constant motion all the time. Your pump should be adjusted so that the pellets can tumble slowly.
4. Before the inlet of your skimmer. You don't want everything from the pellets reactor get into your display tank.
5. This is the only method I use. The best thing about it is that I don't need anything else.
6. I add aminoacids - a few drops a week and some different bacteria after water change from time to time.
7. 10% per week
8. I feed my fish on about 10 cubes of mixed frozen food 2 to 3 times a day. The corals get Reef Pearls twice a week and seafood minced with a blender once a week

There are only a strong skimmer, the reactor for the NP pellets and a bag with activated carbon in my sump. Simple and effective.
If you like zeo colours of corals, you can sometimes use some zeo additives in very small doses, they are compatible with the pellets.
Because there are plenty of various products on the market, I'd like to stress that I have used only NP reducing BioPellets from Reef Interests, I can't say anything about other pellets.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
I wish you the best.

Krzysztof

lunar
10/29/2010, 01:41 PM
I was thinking about BioPellets a couple of months ago myself until I started talking to my LFS's about a new larger setup. I started asking more and more questions about what they're doing in the store with the big display tanks. Some of the things I noticed...

- no biopellets
- no zeovit
- no phosban reactors
- NO REFUGIUMS
- no chemical additives
- no nothing

What they do use are good lights, excellent FLOW, and a really good SKIMMER. These are big 150-200 gallon tanks will full SPS and lots of big fish. Apparantly the skimmer is taking care of cleaning the water so well that you don't have to worry about a lot of stuff. Their sumps are so clean... no refugium, etc. Just filter socks, skimmer, return pump. You have to have a really good skimmer though..... (Bubble King, etc.) There are a few brands that are this good. But they are a little more expensive.

What significant difference in equipment, additives, etc. can you see between your LFS's tanks and mine? The difference comes down to one thing -the biopellets.
Their tanks are full of SPS corals. How long do the corals stay in that place? Their good condition isn't a proof of the method. Aren't they changed constantly, aren't they sold and replaced with new ones? Did you check their water?
I also used to run my SPS tank with Berlin method years ago. I know now that my corals looked blue then.
They are colourful now and fast growing. Can you say the same about your LFS's corals ? Are you sure that those corals are the same as they were a week ago?

Krzysztof

ejcatmul
11/20/2010, 03:09 PM
How long does it take to establish a tank like this? I can only imagine

lunar
11/23/2010, 02:16 PM
If you set up your system properly and nothing bad happens, it takes about two years.

Krzysztof

caliking
12/17/2010, 01:48 AM
hi. what an amazing tank you have. I was wondering what your light color combo is from back to front? you have great color balance on the 10 lamp ATI. :thumbsup:

lunar
12/19/2010, 10:40 AM
Thanks a lot.

Presently there are ATI blue plus and Ati aquablue sp. alternately. I set only one KZ Fiji purple in the middle.

Krzysztof

brian15876
12/19/2010, 03:53 PM
i can only hope to build something this nice one day

heller792
01/14/2011, 12:31 PM
sorry if you have answered this in the thread but i just wanted to ask a quick question. What do you use for phosphates? Is it algae or something like rowaphos?

thanks, Dave

lunar
01/14/2011, 02:51 PM
Thank you brian15876, hope that you' ll make it, I wish you that.

Dave, there's no reason why I should use algae, rowaphos or other PO4 remover, because my phosphates are low enough, 0,01-0,03. My filtration consists of an very efficient skimmer "Red Skim", a reactor for NP reducing biopellets and a bag with activated carbon. I don't have anything more in my sump.

Krzysztof

heller792
01/15/2011, 12:41 AM
Dzien dobry Krzysztof

thans pal, i would love the same sort of growth and colour as you pal but im a long way from it. I currently run bio pearls after trying many different ways just like yourself. I have an in tank dsb, a very good skimmer. Loads of live rock, filter sock, and algae in the sump. The reason im concerned is although i have undetectable phos on a salifert ive been reading that the bio pearls are not good at reducing phos but great at no3. I also have a reefresh block in the first chamber of my sump with some bio balls. Sorry to myther you but im just like everyone else and im in total aww of your tank and its just like im trying to acheive myself. Do you add any additives?

heres a pic of mine, its only in the early days but if you could offer me some advice please or you could do it over pm if you like and if you have the time to advise me. Its 4x2x2 total volume is about 400L, flow is 2 mp40 and an ocean runner 3500, lighting is by 2x250w blv nepturion.
http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r413/heller792/IMG_5926-1.jpg

again sorry to bother you and i hope you dont mind. Like i said i would like to take this on to p.ms is you can so im not hijacking your thread

Dave

seth&angelle
02/27/2011, 11:03 AM
Krzysztof,

Just read the article on Reefkeeping.com. You have a spectacular tank! It is absolutely stunning. One of my new favorites. I read that at one time you were running your system skimmerless with miracle mud. Would you mind telling me a little about your experience. In my experience with it, I have always maintained zero nitrates and phosphates. I also run a GFO reactor. Anyways, I'm just curious as to what made you change to the Zeovit method? Was it easier and less maintenance? Thank you for your time.

lunar
02/27/2011, 01:10 PM
Thanks a lot.

My system was running skimmerless for about a year. There was a refugium with Miracle Mud and Chaetomorpha in the sump, a calcium reactor, a reactor with rowa, a reactor with limewater, dsb in the main tank. I don't know whether you encountered the thread "history of lunar's reef" (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1755962). Here you can see how my skimmerless tank looked like in 2007. That method worked well for me but I wanted to try something different, just out of curiosity. I chose zeovit and it proved fine method too but all those bottles were bothering me. My tank has been running NP reducing biopellets for over the year now. There's only a reactor for the pellets and a bag with activated carbon in the sump - a simple and effective method.
I learned that various methods may be successful, there's more than one way.

Krzysztof

seth&angelle
02/27/2011, 07:24 PM
Thank you very much for the response. Your reef truly is a inspiration.

Junz
03/23/2011, 10:28 AM
Krzysztof any update on your tank ?

lunar
03/26/2011, 03:13 PM
I keep the same method and haven't changed anything what could be significant. Since my tank was honoured of TOTM title I've replaced KZ skimmer and KZ reactor with a Red skimmer 250 and a reactor for biopellets, both made in Poland.
Here is the recent photo of my tank:

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/4452/jpg152.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2nWeDHiFXk&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Krzysztof

SCIFI_3D_zoo
03/26/2011, 05:35 PM
What is that on the left side... frogspawn? That's a huge piece of coral.

You know if there's an article or something, or where did you get your info when you researched BIO PELLETS?

lunar
03/27/2011, 02:16 AM
There is a green Birdsnest - seriatopora caliendrum on the left.
When I decided to change the method I was searching the Internet and happened on a thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1694529.
So it all started.

Krzysztof

Luiz Seadorf
04/15/2011, 12:56 AM
Beatiful tank

Please explain how you are dosing Tropic Marin Trace Elements and making your water changes. Using Balling light or classic ?

Luiz Seadorf
04/15/2011, 04:08 PM
I read your old posts and notice you are using balling light. Why you choose this aproach ? Have any problems with ionic balance ? I was quite sure about using Tropic Marin NaCl free salt in a balling classic but seeing now your results dosing Trace Elements and weekly water changes to compensate salinity I'm in doubt again.

lunar
04/17/2011, 12:19 PM
I don't dose TM trace elements on specific schedule, these are really trace quantities, added manually, about 2ml of each of them a week.
I do 10% water change every week and it's the one of the most important action in the regular maintenance of my tank.
I have used three maximum saturated solutions for calcium, magnesium and carbonates and have added them regarding the requirements of my system, i.e. without calculating and gram precise mixing of them for about 5 years. Ionic imbalance? I haven't experienced that unless I just was in the course of changing a salt mix. But it doesn't signify there's ionic imbalance, you must always adjust your dosing to your salt mix.

Krzysztof

Luiz Seadorf
04/19/2011, 11:48 PM
Thanks for the answer
I will try your method. I live in Brazil and here classic balling is very difficult to use because NaCl free salt is rarely found to sell. The balling quimical products are cheap and Tropic Marin Traces could be found but very few aquarists here use any kind of balling method, they prefer calcium reactors. As I travel frequently (3-4 days) I think balling is safer. And to make my point recently a famous brazilian aquarist had an accident with the reactor that killed everything.
When you choose this balling flavor, where you research ? Have an article or any kind of link showing how to calculate the doses ?

Another questions.
Have any problem to mantain your LPS, regarding to circulation ? Dose any amino-acid ?

Some peaple says GFO helps to bring PO4 to zero and helps in case Sulfide hidrogen escapes the biopellet. Have you consider using GFO ?

Thanks, sorry for many questions. Really like your tank and I´m considering your ideas in my new tank.

Luiz Seadorf
04/21/2011, 01:55 AM
Don´t need to answer, I read all posts carefully and find the answers. Only curious of what amino-acid and bacteria brands you dose after water changes. And avout WC, what water salinity you use to replace, I supose less than the one in your tank, to compensate the extra NaCl. Or not ?
Thanks.

SputnikNYC
07/16/2011, 10:43 PM
Absolutely Masterpiece!

Just one question, do you vacuum or syphon your sand bed?

Good luck from Ukraine :)

shelby_cos
07/17/2011, 12:08 AM
Amazing aquarium:inlove:
I am in the process of changing from full zeo to biopellets in favor of less work and expense. So that being the case I already have ULNS from running zeo over a year. Tank is about 100g net water amount and already 0 nitrate, 0 phosphate(hanna) so how much BP's should I start with, and is it a good idea to run the BP's with some of the zeo stones to speed up the bac colonization process?
Your thoughts much appreciated!:lol2:

syedjilani
07/17/2011, 12:10 AM
Thank you, syedjilani.
I dose 170 ml of calcium and 750 ml of alkalinity every day.

Krzysztof

How much Calcium chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate you mix with how much quantity of water?

Do you add Magnesium? when and how much the dose?
how much Magnesium chloride and Magnesium sulfate you add in how much water volume?

Sorry man to asking you too many questions.

lunar
10/01/2011, 12:12 PM
Thanks for the answer
I will try your method. I live in Brazil and here classic balling is very difficult to use because NaCl free salt is rarely found to sell. The balling quimical products are cheap and Tropic Marin Traces could be found but very few aquarists here use any kind of balling method, they prefer calcium reactors. As I travel frequently (3-4 days) I think balling is safer. And to make my point recently a famous brazilian aquarist had an accident with the reactor that killed everything.
When you choose this balling flavor, where you research ? Have an article or any kind of link showing how to calculate the doses ?

Another questions.
Have any problem to mantain your LPS, regarding to circulation ? Dose any amino-acid ?

Some peaple says GFO helps to bring PO4 to zero and helps in case Sulfide hidrogen escapes the biopellet. Have you consider using GFO ?

Thanks, sorry for many questions. Really like your tank and I´m considering your ideas in my new tank.

Sorry guys, I really don't neglect you, but I've been so absorbed in other things that I haven't looked here.

If you can buy cheaply chemical products for balling / balling light / two part ca & alkalinity supplement system it's a very good and easy method. I don't calculate anything, but adjust the doses to demands of my tank. I prepare 3 x cans (20 liters for Ca, 30 liters for kH and 10 liters for mg). Ca - 2kg for 5 liters, kH - 0,48kg for 5 liters and Mg - 2 kg for 5 liters. WC's are done weekly and the water for change is 34 ppt while there's 35 ppt in my tank.
LPS's are on the bottom, in shadowed places where flow isn't strong.
Aminoacids are dosed from time to time.
Yes, I' m using PO4X4 phosphate remover (a very effective product) in a fluidized filter now.
I add bacteria Biogro 123 (from the Netherlands) after every water change.

Krzysztof

lunar
10/01/2011, 12:26 PM
Absolutely Masterpiece!

Just one question, do you vacuum or syphon your sand bed?

Good luck from Ukraine :)

Thanks.
I don't disturb it deeply, only vacuum its upper layer a bit.

Krzysztof

lunar
10/01/2011, 12:41 PM
Amazing aquarium:inlove:
I am in the process of changing from full zeo to biopellets in favor of less work and expense. So that being the case I already have ULNS from running zeo over a year. Tank is about 100g net water amount and already 0 nitrate, 0 phosphate(hanna) so how much BP's should I start with, and is it a good idea to run the BP's with some of the zeo stones to speed up the bac colonization process?
Your thoughts much appreciated!:lol2:

Sorry, I think that it's too late for my reply.
I replaced zeo with biopellets immediately but running BP's with zeo stones for some time is a safer method for sure. You will avoid an unwanted increase of NO3 and PO4 levels in this way. It would be better to add a half of dose recomended by a producer in the beginning.

Krzysztof

lunar
10/01/2011, 01:05 PM
How much Calcium chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate you mix with how much quantity of water?

Do you add Magnesium? when and how much the dose?
how much Magnesium chloride and Magnesium sulfate you add in how much water volume?

Sorry man to asking you too many questions.

You'll find some replies in #188.
I add only MgCl2 x 6 H20, ca 30-40ml per day. How much you can dose it first of all it depends on your salt mix.

Krzysztof

mstags21
10/01/2011, 01:15 PM
One of the most beautiful aquariums i have ever seen!

wlscrib
10/29/2011, 06:35 PM
I someday want my tank to look like yours so hoping to pick your brain as I've followed some of the same decisions it seems you made along the way. First, I started in 1991 with a basic undergravel, home made skimmer, and limited other features as far as what was offered at that time. Still, I had a nice LPS tank with plenty of wildlife, etc until travel just came too much per return to find elevated levels of all important parameters. I started a new 120 gallon reef 5 months ago with Acan LED 401 lighting (think I finally have it fine tuned as 100 percent will just about torch anything, acros included). Basic aesthetic sand layer bed with a two Vortech pumps simulating timed surge flows to include 2-3x daily bottom currents for housekeeping and food for corals. Still running a fuge with chaeto and miracle mud, very effective MRC Ca reactor and an excellent skimmer. Have two levels of sump in separate room which puts about 42x turnover per hour. I also am a fan of the bio pellets and have a question below for you. I am currently running GFO in the other uplift reactor but it sounds as if you don't find this necessary for your tank.

Question, with the bio pellets, do you find that they do indeed release a sulfide sort of cyano bacteria as my refugium mud layer will get some now and then (none at all in main tank) and if not, any recommendations? I have the output going straight to my skimmer. Also, it sounds as if the bacteria released by your pellets has certainly led to amazing growth/food for your SPS and enhanced color as well. Would you recommend getting rid of fuge and mud altogether as I sometimes feel my tank is too sterile. Perform 10 percent changes weekly using Brightwell salt mix, spot feed with the new Coral Smoothie (any word on this compared to cyclopeeze anyone?). I like the ingredient list on the smoothie as it really incorporates almost all needed. Other than that I don't need to do much. Thoughts? All my monti's, acros, and LPS are growing however the SPS have a sort of pastel color look which makes me think the tank me be too sterile. stats: 35pp, 80 degrees, Phosphates nil, Nitrates nil, Ka 7.8, Ca 440, Mg 1440, Ph 8.1. Thanks for the pics, I'll try to put some up soon!

Greg 45
10/30/2011, 01:05 PM
Tank is amazing .
I just started po4x4
Should i also run the bio pellets with them.
You mention adding bacteria ???
What brand how much and why ??
Sorry so many questions
I run a anemone tank est 400 gallons
Thanks Greg

lunar
11/03/2011, 06:09 AM
I someday want my tank to look like yours so hoping to pick your brain as I've followed some of the same decisions it seems you made along the way. First, I started in 1991 with a basic undergravel, home made skimmer, and limited other features as far as what was offered at that time. Still, I had a nice LPS tank with plenty of wildlife, etc until travel just came too much per return to find elevated levels of all important parameters. I started a new 120 gallon reef 5 months ago with Acan LED 401 lighting (think I finally have it fine tuned as 100 percent will just about torch anything, acros included). Basic aesthetic sand layer bed with a two Vortech pumps simulating timed surge flows to include 2-3x daily bottom currents for housekeeping and food for corals. Still running a fuge with chaeto and miracle mud, very effective MRC Ca reactor and an excellent skimmer. Have two levels of sump in separate room which puts about 42x turnover per hour. I also am a fan of the bio pellets and have a question below for you. I am currently running GFO in the other uplift reactor but it sounds as if you don't find this necessary for your tank.

Question, with the bio pellets, do you find that they do indeed release a sulfide sort of cyano bacteria as my refugium mud layer will get some now and then (none at all in main tank) and if not, any recommendations? I have the output going straight to my skimmer. Also, it sounds as if the bacteria released by your pellets has certainly led to amazing growth/food for your SPS and enhanced color as well. Would you recommend getting rid of fuge and mud altogether as I sometimes feel my tank is too sterile. Perform 10 percent changes weekly using Brightwell salt mix, spot feed with the new Coral Smoothie (any word on this compared to cyclopeeze anyone?). I like the ingredient list on the smoothie as it really incorporates almost all needed. Other than that I don't need to do much. Thoughts? All my monti's, acros, and LPS are growing however the SPS have a sort of pastel color look which makes me think the tank me be too sterile. stats: 35pp, 80 degrees, Phosphates nil, Nitrates nil, Ka 7.8, Ca 440, Mg 1440, Ph 8.1. Thanks for the pics, I'll try to put some up soon!

mstags21 and wlscrib, thanks for your kind words.

wlscrib, your tank is young and may be too sterile. I don't know how much biopellets you use and what amount of food is available for your corals.Too big quantity of biopellets and inadequate feeding may cause pale colours of the SPS. I'd rather run either biopellets or MM with chaeto, not both together.
As my tank is quite old and my corals are fed heavily I incorporated a phosphate remover into my system. It's PO4X4 phosphate remover in a fluidized filter - very effective, tiny polymer resin.
I experienced cyanobacterial bloom in my friend's tank I take care of. Np reducing biopellets, PO4x4 and regular water changes made the cyanobacteria disapeared totally after 2 months. If all your pellets are in motion they don't release any sulfide.

Krzysztof

lunar
11/03/2011, 07:41 AM
Tank is amazing .
I just started po4x4
Should i also run the bio pellets with them.
You mention adding bacteria ???
What brand how much and why ??
Sorry so many questions
I run a anemone tank est 400 gallons
Thanks Greg

Thank you.

You can use PO4X4 together with biopellets but don't have to do. PO4X4 works with all methods.
I add Biogro 123 bacteria after every water change, you can pour ones of whichever brand available for you. As a matter of fact, there are bacteria in every tank. However it seems to be a good idea to refresh or enlarge their population in a tank from time to time.

Krzysztof

Greg 45
11/03/2011, 03:19 PM
Thank you for the quick responce.
Doing a search this bio-grow is a plant food correct

lunar
11/13/2011, 11:16 AM
You confuse "Biogro" with "Biogrow". Biogro are the bacteria. They are in three bottles. You should use all of them, one by one. The first one provide for transparent water, the second one for reducing ammonia and nitrite, the third one for cleaning rocks, sand, etc. You have different strains of bacteria in each bottle. As far as I know these bacteria will come to US soon.

Krzysztof

Greg 45
11/13/2011, 12:51 PM
Thanks for correcting me.
I will look foward to using these products.

layer3switchguy
11/13/2011, 05:27 PM
Thanks for correcting me.
I will look foward to using these products.

Greg:

Here is the link I found for Biogro. Company is based in the Netherlands. Not much information on the website, and doing a search on Biogro on RC yields nothing. But, Krzysztof's tank is simply beautiful, so along with his exceptional skills as a reefer, there must be something to the product.

Krzysztof - Beautiful tank, and thank you so much for sharing...

http://www.biogro.nl/shop2011/beschrijving.php?id=16&path=10

kipper31
12/24/2011, 06:48 AM
Superb Mate , that would have to be one of the best tanks ive ever seen.:thumbsup:

drexelmed2009
01/08/2012, 10:54 PM
Hi.. can you please tell me what exact ati t5 lights your have in your powermodule I really like your spectrum! YOU have such a great tank...

thank you
Erik

lunar
02/06/2012, 08:34 AM
Thanks, guys. I'm late, as usual, sorry.

Erik, there were ATI blue plus and Ati aquablue sp. alternately with only one KZ Fiji purple in the middle when I took the photos.
Presently kind and combination of T5 is different: 2 x Ultra Royal Blue (Fauna Marin), 4 x Aqua science blue (Aqua Perfekt), 1 x Fiji purple (KZ), 2 x Aqua science duo (Aqua Perfekt) and 1 x Pure actinic (Giesemann).

Krzysztof

Blake2357
02/13/2012, 01:44 PM
First off krzysztof best tank in the world by far IMO. I am basing a lot of my system off of your methods on my 100 gallon reef tank. My first question is can you give a specific species list of your acros? I am interested in a lot of them in my reef because these are the colors I want. Also you made a mention of using a two part solution for your tank. What to part solution do you use? or do you mix this solution yourself? and if so what do you use? Another question is I have purchased an 8 bulb fixture and was going to ask which bulb set up you preferred more the old one with the ATI's or your new set-up that you just posted above as far as overall color of your acros? I was also looking at buying a bubble magus dosing pump as the grotechs are a little pricey, would this work or no?

Blake

Fishbrawler
02/20/2012, 07:02 PM
what is the coral that is big and blue. will you frag for $$$?

Blake2357
02/20/2012, 09:56 PM
I would also like to know if you are willing to frag for $$

flashpanther
04/24/2012, 02:07 AM
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/65-tank-of-the-month

I'm desperate to know what tube combo you used for the TOTM photo shoot and what your using now. Would appreciate greatly. FANTASTIC reef tank. You must be proud! Andy.

BerriersReef
05/04/2012, 01:09 PM
Are the biopellets still doing the job well? Are you running any PO4 reactor after the addition of the polymers? Gorgeous tank btw.

Thanks,
Jeff

Juanrmattos
06/03/2012, 10:17 AM
It has been two yeas since this tank won the TOTM and I still come back to look at it pretty much every week... Still is my favorite tank of them all.

MX175
06/12/2012, 08:24 AM
Krzysztof, Your reef is incredible in it's simplicity and appeal. I noticed that you actually have what appears to be a standard mirror INSIDE of your tank. Is that the case or is it actually on the outside? There has to be a story behind all of that because I don't see other reefers doing that. What are the pros and cons?

Thanks,
MX175

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=192571&stc=1&d=1339510616

klepto
06/12/2012, 04:14 PM
I noticed that you actually have what appears to be a standard mirror INSIDE of your tank. Is that the case or is it actually on the outside?

I think you are mistaken. There is no mirror. The effect is created by the front pane of glass. This is common with glass aquariums.

:)

MX175
06/13/2012, 06:15 AM
If that's the case then my bad. I saw another post on one of his youtube videos where someone else said this was a mirror and took it to be just that. Thanks for the heads up.

lunar
06/17/2012, 01:53 PM
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/65-tank-of-the-month

I'm desperate to know what tube combo you used for the TOTM photo shoot and what your using now. Would appreciate greatly. FANTASTIC reef tank. You must be proud! Andy.

Thank you, Andy.
I don't really remember what tubes were used just then. They were probably mentioned in an TOTM article.
There are now Aqua Science Blue, Aqua Science Duo, Aqua Science Special (all tubes from Aqua Perfekt company) and Ultra Royal Blue (from Fauna Marin) being used in my tank.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/17/2012, 02:17 PM
Are the biopellets still doing the job well? Are you running any PO4 reactor after the addition of the polymers? Gorgeous tank btw.

Thanks,
Jeff

Thank you, Jeff.
The biopellets have been the best method for me so far. Yes, I've been used PO4x4 phosphate remover for some time. This product is effective and works very long so I don't need to change it too often, it is changed every two months in my tank.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/17/2012, 02:20 PM
It has been two yeas since this tank won the TOTM and I still come back to look at it pretty much every week... Still is my favorite tank of them all.

Thank you, very nice words.

Krzysztof

lunar
06/17/2012, 02:25 PM
Krzysztof, Your reef is incredible in it's simplicity and appeal. I noticed that you actually have what appears to be a standard mirror INSIDE of your tank. Is that the case or is it actually on the outside? There has to be a story behind all of that because I don't see other reefers doing that. What are the pros and cons?

Thanks,
MX175

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=192571&stc=1&d=1339510616

Thank you, MX175.
klepto is right, this is only illusion, there is no mirror.

Krzysztof

mandyplo
06/17/2012, 05:56 PM
Hi Krysztof! I am completely blown away by your beautiful tank and it has inspired me so much that I've upgraded a number of things in my tank so as to allow myself to buy corals and be able to grow them properly in my tank!! :D

I have to ask you one question....
I need to know what kind of coral you have in this picture, I have fallen in love with it in your tank and would love to find the same kind for my reef. May I also ask where you bought it? Thank you so much in advance if you see this and reply.

http://i.imgur.com/AraZI.jpg

Thank you and congrats on getting tank of the month you totally deserve it, your tank is UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Sohal Tang Tim
07/09/2012, 05:40 AM
Can you please tell me what brand of phosphate remover you are using.
Are you running it through a reactor? How much are you using please?

So.the bio pellets are keeping Nitrates in check but you are still having
to use Phosphate remover seperate correct?

Very much appreciate your reply.

Thanks kindly

Your tank is amazing...like all have said already...:)

Tim

sea witch1
09/11/2012, 10:06 PM
This tank is a work of art....I catch my breath whenever I catch a glimpse of it. Thank you for showing your beautiful reef. It should be Tank of The Decade!! You have truly raised the bar!!!

Didineedthis
11/30/2012, 02:02 AM
What an amazing tank!! This is the best tank i have ever set my eyes on, just beautiful.

Question for ya.
you state you are using activated carbon
"As an element of chemical filtration I also placed a bag with activated carbon, which is exchanged monthly."

can i ask were do you have this placed in your sump? and how much do you use monthly?

Best Regards

ZR1001
03/18/2013, 10:17 AM
Krzysztof,

What bulb combo would you recommend for 8 bulb fixture?

ZiggyBuster
03/18/2013, 10:27 AM
So...Many...Corals...

So...Jealous!!!!!!!!

Phoenix912
04/23/2013, 05:47 AM
Hello your tank is amazing really great job.

I want to test the NP-Bioppellet because I am currently in KZ cella but requires a lot of stress for me.

but there are now several brand bioppelet well as copy and I would not be wrong.

what brand of NP take you? if you have a link?


thank you very much and sorry for the English I translated with google.






Fred of Switzerland ;-)

brenash711
06/04/2013, 08:28 PM
An Awesome tank...you would probably get sick of people asking you questions...but if you could also add my question to the list it would be great...

I have changed from zeovit to BP 3 months ago and my No3 is at 0...something i could not achieve with Zeovit...I still have some products left over i.e. SP, AA, Iron etc and would like to know what do you dose now?

1) Do you only dose Tropic Marin K and A
2) Amino acids?
3) any other supplements?

Thanks

MikeC120
06/08/2013, 06:41 AM
Amazing tank congrats on your achievements.

There has been a history of tanks of the month not being around very long for whatever reasons, it would be wonderful to know this tank is still dooing well three years after the fact and if you have made any changes for (if possible ) the better.

P.s.Your Youtube video is in my favorites section;)

Update picks?

Again congrats:beer:

Luiz Seadorf
02/28/2014, 12:58 PM
Hi Krzysztof,
Any changes is your system ??