~450G Display (~1000G system) documentary starting

[jnarowe]

very nicely done. can't even tell there's water in there! :)

[sps_holic]

very cool setup. how do you like the color of your sps with those lights? Any thoughts of adding any vho or t5?

[kwl1763]

Thanks SPS, I like the color. One of the main reasons I went with the Reeflux's is specifically so I wouldn't need to run actinic anymore. Would I like a little more blue, yes but that's more $$ out the door and it's better then the XMs which were so yellow that without actinics weren't an option. I may even try the 12ks next year! My other option is to run 10ks in my DEs and then 20k in the single ended so I may try that eventually but I'm reasonably satisfied for now.

[kwl1763]

Well I did end up getting 2 replacement membranes for the Marlin and now there is no issues, 1 TDS out of the RO and zero after the DI.

[jnarowe]

Wow, 1 TDS out of the RO? that's pretty damn good. :)

[kwl1763]

It's less the 30 to start with!!

[ReefingBuddha]

wow... wish i had that. You membranes must last a long time.

[jnarowe]

Very nice. Don't let your guard down on nitrates and phosphates. My incoming is around 78 -85 TDS, but has varying degrees of nitrate, phosphate, and CO2, so I still go through quite a bit of resin.

[afishfanatic]

Keith, that tank is beautiful! Are you sure you are not runnung ozone? :)

[new_world_disor]

very nicely done. ur corals are beautifullll and the fish also. keep the pics comming :)

ad

[jgs107]

that tank is looking great...what are the dimensions again

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10745431#post10745431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Wow, 1 TDS out of the RO? that's pretty damn good. :)

The TDS in N. Ga is pretty good.Mine is 20 TDS coming into my RO/DI.

Tank is looking great!

[kwl1763]

I'll have some updates this week. I picked up a new skimmer

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SQ-OCT-PK&Category_Code=reefflo

I bought it new from a guy who bought it and didn't want anymore for a great deal. I'll probably sell my dual beckeet assuming this works like I want it to.

Nope Dean, no ozone. I still have an ozone setup just sitting in the drawer! tonight I plan on scraping the back glass and all that good stuff so I'll post pics probably tomorrow. I haven't added anything in months now. I lost one really cool bottlebrush that I've had for over a year now for no apparent reason. Everything else is doing fine. I do have a school of 8 anthias in qt right now getting ready to go in next week.

[orchidsnfish]

How are you liking the Reefflo? They look pretty awesome! Any new full tank shots?

Angela

[melev]

http://melevsreef.com/g/bump3.gif

[NuclearReefs]

Oh noes ! ,, Selling the becket,, ???? tank looks great keith.. :)

N

[kwl1763]

Been a while so I'll give a new years eve update! Hope everyone had a great christmas and be safe with your new years activities!

Yes Nathan I'm selling the beckett! It's a great skimmer and to be honest my new one doesn't skim anymore then the old one. very coparable honestly but it uses way less power (a dart vs an Iwaki 100) and the footprint is much smaller and it is much quieter so I'm pretty happy with the switch. I'm going to see if anyone locally wants and if not on to RC! I'm now gravity feeding the Reeflo and the Dart recircs. I have a filter sock now on the output of the skimmer and the drains that don't go through the skimmer. I change them every ~3 days and it amazes me how much dirt they collect!

The tank is doing fine. It's been a bit neglected as of late just because so much other stuff has been going on but is still rocking and rolling. Growth continues to be subpar by past tank standards which still baffles me but it continues to get better and grow faster as tie goes on. It's just taking a bit longer. It should start kicking in now that it's been about 18 months. I'm going to step up water changes and siphon on a more frequent basis in hopes on accelerating growth.

Levels continue to test out well.

Alk continues to be ~10dkh
Calcium ~425
MG ~1300
phosphates and nitrates have never been detectable.

Other then that I've played with bulbs a bit when they needed replacing. I'm now using the Phoenix 14k on my 2 DE bulbs. They are really great and I'm really happy with the massive PAR they put out. I put Reeflux 10ks on the single ended back in August. They look OK but the PAR is awefully low and I can already tell a massive lessening after only 6 months. I don't have a PAR meter (likely my next purchase when I get some $$) to know exactly the decline but I'm confident it's significant. I'll most likely switch back to the XM 10ks and then supplement with VHO actinics. I have avoided supplementation and the associated costs since switching to the Reeflux but I'm just not happy with the setup. If I was running a higher wattage I would be OK but with 250s the Reeflux just aren't giving me enough in my view.

That's about all the talk I can think of so let's get on to the pics!

Full tank

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/FullTank/small.jpg

[kwl1763]

Some coral pics

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/bluetort.jpg

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/efflo.jpg

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/purptip.jpg

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/slimer.jpg

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/thinbranch.jpg

[kwl1763]

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/smalltri.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/purpmont.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/frogspawn.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/pink.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Coral/tricolor.jpg

[kwl1763]

Onto the fish.

To update here is the list in my tank, I doubt I'll add much more but do want a few fairy wrasses and maybe one more fish.

6 female anthias
2 mated neon gobies
2 mated true percs
2 blue throated triggers
1 magnificent foxface
1 regal angel
1 flame angel
1 powder blue tang
1 copperband butterfly
1 scotts wrasse
1 spotted mandarin

It doesn't sound like a high bioload but the triggers, the foxface, the regal and the tang are all in th 6+ inch range now so it's a lot of poop!

Some of these pics aren't the best but I've never included the anthias or the triggers before so figured bad pics were better then no pics.


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Fish/anthias.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Fish/flame.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Fish/mandy.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Fish/femaletrig.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Fish/maletrig.jpg

[kwl1763]

Last Couple

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Fish/foxface.jpg


http://kwl1763.com/Reef/Dec_07/Fish/regal.jpg


Have a great new year!!

[erics3000]

Sweeet..

[jnarowe]

Great to see you post. That Mandarin is a little fatty! :)

[melev]

Your tank is coming along very nicely. I can't wait to see it in person.

[Reeftanks6]

? for you does your foxface pick at any corals and also what is the minimum size tank for a foxface

[46bfinGA]

So Nice. Love the Blue Throat Triggers.

[Harleyguy]

When I get home I would love to come down and see your reef...Awesome, simply awesome...

[NuclearReefs]

Foxface typically need to be in a 75 or larger. Its rare for them to snip at corals. I know some certain person as well that calls them HORSE FISH. That same guy that took 3 years to put a false canopy over his tank in a wall in a little town west of dallas . But i aint pointing no fingers or saying names. :D

Awsome choice of fish Keith.... The regal nipping on anything yet?

[kwl1763]

The regal is outstanding, no nipping and eats anything!

I forgot there is also a red sea sailfin tang in there. He's the bully of the tank to everyone else but I could pick him up with my hand if i wanted to!

The foxface doesn't pic either. You guys have to remember though I have no clams or zos and only one non-SPS (a frogspawn) in my whole tank so it's not like you can compare mine to a mixed reef. I had a one spot in my last tank and he would nip the ends off my green slimer so it would never grow but never touched anything else. Here is a pic of the slimer in the old tank.

http://kwl1763.com/Reef/August05/topslimer.jpg

[NuclearReefs]

Cool. I need to come up and see it soon then, I gotz new car now to . so between work,car, and my new tank project i have my hands full as well. My canopy and my DE lights arrive today .....WOOT !

[melev]

I'd rather burn my retinas staring into 1220w of lighting than look at a Horse fish. :rolleyes:

[jnarowe]

I still have a scar from a love tap from mine over 3 months ago.

[NuclearReefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11505597#post11505597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I'd rather burn my retinas staring into 1220w of lighting than look at a Horse fish. :rolleyes:

You crack me up i tell yah .At least you didnt have to worry about getting a sun tan ,,err would that be a halide tan?... I should buy you a pair and have them shipped to your house. Name them milo and otis......:D

[melev]

How would they fare in my 11g quarantine system? ;)

[kwl1763]

I'm so boring as not much has changed but at least I can give some eye candy!

These are the first pics I've taken this year of my tank. I really need to do it more often.

http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/fulltank.jpg



http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/cleaner.jpg



A few corals


http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/encorange.jpg



http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/bonzai.jpg



http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/monti.jpg



http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/purptip.jpg



http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/slimer.jpg


http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/tort.jpg


http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/duncan.jpg

[kwl1763]

A few more

http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/topmid.jpg


http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/toptort.jpg


http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/left.jpg


http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/maleblue.jpg


http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/powblue.jpg


I've honestly made very few changes in many months! I have a pair of Bellus in qt now which should rock! I've only added a Duncan and that's it,

I'm going to hal to get a kalk reactor soon as the calcium reactor is barely keeping up and it's going full out. Otherwise I'm just letting stuff grow!

[jnarowe]

Looks great Keith. Thanks for the pics! :D

[melev]

Keith, your tank is looking great. I still need to finalize that camera transaction with you when you are available.

Post some pictures of the corals in your overflow too. :)

[cbui2]

very nice pics, PBT is sweet. how big and age?

[kwl1763]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12331209#post12331209 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbui2
very nice pics, PBT is sweet. how big and age?

He's about 5 inches or so now. I've had him around 14 or 15 months I think.

[Jar*Head]

Love the aquascape. Did you use PVC structure or acrylic rod?

[kwl1763]

PVC I drilled holes and zip tied to it, Painted it black with Fusion.

[Jar*Head]

Thank you so much for the info Keith. I have been worry about the aquascape in my new tank but your thread solved all my concerned....

[melev]

Did any of you realize there is more tank in this picture if you scroll over to the right? :lol: 1400 pixels wide!

http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/fulltank.jpg

[cbui2]

Marc you need an upgrade Apple 30" LCD like the rest of us :D

[jnarowe]

ouch.

[LiveRock27]

Great looking tank. Enjoyed reading back through the whole build.

[Goodwin9]

Great pictures...enjoyed viewing the updates!

[bleedingthought]

Keith, looking beautiful! Great corals and gorgeous fish! :)

[NuclearReefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12331728#post12331728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbui2
Marc you need an upgrade Apple 30" LCD like the rest of us :D

Or a 32 inch .. Double OUCH ..

Im almost set to start stocking my new tank..........

Looks great keith.. I gotta catch up .. :D

Nathan

[SERVO]

Keith, I'm pumped that I'm gonna get a chance to see this beast soon!

Did you ever think about throwing up 6500K bulbs for about 6 months for growth? That could help speed things along.

Nathan,

Have you set up your new tank yet?

[ReeferMonkey]

Nope, I'm getting out for a while. I'm working like crazy and don't have time. Sad to say but I feel quite a bit of relief.

[jnarowe]

Understandable though. This hobby is not as relaxing as I thought it would be. :rolleyes:

[Tyyrlym]

An older thread but a gorgeous tank. I'm not normally a tonga LR or SPS fan but the tank looks fantastic.

You'd mentioned that you were going to get an RDSB going, did that ever happen? If so how's it working out for you?

[kwl1763]

I really need to update this sucker. the tank is doing great. I of course have had the occasional setback, (power failures, C02 regulator died on vacation, etc.) The biggets setback was over labor day I tore the ligaments in my knee and so there was about a 3 week period where I couldn't even go down stairs to look at it. My wife fed the fish and that was it. I haven't done a thorough cleaning of it in 2 months. I have changed water once but the neglect is not good. It's on the upswing again and this weekend I plan on doing a massive cleaning.

Once done I'll get some pics and put them up! It's kinda weird Tonga live rock is not shipping anymore. I guess it's a rare commodity. If there is one thing I like about my tank it's the aquascaping. Sure I would tweak a few things here or there but overall I love it and it has been the same since day one.

I have never done the RDSB. Honestly I have the sand sitting in the garage and I just haven't needed to. I have zero nitrates and things look great so as long as that's the case I'm fine without it. My overflow is large and acts as a great refugium. There are so many pods there it's incredible.

I have turned the sump that was to be the RDSB into a seahorse tank. Very simply setup. a few pieces of live rock and a couple fake corals. I have had the seahorses for about 6 weeks now and they are awesome! Really glad I did it.

[melev]

Nice to hear from you Keith.

The Tongan government had a snafu apparently, and no more rock can be exported currently. At MACNA, we sat down and talked with Walt Smith about this for a few minutes, and basically it is a legal thing they have to get through before the shipping can be resumed. Red tape...

Must be nice to not have nitrates. Have I mentioned that I hate you? :lol:

[erics3000]

Been a while..Would love to see some updates pics of everything. Its funny 2 years later and I am just starting on my trim. 1 of my all time favorite threads..

[JazzZero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12331575#post12331575 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Did any of you realize there is more tank in this picture if you scroll over to the right? :lol: 1400 pixels wide!

http://www.kwl1763.com/Reef/April_08/fulltank.jpg

lol i notice that too and i feel your pain of not having a 30+ inch screen T_T

[melev]

That must be nice. Mine is a mere 24" wide. ;)

[SERVO]

Keith!!!!! Did you get swallowed up by a whale shark????/

[kwl1763]

More like swallowed up by a job search! Luckily that is over so I'm out of excuses. I will take pictures this weekend and put them up for sure! I may end up moving back to Texas and having to break this bad boy down. I really hope not but it's a possibility.

It's been way to long. Tank is still doing pretty well. Not great but since I have been travelling like crazy to interviews and have been away more then home that is to be expected. I need to spend some serious time with it and do a lot of ater changing but overall no complaints.

[cayenne]

Keith,

Great thread. I just sat and read the entire thing in one sitting. Any update on the humidity concerns, and what was your final solution?

I am about to start a 300G DT build with a basement fish room, so I am reading up on the humidity control options.