Lets do this - 225+ reef bar

[mcliffy2]

thanks everyone - my tank definitely was in very good hands while I was gone.

Since I snapped some FTSs for the thread over in the SPS forum, I figured I might as well cut n' paste them here:

[Lowredranger]

Tank looks great i had been waiting for a FTS.

Some of the pictures look kinda dark it is hard to get a full perspective of the rockwork. Is it just the camera could a pick be taken with the flash? Not sure just trying to get an accurate rock work layout.

Jason

[mcliffy2]

They are dark because I dial the exposure back so the colors in the coral come out. The goal would be to get everything to show, but that will require some improvement in my photo skills

[Lowredranger]

lol. yea the coral looks great I was just trying to get an idea of how you had your rock structure laid out. Well i guess you are just gonna have to go take some photo classes so the rest of us will benefit.

[mpoletti]

Great stuff Mike. The tank looks great

[Lowredranger]

Do you have any problem getting light on the ends of the tank b/c of the 4ft bulbs and 5ft tank? I been asking around trying to get everyone's opinion and you have 12 bulbs over a 36" wide tank do you think you would have sufficient light with 10 bulbs.

I like the ATI 10x80 bulb powermodule for my 72x36x25 but want to make sure it is enough or if i need the 12 bulbs which i would got with 2x6 bulb sunpower modules when they come out.

Thanks
Jason

[ROBZ]

mcliffy2, your tanks is awesome!!! really really nice, Aquascape perfect!!! coral selection & color and placement , fish .... everthing bro! congratz one of my favorites!!!

[stunreefer]

WOW, looks awesome as usual Mike! I see the little angel is still hanging in there... thats my favorite in your tank... too cool! Do I see a Tunze in there?

Jason, I have a 48x36x24 on the way, and I think you could get away with 10 bulbs no problem... depending on what your trying to do. This would aid in giving you more room for LPS/lower light coral. Mike recommended that I go with a 36" light for my 48" tank depending how "mixed" my reef is going to be. Since its going to be 98% SPS, I'm going with the 48" 12 bulb Stealth, so any LPS will have to be shaded under SPS or rocks.

[mcliffy2]

Lowredranger - I think Austin said it pretty well. The 10x80 will be plenty of light, and the extra area that isn't covered directly can actually be a benefit if you want to do LPS (my mix is about 80/20 of SPS/LPS). I can't keep most LPS directly under my lighting unit.

Austin - so you decided on the 12-bulb Stealth? It will be sweet on your tank. And yup thats a nanostream in there. One of my Vortechs is in for service, so I had a spot where I wanted to get a little more flow.

Mike & ROBZ - Thanks much. I'm a big fan of both of your tanks, so thats a big compliment.

[stunreefer]

I'm about 90% sure I'll go with the Stealth. I really like the idea of having 12 bulbs to cover as much as possible for my SPS, and the other fixturre I was looking at is about twice as much and wont be out until February. It caught my interest due to the capability of being dimmable, but after much though dimmable doesn't mean that much to me. Plus unless you get it custom made, they're only 10 bulbs (and still twice the price).

On another note I have an ATB with Airstar on the way... I'm really looking forward to that too

Originally posted by mcliffy2
One of my Vortechs is in for service, so I had a spot where I wanted to get a little more flow.

This is what has me leaning hard towards Tunze. I'd love to run only VTs for aesthetic reasons, having a few on the back wall of my tank, but I cannot deal with paying that much for something that I'll almost positively have to send in for a repair. Hopefully they'll be able to straighten everything out eventually, and when they do they'll have my business.

Right now I'm thinking two Tunzes and a lagre wave box... we'll see

Keep up the fantastic reefing man!

[glassbox-design]

How about photos of the new additions...?

[mcliffy2]

Are you referring to the skimmer or the new fish? I'll try to get some soon of both

[Lowredranger]

Thanks guys, I do want to keep a lot of the basic LPS around the perimeter to give the reef some of that flowing action and keep all the SPS up top for all the great color.

Sounds like i will got with the 10 bulb ATI unit. What is the word on the dimmable T-5's and where can i find some more info?

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by Lowredranger
Thanks guys, I do want to keep a lot of the basic LPS around the perimeter to give the reef some of that flowing action and keep all the SPS up top for all the great color.

Sounds like i will got with the 10 bulb ATI unit. What is the word on the dimmable T-5's and where can i find some more info?

The word on dimmable T5s is "cool", but the other word is "expensive" I think you are looking at least at $500+ for a dimmable vs. non-dimmable fixture. If you have 10 bulbs you should have three seperate sets of lights on it you can use to simulate sunrise/sunset (thats what I do - my bulbs come on 4 at a time).

[mcliffy2]

double post.

[Lowredranger]

Thanks, well i guess we shall see when i get the tank up in a month where they are with all the lights.

I wasn't sure on how many sets b/c of the higher wattage what they would be.

Thanks again,
Jason

[143gadgets]

Looking awesome! I'm envious! I love it!

[Kigs]

What an amazing tank. I stare in awe everytime new pics are posted.

[ReefEnabler]

This tank has really come a long way, corals have really grown in and colored up insanely.

that dive picture thread is rediculous too!

[snaza]

Amazing tank. can someone link me to the bulb combo please.

Do you have any PAR readings of your tank?

thanks

[mcliffy2]

Thanks snaza. I'm running, 2 UVL Super actinics, 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 Fiji Purple, 1 ATI Aquablue special, 1 Aquascience Duo, 1 Aquascience Special.

no PAR readings yet.

[snaza]

Thanks for that. I have a couple more questions for you (if thats ok)

1. Do you feel the 4ft bulbs cover 5ft ok?

2. What do you dose to your tank? if anything. any prodibio or zeo stuff? Do you feed your corals with aminos or anything?

I'm building new tank similar size but the Sfiligoi Stealth would cost me about $3000 here in australia. Probably going to do a powermodule or 2 x sunpowers

cheers.

Aaron

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by snaza
Thanks for that. I have a couple more questions for you (if thats ok)

1. Do you feel the 4ft bulbs cover 5ft ok?

2. What do you dose to your tank? if anything. any prodibio or zeo stuff? Do you feed your corals with aminos or anything?

I'm building new tank similar size but the Sfiligoi Stealth would cost me about $3000 here in australia. Probably going to do a powermodule or 2 x sunpowers

cheers.

Aaron

The ATIs are just as good if not better. I am actually very happy I went with the 4 ft. fixture because it is very strong. I have problems with it bleaching most LPS if I put them right under it, so the uncovered areas give me space to place LPS, not to mention making access easier. Directly under it, I can grow SPS top to bottom, so plenty of room for those (many SPS do fine not directly under it as well).

As for dosing, I'm not doing anything, just keeping it simple for now. Just T5s, a ton of flow, maintaining proper Ca/Alk, heavy feeding, heavy skimming, a fuge, a ton of LR (a bunch in the sump since the aquascape is open), and carbon & phosphate reactors. When I feel the system is 100% stable, I may start messing around with it, but I'm a big believer of making one change at a time. I'm still fiddling with my calcium supplementation (DA needs to hurry up and come out with the ph/salinity module so I can get my CA reactor back online), and am installing the new skimmer and a UV sterilizer this week. When all that is online, I'll let it sit a bit, then reassess if I want to look into carbon dosing in some form.

[snaza]

Thanks. I think i'll get a 10bulb powermodule then. I Like to keep it simple too. I have a very similar setup to you. i just need to get some photography skills like you

[SuperR*]

Looks great! Your aquascape is nice and open, looks better that way.