LED Recommendations

Baldwin · 09/24/2010, 05:39 AM

I'm looking for any suggestions on LED bulbs such as the PAR38's, I'm looking for a light to go above my 20 octagonal tank, I'm not sure if it would be enough for sps or not, but that's what I'm looking for. I know Reggie has used similiar fixtures, so if you or anyone can help me out I would appraeciate it.

rsuplido · 09/25/2010, 09:02 PM

I think the best one out there now is the Nano Sol by Aqua Illuminations:
Video:

Baldwin · 09/25/2010, 09:05 PM

I remember seeing this light at MACNA, is it out for purchase yet? Looks like pricing is expected to be around 365$, a little out of my range for this setup. Do you think that one PAR 38 would be enough to keep LPS and maybe some digitata or monti's in my 20? I think the tank is around 24 inches tall and 15 wide.

rsuplido · 09/25/2010, 09:31 PM

It should work for digitatas and montis if you place it higher. LPS I think would work. I won't recommend acros or stags with it.

You might also need to get it with the 60 or 80 degree optics. I found the default 40 degree spread too narrow.

Baldwin · 09/26/2010, 01:31 AM

Great Reggie, thanks for the advice, so the 60 degree optics is the median choice, i will probably go with that then. Would you go with the Ecoxotic or the nancustoms made by Evil?

rsuplido · 09/26/2010, 09:31 AM

You'll have more option with Evil's.

rc4kinu · 09/26/2010, 09:56 AM

I just purchased Acanlighting 104. Has the wider optics and great PAR levels to keep SPS in your tank. A little pricier but has a finished fixture look with controls integrated in the front of it.

Baldwin · 09/26/2010, 12:55 PM

Alright guys thanks for the info. I'm looking to get a few upgrades for the tank in the next month or so, and hopefully hav eit up and cycling for a while.

rsuplido · 09/26/2010, 07:18 PM

Are you going to connect it to your main tank?

Baldwin · 09/26/2010, 07:43 PM

No, my nitrates are way too high for that, and I assume they will not be going down considering the fish growth. I have though about trying to dose vodka in the FOWLR, as biopellets would just be too expensive, what do you think?

rsuplido · 09/27/2010, 08:30 AM

I don't think the fishes will mind vodka at all. The only thing I'm concerned about is how much good bacteria you can culture in your tank to lower down the nitrates. Do you have enough live rock in your tank or sump for bacteria to colonize? Do you have a good skimmer to help remove excess bacteria and bacterial bi-product?

I dose 3ml of vodka daily on my 30g, automatically using a BRS doser, and my nitrates have been zero for about 9 months now.

If you will try vodka, start slow and follow this guide:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

As for the vodka, I use a cheap triple distilled one from McCormick.

Baldwin · 09/27/2010, 10:51 PM

Thanks for the advice Reggie, I already have that article printed, lol. I have over 500 lbs. Of live rock, and the SWC 300a skimmer which works beautifully IMO. Have you seen anything in your system adversely effected by the dosing? Are you using anything otherwise such as MB7 and are your phosphates zero as well? I know Fuji's wife is an advocate of vodka, but he seems like he doesn't care for it much. To me it seems to work great from the tanks I have seen implementing it.

rsuplido · 09/27/2010, 11:27 PM

The thing to remember is that organic carbon will feed good as well as bad bacteria. So if you have cyano, there is a chance that they will spread as they will benefit from the carbon as well. That is why folks dose additional good bacteria (like MB7 -- I use Microbe-Lift's Special Blend) in the hope of the good overcomes the bad.

Last time I checked Phosphates (about 2 months ago), it was also zero.

Your system looks like it will handle vodka. Start slow and follow the article to the dot.

Baldwin · 09/28/2010, 04:53 AM

3 ml on a 30 lightly stocked system is a lot! With that ratio my final doage could easily be over 30 ml a day. The article states to start at 1.2 ml for 300 gallons, it would take me months if not years to reach 30 ml. Do you think I should start higher? How do you dose the microbe lift in conjunction with the vodka regimen?

rsuplido · 09/28/2010, 12:14 PM

Every tank is different. I wouldn't be surprised if you see your nitrates going down already after 2 months. Start with 1.2 ml and keep increasing as how it is instructed in the article.

For Special Blend, I'm dosing just 1ml every day. You don't have to dose everyday though. For your 300g, you can dose 80ml every other week based on the instructions -- I advice to dose that amount every week though. Or you can spread out the dosing everyday with equal amounts.

Baldwin · 09/28/2010, 03:46 PM

Yeah I think it would be better to dose everyday the way you do, what was your decision to use that instead of the MB7? I would hate to have to buy an extra dosing dosing pump though, as I ahve decided to get one for the vodka. Would you recommend the BRS 2 doser?

rsuplido · 09/28/2010, 03:59 PM

I tried several bacteria products. SB works and for the price, you can't beat it.

Yes, BRS dosers are great. For your tank (which is 10 times bigger than mine

), you can get the 50ml/min if you want rather than the 1.1g/min which is the one I use.

Baldwin · 09/28/2010, 05:00 PM

I was investigating that, are they exactly the same? I couldn't tell if the 1.1 m/l doser was a newer model or not, I think my APEX unit can be set to 30 second intervals, in case I don't have to dose as much as 50 m/l.

rsuplido · 09/28/2010, 05:47 PM

Yes, the Apex can do seconds if you use the OSC command.

This for example will dose every hour for 30 seconds.

OSC 000:00/000:30/059:30 Then ON

Baldwin · 09/28/2010, 06:38 PM

Ok, I would have to make my APEX turn on the 50 mL doses for around 2 seconds at a time for the starting doses, I am kind of afraid of the accuracy at that point. I might have to get the 1.1 mL and then when I get up to around 30 mL per day have the doser come on throught out the day every 50 minutes or so, I have'nt really done the math but you get the point. I still haven't found out which doser is more quality made, I think I am going to send the company an e-mail and ask them unless anyone here has used both and could fill me in?

Baldwin · 09/28/2010, 11:21 PM

Reggie, forgive my ignorance in this area, but since I do have the APEX, couldn't I just set it up to two aqualifter pumps, I really don't have much experience in automating dosing equipment, but if that would work it would save me around $170.

rsuplido · 09/29/2010, 05:31 AM

If you are after precision, you shouldn't rely on aqualifter pumps. With the aqualifter pumps, you also need to use check valves which can fail. I do think they're great as an auto top-off pump though.

Baldwin · 09/29/2010, 06:03 AM

Ok, thanks for the input. I may just get one doser for the vodka, and dose bacteria weekly.

jmccown · 09/29/2010, 07:37 AM

Vodka works good IME. Aids in skimming more efficiently.

Baldwin · 09/29/2010, 08:18 AM

Jason do you dose vodka?

09/24/2010, 05:39 AM	#1
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	LED Recommendations I'm looking for any suggestions on LED bulbs such as the PAR38's, I'm looking for a light to go above my 20 octagonal tank, I'm not sure if it would be enough for sps or not, but that's what I'm looking for. I know Reggie has used similiar fixtures, so if you or anyone can help me out I would appraeciate it. __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/25/2010, 09:05 PM	#3
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	I remember seeing this light at MACNA, is it out for purchase yet? Looks like pricing is expected to be around 365$, a little out of my range for this setup. Do you think that one PAR 38 would be enough to keep LPS and maybe some digitata or monti's in my 20? I think the tank is around 24 inches tall and 15 wide. __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/26/2010, 01:31 AM	#5
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Great Reggie, thanks for the advice, so the 60 degree optics is the median choice, i will probably go with that then. Would you go with the Ecoxotic or the nancustoms made by Evil? __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/26/2010, 12:55 PM	#8
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Alright guys thanks for the info. I'm looking to get a few upgrades for the tank in the next month or so, and hopefully hav eit up and cycling for a while. __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/26/2010, 07:43 PM	#10
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	No, my nitrates are way too high for that, and I assume they will not be going down considering the fish growth. I have though about trying to dose vodka in the FOWLR, as biopellets would just be too expensive, what do you think? __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/25/2010, 09:02 PM	#2
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	I think the best one out there now is the Nano Sol by Aqua Illuminations: Video:

09/25/2010, 09:31 PM	#4
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	It should work for digitatas and montis if you place it higher. LPS I think would work. I won't recommend acros or stags with it. You might also need to get it with the 60 or 80 degree optics. I found the default 40 degree spread too narrow.

09/26/2010, 09:31 AM	#6
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	You'll have more option with Evil's.

09/26/2010, 09:56 AM	#7
rc4kinu Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 344	I just purchased Acanlighting 104. Has the wider optics and great PAR levels to keep SPS in your tank. A little pricier but has a finished fixture look with controls integrated in the front of it.

09/26/2010, 07:18 PM	#9
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	Are you going to connect it to your main tank?

09/27/2010, 08:30 AM	#11
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	I don't think the fishes will mind vodka at all. The only thing I'm concerned about is how much good bacteria you can culture in your tank to lower down the nitrates. Do you have enough live rock in your tank or sump for bacteria to colonize? Do you have a good skimmer to help remove excess bacteria and bacterial bi-product? I dose 3ml of vodka daily on my 30g, automatically using a BRS doser, and my nitrates have been zero for about 9 months now. If you will try vodka, start slow and follow this guide: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php As for the vodka, I use a cheap triple distilled one from McCormick.

09/27/2010, 10:51 PM	#12
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Thanks for the advice Reggie, I already have that article printed, lol. I have over 500 lbs. Of live rock, and the SWC 300a skimmer which works beautifully IMO. Have you seen anything in your system adversely effected by the dosing? Are you using anything otherwise such as MB7 and are your phosphates zero as well? I know Fuji's wife is an advocate of vodka, but he seems like he doesn't care for it much. To me it seems to work great from the tanks I have seen implementing it. __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long Last edited by Baldwin; 09/27/2010 at 10:56 PM.

09/27/2010, 11:27 PM	#13
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	The thing to remember is that organic carbon will feed good as well as bad bacteria. So if you have cyano, there is a chance that they will spread as they will benefit from the carbon as well. That is why folks dose additional good bacteria (like MB7 -- I use Microbe-Lift's Special Blend) in the hope of the good overcomes the bad. Last time I checked Phosphates (about 2 months ago), it was also zero. Your system looks like it will handle vodka. Start slow and follow the article to the dot.

09/28/2010, 04:53 AM	#14
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	3 ml on a 30 lightly stocked system is a lot! With that ratio my final doage could easily be over 30 ml a day. The article states to start at 1.2 ml for 300 gallons, it would take me months if not years to reach 30 ml. Do you think I should start higher? How do you dose the microbe lift in conjunction with the vodka regimen? __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/28/2010, 12:14 PM	#15
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	Every tank is different. I wouldn't be surprised if you see your nitrates going down already after 2 months. Start with 1.2 ml and keep increasing as how it is instructed in the article. For Special Blend, I'm dosing just 1ml every day. You don't have to dose everyday though. For your 300g, you can dose 80ml every other week based on the instructions -- I advice to dose that amount every week though. Or you can spread out the dosing everyday with equal amounts.

09/28/2010, 03:46 PM	#16
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Yeah I think it would be better to dose everyday the way you do, what was your decision to use that instead of the MB7? I would hate to have to buy an extra dosing dosing pump though, as I ahve decided to get one for the vodka. Would you recommend the BRS 2 doser? __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/28/2010, 03:59 PM	#17
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	I tried several bacteria products. SB works and for the price, you can't beat it. Yes, BRS dosers are great. For your tank (which is 10 times bigger than mine ), you can get the 50ml/min if you want rather than the 1.1g/min which is the one I use.

09/28/2010, 05:00 PM	#18
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	I was investigating that, are they exactly the same? I couldn't tell if the 1.1 m/l doser was a newer model or not, I think my APEX unit can be set to 30 second intervals, in case I don't have to dose as much as 50 m/l. __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/28/2010, 05:47 PM	#19
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	Yes, the Apex can do seconds if you use the OSC command. This for example will dose every hour for 30 seconds. OSC 000:00/000:30/059:30 Then ON

09/28/2010, 06:38 PM	#20
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Ok, I would have to make my APEX turn on the 50 mL doses for around 2 seconds at a time for the starting doses, I am kind of afraid of the accuracy at that point. I might have to get the 1.1 mL and then when I get up to around 30 mL per day have the doser come on throught out the day every 50 minutes or so, I have'nt really done the math but you get the point. I still haven't found out which doser is more quality made, I think I am going to send the company an e-mail and ask them unless anyone here has used both and could fill me in? __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/28/2010, 11:21 PM	#21
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Reggie, forgive my ignorance in this area, but since I do have the APEX, couldn't I just set it up to two aqualifter pumps, I really don't have much experience in automating dosing equipment, but if that would work it would save me around $170. __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/29/2010, 05:31 AM	#22
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	If you are after precision, you shouldn't rely on aqualifter pumps. With the aqualifter pumps, you also need to use check valves which can fail. I do think they're great as an auto top-off pump though.

09/29/2010, 06:03 AM	#23
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Ok, thanks for the input. I may just get one doser for the vodka, and dose bacteria weekly. __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

09/29/2010, 07:37 AM	#24
jmccown Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 3,185	Vodka works good IME. Aids in skimming more efficiently. __________________ "When I die, my biggest fear is that my wife sells all my toys for what I TOLD HER I paid for them" Former member of the "Huge tank club" Current Tank Info: 300 Deep Dimension FOWLR

09/29/2010, 08:18 AM	#25
Baldwin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sparta, VA Posts: 1,330	Jason do you dose vodka? __________________ 92 Corner 60 Cube 40 Long

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