2 Questions, With pics

[atxchris1234]

As some of you know, I did a freshwater dip on this coral last week. It seems that it has fully recovered except for coloration. It used to be bright green, now its more of a dull green with dull purple. I suppose it has certainly lost its luster.

So, my question is... has this happened because of the dip or has it happened because I am giving the coral too much or too little light? I currently give the tank about 7 hours of light.


Before dip:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/2/4910214864.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic/7702841)

Immediately after dip:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/2/5009584833.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic/7710318)


About 1 week later:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/2/5610251757.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic/7742822)



Question #2 - My tank loses about 2.5 gallons of water every 4 days to evaporation. Sure seems excessive. Is there a way I can buy or someone might be able to help me make a hood that might work with my light? Im bringing this up strictly with the hopes that a hood will keep so much water from evaporating. Plus, my apartment feels like a sauna when I get home, and thats rather annoying.

For illustrating my fan setup:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/2/4611565941.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic/7682838)

For illustrating my light setup:
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/2/4410261349.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7672151)


Thanks for the help maast!

- and yes I know..... slow down, and don't do anything unless bill says its okay.:bigsmile:

[Bill S]

I would guess that it is from the dip. Remind me again, what kind of lighting you have?

2.5 gallons isn't THAT bad. I was going thru 40 gallons every 5 days before I added a chiller. Run your fans only when the light is on and/or the temperature is high.

[tony]

Remind me again, what kind of lighting you have?



250w DE

doesnt look like anything to worry over by any means, best i can tell from the pic it looks like its thriving much better now than when you brought it home

you could try moving it closer to the light to see what happens (a little at a time of course)

[atxchris1234]

Think I need to go ahead and order that new bulb? Could that be the problem?

[second_decimal]

Think I need to go ahead and order that new bulb? Could that be the problem?

i dont know the specifics of your fixture, but i see no actinics. actinics play a huge part in getting those neon colors to come out (fluorescing)

[reeferRob]

My 180 loses about 5 gallons/day to eavap. You could cover it with a glass top, but I don't recommend that as your water will lose the ability to exchange gases, causing PH drop and other water quality issues.

[atxchris1234]

I don't see how the heck you guys have the energy / dedication / money to refill 5 gal everyday. Thats just CRAZY! You all must have some shortcut that I don't know about.

Carrying this up 3 flights of stairs every other week SUCKS.
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/2/4210345158.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic/7662725)

Lighting is a reeflux MH-DE250 Watt 10k Double ended. I was told to get a 12k (or 13k?). Im sure that would help.

Any links on where to buy that bulb?

[second_decimal]

i would try the phoenix 14k bulb. its very polupar and reasonably priced. that would be an MH HQI bulb (double ended) http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~MB6664.html
but that still would not give you the actinincs you need to bring out the fluorecence. also, to avoid having to carry all that water, get an RO/DI unit. living on the thrid floor, this will be the best investment you can make. be sure that the water you are buying is distilled and not spring water.

[atxchris1234]

EXCELLENT. thanks!

How could I go about adding actinics? Im running out of space (and plugs)

It would be great if I could get by without them as I don't have a stand to hide wires and whatnot, but I still want a relatively top notch setup for my 30 gal, so im certainly interested in what my options are.

Thanks again!

[coraline79]

Your MH light is super hot, and the fans will cause a lot of evap as well. I know it won't happen, but lose the light and the fans, drop t5's on there and you won't lose as much water.

You don't have to completely cover the the tank to reduce evaporation. Get a glass top and don't put on the plastic back piece. That will leave 2 inches across the back for gases. From my understanding, if you have an hob filter, most of your gas exchange takes place there anyway.

I am not sure though. Don't scold me if I am wrong:angel:

[tony]

the 12k reeflux can be ordered here

coralreefbazaar.com

frederick is the guy i introduced you to at the meeting

[bigmoe21]

if you wanted to add actinics you could get that hood built that you wanted and put the mh and t5 in there

[atxchris1234]

this one?

http://coralreefbazaar.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_48_54&products_id=49

[stoneroller]

Once you get that RO unit running then you'll need an auto topoff so you won't get tired of manually filling the tank. Keeps your water quality more stable to boot.

[Bill S]

A couple of thoughts. I run Helios 20Ks on my tank. I have actinics (VHO), but I don't run them when the MH are on - they color THAT nicely! There are a bunch of other folks here that also do the same.

We got them from marinemadness.com, in a group buy for $39 each. I seriously doubt you will get near that price, but I believe they are available in an HQI (DE) bulb.

An RO/DI unit with a top off is what you will need...

[atxchris1234]

Went by RCA yesterday and had missT order my reeflux 12k. it was a good price and I should have it on thursday. Hopefully this will wake up my one coral

She was also saying that I could have a hood made for relatively cheap . This way I could mount the 12k and a couple of actinics in there easily. So, that may be my next purchase.

Tony got me turned on to some of that black diamond carbon. The water looks awesome now.:bigsmile:

Gettin there.

I would assume an ro unit with auto topoff is going to be relatively large and cumbersome and may not be feasible with my counter hog of a setup. To do that I would need a stand. Then there would be a plumbing issue on top of that im sure. Living in an apartment, my plumbing options are limited to say the least.