Chronicles of Allan's Tank (AT)

[allan]

Just changed to metal halides. Falling in love with the hobby all over again. :)

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-0608-bb1e.jpg

400 watt 20 k, first day.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-0661-ffbf.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-069a-cdbb.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-06e7-d61c.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-0736-bc9f.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-0762-8c96.jpg

Easier to get the top down pics now :)

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-07df-c367.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-0821-a482.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-0874-d04c.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-08ac-1418.jpg

Mr cob's ORA red planet from this years frag swap.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-0912-e79a.jpg

Metal halide rocks!

[Europhyllia]

Awesome colors! :)

[Mr Cob]

Looks great Allan. Love the full colonies. I'm a big MH fan as well. Have not tried pure LED yet though.

Are you running a chiller? I did 400watters once but it was on a smaller tank and the temp was a'cookin. I know your system is large so you may not have any problems with temps.

Looking good maing.

[Mr Cob]

dang!!!!!! Just saw the ORA Red Planet you got from me at the swap....wow! THAT THING TOOK OFF BRO!

[Europhyllia]

Don't try LED. I regret I got it. Really I should beat Stephen the next time I see him.
I was so happy with my T5s over my big tank until I got the LEDs for the seahorse tank. It sucks. Now I can barely look at the big tank :(

[Mr Cob]

lol....so going LED on the big tank anytime soon?

[Europhyllia]

I might have to. Maybe when it's due for new bulbs or I strike it rich or something...

Back To Allan's:
it turned out great. You need a bigger tank though. You're running out of room!

[Scream311]

What type of Ballast are using ?

[Mr Cob]

You need a bigger tank though. You're running out of room!

Yep...upgrade time Allan. Time to get Gloria something nice. : )

[aquasport24]

Keep up the good work man, can't beat the shimmering effect.

[allan]

Until I beat the cyano I won't be upgrading, although maybe I can get Kevin's 3 by 8 tank once he gets his family started :)

I purposely spaced the pendant to negate the enclosed heat issues, and I have a redneck chiller in the back, I do believe you boys call it a "fan", but I ain't that educated yet.

Well, the one fifty is a guisemam dealio, so that ones a white ballast. The other one is a blue electronic or digital ballast. It has four settings, 250, HQI, 400, and Superlumens. I have it set to 400 now. In a few days after my coral has acclimated I may jump it up to the super setting.

Yeah, the ORA RP is doing well. I've always had it way up in the tank and the kalk that I dose seems to be doing the trick.

Those LEDs are expensive, but I wouldn't mind trying them on a smaller tank. Right now I'm totally back into the hobby.

I'm working on the hood for my frag tank which will remain a T5 set up... Only now it will have six 48" bulbs whereas it used to be two 48"s and two 36"s. Tied tothe AT it's pretty much the same system. Although I've thought about turning it into a FOWLR set up, and some of the wilder livestock.

[ErikH]

:) Glad to see the switch! Still not totally sold on the LEDs, I keep going back to the thought of "old reliable"

[RayAllen]

Looks great Allan, Im a MH fan. corals are really popping. No problem with sticking with what we know work.

Hell, I use VHOs and am happy with them and my corals all grow and look great. I may upgrade to LED one day...

[allan]

Okay, I moved the tower to a more central area and not to happy with is. Even with rotation there is a large section that is shadowed.

I will post pic later when the lights are on.

I did manage to hook up two sets of LED moonlights... Really like the way it looks but it isn't a subtle approach to what I consider moon light, perhaps a few million years ago when the moon was closer ;)

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-3ade-ba53.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-3b02-3cbd.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-3b39-fce2.jpg

[GsXtC_21]

man allan, your tanks very nice..!! i do love the grown out colonies, looks awesome..

[CoryDude]

That's a packed tank! Of course, the SPS lover in me dictates that I ignore all the beautiful zoas, leathers, lps, and other softies in there.

[Mrs. z28pwr]

WOW Allan!! The tank looks great I know you may not get the POP that T5's give you but the growth you get with Metal Halide is well worth the switch IMO.

[allan]

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-4bba-28a7.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-4bec-8b0e.jpg[/IMGl

[IMG]http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-4c7d-f545.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-4cc2-b616.jpg

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b155-4cf3-6158.jpg

Man I'm in love with my tank. I moved the tower and the Billster hooked me up with some shelf rock that I've turned into LPS haven.

I'll take some day pics on the morrow.

[allan]

That's a packed tank! Of course, the SPS lover in me dictates that I ignore all the beautiful zoas, leathers, lps, and other softies in there.

Cory,

In the effort to bridge the sps barrier let me know what a good sps addition would sit well in my humble tank.

Thanks Mizeny, thee are a few colonies in my tank that started as a frag in yours. Did you see the hydno?

[CoryDude]

Dude, you've already got a red planet that's growing pretty well. That's my new fav right now. Pretty much anything ora looks good and is pretty healthy. Personally I'd recommend a belina or marshall island yellow fuzzy for something a little different. The true orgegon tort is one of the bluest corals you'll ever see, if you want that color.

[CoryDude]

On post #14, the last picture, is that a pelatta lovelli on the right hand side of the pic?

[Mrs. z28pwr]

Cory,

In the effort to bridge the sps barrier let me know what a good sps addition would sit well in my humble tank.

Thanks Mizeny, thee are a few colonies in my tank that started as a frag in yours. Did you see the hydno?

Your frag is bigger then my colony!!

[allan]

Your frag is bigger then my colony!!

:D I had that guy hidden away for a while, had to walk around to the other side to see it.

Cory,
Not sure, it's skinny and under the 20k the tips glow a bright baby blue.

I'm tempted to bring the red planet forward so it can be seen easier. But the same rock has a garf bonsai frag that I picked up at the same frag swap this year, but it isn't growing like the RP. It's well in crusted and I can see several branches coming out but it hasn't significantly grown. I'm worried that repositioning it my disturb its equilibrium.

...but I think the RP would really pop under the blue light. There are times when I think it's tips are burning away; they get bright white. But then the color catches up to the growth and I make a startling discovery. Coral grows!

I'm going to search those sps that you suggested and see which ones I can order behind Gloria... I mean which ones I want to put in there. :)

[ErikH]

Turn the LEDs upward so the reflector catches them instead of directly downward. My night lights are spread nicely that way.

[allan]

Hey Erik that's a nifty idea. I will in corporate that into my next pendant build with the new reflector.

[allan]

http://184.72.239.143/mu/45a65714-606d-c528.jpg

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Night life in the basement. Used to be that all of my little star fish were bone white. But now all I have are the brown ones. My macro is absolutely teeming with them. Of course that may just be on the surface of the macro, they may be sunbathers.

[TexasTodd]

here comes the sun do do do do...

Very nice.

Todd

[Europhyllia]

Oh I want some mini brittle stars!!! Sell me some!

[allan]

Oh I want some mini brittle stars!!! Sell me some!

No.

I will gather up an assortment of brittles and give them to you either at the frag swap or before.

I'd actually be surprised if you don't have any though ;). They're everywhere.

[ismvel]

Allan, I want some mini brittles too, to put in my fuge and get a population going...looks like you got plenty, if you can throw some my way, i'd appreciate it.

[allan]

No problem dude. I will gather up a handful of macro for the two of you. Making sure there's plenty of them in the salad.

[Europhyllia]

I was going to skip the frag swap. I guess now I got to go!!! lol
Thank you :)

[allan]

You should go Karin. It's fun.

Turns out I won't be going so perhaps we can link up with dudeman to get you guys some stuff.

[ErikH]

here comes the sun do do do do...

Very nice.

Todd

LOL I sing that song when my halides come on.

[allan]

Ok, I got tired of my rock work so I went at it again.

Here are a few shots before and after.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-56ba-b35e.jpg

First I cleared out all the rock that didn't have anything attached. Leaving the pillar which is a project just to move.

I forgot to turn off the top off so I dumped a bit if kalk as the water level dropped.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-5741-f9df.jpg

Left side

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-575e-c8b5.jpg

Right side angle to the left.

Then I waited a few days for it to clear.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-57aa-3580.jpg

From the left side to show the corridor behind the wall...

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-57ea-e8f3.jpg

And still from the left but higher.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-5816-1ec3.jpg

This the wall that is forward of the wall between the overflows.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-5854-17e8.jpg

Right side of the new wall...

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-58a7-cfbd.jpg

And the Allan tower next to the jack tower...

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-58f0-10c7.jpg

Scuba hybrid and another pink tipped wavy thing with an arrow behind it.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-593b-9a9b.jpg

A between shot of the back wall...
You may be able to see the cardinal in the cave.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-598d-560b.jpg

I don't believe the devils hand is happy in the corner so I may have to move it.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-59d4-f430.jpg

And this guy I found. If any of you studious types want him he's yours.

http://184.72.239.143/mu/6008b7e8-5a6b-e783.jpg

He wasn't looking to hot so I did a little water change and it seems to have perked him up. A flat worm about an inch by inch and a half.

[hobogato]

that sure is a pretty flame angel you got there :)

[allan]

lol, seems real vibrant living off if the LPS.

[Goofball310]

Looks like a Hawaiian Flame Angel. The orange Flame's tend to come from elsewhere.

[txav8r]

The Jack tower is awesome! The Allan tower looks overcompensated though...

[allan]

The Jack tower is awesome! The Allan tower looks overcompensated though...

Genetics man ;)

Really, I am in desperate need of a fish catcher. I took out half of the acans to include the scoly.... And now they are doing awesome.

[allan]

Took some more cell pics last night. Surprised by some of the growth.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-cf4d-f65f.jpg

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-cf65-0694.jpg

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-cf7e-3e8c.jpg

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http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-cfd3-1c42.jpg

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-cfee-2bab.jpg

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Hippo speaking human "'Sup dude? Food?"

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-d044-53e4.jpg

And clown "me too, me too, me too, me too"

... And me utterly bored out of mind during a conference call...

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-d0f5-d0e1.jpg

...and just heard someone say that the coffee is ready!

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-d15f-2580.jpg

But really, I'm just bored.

[Texreefer]

I still live vicariously through you! wish I still had that awesome tank.

[Mr Cob]

Allan you are a trip dude....lol

[Europhyllia]

are you drinking coffee from a Bierstein? Is that cup big enough?

[allan]

It's an awesome tank, Mike, in fact that fire coral piece you gave me is a colony now.

Rob, it's only 'cause I'm bored that you are amused.

Karin, I don't know. I do know that the guys here hate me for my half a pot cup of coffee. But to those lesser males I laugh (ha ha ha), as long as my thirst is slaked I care not for their percieved loss.

[Gseclipse02]

lol


the tank looks crazy full


the cyano looks like its not so bad any more

[allan]

Ah, I tend not to point my camera in that direction... and everytime I mention that it's finally gone it wakes up and reminds me that it's still there.

[kkiel02]

Sounds like a job for an ATS?

[allan]

Automatic Transfer Switch?

[Europhyllia]

Allan either you clean the sides of your tank or I will clean the sides of your tank. What's it going to be?

[kkiel02]

Algae Scrubber. It grows the algae on screens. Then you scrape those weekly. Plus you just use your drain line so you dont need a pump. Plus pods love the algae screens.

I can definatley tell mine is working well as my skimmer isn't pulling anything out this week. Last week I had about an inch of skimmate by now.

[allan]

Allan either you clean the sides of your tank or I will clean the sides of your tank. What's it going to be?

LMBO, karin that's so funny. I don't look through those side panes so I've not been interested in cleaning it. That and on the right side I have some pink GSP (PSP?) growing up on the glass, I'm hoping that it takes the entire pane.

I thought about putting in an algae scrubber a couple of years ago after talking to Ping, but never got around to it. If I had to redesign my system setup I would probably build it into the design... but right now I'm waiting for the call that you want me to have your tank so I can upgrade :)

[cbianco]

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6cd0ce2-cf4d-f65f.jpg

Your tank is looking really mature!

I counted 5 power heads in there, have you considered upgrading to a vortech?

Christopher :)

[allan]

Oh brother have I.

That large disk coral on the left... that's resting on a MP2600... and there's another MP2600 on the bottom behind all that rock to keep the crevices clear. So seven power heads. Four of them (Hydor 1400) are on a sea max wave maker thing. No waves, but there is a little random flow because of it.

[Europhyllia]

clean glass surfaces are not just about looks. Since they are no longer reflective when they are encrusted you are also cutting back on the available light in the tank

[allan]

Yeah, but that's only a concern if I wanted maximum growth. I can't get rid of the overgrowth that I do have. No need in making it more difficult.

I used to have a quote "I'm not lazy, I just don't like doing things", I no longer use it but man do i still live by them words. :D

[BSJF]

The coraline also sucks up your calcium. But if you scrape it off you may start a cycle from the waste, so that's a good reason to continue being lazy. Lol.

[FireWater]

Yeah, but that's only a concern if I wanted maximum growth. I can't get rid of the overgrowth that I do have. No need in making it more difficult.

I used to have a quote "I'm not lazy, I just don't like doing things", I no longer use it but man do i still live by them words. :D

Check out my new signature Allan. I have always looked up to you - literally and figuratively

[allan]

lol John, that's funny. Someone else quuoted me awhile back. Something like "If you live in a trailer and someone bumps into your house water will spill" or something.