Update on my LED tank

[MIOR6485]

Its been a while since I posted last but wanted to share some updated pics of my tank. Heres a quick run down of my setup.
equip: 200gal BB for almost 8 years. Vertex 250 cone skimmer, 4x tunze 6100. 16x evil Par38 LED lights, dose two part and use a sulphurdenitrator.

Itrs been a year and a half since I did a water change with o nitrates but a hint of phosphate from time to time.

[FireWater]

Itrs been a year and a half since I did a water change with o nitrates but a hint of phosphate from time to time.

That is amazing. You know you are going to have to go into more detail about your set up right?

What made you go the route you went and what issues did you have or worried about with no water changes?

[g-ray]

Looks good just got leds my self for a 60 gal cube pretty excited to see how they grow sps

[CoryDude]

...dose two part and use a sulphurdenitrator.

Itrs been a year and a half since I did a water change with o nitrates but a hint of phosphate from time to time.

Are you using any gfo to handle the phosphate levels? How does the denitrator affect your alkalinity?

Just wondering because I also use a sulphur denitrator and was curious to the long term effects on a system's alkalinity levels.

[MIOR6485]

I went with BB from the get go due to bad experiences with DSB's. BB are great as they provide additional areas for coral growth and the positioning of power heads is unlimited. Reality is BB require the best skimmer you can buy and siphoning of dietris. Its my opinion that sand beds are great buffers but can be a nightmare if maintenance isn't done. Also, DSB dont seem to prosper for more than 4 years without some type of major house cleaning. BB require the same attention but its easier to spring back since the only "sponge" in the system is generally the rocks. Since I introduce the sulphur denitrator it has resovled the Nitrates issue which has allowed my tank to do well.

As for the lighting, I was tired of having a hot tank (81-84) and being that the tank is enclosed in the wall, it required additional ventilation etc. LED are a win win except for the price but I decided on going with 16 evil Par 38 lamps which gave me a 1sqft coverage at 30". Being I dont have high light demands, I felt it was a good compromise. My LED's dont have the fancy options as they are on or off but I believe that is more to the persons taste then a benefit to the inhabitants. My tank sits at 77-78 with a room temp on 77. Now I only worry during cold spells which are far and in between as apposed to hot spells which are more frequent in SA. Example, this last cold spell we had, I struggled in maintaining my tank temp at 73 when the house was at 70 but everything flourished and made it through.

http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9095&d=1281376406
http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9101&d=1281376413

I believe that water changes are made for two major reasons, one is for element supplimentation and the other is for nutrient export or nitrate reduction thru dilution. The nitrate reactor takes care of nitrates and my two part and occasional additions of "essential Elements" take care of trace element suppliminatation. I also do Mag suppliments but they are done maybe three times a year as it usually stays between 1100-1350ppm.

[MIOR6485]

Are you using any gfo to handle the phosphate levels? How does the denitrator affect your alkalinity?

Just wondering because I also use a sulphur denitrator and was curious to the long term effects on a system's alkalinity levels.

I do use GFO from bulky reef and it does a good job but its only temp. I only use sulphur beads. Once the bacteria has been established I opened 100% and the tank equalized. My thinking is that bacteria will flucutate according to the food source available, nitrates. I do have to admit that I do have the sulphur smell in my tank on occasion but I have linked that to the times I have changed the food I feed. Flake to frozen to GP to cyclops. differnet foods create different waste etc. Alkalinity is contantly used up in my tank but that was the case prior to the denitrator. I haven't seen that my SD contributes to the depletion of alkalinty. I have to be honost and say that sometimes I dont know why my tank is different from someone elses but there are soo many variables its hard to pinpoint.

[CoryDude]

Wow, you have the valve on your SD fully open? I thought I was filtering fast at 2-3 drops per second. I used the caribbsea lsm, but I wished I had used the pearls because the sulphur flakes don't allow for even flow.

[MIOR6485]

Wow, you have the valve on your SD fully open? I thought I was filtering fast at 2-3 drops per second. I used the caribbsea lsm, but I wished I had used the pearls because the sulphur flakes don't allow for even flow.

I did the same until I keeped having to inclog it for many reasons. And after unclogging, you had the fart smell. I do have it open 100% but with a MJ900 and the restriction of the material, there realy isn't alot of flow. The drop method allows more time for nitrate removal so its more efficient but I dont think that is key. full flow will achieve the same output but it will take longer as it may only be elliminating 40% of nitrates per pass through but recirculation is higher and I dont suffer from fart smell due to clogging.

[ErikH]

That's alot of lights! Looks like you have amazing growth... I like it!

[MIOR6485]

That's alot of lights! Looks like you have amazing growth... I like it!

Looks bad but still cheaper option than any other LED setup covering the same area. I believe I paid $90/bulb with a qty discount. A plus is if one goes bad, simply unscrew and replace.

[ErikH]

I think it looks awesome!

[Troy Valentine]

Sorry Louis there is know way a picture, or pictures will do your tank justice. I have seen this tank from day one, and it is literally bursting with life. A true mixed reef, not an inch of exposed rock. Your tansformation from 3-250 DE to an established LED setup is simply amazing. You are one of the most tenacious hobbiest I know, very deserving of your success.