150g reef

[Big_Pun]

well time to start another build, this one will be an actual build and going to be taking my time on this one. I've been on the hunt for a new tank for a while and really wanted a 60 inch tank and I found it. Oceanic Tech Tank ,starphire glass 60x24x24.

So I'll prob use my current skimmer rated for 150g(sea side aquatics cs-1) till I have tank heavily stocked.
I'll be getting a new sump trigger system 30 or 36 with built in refugium.
lighting in torn between the ATI 8 bulb power module or mazzara LEDs
flow will be 2x mp-40 and a mp10esw(back wall) maybe minus one mp-40 and go with a nano wave box
planning on having this up by early/mid summer. my girlfriend Emily and i are building this together and I'm glad shes as excited as I am, both our current tanks will be combined.



on way to its new home
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/c8531fb5.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/e64f4274.jpg

[CoryDude]

Decided against the rimless tank? This should be cool.

[Kristy]

SWEET! You were totally due for an upgrade. :D

[Europhyllia]

Absolutely. It seems like it's been at least a year since you switched tanks!

And ...COMBINING tanks! That's a big step. Hope that's not the equivalent to giving away your last baby's clothes. ;)

Congrats :)

[350gt]

cool looking tank.......

[Big_Pun]

thanks! yes end if December was one year in my current tank. most gear I've bought has been purposely over rated so I can swap to new tank. that's 5 bio cubes a 65g, 3g pico, 70g since march of 2008!!

[Big_Pun]

cool looking tank.......

don't you have a new tank also ????

[350gt]

Ya, just a 20 gallon long. Might set this up and see where it goes... Still need a few things till I get it going....

[rrasco]

New tanks are awesome :thumbs_up:

[allan]

Nice... it's not a two carat ring... but it does show a level of commitment. :hypnotyized:

[Big_Pun]

Nice... it's not a two carat ring... but it does show a level of commitment. :hypnotyized:

cheaper than a ring and its starphire ........until i get the lights and sump and skimmer lol
good thing she really "likes" me a lot!!!!

[LuckySingh]

nice chris......:)

[hobogato]

looking forward to following along

[joelozano]

Good pick up. very interested in the progression of this project.

[KING]

nice tank..good luck with every thing..

[Ms_Big_Pun]

Nice... it's not a two carat ring... but it does show a level of commitment. :hypnotyized:


I'm patiently waiting for that two carat ring :)

[Chuntaro]

:thumbs_up: :heart:

[reefreak]

Very nice tank good luck with everything

[Big_Pun]

sorry no pics nothing new...... yet.
placed my order with Elegant Reef for some new equipment, trigger system
elite ruby 36 sump/refugium, and sea side aquatics cs-2, and 2x sicce2 for returns. big thanks to Elegant Reef for getting what I want and not having to compromise. I'll be running a 2x250w and 2x t5 light I got used but will upgrading ASAP to the lumenbright 60 inch fixture. http://img.tapatalk.com/6330e6e5-8ad9-0c18.jpg

[KING]

i like them mh..what kind are they>? never seen them like that

[txg8gxp]

Nice tank, I'm sure it will be a great setup. Back to MH huh, I know you have said your best color/growth was under MH.

[Big_Pun]

nothing like true full spectrum light and some shimmer, going back to the basics and some modern twists with this tank.

king they are made by coralvue , lumenbright fixture. it has the same pendants as the ones above the reef tank at elegant reef but also has 2 80w t5 and 12 1w LEDs. also the ballast is switchable from 250-400w

[Big_Pun]

ok finally a picture !!! so I decided I wanted a sump big enough for my skimmer yet small enough to save room under stand. so I had nick at elegant reef design one off my current sump, and have our acrylic guy "dan" build one. wow I'm very happy with it!!! it has a fuge in front and enough room for my return pump. 24lx20dx16h
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/363a85c6.jpg

[reefreak]

Nice looking forward to the tank going up

[350gt]

That's nice.....


Makes me want to build something now.....


Really thinking of bringing down the 110 and building something my way... Since it was my first tank and bought used, I never made it mine.... If that makes sense..

[Big_Pun]

That's nice.....


Makes me want to build something now.....


Really thinking of bringing down the 110 and building something my way... Since it was my first tank and bought used, I never made it mine.... If that makes sense..

I understand I bought just glass and a stand the rest is all the stuff I wanted. pretty much after 2 tanks rushed to get set up, it's nice to have what I want.

[Big_Pun]

the rest of my equipment is paid for!!!

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/313cd7ca.jpg

[Europhyllia]

an you are going up and down so fast I am losing track with you. lol

[Big_Pun]

haha Karin you know me!! well I've learned a lot in past 3 years and this is the tank to end my flip flopping. would cost way to much to upgrade from here!!! oh yea go look at my nano tank build I started last night 20g zoa garden

[LuckySingh]

Chris which skimmer is that...
I just came back from Louis and we talked over the skimmer that I'll be using I am still undecided ...wanted to go with atleast 450gln capacity


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big_Pun]

@lucky that is the cs-2 by seaside aquatics it's rated for 230g uses a sicce psk1000. you would need a nac9 that things a beast over 1000lph air

[Big_Pun]

so here we go just a trip to home depot (4th time) for some 90' elbow barbs and it's time to get this tank wet


my snazzy plumbing
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/07242baf.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/6a959a42.jpg

[reefreak]

Wow nice

[Big_Pun]

still having plumbing issues nothing big but I'm tired of home depot taking my money lol!!!

[reefreak]

Lol

[Big_Pun]

ok checked over flows for leaks, all good. now for water!!

[Ms_Big_Pun]

Here it goes! We are almost there!!!!!!! Can't wait to start cleaning everything up and having a home again

[Big_Pun]

finished electrical now I need filter socks and rest of my rock at ER.
then hang light

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/6396543b.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/8552d454.jpg

[Big_Pun]

system is now running!! mp-40's on and skimmer online... very quite I hear the mp's more :(

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/09317289.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/4e6cd6a8.jpg

[rrasco]

What are the light hangers you are using?

[Big_Pun]

What are the light hangers you are using?

Big pun hangers!! bent 3/4 conduit, painted black,but not very good bends. Alton the great guy he is will be making a better set.

[rrasco]

I was thinking about making my own as well. Do you just screw them into the back of the stand?

[joelozano]

Looking good Chris!

[Big_Pun]

jut use the straps they sell at home depot.

thanks joe!!

[Big_Pun]

And we are done!!!! a lot of work but a great learning experience, I'm so lucky to have the greatest girlfriend. we did this together and didn't kill each other.

I love you Emily!!!

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/d0b628be.jpg

[kkiel02]

Looks good! Only thing that may bother me is the thermostat being that close to the tank. Didn't Erik have some problems with that?? If not, please disreard that statement and just go with the Looks Good part. :)

[Big_Pun]

it might but in 3 months I'll have radions!!

[kkiel02]

Lucky! Hopefully in three months Ill have made up my mind on which lights to get...

[reefreak]

so do you have livestock in it right now?

[Big_Pun]

so do you have livestock in it right now?

yea all the fish that didn't parish from rocks falling in brute can :(.

2x fire fish, fox face, couple wrasses. other fish where put in 20g zoa garden.

[reefreak]

yeah i did the same with my 20 to the 55 transfer so everything did good in it.

[Big_Pun]

S1weXSfQs4o

[KING]

looks good..glad every things coming to gather for you with this one :applause:

[alton]

Chris if I bent you a 24" -90- x 96" long and you can cut to fit, would that work?

[Big_Pun]

yea it should Alton, thank you so much

[LuckySingh]

Chris looking great... How much water r u turning on this tank and how many power heads r u using ...
I am looking to do a solely sps in my tank and went ahead and ordered two mp60 but after speaking with nick figured decided to go with a wave and 7095 from my breakdown ad plus 6155...

[Big_Pun]

I'm using two sicce 2(561gph), I have 2 mp-40es running in anti sync to get a nice wave.

[Mr Cob]

looks great Chris! I like the rock work too.

[350gt]

What mode are you running your vortechs?

[Big_Pun]

blue mode I turned it up to almost full power then go to second mode and dial up and down till I find the sweet spot.

[350gt]

Is that what your going to leave it on? Or just to get a wave?

[Big_Pun]

Is that what your going to leave it on? Or just to get a wave?


yup cuz emily likes the wave lol, ill run nutrient extract today to stir up some nastys. but ill prob change it through out the week. im sure as soon as emily learns how to mess with it she will.

[350gt]

Ya as soon as I upgrade my second controller, I will run the nutrient mode at night..

[Big_Pun]

finally get to use my wet acrylic mp holders. thanks jack!!

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/b8ee26bc.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/37bee88a.jpg

[350gt]

Very cool holders.....

Temp 81.9???

[Big_Pun]

I think it's wrong may need to calibrate or clean probe as it sit out a couple days. also my g/f keeps her house warm. I may need to bust out my chiller eek!

look orange
http://img.tapatalk.com/48b27602-6a19-0105.jpg

[350gt]

Either that or hurry on those radions....

I saw them today at the shop....... ****!!!


I want but don't want to have to buy a PC to run them..

[joelozano]

Chris, looks sick!

Tony, don't mess with a PC, buy my ice cap reef illuminations and I will hook up on the radions ;)

[Big_Pun]

Emily was down at the store picking up out new blonde naso, and she help mount the radion. now she definitely wants them too!!

[350gt]

Chris, looks sick!

Tony, don't mess with a PC, buy my ice cap aqua illuminations and I will hook up on the radions ;)



Pm with a price ;)



And Chris, I saw that naso, veddy veddy nice..... Price wasn't too bad either...

[Big_Pun]

Pm with a price ;)



And Chris, I saw that naso, veddy veddy nice..... Price wasn't too bad either...

any tang that sits in ER's fish systems with copper for a month is a good deal at any price. hopefully now that it's a bigger tank his color will come back.

[Ms_Big_Pun]

I made a video today!!! With my new camera too:):)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOpjR1uVrdY&list=UUhufZVrmR5b4WJHl-zN0ECw&index=1&feature=plcp

[Big_Pun]

well I took down my 70g sad day! I can't believe how full the 150 looks from the coral in my lil tank. fish also came over today.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/8f0611a3.jpg

[clowndude]

Looking good man, can't wait to see the tank in person.

[hobogato]

nicely done chris and emily! lots of room for grow out

[Big_Pun]

thank you. here's a quick video

5UBgNr5G4qw

[350gt]

I thought you were going led?

[Big_Pun]

I thought you were going led?

soon! trying to get my head above water, went over budget a lil but all worth it!!

[LuckySingh]

thank you. here's a quick video

5UBgNr5G4qw

Chris tank looks awesome and like ur tang too...
How big is that rabbit fish...

[KING]

nice..an dam ur 70 did full that tanks up good lol ..didn't see the purple tang>?

[reefreak]

Wow this tank came togehther nice!

[Big_Pun]

Wow this tank came togehther nice!

the crazy part is i went against everything i was taught, i used tap water, i didnt cycle a month before adding fish (24hours) coral in 72 hours. so far no stress on livestock. i ran my water through sediment and carbon filters and used prime. i have a diatom out break(tap still has phosphates) but gfo is controlling that. but i am using rodi to top off and water changes, just so i dont have to worry about phosphates now.

[Ms_Big_Pun]

nice..an dam ur 70 did full that tanks up good lol ..didn't see the purple tang>?

The purple tang has been gone for some time...the sucker was on a killing spree. Killed the female mandarin Chris had in the tank and was going after everything else. SO not worth it

[Ms_Big_Pun]

Here are some pictures from yesterday:
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3247.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3246.jpg

This Beauty was picked up at Elegant Reef:
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3242.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3240.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3237.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3235.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3230.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l574/eawonko/DSC_3233.jpg

[alton]

I did not see the Multi-color angel?

[Big_Pun]

I did not see the Multi-color angel?

he didn't make the move, died while in the brute with other fish. :(

[KING]

sorry to hear about the tang..but nice tank an glad ya'll are happy with it..
Are ya'll still going led?

[Big_Pun]

sorry to hear about the tang..but nice tank an glad ya'll are happy with it..
Are ya'll still going led?

yea i placed my order with Elegant Reef for 2 radions, just gotta wait since they are on backorder. i really like the growth of mh i dont think it can be beat but my tank hovers at 80-81 i dont want to take the chance going into summer, and if i dont like them ill just buy the lumen bright fixture.

at the moment with current fixture i get 350par at surface 250 mid and 125-140 on floor under hilades 2x2 spread each. the bulbs are over 10 months old

[LuckySingh]

yea i placed my order with Elegant Reef for 2 radions, just gotta wait since they are on backorder. i really like the growth of mh i dont think it can be beat but my tank hovers at 80-81 i dont want to take the chance going into summer, and if i dont like them ill just buy the lumen bright fixture.

at the moment with current fixture i get 350par at surface 250 mid and 125-140 on floor under hilades 2x2 spread each. the bulbs are over 10 months old

i saw the radions at elegant reef and the colors are much nicer than AIs...

ur r using 2x250wts MH now right???
how far away they r from the sand??

[Big_Pun]

@lucky they are about 30-32 inches away tank is only 24 inches deep. im using 250w icecap ballast

[LuckySingh]

@lucky they are about 30-32 inches away tank is only 24 inches deep. im using 250w icecap ballast..
so they r about 6" away from the water..i guess thats the reason they r cooking ur water...i ran into a same problem if i would ve installed the halides in the canopy...now they sit on the canopy i guess about 14" away from the water and about 35" from the sand..
i hvent tested the par yet but i should be getting enough for my sps

[Big_Pun]

looks like I finally got Emily to see the light!! the growth with mh and color has been great so staying with tried and true and tested. getting dosing pumps and changing out bulbs and still have a lil extra $$ for some nice coral

[CoryDude]

Glad you're staying with us old-schoolers.

[Big_Pun]

Glad you're staying with us old-schoolers.

Yup I couldn't find any good proof LEDs are better at growing coral, plus the biggest thing to me is color spectrum. so I'll go with the lumenbright fixture like I always wanted to.

[clowndude]

Alright, I knew you would stay with good ole tried and true. Can't beat the color and growth from MH's.

[Big_Pun]

finished up organizing my stand and gettin all reactors online. also added
a 10g tank for ATO controlled by RKE. now I just need my dosing pumps!!

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/838b4496.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/1479f40e.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/35f5fd2f.jpg

[hobogato]

very nice chris

[allan]

Man, Chris, I need you to come over and rewire all of my spaghetti wire mess.

[Big_Pun]

Man, Chris, I need you to come over and rewire all of my spaghetti wire mess.

when I started this build organization was a big deal. but if you could see behind the stand on left side you would see the rat nest where the main supply from the 8 plug DJ switch lol. Emily wants a label maker to label each plug.

[Milly]

when I started this build organization was a big deal. but if you could see behind the stand on left side you would see the rat nest where the main supply from the 8 plug DJ switch lol. Emily wants a label maker to label each plug.

Chris we have one at our house, and it helps big time!!

[allan]

There Milly goes, advertising all of my equipment. :)

The label maker does help, the young'un leaving your RODI on all night... That doesn't help. :D

[Big_Pun]

tank is settling nicely going to do 30g water change. finished setting up water storage area. really happy with my skimmer it's pulling some nasty stuff now

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/fff7f8d7.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/84a80272.jpg

[CoryDude]

Ewww, that looks nasty! How many days worth of skimmate is that? Thanks again for the vortech rebuild kit.

[Big_Pun]

Ewww, that looks nasty! How many days worth of skimmate is that? Thanks again for the vortech rebuild kit.

that's about 4 days of crud!! your welcome Cory I try and keep extra parts of everything I have and if I can help out I try to. now you have an excuse to swing by and see my tank and talk
reef(bring Troy) lol

[Big_Pun]

rocking a wave!!

TEsPsUmz20c

[Ms_Big_Pun]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tKgHNM_xvc&feature=youtu.be

Here is another video of the tank from today's feeding.

[kkiel02]

Looking good Emily!!!


Oh yeah and Chris.
Those mp40s really give you a nice wave. Cant wait to see it all grown in.

[Big_Pun]

haha thanks Kevin. everything is doing well, lil prob with ph it was at 7.4 this morn. I may start using a tunze calcium dispenser basically a kalk reactor. also now that it's starting to warm up my temp are hitting close to 82. I don't want to get a chiller so I'm going to try a couple things before switching lights. radion just released new lenses and it has extra lenses so they will be releasing new led cluster soon.

[Big_Pun]

Current Livestock:

Blonde Naso Tang
Magnificent Foxface
Pair of Picasso clownfish
Pair of Green Mandarin
Scooter Blenny male
fire fish
purple fire fish x2
green chromis x6
Yellow Wrasse male
Melanurus wrasse male
Blue Spotted Tamarin Wrasse
Velvet Wrasse male
Pygmy Angelfish

[LuckySingh]

Looking nice Chris....I guess for large sps tank chiller is must...I tried to get away with it but it's not gne work.....

[Big_Pun]

Looking nice Chris....I guess for large sps tank chiller is must...I tried to get away with it but it's not gne work.....

i know it hurts a lot but since this is at emilys house and shes full time student and so am i, we dont wanna deal with a high electric bill so LED's may be a must and just have to bite the bullet

[Big_Pun]

happy birthday to me!!!! got a nice fixture today. current USA outer orbit, 2x250w hqi, 4x54w T5ho, led moonlight. plans are to run fixture see if i like the 10k bulbs and t5 that came factory or I may just swap all lights to suit my liking. only downside is the hqi ballast is magnetic, they tend to over drive bulbs, and are huge and heavy. i may swap my ice cap ballast instead.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/d135a6bd.jpg

[LuckySingh]

Alright ..dude u went against LEDs!!!

[Big_Pun]

Alright ..dude u went against LEDs!!!

I was on the fence but Emily finally saw the "light" so final decision was stay MH

[Big_Pun]

since everyone is doing actinic shots i will too! lol

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/7440f497.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/faea9eb4.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/d383d475.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/b722c2d8.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/d5b001ef.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/499236fe.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/5373140c.jpg

[Texreefer]

Everyone wants to be like Mike.... looks good:)

[joelozano]

nice pics

[Big_Pun]

love the new light a lil noisy from having a fan in fixture(loudest part), two fans in ballast one in each(magnetic ballast). so when all lights are on its 716w of light!!! maybe a lil more since mag ballast over drive. LEDs are nice two diff colors white and blue so looks like full moon when they are all on, I have whites on 3 days out of the week. I'm not happy with 10k HQI bulbs way to yellow in color, so Louis has some Phoenix 14k coming. the current USA hanging arms where hard to find as alot of there stuff is discontinued, then I had to slip them inside 1 inch conduit to make them long enough so my fixture isn't hanging 1 inch from water. all in all I'm happy with lights. Current USA outer orbit 2x250w hqi and 4x54w T5ho.

all lights on
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/c09ab4e3.jpg

actinics
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/c03582ee.jpg

LEDs white and blue
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/a854cd20.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/5916a240.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/e8d5df21.jpg

[LuckySingh]

love the new light a lil noisy from having a fan in fixture(loudest part), two fans in ballast one in each(magnetic ballast). so when all lights are on its 716w of light!!! maybe a lil more since mag ballast over drive. LEDs are nice two diff colors white and blue so looks like full moon when they are all on, I have whites on 3 days out of the week. I'm not happy with 10k HQI bulbs way to yellow in color, so Louis has some Phoenix 14k coming. the current USA hanging arms where hard to find as alot of there stuff is discontinued, then I had to slip them inside 1 inch conduit to make them long enough so my fixture isn't hanging 1 inch from water. all in all I'm happy with lights. Current USA outer orbit 2x250w hqi and 4x54w T5ho.

all lights on
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/c09ab4e3.jpg




Bro no kidding tank looks awesome
...
Those sticks glows....

[Big_Pun]

thanks Lucky... how's your tank settling in

[LuckySingh]

Still hanging in as if now just a few corals from my previous tank no sps yet... Been really bsy with family and summer wifey being pregnant takes my lot of time and now heading out on a 2 week trip ...maybe next month I'll start adding up sps s ... Considering to add a 48x 16x16 frag tank thou

[Big_Pun]

good to hear lucky ... congrats on new addition to family!!

[Big_Pun]

well this light fixture was a great deal at first but has turned into a pain in the (_|_)...... so I bought it brand new in box unused from someone gettin out before getting tank up. so I've swapped all the original t5 bulbs ATI and KZ. then I got around to MH phoenix 14k, then magnetic ballast didnt fire bulb right. so I had to buy a new electronic ballast(caught a sale and saved $100). then ballast went out for t5 and today that ballast starting smoking!! well te t5 ballast had come undone from its based and was resting on MH reflector(explains the electrical smell when it went out weeks ago). then I tried to go to a local store that does lighting I called them they had them in stock(workhorse and advance) so I had 20 min to get there and I was 15 min away. bam I get there at 4:55 to see a sign"as if July 30 we have moved ......".so to drown my sorrows I got to elegant reef and buy a Fiji purple and a blue plus(thanks Louis). then Mark shoots me a text with a list of ballast he has and comes right over, after test fitting I settle on the workhorse 7. after 2 hours of rewiring and retro fitting it all goes together smoothly!! dang I love this hobby but who said you had to be electrician, plumber, marine biologist an one lucky fool to keep things going!! thanks for reading my rant!

http://img.tapatalk.com/48b27602-2f15-142d.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/48b27602-2f25-343b.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/48b27602-2f32-9f62.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/48b27602-2f8d-e703.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/48b27602-2f41-f419.jpg

[CoryDude]

OMG,that is so true. You have to be a jack of all trades, like you said, in order to get things done in this hobby. Of course it doesn't help that they cram everything in those fixtures with so little room to work. You always need a 3rd hand and fingers that bend backwards to get the job done. A wratchet wrist doesn't hurt either.

So you're running 2 blue+ and 2 fiji purples?

[Big_Pun]

bulbs 2x250w phoenix 14k powered by galaxy ballast( ballast make a big diff how bulbs look) 1-ATI blue plus, 2x ATI coral plus(great spectrum) and 1- Fiji purple. I'm running coral plus to cut blue look but not loose pop of blue plus.

back to 716w of light!!

http://img.tapatalk.com/48b27602-cb7d-8554.jpg

[350gt]

Looks good Chris..

I yanked the true actinic and purple plus for a blue plus and coral plus..... Seems like everything is happy..

[Big_Pun]

Looks good Chris..

I yanked the true actinic and purple plus for a blue plus and coral plus..... Seems like everything is happy..

I live ATI bulbs but that purple plus is deff not as nice as Fiji purple. its going to take a good led fixture to make me switch. vertex would be nice but 3-4g's on a light isn't happening.

[reefreak]

Lol try the ecorays

[LuckySingh]

tank looks nicer chris every time u post pic:thumbs_up:.. i am also running the same bulbs 3x250wts 14k ph but some reason it still too blue for me...to me 14k pheonix is pretty much as blue as some of the 20ks around.....

[reefreak]

Lol i bet cps loves you!

[350gt]

I live ATI bulbs but that purple plus is deff not as nice as Fiji purple. its going to take a good led fixture to make me switch. vertex would be nice but 3-4g's on a light isn't happening.


AI VEGAS?

or and I am very pleased with the AI's/t5 hybrid..... I can change the spectrum when I want... plus no heat, well very little from the 2 T5s......

[Big_Pun]

tank looks nicer chris every time u post pic:thumbs_up:.. i am also running the same bulbs 3x250wts 14k ph but some reason it still too blue for me...to me 14k pheonix is pretty much as blue as some of the 20ks around.....
what ballast are you running? also what t5 bulbs are you running?


Lol i bet cps loves you!
no I'm very energy efficient with my electronic ballast, also I run all sicce pumps so low wattage, Vortechs help. but yea I use alot of energy"charge it to the game"

AI VEGAS?

or and I am very pleased with the AI's/t5 hybrid..... I can change the spectrum when I want... plus no heat, well very little from the 2 T5s......
it's like going from a muscle car to a hybrid lol.... prob get the same result but I like having the power!!!

[LuckySingh]

I am running them on all individual galaxy ballast ... 8 t5s 39 wts each 16" above from water

[350gt]

it's like going from a muscle car to a hybrid lol.... prob get the same result but I like having the power!!!



Muscle cars have always all been bark and no bite IMO... Lol until recently I have never been impressed with stock #s from V8s.

But seriously I am expecting much more from the Vegas, I won't run out and upgrade but if I was starting a new tank.... I can't wait to see what they can do....

[Big_Pun]

I am running them on all individual galaxy ballast ... 8 t5s 39 wts each 16" above from water

maybe mix up the t5 for a whiter bulb like coral plus.... you need to swing by and see the color in person.

[Big_Pun]

Muscle cars have always all been bark and no bite IMO... Lol until recently I have never been impressed with stock #s from V8s.

But seriously I am expecting much more from the Vegas, I won't run out and upgrade but if I was starting a new tank.... I can't wait to see what they can do....

I'll have some cash to spend at macna so maybe I'll come back with a new toy!!

[350gt]

Wish I could make it.....


If you don't like whatever u buy, maybe I can buy it off you!...

[Ms_Big_Pun]

I'll have some cash to spend at macna so maybe I'll come back with a new toy!!


No you won't Chris

[Big_Pun]

No you won't Chris

you won't be there !!

[reefreak]

Lol

[350gt]

No you won't Chris


Dang!!!!!!:applause:

[Big_Pun]

Dang!!!!!!:applause:

don't encourage her ..... I won't share my coral from macna when it grows out

[350gt]

Lol....

Look forward to your pics from over there..... Better be posting while your browsing!

[Big_Pun]

Lol....

Look forward to your pics from over there..... Better be posting while your browsing!

oh I will I'm also writing a little article for reefaddicts.com for Marc (melev)

[RayAllen]

Looks killer Chris.

[reefreak]

aww dude i am totally getting your light but the 150w version my dads always complaining about how much watts i use lol

[Big_Pun]

thanks ray.... they stop makin this light a few years ago and as you can see for light 5 months old the only thing stock is the housing, fans and reflectors! lol. my dream light is the lumenbright fixture, reflectors make a big diff!!!

http://coralvue.com/lumen-brightt5led-fixture/

[reefreak]

Nicw but looks heavy and i found your fixture for right in my price range lol

[Big_Pun]

well Robs reactor has finally been put to use and I'm very happy. used a toms aqualifter with pre filter(thanks Louis) a check valve. reefkeeper kicks on mixer pump for 1 min every 6 hours. I decided to put it in my ATO reservoir since its a maxi jet pump that mixes it. so far no leaks and ph is higher now to wait a week and do calcium and alk test.

[Big_Pun]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/09/se3uja6e.jpgwell Robs reactor has finally been put to use and I'm very happy. used a toms aqualifter with pre filter(thanks Louis) a check valve. reefkeeper kicks on mixer pump for 1 min every 6 hours. I decided to put it in my ATO reservoir since its a maxi jet pump that mixes it. so far no leaks and ph is higher now to wait a week and do calcium and alk test.

[Big_Pun]

yes it's a lil ghetto with airline tube holding pump. but I need to build a lil shelf to mount it.

[Flyride95]

Man that look awesome.

[OUCH!]

Man that look awesome.

I have to 2nd that but most of all love this that u wrote, it is so true

(( dang I love this hobby but who said you had to be electrician, plumber, marine biologist an one lucky fool to keep things going!! thanks for reading my rant!))

[Big_Pun]

haha thanks guys!!

[350gt]

That looks crazy......

Hope it all works out..

[Big_Pun]

That looks crazy......

Hope it all works out..

it really wasn't the hard to install... the RKE was easy to setup timer to stir also. gotta say I wouldn't ever setup a tank without controller.

[Big_Pun]

slowly coming up,so I'm pretty happy. I'll adjust after another reading in 3 days ph is holding at 7.78 so it's up from 7.0 I don't want to change anything too fast.

[ATTACH]16414[/ATTACH

[Big_Pun]

when aqualifter pumps fail to push water through your giant kalk reactor, you go dig in your reef stash and find a pump with a 1/4 inch connection and taaaadaaa!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/27/pe6asa5u.jpg

[Big_Pun]

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/adobe2_zps6a0f312f.jpg

[Low_KingMatt]

Looks great!!!!

[Big_Pun]

Looks great!!!!

thanks. i need to tackle that coraline

[CoryDude]

Looking good. Is that an ro booster pump? Way to Macgyver it.

[Big_Pun]

Looking good. Is that an ro booster pump? Way to Macgyver it.

yes it is!!! it's not macgyver when you need the extra power!! it's well thought out plan of attack. the aqua lifter pumps didn't have the power, the reactor has 1/4 push fittings so the only thing I had left in my arsenal was the booster pump!!

[ErikH]

I have some lumenbright reflectors and other stuff like ballasts if you need. Starphire tank? I'll bet it was light! :)

[Big_Pun]

I have some lumenbright reflectors and other stuff like ballasts if you need. Starphire tank? I'll bet it was light! :)

I'm good running 2x250w and 4x54w fixture, I'll be upgrading to the maristar 2 as soon as possible same configuration but better reflectors, or if I really save up ill get a lumen bright fixture. because its open top Emily will not allow pendents so must be a fixture

[koa25]

I have the lumen brights and i freaking love those things. great spread and punch.

[Mr Cob]

solid looking tank hombre, some nice looking colonies. You have definitely stepped up your game little homie.


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/adobe2_zps6a0f312f.jpg

[Ms_Big_Pun]

Thanks,
The left side of the tank will be changing a bit. I got rid of the big rock with all those fuzzy mushrooms as well as another rock that was supporting it. We will be replacing rock and moving some stuff around. Eventually some things will get moved into my new tank as well.

[Big_Pun]

Thanks,
The left side of the tank will be changing a bit. I got rid of the big rock with all those fuzzy mushrooms as well as another rock that was supporting it. We will be replacing rock and moving some stuff around. Eventually some things will get moved into my new tank as well.

Shhh!!!!!!!!

[Big_Pun]

shout out to my wonderful g/f(who prob wont read this post for weeks) she actually did a water change all by herself today im so proud of her lol......
she even sent a pic aww

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/20/zahubery.jpg

[RayAllen]

^^^^ Nice.

Good Job Emily. Haha.

[Flyride95]

Man can you give some advise to my wife? :)

[sdunn90fowlr]

No kidding Flyride95! Nice job! All my wife does is pick on me over how long water changes take. I wish I could find a way to get her involved in the hobby.

[Big_Pun]

lots of foot work!! plus I threaten to pay Louis to service it !! pay for water change or go out to eat hmmmm.......

so I'll be going to chama gaucha soon

[Zack]

lots of foot work!! plus I threaten to pay Louis to service it !! pay for water change or go out to eat hmmmm.......

so I'll be going to chama gaucha soon

That place is heaven on earth..

[Flyride95]

Man I haven't been to chama gaucha for a while. Miss that place. The have the best Parmesan pork!

[Big_Pun]

wow the tank is very clean she even vacuumed the sand bed in front. hmm something is wrong........

[alton]

Good job Emily (your) tank looks great.

[Flyride95]

wow the tank is very clean she even vacuumed the sand bed in front. hmm something is wrong........
Beware of the "you know how I cleaned your tank.. Well I was wondering..." Lmao Jk Jk Jk.

[Big_Pun]

Beware of the "you know how I cleaned your tank.. Well I was wondering..." Lmao Jk Jk Jk.

with the reply of you remember how i cleaned it the past year, and set it up!

[Big_Pun]

since my tank is mostly SPS besides some zoas and lil GSP and a brain, I figured I would try out this guy. he was at elegant reef for about a week eating, so I pulled the trigger. love his color and personality will see how it all pans out.
look no cyano JT!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/08/mupujy8y.jpg

[jvene1]

Awesome! What kind of puffer is that?

[Big_Pun]

Awesome! What kind of puffer is that?


blue boxfish

[jvene1]

Wow, it looks awesome! Good luck with it!

[CoryDude]

Good God almighty you did it! What about the mystery wrasse?

[350gt]

Lol@ no cyano...


Cool fish!

[Big_Pun]

Good God almighty you did it! What about the mystery wrasse?

waiting for you!! emily wanted 2 spot hog so got that for her.

[FireWater]

Buy the mystery so I don't Cory.
Cool fish Chris, good luck.

[allan]

That is a really cool fish. I've been toying around with the idea of getting another texan long horn, but I've still got a cleaner wrass and those two never saw eye to eye.

What's his coral of choice that you weren't worried about?

[hobogato]

my all time favorite fish chris, i wish they werent so difficult to keep. ill keep my fingers crossed for you guys.

[Big_Pun]

so far its eating a lil. wish live food was easier to get i would put him in a smaller system till i got his appettite up for frozen food.
i may snag that mystery today lol.......

allan in the past ive had box fish nibble on certain lps like brains or candy canes, so far emily has seen him picking at rocks and very active.

[CoryDude]

Buy the mystery so I don't Cory.
Cool fish Chris, good luck.

Nah, I'm holding out for an exquisite wrasse or a time machine so I can stop by elegant reef 2 weeks ago to buy that beauty that andresm picked up.

[Big_Pun]

took this pic Sunday after cleaning up tank, topping off the monster kalk reactor, cleaning up bio pellet reactor and gfo reactor. finally got some time to sit and enjoy the tank! so far all coral are doing well, had a bout of wrasse die offs, lost my blue spot tamarin and velvet and my fav fish my prized yellow wrasse who has been with me since 2008. they all died a moth part each other all of sudden. box fish cut his face up and has a lil ich so I'm treating him now, he's eating an still active so he should pull through.
been getting a lot of questions what I dose lately so here a pic of my cocktail. I just dose according to bottle, now remember I do small water changes and kalk and strontium and mag are dosed through my reactor via top off. I also feed reef roids and fuel.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/19/e9eqadu7.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/19/a6ysy2a7.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/19/y8edejez.jpg

[Paul28]

i see that beast kalk reactor gzzz its like 2 times bigger then mine haha

[Big_Pun]

i see that beast kalk reactor gzzz its like 2 times bigger then mine haha
got it at a good price from cob but when i did go get it i was like holy crap where am i going to put it. good thing i only need to fill it up every 3-4 months lol

[Paul28]

one that big i would be afraid and put a Ph controler on the tank ph incase the skimmer over flow or ATO got stuck on haha tank is looking great man :)

[Big_Pun]

one that big i would be afraid and put a Ph controler on the tank ph incase the skimmer over flow or ATO got stuck on haha tank is looking great man :)
i have alarms on my reefkeeper elite that shut off the pump that feeds it if ph gets above 8.4. also it kicks on auxiliary pump to top off as need just fresh water until ph goes down. im adding a float switch as a back up to shut return pumps and skimmer if water levels get to high in sump

[Paul28]

i have alarms on my reefkeeper elite that shut off the pump that feeds it if ph gets above 8.4. also it kicks on auxiliary pump to top off as need just fresh water until ph goes down. im adding a float switch as a back up to shut return pumps and skimmer if water levels get to high in sump

nice yeh thats like mine alot of crap backing up other crap haha :)

[electricrcplane]

Very nice tank Chris and I gotta say really nice large SPS colonies when I stopped by.

[Big_Pun]

Very nice tank Chris and I gotta say really nice large SPS colonies when I stopped by.

bigger now you should come get your blue milli I've had for you

[electricrcplane]

bigger now you should come get your blue milli I've had for you

I'm there, let me know what days your free this week.

[electricrcplane]

I'm there, let me know what days your free this week.

I'll also bring you some zoas I don't think Emily has.

[Big_Pun]

Picked a very nice clown today from my buddy Rudy and so did a couple of my other friends this is the second one ive picked up from Rudy. Tank has been doing great the past month. took a couple pics at dusk.


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4799_zps869690f1.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4798_zps90653d99.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4801_zpsa2fd7537.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4804_zpsf1f218f8.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4809_zpsa981e675.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4807_zps0a45f301.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4805_zps7c1f6635.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4810_zps5eb6f842.jpg


the other clown from rudy in the 27g cube
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/DSC_4710_zps0510a513.jpg

[hobogato]

great looking fish!

[hobogato]

alright chris, what is your new toy?

[Big_Pun]

alright chris, what is your new toy?

ill wait a lil longer to post up :bigsmile:

[350gt]

he bought a honda ruckus to drive to clients houses......:shades:

[alton]

What did Emily let you buy now?

[Big_Pun]

he bought a honda ruckus to drive to clients houses......:shades:

i was looking at those at the dealership my buddy works at but circus bear comes to mind

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/25/umybyqes.jpg

[350gt]

i was looking at those at the dealership my buddy works at but circus bear comes to mind



LOL...... circus music played in my head while I tried to picture what you meant, then I got it...lol


need to learn to juggle.....

[rrasco]

Vertex?

[350gt]

I wont believe it, til I see it over the tank......


cmon chris, do it!


what you got to lose? if you make it work, I promise never to knock you off as the DON.. lol

[Big_Pun]

Vertex?

yes sir, and might i say pretty powerful compared to other fixtures ive handled


I wont believe it, til I see it over the tank......


cmon chris, do it!


what you got to lose? if you make it work, I promise never to knock you off as the DON.. lol
lol im testing the waters for now im in the kiddie pool at the moment

[Sherita]

yes sir, and might i say pretty powerful compared to other fixtures ive handled


lol im testing the waters for now im in the kiddie pool at the moment

Got your floaties? Has it been at least an hour since you ate (don't want any cramps)?


JK............I'll be watching to see how this turns out. Looks interesting.

[Big_Pun]

its pretty cool sitting across the room with no wires connected to light and messing with settings

[KING]

You have it up on tank? Post pic..what to see what it looks like

[Big_Pun]

You have it up on tank? Post pic..what to see what it looks like
its on my table no hanging kit

[Paul28]

TRADER !!!

[rrasco]

EMT, straps, some rope wire and you're golden.

[Big_Pun]

TRADER !!!
its still for sale lol just checking it out i guess

[Paul28]

its still for sale lol just checking it out i guess

:)

[350gt]

TRADER !!!



Dont worry I called bluff when he first told me..

[Big_Pun]

EMT, straps, some rope wire and you're golden.
heck no thats a 2700 fixture no thank you!!!

[Paul28]

Dont worry I called bluff when he first told me..

yeh i dont think he will with everyrthing going good in his tank why take the chance little cyno here and there who cares wait til the tank gets 5year+ then you can have fun fighting cyno injoy the little outbreaks its part of the hobby

[Big_Pun]

yeh i dont think he will with everyrthing going good in his tank why take the chance little cyno here and there who cares wait til the tank gets 5year+ then you can have fun fighting cyno injoy the little outbreaks its part of the hobby
i dont know, around here leds are magic and cure every reef syndrome you can imagine and last 100 years or so

[Paul28]

i dont know, around here leds are magic and cure every reef syndrome you can imagine and last 100 years or so

haha seems so right

[Big_Pun]

i will be using them as soon as i get the proper hanging kit or legs. now i know my kalk top off is a issue i have my reef keeper charting when my top off switches are triggered and it isnt much, tank stays at 78-79 all day and night even with lights off so my lil wal-mart fan and the height of my fixture is dialed in at the moment. im hoping to get a accurate trial of this light for a month or two see how my coral react. and if need be ill ease back into my mh fixture. i know my tank well and will stay on top of parameters while i run it. so be ready for a honest opinion, if my colors suck this thing will be gone ASAP.

[Paul28]

good luck :)

[rrasco]

Honest question from someone who has never used MH: If you switch MH bulbs (like to a different bulb type/brand) does it have any noticeable affect on the corals as they adjust to the new bulb?

[Big_Pun]

Honest question from someone who has never used MH: If you switch MH bulbs (like to a different bulb type/brand) does it have any noticeable affect on the corals as they adjust to the new bulb?
there is always an adjustment period with any new bulbs, color will depend on what bulb kelvin but no big diff . i usually run half time for week then bump them up an hour every 3 days till i get my full day light period. i do my t5 change 2 weeks before then mh bulbs. the bulbs par levels drop off as you use them and so does color spectrum so coral need to re adjust a lil.

[Big_Pun]

something is not the same?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/30/u8ypu4eb.jpg

[Louis-210]

Ether way sweet tank lol

[Fracture]

Oh WOW!!! That looks great! Now question is how long will you leave if up there lol?

[Big_Pun]

Oh WOW!!! That looks great! Now question is how long will you leave if up there lol?

1-2 months see what happens

[Fracture]

Way to go with baby steps I love the look. Emily is probably gonna love the decrease in electric lol. Good luck can't wait to see what the decision is gonna be.

[Louis-210]

Your gonna have to change your signature lol

[Louis-210]

NVM just reread

[Paul28]

LED wizardry is now going on here! you need to change it now to this :) looks great tho

[Fracture]

Lol

[Mr Cob]

Looks nice and those colonies look great

Sent from my HTC VIVID using Tapatalk

[Big_Pun]

thanks I'm excited and lil scared so next few weeks will be scary

[Paul28]

you know some will like the leds and some wont be ready for that :)

[allan]

Now... Wait for 50,000 hours to go by.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grouch]

Tank looks amazing Chris, with the $ you save on electric you could go to a 220 gal now.

[350gt]

Told ya bro.... Few more weeks and you will trade in the gas guzzling V8 for a smart car....

It's addicting.......

[350gt]

Now... Wait for 50,000 hours to go by.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk




That was my line! Lol

[Big_Pun]

Tank looks amazing Chris, with the $ you save on electric you could go to a 220 gal now.

money isn't the issue only 120-150 a year to run the whole tank. I spend more than that on GFO a year! heat was never an issue also with clip fan I run 78-79 all year day and night. I'm just bored with tank so this light is a new challenge.

[350gt]

thanks I'm excited and lil scared so next few weeks will be scary


Dont be scared..... I hear you on the challenge..

you could of done worse and did DIY.... Yuk lol plus it's more guess work and more of a challenge.

[Big_Pun]

put the "beast" to sleep....... to be continued

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/30/uva7ara9.jpg

[KING]

:hypnotyized::hypnotyized: