Erik's 200g

[ErikH]

It's official.... We moved and are settled in. Tank has finally got SW in it, but no sump as of yet.
Specs:
-200g display
-40g sump
-Halides 2x250 (inner with LumenBrights) and 2x175 (outer with Lumenarc Minis)
-3x Panoramas for night lights, or attracting reefers as they drive by
-Minimal rock (fiji)
-Sand
-ER RS 250 (Skimmer, may go skimmerless)


My plans are to just do water changes instead of dosing. Pics to come!

[allan]

'bout time, bro.

Waiting for the pic.

[ErikH]

I moved my sailfin over from his home of the last 4 months, a 40g breeder. The breeder is what I use for my sump, so looks like I can hook it all up again. Slowwwwww boat to China.

[ErikH]

15172

Here she issssssssssssss...... this is about 3 months old, not much has changed. Still haven't put the middle door on ;)

[350gt]

Looks good, like how it fits into that recess.....

[ErikH]

Looks good, like how it fits into that recess.....

Yep, walked into the house for the first time and my eyes got as big as quarters! There's about 6" on either side. Gives some room to hide the cabling, which was a big plus.

[ErikH]

Got the sump all baffled and put in place this weekend. Two huge compartments, one for chaeto, the other for rock. I decided that I didn't like the look of the skimmer, so it's out for now! I'd been looking for my long handled scraper for about a month now. My son was last seen playing with it. I tore my garage apart and finally found it. :) Got all the glass clean, then decided I didn't like my rock work. Got armpit deep and configured the rocks just the way I wanted them, and I'm glad that the tank is this far. My stock list is already huge, with my urchin and sailfin tang.

Oh, and I installed the plumbing on the underside of the tank. Last time I had it set up there was a tiny leak that would produce about a drip every couple of hours, but it's not dripping anymore!

[Mr Cob]

dude...how you gonna go and make a post like that without any pics?

[ErikH]

Rob, I have to wait till the sun goes down because of window glare. I'll put some up tonight though!

[Mr Cob]

I'm holding you to it maing

[RayAllen]

sweet, perfect spot for it in the entry room.

[ErikH]

15380

Hereeeeeee it is!

Less a couple of lights...

[z28pwr]

Looking good Erik!

[Scutterborn]

How far above the water level are the halides?

[ErikH]

How far above the water level are the halides?

They're very close right now, and this is totally temporary. Maybe 6" from the bulb?

:)

[Mr Cob]

looks great Erik

[allan]

Erik,

Got a fridge full of beer, you got to come over pick out some coral and pop some tabs.

[ErikH]

Looking good Erik!
Thanks Jose! It's surely getting there



looks great Erik
You helped greatly with that!


Erik,

Got a fridge full of beer, you got to come over pick out some coral and pop some tabs.
I stopped drinking!


I bought Todd's 400 watters and got them mounted above the tank thanks to ideas from Ace and Jack. I essentially used 1/2" conduit and bent it in an L shape. I ran the long ends vertically behind the tank, and the short ends are horizontal above the tank. The halides hang from the short side. On the back of the canopy I installed 2 mug hooks per side. The vertical part of the conduit sits in the hooks to hold the conduit in place, without limiting side to side movement. To get the halides out of the way, I just rotate them to the left or right. It's genius! :)

[ErikH]

15490154911549215493

[LuckySingh]

looking good Erick...:)
how big reflectors r those??

[ErikH]

looking good Erick...:)
how big reflectors r those??

Thanks Lucky!

The reflectors are the big Lumenarcs. I was totally surprised to see they cover end to end without shading the corners. I just got my new bulbs in, and the price is RIGHT. Minh turned me on to the site http://www.lightspectrumstore.com/servlet/StoreFront[/URL]]Light Spectrum Enterprises and I'll never turn back. I've been using their bulbs on my tanks with no issues whatsoever for a few years, tank wise. 60 dollars shipped for 2x400w SE bulbs is a STEAL. I highly recommend these bulbs for anyone. The proof is in the pudding, and people that have seen past tanks can verify that YES, they do grow coral. :) The bulbs I got were 20k, but their bulbs tend to run more yellow than blue, so the 20k resembles about 16k, if I had to guess.

I've been battling a tough little battle with Dinoflagellates. Luckily, I have an ozone generator. I incorrectly diagnosed it as cyano, but after digging around today, I found out that it was dinos. I have to manually turn the generator on, which I don't particularly like, but I'm just glad I have it. I have been researching on the internet that O3 will help to kill off the dinos, supposedly within a few days, so I am going to give it a whirl. Like Bill Streep said, it makes your water "as clear as Gin", and that's no lie. Also reading around some Randy Holmes Farley articles he says to increase your PH to 8.4 and keep it there. Others say to do a 3 day blackout on top of all of the previous. I don't want to risk the three day blackout just yet, so I am sticking with the O3. My PH probe, no matter how much/accurately I calibrate it, always reads wrong. Right now it says my PH is 9. Yeah, everything would be dead as a doornail! So, with that in mind, I am a bit iffy on raising my PH since I don't have an accurate test. O3 it is.


Edit: I forgot how to do a cool link, what's the dayum code for that again?

[ErikH]

Ok so i went lights out. Tonight is the last night. I turned the lights on for a brief moment and the dinos are all white. There was a lot of them across the tank. I have been trying to keep my tank's ph at 8.6 but it drops quickly. I've been adding 2 level tsp of kalk to 1 cup of RODI and stirring it up and dumping it in my first sump chamber where it mixes in the skimmer. I have been dosing O3 as well and have a bag of carbon at my skimmers outlet to pickup any bromate, or whatever. Gotta make some water so I can vacuum all the dead dinos off the rocks and replace the water with some fresh make up water.

[ErikH]

Ok so keeping my tank at 8.6 is not going to happen. I was adding 2 level tsp of kalk to fresh RO/DI and having to dump it in my sump 4 or 5 times daily. Cut my light cycle to 4 hours to see if this keeps the dinos from escalating. I waited another day with no lights, and there are still some dinos alive. Can't figure out why I have such low PH, but it is what it is.

[Big_Pun]

I have same prob Erik since switching to larger 150g tank. ph was rock solid on old tank 8.0-8.3, now 7.5 is where it stays. I still may run a TLS kalk reactor, to use with ATO. coral and fish are all happy so I'm leaving it alone for now.

[ErikH]

I have same prob Erik since switching to larger 150g tank. ph was rock solid on old tank 8.0-8.3, now 7.5 is where it stays. I still may run a TLS kalk reactor, to use with ATO. coral and fish are all happy so I'm leaving it alone for now.

Yeah, this is what pangs me right now. In order to thoroughly treat dinos, you have to keep your tank's PH at 8.6 for several weeks. Not gonna happen! :) Everything made it through, 4 days with no lights is pretty crazy though. Guess I'm going to have to try the shorter light cycle for awhile and hope that nothing dies. Great restart for me. Put it up, get one of the worst things ever.

[LuckySingh]

Eric dosing kalk through ATO works the best... Kalk reactor eventually is the best investment for a large setup...
I am do hve a tunze calcium dispenser bottle that I was using for kalk on my older setup and and it's laying around in my garage for backup...If u wana gve a shot u r most welcome to borrow and dose kalk via it through ATO all day long and see the difference if in future u Wana setup up a proper kalk reactor....
I never had a pH problem ever since I am dosing kalk since day 1.. Coudnt be happier..
Lmk

[allan]

Lucky, to dose kalk that way... Do you have to use a RKE or L?

I can tell you that I'm getting tired of manually dosing daily. I can't imagine what you're going through, Erik, with trying to raise your PH and all.

How about that 28 brick of calcium that rob used in his tank? Would that help raise your ph?

[Big_Pun]

any good ATO works Allan like tunze and jbj. the tunze is a complete system with ATO and dispenser/reactor. basically it's a reservoir that's holds kalk and stirs it ever time ATO turns on, pumps DI water through reactor, stirs kalk making saturated and then into your tank.

[LuckySingh]

It works with tunze ozmolater but eventually I will hook it up with apex breaker box after I figure how to do ....

Its very simple and easy way to raise ph ...u r
Most welcome to try it also

[LuckySingh]

Also it will work with any top off

[ErikH]

I am dosing kalk through my ato currently. Doesn't matter, the ph starts dropping after about 30 minutes, and that's using a 2 tsp / cup of RO/DI slurry. Dosing both ways is all for naught. My tank has been running at about 8.0 fairly steadily. I mean, that's not bad, but in order to follow RHF's instructions on staving off dinos, I need to run and hold at 8.6.... This is what always drives me crazy. I'll probably get 3-part and try and tinker with the ol' CA, ALK, and Mag calculator and see if I can raise it up via dosing. Any other age old tricks I might try?

The dinos are looking better, not all over the sand anymore. Looks like a slow but steady approach.

[ErikH]

Oh, and I use a Tom's aqualifter on a timer controlled by my ACjr. I don't trust float switches. :)

[ErikH]

Oh, and here are some pics...

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these are my new 20k bulbs from LSE, 25 bucks a pop. 60 total with shipping for 2. :)

[lt1z28]

Tank is looking good Erik!

[ErikH]

Tank is looking good Erik!

Thanks so much Bernie. Trying harder this go round, and already it's proving to be a chore! :)

[lt1z28]

I know exactly what you mean. I setup my 180 in Feb and I finally got it looking the way I want it. Tank is now stable, red bugs are gone, ich is gone, cyano is gone, phosphates are down, sps are growing :)

[alton]

Tank and lighting look great

[Pennies2Cents]

The power of MP60's. :) Awesome..

[allan]

The power of MP60's. :) Awesome..

No kidding, is that bare section in the sand bed from the MP60? I've decided not to go MP anything because of the shape and age of my tank. But, I suppose that a series of MP 10s across the back of the tank would provide enough reefy current to the tank...

[ErikH]

I know exactly what you mean. I setup my 180 in Feb and I finally got it looking the way I want it. Tank is now stable, red bugs are gone, ich is gone, cyano is gone, phosphates are down, sps are growing :)
Oh man, you just made me feel better ;)



Tank and lighting look great
Thanks to you, I have more than just the lights! :D



The power of MP60's. :) Awesome..
That's what I should have said when I watched my first fish get sucked into that thing. Then both of my nems decided to try it out too. Good times.


No kidding, is that bare section in the sand bed from the MP60? I've decided not to go MP anything because of the shape and age of my tank. But, I suppose that a series of MP 10s across the back of the tank would provide enough reefy current to the tank...
Yep. The 60 puts the sand where it wants. Being married, I have learned to just let it be. LOL You may want to look into how many MPs you can run in a master/slave combo. It would be sweet in your tank.

[alton]

Yep I still remember moving the tank that day, it was hard to lose you in traffic you sort of stuck/stood out?

[ErikH]

Yep I still remember moving the tank that day, it was hard to lose you in traffic you sort of stuck/stood out?

LOL. Good times.

[hobogato]

the tanks is coming along nicely erik.

[Mr Cob]

one more MP60 Erik! Sync'um'up

[ErikH]

the tanks is coming along nicely erik.
Thanks so much Ace. This is hard to do without my trusty wheelbarrow full of money. :)



one more MP60 Erik! Sync'um'up
My fish are afraid of the one already. I just turned it on gyre mode last night so they at least have a few minutes between waves. It's probably like how the wave ride at the waterpark is for us. I should put a countdown timer in the tank for them.

[LuckySingh]

They r too strong I initially bought 2 for my setup and end up sending em up and got tunze's instead... Newer ones have wider flow similar to vortecs

[Mr Cob]

You guys obviously haven't surfed pipeline! Reef seems fine there when I snorkeled last...lol

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[ErikH]

Got a Powder Blue today. It's in great shape and is already eating pellets. I LOVE DIANICHI. It's been palling around with my sailfin. I'm really excited to have it, hope it does well.

[ErikH]

They r too strong I initially bought 2 for my setup and end up sending em up and got tunze's instead... Newer ones have wider flow similar to vortecs

They areeeeeee strong. I have it on gyre, and the fish wait for the wave to play in it. If I had 2 on anti-sync, I think my fish would hate me.


You guys obviously haven't surfed pipeline! Reef seems fine there when I snorkeled last...lol

Flow from this bad boy would literally blow the flesh off stonies. I'm debating on getting another one down the road but I'll dial them back a bit.

[350gt]

Lol @ the pic of the tank in the wagon...

[ErikH]

Lol @ the pic of the tank in the wagon...

Yeah, I have told my wife that I want shgnwgn as my LP. She has yet to comply to these demands. I've told her time and again this is a "deal breaker" if she doesn't get it for me, but she's not budgin'. IDK what I'm gonna do man. I just, don't, know... :)

You do realize I bought the wagon for her, figuring she'd like the fact it's a Mercedes, but nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooo. She likes her V6 VTEC Accord Coupe too much. In all honesty, I was tryin' to push the car off on her and trying to scheme her car away from her. She found out though, and she now has the upper hand. Our relationship has terrible dynamics all slanted to her side. If she ever reads this, I'm a dead man.

[ErikH]

So it looks like the Powder Blue is getting what I call "Dory Syndrome" It's swimming around in circles, back and forth, aimlessly. I turned all of the lights off, and covered the tank. We'll see what happens.

[350gt]

Lol......


Sorry to hear about the PB though.. Hopefully it works out, I had one for awhile and he was a mean sucker....

[ErikH]

I turned off my lights and covered the tank with blankets to keep all of the light out. Just checked on it, and it seems to have calmed down. I may need to do this a few times until it gets used to the tank. Hopefully this one works out! :)

[RayAllen]

Looking good Erik, hope the tang pulls through for you.

[ErikH]

Looking good Erik, hope the tang pulls through for you.

Everything is looking good so far. Dinos are a freaking menace though, they've partially retreated after almost wiping out my urchin. He lost his spines about a week or 2 ago, but he's looking more active. Been running carbon and O3 to help keep it all ok.

[ErikH]

Woo! So yeah, the dinos are totally gone. It took a couple of good overdoses with kalk until it precipitated all over the place, but I can say I am free and clear.... so far.... :shades: As we all know, I probably just jinxed myself. Scraping the glass afterwards was a nightmare! Talk about some stuff that doesn't want to come off!

I pulled my skimmer, and gave it a total cleaning in vinegar. For whatever reason, it's going nuts. I've been making water over the past few days, but now I need to wait since all of our clothes are clean. Need more clothes to wash so I don't waste my waste water.

The PBT is doing wonderful, and has a nice deep color to it.

All of my corals thus far are hanging in there, except for a few that disappeared off my rocks. One was the frag of sweet super bright red zoas I got from Ace, the other are my precious Christmas zoas that I got from Tuan. Oh well, I'll get more later.

Surprisingly, with the 400s on with a wal mart fan, I am able to keep my temps below 82! I did install a fan in that room because otherwise the ambient heat would be unbearable.

More to come soon. My lights are on a longer cycle now that the dinos are out. I really want to get some growth pics!!!

[Mr Cob]

Right on Erik. Where's the pics dude?

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[ErikH]

LOL It's been a year but here you go Rob!

[Mr Cob]

Haha! He's alive!!! Thx for the update man. lol, Man your son looks like you.

How's the tank?

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[aquasport24]

What up man? i was wondering about you and your 200g. Rob right, your boy looks just like you. He's a fast grower.

[CoryDude]

Yes, scorpino is still around. How's your jaw? On fb it looks like you've been having a rough few weeks.

[ErikH]

Haha! He's alive!!! Thx for the update man. lol, Man your son looks like you.

How's the tank?

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LOL, actually, I just sold it! :) Don't worry though, I have plans! The wifey wants new floors, so that comes first.


What up man? i was wondering about you and your 200g. Rob right, your boy looks just like you. He's a fast grower.

WASSUPPPP G? LOL My son actually looks more like my wife thank God. He just got my hair and eyes! :)


Yes, scorpino is still around. How's your jaw? On fb it looks like you've been having a rough few weeks.

:) I'm better although you know know that already.

[Big_Pun]

Erik what's up!! what's the plan for next tank build

[CoryDude]

Did this one sell yet?