Finnex 30 Gallon Journal (REHAB TIME: Post #499)

[cbianco]

I've decided to change my photoperiod.

I've lengthened the amount of light my tank received per day. At the same time, I've reduced the amount of intensity (all lights on) my tank receives per day.

My old photoperiod was:

Bulb 1 and 2 on at 11am
Bulb 3 and 4 on at 12pm
Bulb 1 and 2 off at 7pm
Bulb 3 and 4 off at 8pm

This gave me 8 hours run time, per bulb, per day. The tank received 7 hours of intense light per day and a total of 9 hours of light per day.

My new photoperiod is:

Bulb 1 and 2 on at 10am
Bulb 3 and 4 on at 12pm
Bulb 1 and 2 off at 6pm
Bulb 3 and 4 off at 8pm

This will still give me 8 hours run time, per bulb, per day. Now the tank will recieve only 6 hours of intense light per day and a total of 10 hours of light per day.

The reason I changed my photoperiod is two-fold.

1. After looking at what other T5 users (entire web) are doing with their lighting schedule, most seem to agree that they have better coloration with a shorter intense lighting period. While these are purely observations by those users, I'm included to give it the ol' go ahead to see if my observations match theirs.

2. I wanted my lights to be on a bit earlier in the day in order to observe my tank. At the same time, I didn't want to increase bulb usage as 24 watt T5 bulbs are about $20 and each bulb's useful life span is only about 9-12 months.

In conclusion, I hope to have helped coloration of my corals while increasing the total time my lights are on per day. At the same time, I haven't increased the amount of time each individual bulb is turned on.

Questions for you...

1. What is your photoperiod?

2. Where can I find documentation, on T5 bulbs, showing the relationship between hours in use and spectrum/intensity loss.

Christopher

[cbianco]

Time for a laugh...

I've been using the AquaC Remora skimmer for many years now. It has performed well for my small tank. Considering I don't have fish, there is not much of a load to pull from the tank.

About 2 years ago the feed pump went out. The shaft on the stock pump broke and ceased to work. I purchased a new pump from Petco (it was an emergency, lol). The new pump stated that it would put out slightly more flow than the stock pump. While using the new pump, my skimmer never quite worked as well. I figured it was just an over-rated, cheaply built pump.

Fast forward to last week, while cleaning my skimmer and pump, I wondered why I attached the adapter with the venturi hole. I rifled through my parts drawer but couldn't find an appropriate adapter. So I said, "what ever," put my skimmer back together, and moved on with my life.

Last night I was making some adjustments to the tank. When I stuck my hand into the first rear chamber of the Finnex, I felt water jetting out of the venturi hole. It immediately dawned on me, my skimmer never worked as well with the new pump because it was losing pressure through the venturi hole. I took a small piece of airline tubing and melted it down on one end to make a "cap" for the venturi hole. Immediately my skimmer started producing more bubble due to the added pressure. My skimmer is now back working like when I first got it.

Ironically, this means that I have never (in 5 years) stuck my hand down into the first chamber of my nano. When I finally did stick my hand in that chamber, I quickly noticed the jet of water coming from the hole in the side of the pump adapter.

It's funny how things work out sometimes.

Christopher

[Dean]

So you have had this tank up and running for 5 years now? That's a feat in it's own sense. Tanks come and go and get changed more often than a bag ladies undies. Well more often than a bag lady who is concerned with monthly hygiene. lol A 5 year old nano is quite an achievement. My 29 biocube has been running for 20 months now and going strong. Hopefully I can keep it going.

It's funny how in an "emergency" situation we can miss the smallest things that have the potential to make a large impact. Reminds me of when I found the filter sponge in the back compartment of my cube after it had been running for about 8 months. LOL Needless to say it was quite clogged and the tank inhabitants were thrilled to have it finally realized and cleaned.

[cbianco]

So you have had this tank up and running for 5 years now? That's a feat in it's own sense. Tanks come and go and get changed more often than a bag ladies undies. Well more often than a bag lady who is concerned with monthly hygiene. lol A 5 year old nano is quite an achievement. My 29 biocube has been running for 20 months now and going strong. Hopefully I can keep it going.

You sure are making me reminisce...

I first put water in my tank Sun, 8th Feb 2009 (http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...153#post654153). That means I've had this tank for roughly 5 years and 6 months. Time flies!

My goal was to "grow" a reef tank rather than "plant" one. All my SPS (or at least what is left) were grow from one inch sized frags. I got a large chunk of my frags from TMAC (which I assisted setting up) on Sat, 21st Mar 2009 (http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...899#post662899).

I've also received a few frags from other members. I know John (Firewater) gave me a few but I'm not sure who else.

The last major purchase I made for my tank were the lights on Tue, 6th Nov 2012 (http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...648#post885648).

Then I went MIA from MAAST, Reefkeeping, and my mind until recently. During my time my wife had our son Hayden. He is currently 16 months old. Now I have a responsibility to get him interested in reef tanks.

It's good to be back.

It's funny how in an "emergency" situation we can miss the smallest things that have the potential to make a large impact. Reminds me of when I found the filter sponge in the back compartment of my cube after it had been running for about 8 months. LOL Needless to say it was quite clogged and the tank inhabitants were thrilled to have it finally realized and cleaned.

You would figure that I would have noticed that earlier just like I figure you would have noticed that giant sponge in the back of your tank. I guess we'll have to start the "Go Figure Club." Maybe we can get our own subforum.

Christopher

[cbianco]

Always nice to see color coming back after neglect. Maybe these guys aren't as sensitive as we make them out to be.

Christopher

[cbianco]

What would you do about these guys? 3 heads left, the rest are gone.

Christopher

EDIT: Sorry the picture came out really dark.

[cbianco]

I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I have never taken pictures of my tank with it until yesterday.

I REALLY NEED a simplified guide of how to take pictures of my reef tank. I would like it to be specific to aquariums if possible. Anyone know of such a guide?

Here are some "night" shots (with the stock flash). As you can see, there is still some fuzziness to the pictures (Tripod?). As well, focus is a bit of a problem.

Christopher

[FireWater]

I'm not a photographer by any means. Maybe Eve or Cory will throw out some advice for you.

I would say a tripod and a remote switch or using timer would help tremendously.

[Pennies2Cents]

Macro- Settings work great w a steady hand or tripod.. This is not my work but sure did come in handy when I was in the beginning stages of my photography.

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?54881-Power-Point-Presentation-Basics-of-Aquatic-Photographyd

[Pennies2Cents]

Also, here this one... http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...phy-The-Basics

Dont get lost in all the wording... To be honest its all about trial and error when learning all about your camera and what you are trying to photograph...