andy Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 I miss the extra punch to the coral's color, but I don't miss the heat. Now that the Reeflux bulbs are running full bore the tank heats up a LOT faster; the difference is so large I'm wondering exactly how much PAR the bulbs put out on the M58s... not much at all, for sure. It's too soon to tell if the corals miss that spike in the blue spectrum. I doubt they'll even notice it, given the overall increase in light levels. Heat is definitely a problem though. Last night, for the first time, my controller turned off the lights because tank temp rose too high (lights off at 83F). I'm going to try a split photoperiod... 4 hours on in the morning, 4 hour break, then 4 more hours, then off for the night. That should help keep the tank cool. I'm worried though, I don't see plonking down $600 for a chiller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 exhaust fans seem to be a cheaper route then going all out with the chiller IMO . I use a 4 inch inline exhaust fan($50 through sunlight supply) mounted under the house and a dryer duct bulit into the hood to remove the majority of the heat. I figure might as well remove the heat directly from the source before it has a chance to heat up the tank water. This also helps to remove a majorirty of the humidity. With 2 250w and 2 t5's my temp has never been above 77, even had to buy a bigger heater believe it or not. I was also able to mount the mh alot closer to the water since I am removing a majority of the heat. The ambiant temperature in the hood never rises above 78. Just something to think about before buying a chiller. I've even seen this done with computer fans just moving the heat outside of the hood itself. I perfer to get that hot humid air outa the house asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 I've got two 12v fans in the hood and a AC fan on the sump. The inline exhaust fan is a good idea, though more holes in the walls will drive the Mrs. to homicide :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 (plotting)just do it while she's at work or sleeping. Thats when I add coral, or do major tank work I would rather her not see. (whistle) lol I know what you mean though as you can see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Hole in the wall or 600 dollar chiller which would be even more of an eyesore is a good arguement too. Chillers are hard to hide unless you put it outside or in a closet or something of that nature, but then again more holes in the wall. Hopefully splitting up the photoperiod will help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 21, 2008 Author Share Posted March 21, 2008 Splitting the photoperiod has definitely helped. Pretty easy to spot when the lights are on, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 I get no PE during the day, thanks to the efforts of my PITA Flame Angel. To get polyp-laden pictures, I've been forced to shoot a couple of hours after lights out. Here are a few (relatively) successful attempts, lit only by a speedlight: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I had an Atlantic Pygmy Angel that caused the same problems. After removing it things seemed to become more normal. I really think that dwarf angels shouldn't be placed in tanks that house sps'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 I agree, I just wish they were easier to catch :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 My flame is the same way. That's why he's not in my new tank. I have a well behaved Potters though. Knock on wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 Speak of the Devil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 SWF had three happy looking female Lyretail Anthias in stock for $12 a pop, so... Two of the three are looking good (exploring, eating, interacting with the other fish), the third is... not so much. Hopefully she makes it through the night, but I'm doubting it -- she has that "dead fish walking" look (sad) They're all females; one of the three is obviously the dominant female, so I expect she'll be switching teams any time now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Nice looking fish and hopefully the one makes it. Always sucks to loose one(sad) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 It's hanging in there, still hiding in the same spot in the rockwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Nice Pictures!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 Lyretail #3 has made an appearance. She's kind'a pale, but is eating and tooling around the tank. I'm really surprised, after almost 3 full days of hiding in the rock I had pretty much written her off. Got a shot of the coris wrasse as well: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Nice looking fish Andy(rock2) Glad to here the fish made it(clap) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 7, 2008 Author Share Posted April 7, 2008 Thanks. I think I'm now at the hairy-edge of bio overload though -- my last load of skimmate STANK (for the first time ever). It's either the extra fish, the Rod's Food or the new PE Mysis I'm feeding... or a combination of all three (sick) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 My skimate smells all the time and I know I do not have a big bio load in there. And as for feeding I probably overfeed as I have a sun coral and a few other feeders like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Stinky skimate is always a good sign. Get that crap outa the water. Stinkier, thicker, gunkier, the better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishiefish Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 yeah mine reeks....and I revel in it cause its out of my display and I've got one great skimmer!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I was quite surprised when I dumped my skimmer cup out yesterday - it reeked! It did not look TOO bad but boy it did stink. I got my 7 year old to take a big whif. ha ha ha ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Lyretail #3 kicked the underwater bucket a few days ago :( Bummed, I thought it had turned the corner. Now to find a similar-sized replacement. On the positive side, I replaced the two Singlecontrollers on the Tunze Nanostreams with an AquaSurf module for the ACjr. So far, I'm impressed -- it gives a lot more control over the timing of the pumps, allowing synchronization and fraction-of-a-second switching. By following the timing suggestions in the manual to alternate the flow back and forth (.8 sec, setting up an interference pattern in the 4' tank), I've got a decent wave motion in the tank (1/2" crest at the surface of the water). Supposedly, using this method a #6200 Stream can do a 2" wave all by itself.. Now, I just need to win the lottery so I can afford to replace the Koralias with more Tunzes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Oh yeah, one of the Lyretails looks to be switching gender: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 That is soo cool! Love your tank shots!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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