Blue Z Reef

Hows the new fixture working for you? Have you had any issues with it? I'm asking cause I think there new fixture is what I'm going to pull the trigger on

I really think i'm going to go with there new fixture... Gonna put three on my tank.

 

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The one with the built in timer and it is linkable? That one was what I was wanting for my 90 also!

Hows the new fixture working for you? Have you had any issues with it? I'm asking cause I think there new fixture is what I'm going to pull the trigger on

It's been great. ONLY issue i've had is it not turning on if you have it turned waaaay down on a timer. This however really isn't an issue most people would run into. Overall i've been really happy with it and all my corals have been doing great. So far i've yet to see one with a color output I like more than this. The 90 degree optics on this one seem a bit focused, so 120 would be better for coverage, but they are nice for cubes and would work if you can mount them higher (I have limited hood space so it's basically on the water surface).

That was a PAR producing machine. Crazy stuff.

Yeah that was way better than I thought it would do lol! I think it was around 1250 a few inches below the surface with the fixture a few inches up. Needless to say i'm satisfied with the output haha!

I just picked up some a few weeks ago if you want some.

 

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That would be even better lol. I forgot to get the Mag test kit anyways, so i'll have to swing by one of these evenings. Any days work better than others for ya?

Hey Jessie, could you order me one of each so I can calibrate my pH probe on the RKL? I'll get ya the $4 whenever you need it. Thanks!

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Milwaukee-701-Calibration-Solution-Single-Use-Packet-20ml-MI00972.htm

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Milwaukee-1001-Calibration-Solution-Single-Use-Packet-20ml-MI00973.htm

Can't really think of anything else I need right at the moment.

Yes I agree that's why I tried to post pictures of my items but the computer techy stuff is not my thing. Sweet phone you had by the way. In January when we did a TFT auction the frags were in my tank which worked well also.

I was hoping we were going to be able to put them in a tank, but then Jessie didn't have SW mixed up only RO. Would be cool to get a par38 over a 10 gallon with some water mixed up for viewing. Still a good time though!

I also think you should do some ebay style auctions on here...I got outbid on everything at the meeting (sad)

Thomas has the eighty-four for you. It will be at the meeting.

Got it from Thomas, thanks again! We'll see how it does. I owe you frags if we ever cross paths!

I've got an ato through my reef keeper now. I just sold the Tunze before I did that...DOH! It uses an aqualifter pump along with a electonic float switch and a module for the reef keeper. I will show you on Saturday. As far as the bubbles it was good for a day or so but then when I forgot to top off the tank the water level would drop just enough for the skimmer to stop getting any skimmate to the cup. I'm searching on Reefcentral for one with a inTank cup' date=' if not I will just get one new, but I do like the idea of the gnome skimmer too.[/quote']

 

I guess this is why i'm confused because if you have the aqualifter doing your top off, why do you need to top off also? I now have an RKL but just decided to have a seperate unit do topoff and save the extra plug spot. I still have to set mine up (its only monitoring PH and temp right now lol), I'll probe your brain about your setup on Saturday.

is your Tunze making enough bubbles? Kinda dumb question, but with my CPR bak pak everyone mods them by adding a wood airstone in the chamber. You get way better results after the mod as the MJ or Accela pump isn't the best for bubbles. Not sure if that applies here lol, but thats my tip.

I just got an ATO from a member on here, lovin it, definately wish I did it sooner! You could always do a poor boys top off and just use an aqua lifter on a timer and hope for the best. I was running one at night for a half hour before my ATO unit, kept it close, but with more volume there is less chance for error.

Evite reminders went out early this morning.

 

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I finally was able to reply to this one lol, I almost deleted it on accident again on my iphone DOH!

Thomas has the eighty-four for you. It will be at the meeting.

Awesome, thanks again!

Sweet snag from GB, gotta love their corals and prices! You sure have that green acan pretty shaded...I have some on top and they are fine lol, you sure your not shading too much?

2001 daewoo lanos.... Oh yeah. Also known as the black mamba. Water sprays the exhaust manifold and makes it hiss... Lol

 

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When you told me this, i instantly thought of this:

No not dimmable. I did order them with 80 degree optics for the most spread but I may not use them at all' date=' the fixture has a splash shield. I am just not sure how they will sit yet in the holes in the fixture the current leds shine through. Running them for shorter times at first would probably be the best as I don't have any way to raise the fixture. What about using screen and pulling a sheet off every few days?[/quote']

 

Thats another popular method, but I highly doubt things will take very long to adjust, i'd just save the hassle and slowly ramp up your run time. When I swapped to an LED fixture I only had some monticap bleach out a bit, everything else was fine, SPS, softies, Clam, etc.

Just put them on a seperate timer and start running them less initially and add hours as things aclimate. I take it you didn't buy the dimmable kit?

I'd start with like 4 hours a day and work your way up to run with your T5's. You could also start off leaving optics off and eventually add them later when things are adjusted more.

the crazy thing about it is that i know people are going to buy these and lots of them i just could never justify spending that much on lighting that really isnt better than others at half or more than half the price maybe if the units were bigger and only needed one for a larger tank the price would seem reasonable but its sad to me makes it harder for the poor man lol ill just keep running my halides haha maybe in a few more years there will be cheaper leds or ill be able to save for some one of these days

You can seriously buy comperable LED fixtures for <$400 and if your into DIY you can build an even better one for about $400.

To each his own though, they have a lot of money in their programming and automation gear on these, but still a lot for a light...kinda like how a vortec is a lot for a wavemaker :/

Sorry about the clam, that sucks. They go SO fast when they die! Wish they were more like corals lol.

Tank looks great though! Sure got some sweet LPS going on!

To me price isn't worth it.. The last radion had crappy par

They've had pretty good par and color mix, however, it was also comparable to some less expensive units. Features are cool though. Definately not for the budget reefer though!

Their lights are pretty freaking sweet....but idk how they justify the price. LED's are going down in price, not up....

Thomas will be here wednesday so I'll put your name on the bottle and pass it on with him.

Awesome, really appreciate it. Let me know if you want some $$ for it or not. Thanks!

I've been using salinity for about a year and noticed I don't need the kalk anymore. It does run a little different than other salt mixes. I mix lower than what it says because it mixes at higher levels. I also let it mix for atleast 24 hours before doing a water change.

I have a extra bottle of eighty-four I can send with thomas to bring to the meeting if you want it.

 

That would be excellent! I was dreading road tripping around to find the stuff. PM me if you want me to PP you some cash for it.

I dont dose for ph anymore. But when I first started I used 8.4 and balance together. After my tank was totally switched over I didnt need to dose anymore. And no I do leave out 2 cups. But I also have a system of almost 300g. So for a smaller set up I would only cut out 1 cup at the most. The only time I dose anymore is if I don't get a chance to do a water change for awhile. If I do dose I use the vibrance' date=' ions, and calcification by aquavitro. I noticed the only way to get the balance and 8.4 to really work is to use them together to stabalize the ph. With patience your ph will balance out and stay at 8.4. It is a awesome salt. I have noticed great growth and nicer colors with my corals since I started using it. Plus my clams are always happy.[/quote']

 

Excellent, thanks for the heads up. I'll have to pick up 8.4 if I can find it. I had used it in the past but ran out and my LFS didn't carry it. They carry Vitro stuff now, but were out of 8.4.

 

Personally i do monitor pH. Depending what my pH swing is via my monitor says I can tell you almost exaclty what my alk is. 8.1-8.3 swing my alk is around 8 if it goes to 7.9-8.1 it is at 6. My swing tells me when to dose. I dont test alk anymore other than to periodically test my theory. But if your pH drops around 7.9 or lower you will almost definitely have low alk. I dont have a sand bed so pH is important to me.

 

If your corals show no distress let it ride. It will get used up. Careful about alk additions as it will be more likely to precipitate. I would chill on further kalk additions until you get the hang of the new salt.

 

Yeah, i've already pulled the kalk from my ATO and switched to RO water. I haven't noticed any issues with my corals lately, i'll just keep an eye on everything with the new swap. Thanks!

It does get cloudy but I just turn off my pump a hour before changing water. I mix 30 gallons at a time. I use 13 cups. So I'm omitting 2 cups of mix from the directions. My ph always stays at 8.4 and my calcium reads high. The balance you are using only works for a short fix. I do use all the aquavitro products except for that one. I noticed it mixes better letting it go for Atleast 24 hrs with heater and pump mixing. I always have 30g mixing. So there is time my mix is going for a week.

I think you mean you leave out 1 cup. I'll try using your mix (and actually test the mix before addition this time) and see how it goes. Are you using 8.4 by seachem to keep the ph there or is it stay by itself? What products do you dose regularly?

As long as your ph dosent drop below 7.65 your fine. As long as your ph doesnt go over 8.5 your fine. That is a pretty broad range so most tank don't go below those numbers.

Yes but the ideal level seems to be 8.4, which is seemingly had to do without constant dosing of something to bring it up. I realize you can let it swing around, but the less it swings the better. Only real reason I am watching it is because my RKL is watching it for me lol.

I've been using salinity for about a year and noticed I don't need the kalk anymore. It does run a little different than other salt mixes. I mix lower than what it says because it mixes at higher levels. I also let it mix for atleast 24 hours before doing a water change.

I was reading about the salt prior to purchase and someone from seachem was posting and said it is best to mix and do a water change in less than 24 hours. Don't remember the exact reason but thats what they said. I think it was in regards to people complaining about cloudy mixes, but it cleared up really nice from the MJ mixing it up.

How much are you mixing roughly? I was following the 7 cups for 15 gallons as stated on the bucket. Good to know about the kalk, i'll leave it out.

did you mix up your salt in the container before you placed it in your mixing barrel? What is your Mg at? If you need to borrow a Mg kit let me know I've got an Elos kit.

Are you meaning the actual dry salt? Because I can't really mix that up, it's lose in my 225 gal bucket. I mixed up 15 gallons together in a Brute trash can with MJ and heater for about 2-3 hours prior to addition.

Don't have a Mg test kit, I'll borrow it at the meeting this weekend if thats cool.

The salt you use isn't gonna change your ph. The salt you use wil effect the cal level though. The higher Cal probably due to the new salt and you should just stop dosing kalk as that can be the problem also.

 

Btw your ph has no affect on your levels.

Ok, but not all salts advertise the same PH level. Regardless, my PH was low so I have used Aquavitro Balance to get it up a bit. I'll swap my kalk bucket for an RO only bucket and let things settle down.