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Trigger334

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Posts posted by Trigger334

    Opinions on flow

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I typically use less flow, but I know some people use higher flow set-ups to keep detritus up and out by the skimmer. I would recommend making some circular flow from having the pumps on opposite sides of the tank, one in the back, and one in the front. Pointed to the front and back of the glass.

     

    Here are suggested turn overs:

     

    Suggested COMBINED (filters and circulation devices) Aquarium Turnover Rates
    (per hour):

    • 8-10 times for an average fish only aquarium
    • 10-12 times for an average FOWLR or very basic reef tank (FOWLR = Fish only with live rock)
    • 14-20 times for an Advanced Reef Tank
      With Acropora and Montipora coral, which are often at the top of the reef, these can require as high as 40-50 times per hour combined circulation!
      DO NOT make the incorrect assumption that the wave activity at the top of the reef means corals, anemones, etc that live in more protected areas of the reef need the same flow rates as Acropora and Montipora corals.

    Here's a video on different flows from different power heads. I would also recommend the SunSun line for a more economical quality pump.

    • Like 1

    Any pond builders out there?

    in Out of Bounds

    Posted

    You could cap off the pick-ups, assuming they are pick-ups and just make sure the one pick-up you are using is as far as it can be away from the inputs. You do need to trace each line to find what they do.

     

    You would have the pickup on the other side of the pond, to the filter, through the UV, to the waterfall.

     

    If you were to use take intake at the bottom, you could turn that into the slow flow veggie filter right in the middle of the pond. Build a trellis and put in your bog plants, volcanic rock.

    http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/ClearPond.html#veggie_filters

     

    This is what will really make the biggest difference.

     

    Its recommend to have more than one pump, just in case.

     

     

    Any pond builders out there?

    in Out of Bounds

    Posted

    We would recommend the intake to a filter be as fair from the filter as possible for best results. If an intake doesn't have a filter, say for the water fall, it would be fine closer by. If that's an intake over on the wall by the filter, you could extend it down and over across the pond with PVC.

     

    We highly recommend a veggie filter with bog plants, soil, and a gentle flow threw it. In all our time services ponds, veggie filters make the more improvement for filtration and clarity of water.

     

    If you could, also add a sterilizer for clarification.

    Should I upgrade to radion g3 pro?

    in Equipment

    Posted · Edited by Trigger334

    For me, it comes down to how many watts are creating the "useful" energy from the LED. Most all can grow the corals, just how much energy does it take.

     

    My guess of what we'll see in the feature is fixtures using less watts with more useful energy. They have some one the market already, they are just a different level of tech from the norm. I think it will become the norm, as there's extra benifits to fixtures, once less energy can be used. (no fan, less heat, different color renditions, better dimming control...)

     

    Exdous, you might find some of Apogee research interesting. It can be found on their site. When people talk about full spectrum they are inferring it to the RQE (supposedly the useful energy) different than PAR and of course color.

     

    Some info on how PAR/PAS/RQE plays into aquarium fixtures.

    http://www.aquarium-digest.com/2010/04/11/led-aquarium-lights-lighting/

     

    PAR vs. PUR/PAS

    http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html

    • Like 1

    APEX Joins the Par Meter Fray

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Trigger334

    Want to know how accurate it is and what kind of spectral error it has. Apogee claims their meters are accurate in 370-665nm (not the full PAR useful 400-700), with a 8% error. This leaves out some important light according the RQE. More expensive meters starting around $800 will be accurate from 300-1000nm, no error. Still gives a relative idea, which is good. Wonder if this holds true for this meter?

    APEX Joins the Par Meter Fray

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hahah, sell coral or old garage equipment!  We all have that corner of the garage dedicated to thing we might just need some day for our reef.

     

    Seriously though, I buckled down to buy the base unit.  Then over time, added things here and there.  That made it feel less painful!

     

    I am curious if the apogee meter will grow algae, especially coraline and how that can be cleaned (vinegar soak ... guessing)

     

    Rubbing Alcohol http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/knowledge-base/#technicalfaqs

     

    Glad to see this come out. We've been doing a lot of research in the lighting from apogee lately. PAR has been interesting to understand, eps with LEDs being the common lighting method now and how water plays a role.

    • Like 1

    Reef Lighting Theory Basics

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Trigger334

    Matt,

     

    Maybe you can add PAS to this thread. I've been continually working on my lighting research and have come to some seriously grand conclusions. You also may be interested in some 2014 Apogee research, where they compare LED to MH & HPS light proton output. I found it very interesting that LEDs produce 5-10x more light protons, then MH/HPS. That means, the PAR from these high output options, we used to think of as the best professional grade lighting is not the same as PAR from an LED and how "useful/PAS" light plays into PAR. Interesting work. Totally concerted what I believe about LEDs and how much PAR is needed. It made me stand by what I know even more.

     

    Also something to know is that RQE graph is for terrestrial plants, so what can be considered for growth underwater would be different. The Apogee work goes into quality of lighting versus quantity, which is interesting when applying to LEDs.

     

    Cheers.

    LED Advice

    in Equipment

    Posted

    I'm going to upgrade my lighting on my Fusion 20 nano. Just curious if anyone has experience with or opinions on the  AI Hydra 26 or EcoTech XR15w Pro.  I'll be replacing the 2-18 watt Skyye lights that came with the set up. I like the current lights, but I'm filling the tank with SPS and I really think a full spectrum light will be better overall, especially coloration.  I was going to go for the new AI Prime but it only covers an 18" x 18" spread and I need 24". For the record, I have had good growth with the Skyye Lights on my SPS but the coloration isn't where I think it should be. It's not due to water quality, my parameters are in check. Thanks for your input.

    Here's a couple threads going on around here lately.

     

    http://www.pnwmas.org/topic/33737-opinion-on-leds/

    http://www.pnwmas.org/topic/33794-reef-lighting-theory-basics/

    • Like 1
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