Fenrir's 40G Reef Build
- Thread starter fenrir
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Eh, depends on the fixture. LEDs would give you some shimmer.... If you are going with 3w CREE LEDs from a quality manufacturer - then sure, you can get some added benefits from buying LEDs for your tank. I will, however, say to avoid "stunner" strips unless you are using them just for the shimmer effect.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Ric's are tempermental. Some enjoy lots of light while others not so much. two bulbs over a 40g tank is pushing it, especially because a 40g breeder is 18" wide.
To be honest, I think you should have gone with linkable T5's to start with. Then you could have saved up some money and added on to the fixture over time with your interest in different corals.
Those $60 LED strips don't actually put out enough light for corals to justify the cost of them as "reef capable." IMHO.
To be honest, I think you should have gone with linkable T5's to start with. Then you could have saved up some money and added on to the fixture over time with your interest in different corals.
Those $60 LED strips don't actually put out enough light for corals to justify the cost of them as "reef capable." IMHO.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
If you are just starting with two, I would suggest getting linkable t5s. You can add as many extra units as you would like. So, when you decide to get more corals that require more light, you just buy another link instead of a whole new fixture.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Key word is "should."
Depends on many factors. Species requirements and water quality have just as much to do with it.
Depends on many factors. Species requirements and water quality have just as much to do with it.
fenrir
Member
Absolutely, I understand.
I would imagine that the Aquatic Life T5 unit is going to give me better light than what I had in my Bio cube and I was able to keep Frogspawn Duncans just fine. If anything I will keep the LPS close to the top as possible until I get my second unit. This new unit also has separate reflectors for each bulb and from what I understand is important for T5's. The Zoomed that is going back today only had a single reflector.
I would imagine that the Aquatic Life T5 unit is going to give me better light than what I had in my Bio cube and I was able to keep Frogspawn Duncans just fine. If anything I will keep the LPS close to the top as possible until I get my second unit. This new unit also has separate reflectors for each bulb and from what I understand is important for T5's. The Zoomed that is going back today only had a single reflector.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Keep it all going. It will cycle - ghost feed a little bit and keep monitoring your water parameters.
fenrir
Member
Yep, I was just a little optimistic that it was moving along quicker than I thought because of the diatoms and slime algea.
I was curious on how I should move my 3gallon lr/ls to the tank.
As of right now I have 2 shrimp and loads of hermits and snails in my tank along with an assortment of coral.
Should I wait until the tank completely cylces before adding the ls and lr from the other tank then wait a few days while my inverts live in a bucket to avoid any spikes?
I was curious on how I should move my 3gallon lr/ls to the tank.
As of right now I have 2 shrimp and loads of hermits and snails in my tank along with an assortment of coral.
Should I wait until the tank completely cylces before adding the ls and lr from the other tank then wait a few days while my inverts live in a bucket to avoid any spikes?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Yeah, that's one way to do it.
Never put inverts or corals into uncycled tanks.
If you keep them in a bucket, use a powerhead and a heater to keep o2 in and the water the proper temp.
I would try to get the tank cycled and ghost fed for a week and recheck the parameters and then just add everything in then.
If you are concerned about ammonia spikes because of the old live sand, buy new live sand and just add a cup of the old to the new tank.
Adding some macroalgae to the tank or fuge will keep things in balance and avoid large spikes in water parameters.
Never put inverts or corals into uncycled tanks.
If you keep them in a bucket, use a powerhead and a heater to keep o2 in and the water the proper temp.
I would try to get the tank cycled and ghost fed for a week and recheck the parameters and then just add everything in then.
If you are concerned about ammonia spikes because of the old live sand, buy new live sand and just add a cup of the old to the new tank.
Adding some macroalgae to the tank or fuge will keep things in balance and avoid large spikes in water parameters.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
That's great. I am glad you are happy with your purchase.
S
smallreef
Guest
Lookin GOOD!!! your flame looks happy and so does the shrimp hiding in the cave, lol
