FOWLR to Reef tank conversion

[pegasus]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cav414 http:///t/397711/fowlr-to-reef-tank-conversion#post_3546973
Yep that's it the d120 I had to look it up to get the exact model eBay can be very vague some times.
You'll be pumping 240W with both lights at max settings. Each lamp has 55 3W LED's (165W), but they will be under driven as the driver for each lamp is only putting out 120W. That's actually a good thing, as this will normally make the LED's last longer. Torch corals need strong lighting, but you may want to start with the lamps turned down just a touch to see how it responds. Then gradually run them up over the course of a week or two. I went with a six lamp T5HO for my 40B. I have a longer version on my 125, and my corals are thriving under it. Of course, I paid almost as much for the bulbs as I did for the fixture, so that may have a lot to do with it... lol! I hope your lights work out for you, but I'm going to be using T5's for awhile. I hope once I get the tank set up, I can sell the 24"-36" Marineland Reef Capable LED lamp w/timer that straddled my 24G tank. It grew nothing but algae. I put mature rocks that were covered in coralline algae in that tank, and it only took a few weeks before they were snow white... at least the parts I could see that weren't covered in slime. I was very disappointed with that lamp...

 

[cav414]

I'll keep you updated on how the lighting is working, it will probably be a week or two before I add the torch corol. Do you have a favorite calc test and suplament? And also are there any tangs that you know of that my 55gal would be big enough for? I have been looking at them but my tank is to small for all the ones I've seen. I really liked the purple tangs, maybe one day I will be able to talk my wife into getting a 125gal tank lol.

 

[pegasus]

I use Red Sea test kits. I haven't had to supplement my tank yet, because I don't have a lot of corals that use a lot of calcium. I'm able to maintain my levels with monthly water changes using Reef Crystals... at least for now. If/when the time comes, I'll probably use the BRS two-part system (Cal/Alk). It mixes clean and it's not too expensive.

I'm not sure of any tangs that are suited for a 55G. Sorry. A similar fish would be a dwarf angel. Most (if not all) of the dwarfs will do fine in that tank.

 

[cav414]

Okay great thanks for the info. And the lights look great.

And I will look into the dwarf angles thanks again.

 

[cav414]

Update,

Okay so my list has changed a bit since I have been doing tones of research. So here it is.

2 False perc clowns
1 Fire fish goby
1 McCoskeri fairy wrasse
1 Flame fairy wrasse

I took out the purple acropora from the coral list because I think it will grow to big for my tank.

Now considering I already have the valentini saddle puffer, and yellow tail damsel do you think this would be to many fish for my 55 gallon?

Also an update on the lights, I don't have any corals yet ( buying my first one next week hopefully) but the coralline algae is taking off since I added the new lights. So I'm thinking this is a good sign as to how well the lights will do with corals.




I know my camera sucks but hopefully you can see the coralline algae. About a week ago there was none on these spots and there are other spots that it is growing but these where the easiest to get pictures of.

Now a possible downside,

This is my back glass with a black growth that I am assuming is algae. It is hard like coralline but completely black, I have scrubbed it for a few times a day for a few days now and it just wont come off. It didn't show up until after I added the new lights. My only guess as to why its showing up now is because the new lights hit the back of the tank more than the old lights did.

Any Idea what it is? and if it is harmful?

Thanks for the help and for following my thread pegasus.

 

[pegasus]

Tar balls from BP oil? No idea...

 

[cav414]

Lol that would be something

 

[pegasus]

Acrylic tank? I'm not sure what it is, but if it's a type of coralline algae, it should eventually fall off.

 

[cav414]

I believe glass and I'm going to keep trying to find info on it. Though it doesn't seem to be messing anything up, or growing anywhere but the back glass. So it should be fine. If I notice a problem I'll put a scraper to it.

 

[pegasus]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cav414 http:///t/397711/fowlr-to-reef-tank-conversion/20#post_3547386
I believe glass and I'm going to keep trying to find info on it. Though it doesn't seem to be messing anything up, or growing anywhere but the back glass. So it should be fine. If I notice a problem I'll put a scraper to it.
If you hit it with a hammer and it breaks, it's most likely glass. If the hammer bounces, it's most likely acrylic. Please don't try this at home, children.

I wasn't sure which it was since you said you scrubbed it. I mainly use a Mag-Float, but sometimes I have to break out the scraper to get the coralline algae off the glass. If it's hard like coralline algae, it's probably not contagious... lol!

 

[cav414]

Lol that's a great idea and I used the mag-float to scrub it. It didn't do any good though. As long as it doesn't mess anything up I'll probably leave it, I wanted my background to be black anyway lol. I haven't been able to find any information on it though so I'm just going to keep an eye on it and go with the flow.