Getting my tank on track for SPS corals -

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/395686/getting-my-tank-on-track-for-sps-corals#post_3523528
I tell yah, after having a peninsula tank or island tank, i dont think i am going back to a regular sit on the wall tank.
Yeah, its all looking up. Im happy with the changes. Just not too excited that i dont have an ato right now. Lol. Ill get that pump sooner than later.

I hear you buddy. My tank is in a cove by a back wall, but I have at least 2' of clearance to get back there and view and do maintenance. I could not have a tank against a wall, or paint the back black. Although, I bought paint to paint the back wall black. Its been sitting under the tank in the stand for a couple of months already. Maybe by the end of summer.
What size pump do you need for the ATO?? Just a little lifter pump?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Yeah. Something really small. Lifter pump or a little azoo pump. Nothing special.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I replaced display tank light with a Photon48 unit from Reefbreeders today.
I also changed the refugium lighting out from halogen bulbs to one LED bulb. I'm going to add another one, but I really like these LED bulbs. I think I am in love... LOL! The LED replacements and the return pump replacement (after the old Mag Drive 9.5B died) over to a Quiet One 4000 model has cooled my tank from 87.8*F down to a nice 78*F in a matter of a couple of days. Since I don't have any SPS to really speak of at the moment, my soft corals tolerated the temp drop quite well.
My old heater shocked the crap out of my arm, so I yanked it out of the tank and I will be replacing it with a 300w Finnex heater pretty soon, when I get some money together. IT just seems like it's unnecessary at the moment.
My APEX JR graph of my temp is showing a daily 2*F temp swing now that I have the LED lights. I'm going to set my heater for 79*F so that it only have a 1*F difference overall. Stability and heat control....
I'm aiming to make my tank parameters, salinity and temperature as stable as possible. I know that it takes a lot of stability and control for an SPS tank... and I never had the drive to really get a full blown SPS reef going before. I think it's about time that I get on the ball and get it going.

 

[sweatervest13]

The light came in... Awesome!!
How do you like it so far?
I am excited for you getting the tank SPS ready. I could use a lot more research and dedication myself. But I can say the more stable I can get the tank the better. I have been thinking about adding a Hanna phosphate checker. I rarely use my crappy API phosphate test. How often are you testing your parameters?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/395686/getting-my-tank-on-track-for-sps-corals/20#post_3524238
The light came in... Awesome!!
How do you like it so far?
I am excited for you getting the tank SPS ready. I could use a lot more research and dedication myself. But I can say the more stable I can get the tank the better. I have been thinking about adding a Hanna phosphate checker. I rarely use my crappy API phosphate test. How often are you testing your parameters?
Thanks.
I have been doing weekly tests, on Sunday afternoons. I also do weekly dosing. It's the only thing that has stayed consistent. There are a lot of people that recommend actually dosing twice a week, but I think it's a little excessive use of test kits. We will just have to see. I plan on adding a TLF Kalk stirrer to my ATO unit pretty soon,... possibly after I get my side cabinet built and installed. Money is trickling in right now, unfortunately. All the money I could be spending on the tank and paying some debt is going towards saving for MACNA this year. I just wish I had started saving months ago - I wouldn't have to give up most of the money I earn this Summer towards the trip, but oh well... I get to make the hotel reservation tomorrow. yay.

 

[sweatervest13]

I think the trip to MACNA is money well worth spending. That is one of those trips that the opportunity does not come along very often. But I hear you, If I had an extra $1000 laying around... I would have some hard choices to make on what to buy for the tank.