120 Gallon Reef Build

Oh the perils of beginning reefers (one of which I probably still am and certainly was a year ago when this tank was started)!!!

I am with you 100% on the GSP!!!

Yes, we are currently on the assault attempting to control or eradicate (hopefully at least control) the growth of nuisance star polyps and the dreaded waving xenia. We may end up going the route you did with ridding the rocks of these guys!!! This is my only regret with the reef system is adding these corals in the beginning because the tank was so "barren"!!! Lesson learned I assure you!!!!!

 

I am thus far a believer in the LED/SPS combination. Of course a stable system(a week shy of a year old), high flow, sufficient skimming, consistent water changes (10% weekly), and maintaining stable parameters, and responsible stocking all help. But the fact that the corals have colored up and look normal/healthy and even show growth within a month's time - initial observations are thus far good. Considering LED's have been on the tank for over 4 months now - I am only becoming more and more of a fan. My wallet also thanks me.

 

The led's are way cool. Its sweet when you buy something bring it home and it looks 10 times as nice as it did in the store. Or you move something just a couple of inches and it goes nuts - for the good and a couple times not so good. Think I fried a couple frags. Learning curve [:-/] But if you paid attention it makes you better.

 

At the first/slightest sign of distress it's important to react when/if you can.

Especially as these LED's seem to be quite potent!

 

Gotta be careful guys... 8)

 

Some updated pics with a slightly better than usual camera . . . .

 

Looks awesome! It's kind of white though is that the camera? Is it a little more blue in person? I have a couple of the 3b2w par 30's on my nano and was thinking of getting one of the Mu 135's for my 40 breeder, but I really like the blue hue from the par 30's and want to replicate it as much as possible.

TIA

 

Thanks and great catch on the color.

It's definately the white balance on the camera that is making it looks so white.

In person - it is far more blue in color. It's tough/impossible for this amateur (at best) photographer to capture the actual spectrum.

I also have the PAR38 lamps on my 30 gallon breeder (http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-of...oceanic-cube-not-biocube-led-build-99223.html). There is one ALL RB 60 degree optics and two of the 3w2b 60 degree optics as well. The three combined are very blue - about as blue as the MU135 - which - with your 3b2w fixtures would be very close to color - with a HELLUVA lot more power!

 

will this light work with a reekeeper lite controller and can u dim it down. ur tank looks great

 

Hey thanks! I see no reason you could not program this light with a RKL. Keep in mind that for each fixture there are two seperate power cords so you can do you "dusk/dawn" lighting separate from your "daylight" lighting on the timer. So if you have two MU135 fixtures you will need 4 outlets to set timers on.
These fixtures are not dimmable. if you have concerns with them being too bright - they are only 10lbs each and you can easily mount them in a ton of ways such that you can change the height easily to gradually acclimate you corals. We did about two inches a week for a month before we found the "sweet" spot.
Hope this answers your questions.