Chris' Reef

The LEDs were super simple and I have replaced a few (due to the scam the original guy I bought them from was running... not any fault to modularled.ca IMO). These are solderless so it really is as simple as figure out where you want to place them, use the goup to attatch them, let it harden and slide the wires into place and call it a day as far as the actual leds go, tuning the drivers was a little more involved, but not difficult and you can get pretuned or set drivers.... which was what I was supposed to get (never deal with ReefWerks! scammer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Yeah I hear ya, everything takes away from the tank. But hey if money was no object patience wouldn't be so needed in this hobby right? lol

Well my LFS is smaller space wise (although inside you would be amazed at all the goodies livestock wise) and in a not so amazing area so vortechs aren't sitting on the shelves in stock.... so I do have to wait still but I know the owner and the guy that runs the place so I like to spend my money there when I can anyway. Doesn't hurt they have the best selection of coral in the state probably and will order me any fish I want so I want to keep them around

 

Yes patience is a virtue in this hobby.

I will remember not to deal with reefwerks when I decide to go LEDs. Not for a while.

I guess I'm petty lucky that I have approx 5 lfs about 30 min drive from me. I just went to one that I have never been to today. It was amazing, big and amazing. I picked up 3 Zebra Barred Dartfish, a black oce clown that has already paired with my existing female and a watermelon birds nest. Really happy with everything. Except that my bicolor angel has developed a fascination with sps. Time for a new home.

Knowing and getting to know your local lfs personnel is the best. That's how I got a killer deal on my new fixture.
Hope the vortec gets in soon.

 

Lucky! I have heard Cali is pretty well loaded on LFS. I guess I have 3 techniqually around 30 min or so, 1 is a joke, 1 is a Petco, and then Reef Paradise which is my go to place and about 5 minutes from me.

That sucks about the angel, I used to have a couple and once I removed my flame PE definitely improved!

 

Lol I wouldn't consider Petco or Petsmart a lfs. Everyone that I've been in their tanks are disgusting and have sick fish. Feel bad for the livestock. Only 2 of the lfs around here are any good the others are a joke too. I think there are so many lfs here in Ca because everything is shipped here.

Yea it's a big bummer about the angel. I've had him for a long time and he is one of my most active fish. But I plan to keep more sps so there isn't really any other option. The birdsnest is still surrounded by the bottle and he isn't bothering it right now and I've been busy with work so everything the same.

 

Petco here is actually 1 step above one of the LFS! They actually use a couple of wholesalers that are pretty good too.... but yeah still petco systems and petco itself. I'd definitely rather support my local smaller shop that is kick butt any day of the week tho... Funny tho how they started using some of the better wholesalers once they started getting competition and sale slowed sales after the good LFS opened up a few years ago lol

As far as the angel goes, if you can handle the reduced PE the angel really won't do a ton of damage or kill 90% of sps corals.... but you will definitely have reduced PE.

 

That's good that the Petco near you stepped it up. I like when they actually make the effort. There is one that I get dog food at and they have a 100g display reef tank and this tank has so much potential. But there is more hair algae thank water in this tank and it has a ton a good looking corals. And some nice fish. I saw the girl working there try to catch a peppermint shrimp, she couldn't do it with the net and then she thought it would be better to try to catch it with her bare hand. I just stood back and watched. It was comedy. I got bored and left after some time.
I just want to see a lfs try. I too would rather support my lfs than a large chain supplier.

Any new updates with the tank, did you get your vortec? I'm wondering how big a difference it makes.

Any new tank shots?

It's funny that you say that about my angel. So today I got home with only 10 min left for the lights (had to finish a job and ran late). I saw the birds nest and all the polyps were extended. It looked good. The bottle I had around it had blown off or something. The angel was all over the tank but didn't bat an eye at the nest. I'm not saying that he will not touch it again but as of right now he is leaving it alone which makes me happy.
Thanks for the advise. I was thinking that he would kill it if I left it in there and what you said makes me feel a little bit more at ease. Thanks.

 

The vortech came in today, just got done installing it a little bit ago and setting it up. Running it in Reef Crest mode for now. I don't know that I'm really overly impressed with it for the cost, atleast not yet but I think it will do what I want anyway.

 

I just saw and read this thread. Welcome to 3reef Chris. I'm sorry to hear about your crash but it looks like you've got a great replacement set up. Very nice tank! I really like your scape and your wrasses are simply awesome! I love the blue spotted one, such cool colors. I'm not usually a big wrasse fan but yours definitely pop!

I see you and Dan have been chatting. Thought I'd just insert a comment

 

Thank you, still kind of popping around and trying to get familiar with the site but seems to be a pretty good place to be.

Yeah the crash was definitely a bummer, I don't know that I'd really consider it to be a set back in a way because if I hadn't had the crash I wouldn't have set this tank up.... believe it or not I actually like this tank on a whole alot better then my previous 180. Not to sure what it is because I do miss the size of the 180 but this one just looks better, even without a single massive colony yet lol.

Thanks again, the wrasses are definitely my thing. I have been hooked and still contemplating adding in a few more as well.... although I know I am probably pushing it as it stands. They really need a support group/meetings for this.... and swaps/ reef groups only add to the addiction lol.

Glad to have another popping in, and checking it out. Hopefully tonight I will get a chance to break out the camera and snap some new pics. I want to king of keep track of growth especially now that I added the vortech and do some before/after type pics so definitely come on back. I definitely like to get feed back and have a good reef chat, any pointers anyone has too would be great.

 

Well no new pics today, my son decided to stay up late until the lights were half dimmed down so hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get some decent shots!

That said, I'm not really impressed with the mp40 right now, my modded maxi-jet out hustles it for sure and cost me about $430 less! My yellow tang dropped a large log about 6" from the MJ, the MJ picked it up sucked it in spit it all the way down to the mp40 (in a 48"tank) and the mp40 proceeded to burp it out about 6-8" max! I fed the tank with all pumps running as another test, and the mp40 moves NLS pellets about 16-20", the MJ again will push them about 36".


I have the vortech in reef crest mode peaking at 90%, and the best I have seen anything move from it is about 20-22". What mode is everyone using these things in on a full sps tank?? Especially a 48" tank.