What a long strange trip it's been....

It really is nice to see you setting up a tank again. As we all know sometimes we need a break to come back refreshed. It is funny how when you spend days working on something you tend to dream about it. Than god for V's (as a computer engineer the last thing I want to do is dream about my work).

You have a nice list of corals there and tank looks really cool.

As far as the color of your pics try adjusting the iso to allow more light may help to lighten up the pic. I don't tend to run my tank as blue as others so think it is easier to get pics also.

 

I love the led/ t5 combo.It keeps the tank from becoming so blue!!My corals are thriving using this combination.

 

What combination of T5 bulbs are you going to have?

Also do you have a PAR meter or someone who is going to check for you?

I do not have 1 and have not had mine checked. I know we can live without knowing but damn it is 1 of the little things I would like to know.

I run my light at a little more than half its intensity and it is 14" above top and 33" to bottom. I have been afraid to change mine since the corals adapted to it. Went through rough transition when I first got it and finally settled out by moving light up and dropping intensity.

Is there a suggested height for you to run the hydra at 100% intensity or does anyone even do that? Forgive my ignorance.

+1 to above but do you think running higher white has any effect on coral growth.. always wondered that.

 

You have a sweet stock list cheryl. I'm gonna have dreams of your tank for you!

 

Right now on the ATI T5 I have ATI some blue, purple and a white, I think two blues. I can not remember the specific name of the bulb. I am going to change two out and then in a month the other two. So if I can not buy ATI T5HO from the LFS than I will go on line. I know some big on line charge a packaging fee, I am ok with that. I will look later for the specific bulb names, I wrote them down once. I have had the fixture for 2 years and never really really used it.

I am sure around here someone has a par meter. Since the tank is only 9 inches deep I worry more about nuking than not enough light. I will definitely try to get my hands on a par meter and post values for those interested.

Thanks a lot for the thoughts on intensity. I am running

1. White: 30
2. V: 60
3. DR: 70
4 Green: 30.
5. Deep Blue:70
6. RY: 70
7. Uv: 20

Remember I have no clue what I am doing yet on ramping up and down and intensities.

I am not sure on the Whites vs Blue and coral growth. I like whites more, I like a 20K radium look more than an over done 14k. Lately the talking has been whites assist in coral growth, but that used to be said about blue, I guess I will see.



This is what it looks like at that intensity, bright. Every once in while it dims, some cloud cover setting I have not figured out I guess, it's cool though.

 

tank looks really nice Corailline!! I love your stocking list choices - I figured from your many posts that clams would be involved I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress and so happy for you that you're back in the game!

 

Whites for growth.Blues for color.

 

Thanks Mindy for the support!

I have a past history with a Tridacna addiction. Now a days though they are cheaper and nicer. Problem is you got to start dosing calcium eventually. Sigh it's so complicated.

Thanks Vinney, this is why I like you. You keep it simple.

 

Nice tank C!!

I somehow missed this thread until now.

 

Very nice Cheryl and congrats.

You will need to adjust the white balance of your shot to control the blue look. You will most likely need to adjust the temperature to 50000K.