Your nitrates aren't terrible in fact I'd say about perfect as I'd like to have mine in that 10-15 range (I'm currently at 7.5). My phosphates are about .07-.08 now and I consistently use Seachem Phosguard in a media bag just plopped in the same chamber as my skimmer (do not put in return pump chamber if you choose to go this route). I will say this about Phosguard is that it is really powerful stuff so start with a small amount not the recommended amount per Seachem's instructions as you want to bring those phosphates down slowly over a longer period of time, maybe about 2 months as you don't want to shock any corals. Your corals do look pretty good to me so maybe when you bring down to .25 ppm or so see if you notice any negative affects and consider not coming down much lower. I personally believe in the 1 to 100 ratio and many will argue w/ me on this. Example if phosphates are .07 then nitrates at 7.0 prevent diatoms/gha/nuissance algae, but with that being said my corals seem to like my nitrates higher so guess I'll let them both come up some to once nitrate reach 10-15 range (tops).
BigDeeezyyyy's CADlights 60g CccUuuBbbEee
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OP
OP
Thanks for the information! The corals seems to be OK and I currently do not have any outbreaks of nuisance algae thank goodness. I want to try having SPS in my system so would like to lower the numbers in order to try to get some sticks back in the system to see how they do.
OP
OP
Question: Should I replace my 2 hydra 26HDs with 1 Radion XR30 Gen 5 Blue? Any experiences on this tradeoff?
Tank seems to be doing great but would love more color out of the corals. Will a new light help?
Current FTS of the tank:
Tank seems to be doing great but would love more color out of the corals. Will a new light help?
Current FTS of the tank:
If it is more color pop you are after than having more lights or more powerful lights will achieve this as you will be able to lower the white channel while maintaining the par at a bluer spectrum. If I remember correctly, an XR30 G4 is able to put out more par than a Hydra 52HD. In that case you could achieve a more blue spectrum while still maintaining the same par levels. But then again I would consider 2x 26HD better than 1x 52HD and they 2x26HDs will put out slightly more par than 1x52HD. You may also loose some of the "blanket" of light dropping to a single light. A better option might be to add a good quality light bar to the 26HDs and might save some coin.
If you are trying to improve the actual coral coloration than I would say work on the water parameters a little more. I saw a few months back your nitrate and phosphate ratios were somewhere around 1:10 nitrate to phosphate. Have you brought the po4 down since then? I also agree 100% with @Mppp about keeping the levels at 1:100 is a much better ratio for home reef aquariums. I felt like I always saw peak coral coloration and health with my nutrient levels at ~5ppm nitrate and ~.05 po4.
If you are trying to improve the actual coral coloration than I would say work on the water parameters a little more. I saw a few months back your nitrate and phosphate ratios were somewhere around 1:10 nitrate to phosphate. Have you brought the po4 down since then? I also agree 100% with @Mppp about keeping the levels at 1:100 is a much better ratio for home reef aquariums. I felt like I always saw peak coral coloration and health with my nutrient levels at ~5ppm nitrate and ~.05 po4.
Fuzznutz36
Active Member
I'm going to agree with Moe. I have the G3 and while I would love to spend money on the new G5 Blue, I went the route of the Reefbrites xho add on. This has given me better coverage, pop. and roughly 100 extra par about 12" down (I also have a 60g cube), they are well worth the money imo!
I'd throw some pics up, but my tank was part of the TM Turkey salt...I lost most of my frags
I'd throw some pics up, but my tank was part of the TM Turkey salt...I lost most of my frags
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OP
OP
I have gotten it down but currently not at the 1:100 ratio. Hopefully some more time will give me a chance to get it to that ratio. You have a good point regarding spread. Maybe I was just overthinking and was itching for change LOL
I'm going to agree with Moe. I have the G3 and while I would love to spend money on the new G5 Blue, I went the route of the Reefbrites xho add on. This has given me better coverage, pop. and roughly 100 extra par about 12" down (I also have a 60g cube), they are well worth the money imo!
I'd throw some pics up, but my tank was part of the TM Turkey salt...I lost most of my frags
I currently have a 24" Reefbrite XHO that I never ended up using as I am still figuring out the best way to mount it. I was also thinking about the KHO26s but it wont work since my hydra 26s are fairly close together.
Would love to see a pic of your tank setup!
Fuzznutz36
Active Member
Imo pics don't do justice to how well they fill the box and pop coral.
Just looked at these on the computer...definitely too blue/washed out. The orange filter seems to take all the blue out...orange filter below.
Just looked at these on the computer...definitely too blue/washed out. The orange filter seems to take all the blue out...orange filter below.
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OP
OP
Very nice!
Fuzznutz36
Active Member
BTW I picked up a G5 pro at $500 (I couldn't pass that up)...the spread and fill this light gives is WAAAAAAAY better than the G3 pro I had up. I'd say I don't need the Reefbrites, but I kept them anyway for more pop and punch.
OP
OP
hell yea! seems like G5 prices will be dropping since the new G6 is coming out!
Fuzznutz36
Active Member
Yessir... the only difference I see when turning the Reefbrites on now, is that the tank is bluer. Before, they filled in the tank... this G5 fills the tank beautifully. The G6 is supposed to be even better, but imo this is gold over the puck versions of the past. No real hot spot in the center either when using rms arm.
OP
OP
You make me wanna convert to 1 XR30 instead of my 2 26HDs...LOL
OP
OP
Long overdue to some updates...went to the Silicon Valley Corals Farmers Market over the past weekend and picked up some new corals. Enjoy!
Super Unique Bouncing zoas - Can someone ID this for me?
Red Hornets
White Zombies
Black Hornets
Rainbow Yuma
Baby Frankenstein
Indo Peach Tip Torch
CB The Thing Anacropora
@PNWCustom shroom box and some frag stands
Overall a good mini haul I would say!
Super Unique Bouncing zoas - Can someone ID this for me?
Red Hornets
White Zombies
Black Hornets
Rainbow Yuma
Baby Frankenstein
Indo Peach Tip Torch
CB The Thing Anacropora
@PNWCustom shroom box and some frag stands
Overall a good mini haul I would say!
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OP
OP
Just fragged some Charmander Zoas from my colony and its looking fiyahhhh!
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