Your build thread has taught me a lot since i'm setting up the exact same tank. I'm almost done with my stand and will be starting my own build thread. Just wanted to thank you for all the great tips on the setup.
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I'm glad it helped you.Your build thread has taught me a lot since i'm setting up the exact same tank. I'm almost done with my stand and will be starting my own build thread. Just wanted to thank you for all the great tips on the setup.
That was a good idea. I think you need it.View attachment 759176
Today I built a support wall in the basement. Even though the floor joist can handle the load the extra support puts me at ease. I used 2x6 lumber and support the floor joist with the wall. The tank will be against the wall supported by the poured concrete foundation wall. I pulled the new support wall of the concrete wall to support the front of the tank. My sand and another 40 lb box of HW Marine Reefer salt arrived today, so if everything go's to plan the tank will be wet tomorrow
I took my PAR reading for the tank and I was totally surprised. I can see why my tester sps frags under my previous light were browning out. I had no where near enough PAR with that setup. I had to turn my current T5/LED lights past were I though I had to have them to get at least 300 PAR on the top rock structure. At least now I know where they need to be, power wise. If I raise the percentage on the LED's to 70 percent I get roughly 320 to 400 par on the top rock structure with the T5's on also, with a section on the side staying around 230 PAR. All I have to do is move the left LED light towards the outside a little to remedy the problem. If I raise the percentage anymore then I will raise the lower outside PAR values to high for a mixed tank, at 50 percent my PAR would stay between 80 to 110 PAR on the sand bed on the outsides, I want to be able to keep blastos there, I can keep some acans on the lower rock structurfes, they can handle a little higher PAR and the PAR value on the lower rocks structures was between 100 to 140 PAR with T5's and LED's on.
I am most surprised by how much your return pipes and the center brace affect PAR readings. Also surprised by how much the wake from the return pumps and wave makers affect PAR.Excellent. Always a surprise when you test for the first time. So important to know and for some, just borrowing a PAR meter once could make a huge difference.
My tank just started consuming like crazy too, out of no where. It’s a good thing though!I learned today that when you raise your ph, you do in fact use much more Alk and Cal. I have been steady raising my DOS, trying to match the usage. I have been steadily running my PH between 8.15 and 8.3 since installing my Co2 scrubber, raising it from 7.9 to 8.05. That increase has caused my consumption of Alk to raise from 32 ml a day to 65 ml and climbing, and my cal to raise from from 24ml a day to 50 ml a day. I am still trying to find the happy spot to keep my Alk and Cal steady. The upside to this is that I do in fact see my frags growing daily, literally. I received a JF Raja Rampage chalice a month ago and it has already started to overgrow the plug it came on, my montis are also doing the same, so like @Bulk Reef Supply tested and proved, there is merit to running your PH higher, the draw back is you use more supplements, LOL!!!
When you literally see you frags growing, it is indeed a good thing, lol!!!My tank just started consuming like crazy too, out of no where. It’s a good thing though!
Exactly! lolWhen you literally see you frags growing, it is indeed a good thing, lol!!!