Eggyoke's SCA 50 cube reef log 24 x 24 x 20

[Eggyoke]

I didn't buy my Hydra 26 HDs at the same time, I purchased them about 6 months apart. I did notice the new light was a bit brighter when I put them on the tank but thought it was just a new light and they will equal out. So I did some testing today and noticed some of the LUX readings were below 20,000 and the right side readings were a lot higher than the left. I re-evaluated my the height of my light above the water line and lowered them to about 10 inches above the water line. I got higher readings in the 30,000 range. Check them out.

Left side

Middle

Right side

Front

 

[Eggyoke]

This meter is probably the best $12.99 i spent on the tank. I'm kind of ticked off that AI would have this bad of quality control. Sorry AI I'm not making this stuff up. I spent about $900 for the lights and mounts and expected a bit more consistency on your product. I do love these lights, just not as much anymore. This is at 20k at about 70%. Ive always wondered if my lights weren't turned up high enough because my red planet turned a yellowish green. Im going start slowly ramping them up next week, over the next couple months. Lets see how it effects the corals.

 

[LakeCityReefs]

Love this write up! I have the same tank however I am only running a single hydra 26 HD mounted 10" above the water. My tank is 8 months old. So far so good.

Keep the updates coming!

 

[aabjones888]

Corals are looking good. Nice tank and setup!

 

[Eggyoke]

I got some new Aquaforest products from Amazon. I'm planning on changing the BRS 2 part with Aquaforest component 1 2 & 3. I really haven't seen a journal using Aquaforest and maybe I can help someone out.

 

[Eggyoke]

As of now I don't plan on using their carbon, GFO, and whatever they call the nitrate/phosphate control. Mine are low but if my levels go up, I'll give it a try.

 

[Eggyoke]

I switched out the BRS for the Aquaforest. Today's parameters: calcium 430 Alkalinity 9.2 DKH and Magnesium 1400+. I was dosing BRS 63 ml of 2 part daily. Set each pump to go every other hour. My ALk is a bit for high the Aquaforest program so I'm going to get it to drop slowly to 7.5-8.0. I set my each pump to pump 4ml every three hours. Total of 32 ml a day. I'll check back tomorrow to see if the ALk drops.

 

[Eggyoke]

I guess this turning out to be an Aquaforest log because Im going to go all Aquaforest. I just ordered the Pro Bio S and NP PRo and need to get their reef salt. I'm not happy at all the the Red Sea Pro salt with this program. Not that is a bad product, it's just not on the same program of the high parameters with the Red Sea Program. I probably would be totally happy with the regular reef salt with the non elevated parameters.

I started the AF A B E & V coral additives about a week ago. Started the Component 1 2 & 3 a couple days ago. So far my parameters have dropped to where they need to be. Today's Calcium 420 and Alkalinity 7.3. I bumped up my dosing to 60 ml of each and going to see it I can stabilize my levels. So far, the amount of product is about the same of the BRS 2-part, which i think I was using a lot of.

 

[Eggyoke]

I moved some corals around because I had this large ugly digi in the middle. Never really liked it so it went to the side. Might just get rid of it. Anyone live near Beaumont CA? It's all yours if you are willing to make the trip. I put the corals that I like more in the middle of the tank in hopes they will grow and color up.

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[Eggyoke]

I think this coral is getting lighter. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad.

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[Eggyoke]

 

[MikeA]

Very nice. Keen to see how the AF works out.

 

[Eggyoke]

The first photo is today and the second photo is from the 10/10. I wasn't expecting anything drastic. Ill wait a full month and will see if there is progression.

To keep the lightening consistent, i take them with my lights set at 10k and 50% power.