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Much appreciated!
Mattdg's 120G SPS / Mixed Reef Build and Progress
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pacotopick
New Member
Hello there great looking tank, wonder if you can help me untill I get a par meter with your vipar light settings, I have a six foot tank with 3 165 watt lights about 14" high. Can you get me in the ballpark as far as the blue and white settings?? Thanks for your time and any help!!!!!I am still working on dialing in the exact settings for the AI Hydra 64 HD.
I didn't like how quickly the white and red settings were increasing in the morning, so I set them to ramp up for 2 hours to 8%. I then have them set to ramp up to 78% from 11-3:30 and down to 8% again by 7:30.
So far, I am really enjoying these settings and how both the Hydra and Viparspectra play off each other. I want to find the setting I am 100% happy with quickly and stick to it. I hate tweaking lights more than I need to, and so do the coral.
If all goes well with the new light for a month or two, I will move the second VP down to the aquaculture system and install a second AI Hydra 64 HD
Here is a top down shot I took, right before removing the old light.
the two coral in the middle are the Pink Lemonade acro and a walt disney tenuis, proof that you can grow healthy, colorful colonies of coral with black box LEDs.
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This is by no means an exact number, but my VS fixture is about 14" above one of the frag tanks in my basement. I run 100% Blue and 10% white and get around 275 dead center. 230 - 8" from center, 180 - 12", 110 - 18" and 68 - 24". Very rough estimates taken with MQ510 at around 6" from surface of water. Please consider the fact that these lights are 3.5 years old and due for replacement.
I made a video on the topic of Vipar Spectra black box vs high end AI Hydra 64 HD reef lights, where I run some PAR readings. Those lights are roughly 8" from surface, but many of the readings were tanken 12" deep.
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Some updates on the a little over 3 year 120 mixed reef.
One of the major developments is I have switched from the Red Sea Blue Bucket to my original sea salt, the one I started with over 20 years ago. You probably guessed it.. IO Reef Crystals. I still do auto water changes, so it is quite easy to introduce a new salt, without shocking the system. As you can see from the pictures I just posted, the coral seem to agree with the change in salt brands. Honestly, I did it because I go through so much water and salt is expensive. I am really trying to reduce my outlay this year, to see what I can get away with doing without.
On a related note I have switched from the red sea 4 part trace additive to a single part Seachem trace, purchasing 2 liters at a time. Sorry Red Sea!! I'm still observing, to decide if I will switch back. The auto water changes do a lot to replenish trace on a consistent basis, so I may be able to get away with less than I have been doing. I only dosed 30% of the recommended amount of Red Sea, same with this new brand. Unless I test for all the elements or ICP regularly, it's not an exact science anyway. I just go with my gut and close observation of the coral. I will report back on any change.
The BRS high capacity peristaltic dosers have not been all that reliable. The second one failed, about a year in. BRS was willing to replace it, along with the one that broke before. I really appreciate the customer service, but would rather have a reliable system. I am on the lookout for some new high capacity doser's that are up to the task. Since the Versa's are perpetually unavailable (perhaps not the best available anymore anyway), I have my eye on either two of the sentia dose or a Kamoer X2SR. Issue with the Kamoer is I would need to run all new lines up from the basement, since it uses a larger diameter silicon tubing. Might be worth the effort. It's a solid looking system. Whatever I get, it has to come from a vendor with reliable customer service. Auto water changes are hard on pumps, no matter how you look at it.
The livestock and coral are all doing well. I did randomly lose a mature scopas tang. It quite literally vanished one day. No sign of distress or disease. All 3 tangs got along, with no aggression. We were unable to find any trace of the fish and it was not a small one. So bizarre. No issues with nutrients in the tank following the loss and no where to be found on the floor, overflows, sump or cabinet. It is a real mystery. It was one of our oldest fish, cannot even venture to remember when we got it, but well over 6 years ago, at least. It really goes to show what a muture reef tank can handle. Apple will be missed.
I don't want to end on a sad note, so I have some new gear news! I yesterday ordered the new REEFI Uno. Honestly, I never thought I'd be excited about an LED fixture again, but this is a sweet little piece of kit. OLED display, LED clusters with individual reflectors, Vapor / liquid cooling sytem built in, Wifi control, designed and built by a hobbyist / engineer and a thick glass lens to keep everything safe. This will not be for the 120 gallon reef, rather the down stairs farm system which needs to have the old Vipar Spectra fixtures replaced. I think I'll start with it over the SPS branch and see how it does. Still looking for a nice fixture for the LPS branch. I will post some pictures and a link to a review on the Craft Aquatic channel, a few months from now. I'm hoping it will serve me as well as the AI Hydra 64 HD's have, over the 120 reef.
One of the major developments is I have switched from the Red Sea Blue Bucket to my original sea salt, the one I started with over 20 years ago. You probably guessed it.. IO Reef Crystals. I still do auto water changes, so it is quite easy to introduce a new salt, without shocking the system. As you can see from the pictures I just posted, the coral seem to agree with the change in salt brands. Honestly, I did it because I go through so much water and salt is expensive. I am really trying to reduce my outlay this year, to see what I can get away with doing without.
On a related note I have switched from the red sea 4 part trace additive to a single part Seachem trace, purchasing 2 liters at a time. Sorry Red Sea!! I'm still observing, to decide if I will switch back. The auto water changes do a lot to replenish trace on a consistent basis, so I may be able to get away with less than I have been doing. I only dosed 30% of the recommended amount of Red Sea, same with this new brand. Unless I test for all the elements or ICP regularly, it's not an exact science anyway. I just go with my gut and close observation of the coral. I will report back on any change.
The BRS high capacity peristaltic dosers have not been all that reliable. The second one failed, about a year in. BRS was willing to replace it, along with the one that broke before. I really appreciate the customer service, but would rather have a reliable system. I am on the lookout for some new high capacity doser's that are up to the task. Since the Versa's are perpetually unavailable (perhaps not the best available anymore anyway), I have my eye on either two of the sentia dose or a Kamoer X2SR. Issue with the Kamoer is I would need to run all new lines up from the basement, since it uses a larger diameter silicon tubing. Might be worth the effort. It's a solid looking system. Whatever I get, it has to come from a vendor with reliable customer service. Auto water changes are hard on pumps, no matter how you look at it.
The livestock and coral are all doing well. I did randomly lose a mature scopas tang. It quite literally vanished one day. No sign of distress or disease. All 3 tangs got along, with no aggression. We were unable to find any trace of the fish and it was not a small one. So bizarre. No issues with nutrients in the tank following the loss and no where to be found on the floor, overflows, sump or cabinet. It is a real mystery. It was one of our oldest fish, cannot even venture to remember when we got it, but well over 6 years ago, at least. It really goes to show what a muture reef tank can handle. Apple will be missed.
I don't want to end on a sad note, so I have some new gear news! I yesterday ordered the new REEFI Uno. Honestly, I never thought I'd be excited about an LED fixture again, but this is a sweet little piece of kit. OLED display, LED clusters with individual reflectors, Vapor / liquid cooling sytem built in, Wifi control, designed and built by a hobbyist / engineer and a thick glass lens to keep everything safe. This will not be for the 120 gallon reef, rather the down stairs farm system which needs to have the old Vipar Spectra fixtures replaced. I think I'll start with it over the SPS branch and see how it does. Still looking for a nice fixture for the LPS branch. I will post some pictures and a link to a review on the Craft Aquatic channel, a few months from now. I'm hoping it will serve me as well as the AI Hydra 64 HD's have, over the 120 reef.
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HAHA! Coral manipulation will become the next big trend in the hobby. LOL!
Chessmanmark
Well-Known Member
Matt also motivated me over two years ago. I had success in the past but was at a low point when I met Matt in our club forum. He graciously shared some SPS frags and inspired me to test more often.
I have been running MH pendants forever, but recently decided to try a Hydra 64 because Matt had switched to these lights and the app seemed user friendly. I still have one MH pendant over my 90 and I’m torn. I like the ability to dial in color from the Hydra but I’m so used to the MH, which on their own aren’t as nice looking as when you add Reef Brites. The center brace is an issue.
I’m glad to hear that your tank is doing well Matt. Sorry to hear about the Scopas. I picked one up at Pete’s last fall. It’s a fish that was never on my radar, but that I really like now.
I’m curious to see your review of the new light.
I also need to meet up with you and buy a couple acro frags. My pencil urchin has done some damage knocking mini colonies off the rock. I have limited space, but can fit two more near the front as long as the urchin doesn’t tear them off. A more rational person would just get rid of the dang urchin, but we are bonded now. Someone gave him to me at Randy’s house years ago at a club meeting.
As far a salt goes I’ve used RC for the last 15 years. Jason Fox uses IO because he goes through so much salt and you can’t argue about his results.
I have been running MH pendants forever, but recently decided to try a Hydra 64 because Matt had switched to these lights and the app seemed user friendly. I still have one MH pendant over my 90 and I’m torn. I like the ability to dial in color from the Hydra but I’m so used to the MH, which on their own aren’t as nice looking as when you add Reef Brites. The center brace is an issue.
I’m glad to hear that your tank is doing well Matt. Sorry to hear about the Scopas. I picked one up at Pete’s last fall. It’s a fish that was never on my radar, but that I really like now.
I’m curious to see your review of the new light.
I also need to meet up with you and buy a couple acro frags. My pencil urchin has done some damage knocking mini colonies off the rock. I have limited space, but can fit two more near the front as long as the urchin doesn’t tear them off. A more rational person would just get rid of the dang urchin, but we are bonded now. Someone gave him to me at Randy’s house years ago at a club meeting.
As far a salt goes I’ve used RC for the last 15 years. Jason Fox uses IO because he goes through so much salt and you can’t argue about his results.
tsouth
Valuable Member
The fact that we can get an IO bucket shipped to us in 2 days is too good. I appreciate that convenience so much! XHO's sure are nice! Recently removed mine as I made the upgrade to Radion's and I can't get over the pop that xho's brought.
Chessmanmark
Well-Known Member
Can you fit the XHOs back on your tank?
These might help.
XHO-K30 LED Add-On Kit - For Radion XR30 or Hydra 64
Upgrade your LED fixture for more even coverage and additional color enhancement with the XHO-K30 LED Add-On Kit for Ecotech Radion® XR30 and AI Hydra® 52/64 fixtures. With a combined total of 32-3-Watt LED’s in the Blue and Violet region, the Reef Brite XHO-K30 add-on kit will increase...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
tsouth
Valuable Member
I have radion's housed inside of an aquatic life t5ho fixture. I kept the xho and tried to see what I could do but the ultimately the xho bar would not be sitting over the tank at all, but rather way behind the tank, and oddly rigged. The distance between the two t5 banks that holds the radion's is only wide enough for radions. I was hoping I could fit an xho bar between the two radions from left to right, but the gap is something like 10 inches and I think the xho's come in a 12" model minimum.Can you fit the XHOs back on your tank?
These might help.
XHO-K30 LED Add-On Kit - For Radion XR30 or Hydra 64
Upgrade your LED fixture for more even coverage and additional color enhancement with the XHO-K30 LED Add-On Kit for Ecotech Radion® XR30 and AI Hydra® 52/64 fixtures. With a combined total of 32-3-Watt LED’s in the Blue and Violet region, the Reef Brite XHO-K30 add-on kit will increase...
Thanks for sharing though! Would've been nice to have it all.
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We definitely need to get together again at some point. I am still holding on to a CA Multimedia Milli frag for you. It's been sitting in the frag tank for well over a year, small but, encrusted on to the plug at this point. It is yours, whenever you come to get more frags. I have not been selling/trading anything lately, aside from an OG bounce or two. They grow slow. The demand for coral in 2020/21 really put a dent in the rack and rubble. Levels were all over that place, so I decided to let it just sit for a year so I could take care of it, the way I do the display tank. It's coming back. I'll be ready to sell a few frags out of it soon.
Glad to hear you got a scopas. They do a good job picking at HA. Also, the Hydra 64's. I don't think I knew that. Do you have a build thread up? I'm still testing ALK 3x a week and have yet to invest in a a bot to do it. HAHA! I have to say, given your success with the Reef Brites, I am thinking I may replace the last two T5 fixtures with them, when it comes time to replace the bulbs, which is pretty soon. I wonder how they will pair, visually, with the HYDRA 64's?
You are definitely living on the edge, housing a pencil urchin in a tank with high end SPS. However, I do understand how we grow fond of our reef critters. I finally had to boot the giant spiny urchin out of the 120. He was leaving bite marks all over the setosa and LPS colonies.
I didn't know that JF used IO. That is interesting, but makes sense. I really like it, so far. Maybe even better than the blue bucket. Time will tell. It always does, in this hobby.
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A pic I took, for a fellow reefer who purchased some SPS frags and wanted to see my tank.
Another top down, to add to the one's above. I just love peering down, in the evenings, with the flow turned off.
I fragged off this little mini colony of Walt Disney Tenuis a few days ago. Have to find a good home for this little beauty too.
I have a theory that keeping this UC amazeballs goniapora down in a dimly lit cave, with this skunk cleaner shrimp, is the best thing I could have done for it. This goni is prone to infection when first introduced and the shrimp keeps it nice and clean until it gets used to a new system. Of course, VERY low light is equally important. Once acclimated, you can start to move it into a higher par area of the reef. I'm going on 8 months. So far, so good.
Another top down, to add to the one's above. I just love peering down, in the evenings, with the flow turned off.
I fragged off this little mini colony of Walt Disney Tenuis a few days ago. Have to find a good home for this little beauty too.
I have a theory that keeping this UC amazeballs goniapora down in a dimly lit cave, with this skunk cleaner shrimp, is the best thing I could have done for it. This goni is prone to infection when first introduced and the shrimp keeps it nice and clean until it gets used to a new system. Of course, VERY low light is equally important. Once acclimated, you can start to move it into a higher par area of the reef. I'm going on 8 months. So far, so good.
Chessmanmark
Well-Known Member
I appreciate the fact that you remembered the frag. I have the Tubs Stellata for you. It’s getting pretty big in my tank.
I’ve been thinking about your rack and rubble system as I need a frag tank because everything keeps growing. I keep seeing threads about a new bill that will prohibit many of the organisms we keep and wonder if it will put limits on aquaculture or if that will be needed in order for the hobby to continue. I haven’t had time to look at the bill, but keep seeing chatter about it.
I started a build thread years ago, trying to recreate my posts on RC and HVRK following my path in the hobby, but couldn’t keep up. Photobucket tanked and I was pulling old photos from old computers.
I love the Reef Brite Actinic, and now I love the Hydra. My water temp is more consistent, however the shimmer is a lot speedier than my MH pendant. The Reef Brite enhances both lights, but the Hydra offers more flexibility. I’m just used to MH after all these years.
That urchin cost me a lot of corals including the Walt Disney, but he’s family now.
I hope to meet up with you in the coming months. Work is exhausting and I’m just trying to get through this school year. My tank is overgrown and needs a serious pruning. I have to figure out how re-home a lot of it. Each week I’m throwing out Xenia and soon will have to toss GSP. My Red Planet, Purple Stylo and Psammocora are getting too big for the tank. The Homewrecker is doing well. I also have too much frogspawn and Yumas. In my softy tank my ORA Sacrophyton is huge along with a neon green Nepthea. The Red Monti cap is exploding, yada, yada, yada.
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Thanks, it will be nice to add the tubs to my system. I think I have a good spot for it, near the overflow.
I have not idea if this new bill / proposal / legislation will land. All I can tell is largely profit oriented and sort of ambiguous in regards to how it will effect the hobby. What I do know is, it is only a matter of time until something seriously derails the availability of coral, maybe even shipping live coral. Either way, I've always felt it was sort of part of the hobby to keep a second system for aquaculture, to propagate, share and raise some funds for the main system. Can't hurt and it's kind of nice to have a second system to experiment and try out new ideas on.
I too was totally derailed by the photobucket BS, connected to Reef Central. I hope to see your build thread up very soon. Can't wait.
You are funny about that urchin. LOL! I would have booted that sucker out of my system ages ago. BUT, family is family. Haha!
I have to come see that reef of yours, some time soon. Sounds like it is doing well. Coral growing too fast, is not the worst problem to have.
See you soon!
I have not idea if this new bill / proposal / legislation will land. All I can tell is largely profit oriented and sort of ambiguous in regards to how it will effect the hobby. What I do know is, it is only a matter of time until something seriously derails the availability of coral, maybe even shipping live coral. Either way, I've always felt it was sort of part of the hobby to keep a second system for aquaculture, to propagate, share and raise some funds for the main system. Can't hurt and it's kind of nice to have a second system to experiment and try out new ideas on.
I too was totally derailed by the photobucket BS, connected to Reef Central. I hope to see your build thread up very soon. Can't wait.
You are funny about that urchin. LOL! I would have booted that sucker out of my system ages ago. BUT, family is family. Haha!
I have to come see that reef of yours, some time soon. Sounds like it is doing well. Coral growing too fast, is not the worst problem to have.
See you soon!
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120 gallon mixed reef Picture Update, August 2022
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Thanks! My personal feeling is time has really helped this reef, once I was able to stabilize all of the fundamental elements.Love it, u def know what to do for a reef, new Goni?
The Amazeballs goni is almost a year in now. Put it in it's little cave and haven't touched it since. Was one of the last, "must have" corals, that I added to this tank. From here out, it's all about keeping it all alive, happy and getting along.
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