The Angel Reef

[firefish2020]

Ok for all of you who dont know, Im upgrading our reef tank at home from a 55 gal, to a 120 gal. Right now it is loaded with soft coral and around 20 or so sps corals. It is lit by an ORBIT lighting system that gives it aprox 260 watts of 50/50 lighting for a photo period of about 12 (down from 14 after talking with Bruce) hours a day now. The 120 will be lit by a coralife aqualight-pro 2X150 HQI DE halides and 2X96watt royal blue (470nm) actinics. I plan on eventually having the halides on for around 9-10 hours a day. My number one concern is acclimating the corals to the light upgrade. Does anyone have any ideas? I have heard of using a mesh screen or just starting with 4 hours of halides and adding an hour each week. Any ideas? I will be posting progress of the switch over as it happens over the next few weeks.

Thanks,
Ron

[Curtis1]

Ron, I started from PC to 175 MH @ 1 hr per day, and increased it by 1/2hr each day. I ran the 2x110 VHO's @12hrs simultaneously, till I got the MH's up to 10 Hrs. No problema. The palythoa, were the hardest to come around. Took about 3 wks !!!

[LowCel]

You can also do it by raising the light at first and having a few layers of egg crate on top of the tank. Every few days remove a layer of egg crate, then slowly start lowering the light. Once you get everything acclimated I wouldn't run the MH's for more than 8 hours per day. That will be plenty, a lot of people run them even less. (I believe Matt runs his for 6 hours a day.)

However, I think the best option is to just leave the softies and lps out of the tank all together. ;)

[odoprelude]

Angel Reef? Anyhoo.. Since I didn't have any choice when I upgraded my tank from 220w pc's to my current 250's, my canopy didn't allow much between the lights and the water, due to the heat. (I had glass tops between and it melted the plastic between the to panes of glass..) I just started with one hour a day and went up from there to the 6 hours that I currently run now.... hth..

[hmott]

Dang.. I run 12 hours should I trim it back? I was going to run 8 but decided not to bother with another timer. I've been running them about 2 weeks now at 12 hrs a day. I acclimated, softies only, starting with 2 hours a day and adding 2 hours every 3-4 days. Might be to quick for sps/lps but my softies didn't have a problem.

[firefish2020]

Curt & anyone: I was thinking about maybe keeping the 260 pcs on there as a suppliment? Good idea or no? If so what kind of scheduel would you guys go with. I just need ideas on how to light this thing.

Chris: Angel Reef has a long long story behind it I'll tell you about it one day. Sufice it to say this tank has to be looked over by guardian angels at times :)

[LowCel]

I would run the actinic lighting 12 hours a day and the mh's 8 hours. It works great for me. I wouldn't worry about the extra pcs though, they won't be necessary. All they will do is add extra heat and cover more of the top of your tank allowing even less air circulation.

[1package]

How high above the water are the MHs?

[LowCel]

Mine are approximately 6 1/2" above the water line.

[Curtis1]

Bruce hit it on the head. Couldn't agree more. Does the Orbit have fans ???? Not familiar with it. I wouldn't use any glass tops.

[MattG]

my halides are about 6" off the water. i completely agree with bruce about the pc's. if you have MH i would only use additional pc's for aesthetics (actinic). Even in that case though i would probably just change out the halide bulbs for a higher color temp.

[firefish2020]

Done, Orbit is out after a test run the CL is more than enought light. It sits about 5 inches from the surface Im going to acclimate slowly about an hour a day or so.

[firefish2020]

Here is the test firing of the halides.

http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/angel120test.jpg

We tested them out to see what would happen, the fish thought the world had ended then after about 15 min they all came out to play.

[odoprelude]

very nice, very nice.. odo like.. looks angelic...:D

[firefish2020]

Still working on placement of corals and rock so expect a few changes to take place over the next few days.

[MattG]

looking good ron. i like the tonga branch(?) thats in there.

[firefish2020]

Thanks, Im not sure if I like all the Tonga yet or not :)

[LowCel]

Looking great Ron....does this mean I'm going to be having some extra room in my tank soon???? :D

[msu]

looks great. what is the K rating on the new MH bulbs?

[firefish2020]

10,000 Ks

[LowCel]

Originally posted by firefish2020
10,000 Ks

Same thing I am running right now, but I can't wait until replacement time. I have some Hamilton 14,000 K's waiting.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Keep the branch... it is sweet!;)

[firefish2020]

Ok here we go this is the tank today after moving a few things around and adding some corals to the mix. Light is 2X96w 470 nm Royal Blue Actinics.

Mystery coral from Bali
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/baliacro1.jpg
Blue Acro
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/hillerblue.jpg
Orange Monti Cap
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/hillercap1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/hillercap2.jpg

more to come....

[firefish2020]

Continued....
Light is 2X96w 470 nm Royal Blue Actinics.

ORA green pocilopora
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/oragrdam.jpg
ORA indio stag
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/oraindiostag.jpg
ORA pink millipora
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/orapinkmili.jpg
ORA Blue Tort
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/oratort.jpg

more to come...

[firefish2020]

Continued...

Indio Stag, Ausie Delicate, MI Stag, Turq Stag & green Digi all ORA
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/oratrio.jpg
ORA turquoise stag
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/oraturqstag.jpg


These are the softies that are left on the btm.
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/softzone.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/giantshroom.jpg

Thats all for now.
Corals not listed include:Bob, Ricordiea, some zoas, and the ORA Delicate stag

[Ijoshjoycei]

Nice lookin tank Ron.. and nice lookin Corals

[firefish2020]

Thanks, we'll see how they look in a few weeks.

[LowCel]

Tank is looking great Ron. I'm looking forward to a more current full tank shot.

[firefish2020]

Ligts on.

http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/tankfull.jpg

http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/tankright.jpg

[LowCel]

Tank looks great! I'm looking forward to seeing it about six months from now.

[Shikaroka]

Lookin good Ron!

[hmott]

very nice, I really like that stick look of the lr in the center.

[firefish2020]

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/pocgrowth.jpg

3 month growth rate on an ORA green Pocillopora. And that was under PC cant wait to see what happens now

[MattG]

looks good ron. whats that RARE ora coral towards the front bottom left? :D

[LowCel]

Ron, that is some very impressive growth on that green poci. You are going to be amazed in a few months after everything gets used to the new system.

[firefish2020]

Matt thats not an ORA in the first pic it's a hiller Blue Acro.

[MattG]

i was refering to the ora sticker or whatever it is :D

[firefish2020]

Oh lol thats what it is, we used to have those on the tanks at work and I had it on the 55 forever so I decided to stick it on the 120. Kinda fits, most of the sps in there are ORA. :) You know me.

[LowCel]

Alright, lets see the new frags. :)

[firefish2020]

Update: Moved a few rocks last night after being inspired by Bruces tank lol. Im starting to like it better now.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/tank12.jpg

A few shots of the frags this week, and the newer ones in their new home.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/ORA1.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/moreORA.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/greenstag.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/fuzzyacro.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/shroombig.jpg

[LowCel]

Tanks looking great Ron. I can't wait to see it in a few months. The frags look like they are pretty happy in their new home. If you get a chance I would really like to see some pics with all the lights on.

Let me know when you are ready for some more frags. I should be able to help you out some by then.

[firefish2020]

15 days Now since the last day light shot and you can see some changes by that light.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/fullday.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/dayside.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/ORAbirdsnest.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/orangeric.jpg

[LowCel]

Looking great Ron. Have any close ups of the frags that came from my tank?

Any guesses on how much rock you have in there?

BTW on the second html address I believe you have an extra space between the address and the [ /img]

[odoprelude]

hey, bruce! I'm ready for some frags... heheh... :p

[firefish2020]

Heres one of them, Im having problems getting the other one in focus. Estimate about 200 Lbs in there right now.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/ORAgreenpolyps.jpg

[Shikaroka]

Lookin good Ron!
I need to bring my wife to your house. Then, I'd be much more likely to get a tank like that someday.

[firefish2020]

Hiller Fuzzy blue tip
http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/fuzzybluetip.jpg

[firefish2020]

Almost a month now.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/full14.jpg

[LowCel]

WOW, great picture. Your color is unbelievable!

Keep it up guru!

[Shikaroka]

Amazing Ron!
Beautiful!

[firefish2020]

Thanks, pretty much finished adding corals at least till something special comes along that I cant live wthout. So now we'll be shifting to equipment upgrades and additions.

[firefish2020]

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/angleside.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/angleup.jpg

Coloring Up
http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/ORAturq.jpg


<b>WARNING: This is a full tank shot and will take some time to load.</b>


http://members.aol.com/jomarspets/Fulltankpan.jpg

[Shikaroka]

WOW WOW WOW WOW!
When do the wife and I get to come over and see this wonder in person?

[LowCel]

Todd, I'm sure your invitation is in the mail along with mine. ;)

[Shikaroka]

LOL!

[firefish2020]

LOL When I see real growth in the sps and I have some new toys to show :)

[firefish2020]

UPDATE: 1-2-05

Upgraded the Tunze tonight and WOW! Do we have flow in there now. I cant take it past 1/4 power right now without having to move corals LOL so I'll just turn it up slowly over time as the SPS grow.

[LowCel]

Sweet, can't wait to see the 6100 in action. BTW, I was very tempted to hook the transformer up to my tank just to see what it was like. Suprisingly I was able to restrain myself.

[firefish2020]

You would have not believed the difference it's more than noticable :)

[firefish2020]

<b>Things are starting to get color!!!!</b>

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/full0405.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/pociolo0305.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/pinkmili.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/newacro0405.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/hillercap0405.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/hiller0305.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/coloredup.jpg

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/bluetort.jpg

[MattG]

looks great ron. I see you decided to go for the hippo :D

[firefish2020]

I could'nt let you have all the ich errr I mean fun now could I :)
Seriously though hes doing great now that theres about 28 watts of UV on the system LOL.

[LowCel]

Tank is looking great Ron. The growth on the Larry Jackson acro is very impressive.

[firefish2020]

Thanks man truth is I would have a bunch of brown or white sticks in there if it were not for the help from you and Matt. I never thought I would have this many SPS lol or like them so much. I also never thought they would color up this fast much less show as much growth.

[Shikaroka]

{clears throat} I haven't gotten my invitation yet.

[LowCel]

Don't feel too leftout. :(

[odoprelude]

well, let me know how to get my brown sticks to color up... Well, only one really, the marshall tri-color from ORA....

[LowCel]

Chris, it took my tricolor about 6 or 7 months to color up. The key to that one is definately patience and a lot of light. Mine is about 8" below the water line directly under a 250 watt dual ended MH.

[Shikaroka]

Originally posted by LowCel
Don't feel too leftout. :(

I'll try not. I know I'm not the only one.


Oh, by the way, I LOVE Duck's Salsa! I gotta ge me some more!

[LowCel]

Thanks! Glad you like it.