Tank of the Month - March 2005

[Floridiot]

Originally posted by danano
No, I haven't. The bulbs are still going strong!

Wow. I was just about to buy my MH system, but now I'm really leaning towards the ATI T5s. This way I could also build an enclosed hood for my system instead of hanging a fixture from the ceiling.

I was planning on an open topped aquarium in effort to dissipate the heat generated from MHs. With T5s I could easily build an enclosed hood with a couple of quiet vent fans at the top to release the hot air. I really like enclosed hoods because they eliminate the stray light.

Decisions, decisions....

[ahchung]

I plan to set up a 36" x 18" x 18" SPS tank running ATI reflectors and ATI bulbs. How many bulbs would you recommend?

Tentatively, I am planning to set up 3 AquaBlue Special and 3 BluePlus. I don't know the width of an ATI reflector and so I don't know how many bulb exactly I can fit.

May I ask for your expertise opinion?

[danano]

chung, 6 bulbs should work nicely. Your planned blub combination may be a little too blue, unless that's what you're after. Try swapping out one of the Blue Plus with an AB Special.

Where do you plan on getting your reflectors and bulbs from? The supplier here no longer carries ATI T5s. You may want to check with your local LFS to see what alternative German T5 brands they carry.

[ahchung]

Thanks for your recommendation! I will buy 4 AB Special and 3 Blue Plus and try out which combination is the best.

The reef hobbyists in Hong Kong plan to make a bulk order to Germany to order the bulbs and reflectors. By sharing the shipping cost, we would be able to enjoy the best T5HO technology in the world with reasonable price.

I hope this can be done. I am very exciting at the moment!

[danano]

I've had my yellow-belly Regal for about 7 months. It was 3" when I first got it. It's grown ever so slightly, so possibly 3.5" now. It took my Regal 4 months to start taking pellets and now it eats anything I throw in the tank. In the first 4 months, it relied on food off the LR and acan lord polyps! Yes, you heard right, acanthastrea lordhowensis! It did not devour the acans but it would pick at a polyp or two every other time it swam by. Fortunately, it discovered a taste for pellets and I was able to gradually wean it off acans. The acans have since recovered.

I would say my Regal has not always been a model reef citizen but for its beauty, I was prepared to forego all my LPS.

I have a patch of zoos that it has never touched.

[danano]

Regal and friends in a feeding frenzy.

[majesticangelfish]

Awesome mate, Please Keep the pics coming!

[TryTheChi]

I keep comming back here for inspiration

Danano, how long after set up did you start putting in SPS frag?

Any advic on my tank from this link would be very much appreciated:

http://www.reefpark.net/forums/index...howtopic=14927

THanks Again

SImon

[sharemaster]

That tank looks cool as danano really good choices on stocking hats of to you. However...... I still see space at the back just there what you saving that for!!

[danano]

Some updates

[danano]

[danano]

digitata, seriatopora and capricornis

... and my little 'mystery'

[danano]

A view from "efflo corner"

[Floridiot]

Have you replaced your bulbs yet?

[Skipper]

Looking sweet, Dan!!!!

[danano]

Originally posted by Floridiot
Have you replaced your bulbs yet?

Not yet.

Thanks Skip!

[Floridiot]

Well, I'm now officially going to go with T5s instead of MH. My tank is 52" x 26" x 26". I know many people will say that 26" tall is too deep for T5s, but I'm going to try them anyways.

I can fit 9 each of the Icecap SLR reflectors across the top of my tank. What bulb combination would you recommend danano?

If I remember correctly, you're running 5 AB specials and 3 BLUE+. If you could add one more bulb, what would it be?

[danano]

AB Special

[smokez01]

hey danano, do u have ur t5 fixture resting on the edge of the tank, or did you purchase any 'legs' to hold it up?

[danano]

Originally posted by smokez01
hey danano, do u have ur t5 fixture resting on the edge of the tank, or did you purchase any 'legs' to hold it up?

The fixture brackets rest on a 5" tall open top hood.

[ahchung]

Danano, would you tell me whether your ATI parabolic reflectors are U-shaped or W-shaped?

Thanks in advance!

[danano]

ahchung, they are all U-shaped.

[PaulChiasson]

where do you get a majority of your corals?

[danano]

Originally posted by PaulChiasson
where do you get a majority of your corals?

local LFS that source from all over the Pacific plus frag exchanges

[danano]

2 years old...