Tank of the Month - March 2005

[szesteve]

Dan,

Any plans to switch to MHs? Do you notice any difference in MHs & T5s for your SPS?

[danano]

Originally posted by danano
... The T5s have worked really well for me. Colours are somewhat more pastel. Main differences I see compared to MH tanks are less intense purples although I really like how the purple humilis turned out...
Dan

Steve, I have no plans to switch to MH for my current tank. I've discussed some of the reasons in the article. That said, I would consider using MHs plus T5s for a larger setup, i.e. a tank longer than 48" and/or wider (front to back) than 30" and deeper than 24".

[szesteve]

Originally posted by danano
Steve, I have no plans to switch to MH for my current tank. I've discussed some of the reasons in the article. That said, I would consider using MHs plus T5s for a larger setup, i.e. a tank longer than 48" and/or wider (front to back) than 30" and deeper than 24".

Thanks Dan!

Btw, did you get that pm i sent you regarding Singapore reefing?

[mike9515756]

Danano, is there any perticular reason you chose T5's over VHO's?

[danano]

VHOs are not available here and hence, not an option.

[danano]

Here are a couple of top-view pics I really like. They were taken with one T5 fixture (3 bulbs) switched on; 2x AB Special and 1x Blue Plus.

[danano]

[danano]

And the blue austera.

[mike9515756]

Danano, are your pics photoshopped?

[danano]

Originally posted by mike9515756
Danano, are your pics photoshopped?

Absolutely not. The colors are as you see it, 100% natural.

[danano]

Here's another one of my favorites, a pink w/ blue tip milli.

[reefnewbee]

Such inspiration, very nice. Great pics. Question for you....
Do you think success is possible on a smaller scale. I have a 40 gallon with AB-BP-AB-03, I am hoping to get some SPS going towards the top. Flow is about 18x and parameters are excellent. I was thinking I may add a 6.5k and another Ab, what do you think?


Shawn

[rjwilson37]

Again, your tank is just beautiful.

I have an actinic 03 in my mix of Aquablue and Blue Plus bulbs which is why I think my Blue Acro turned towards the green side. I would love to have a blue Acro as well as a beautiful white one and am thinking on dropping the Actinic 03 and replacing it with a Blue Plus. I had gotten the Actinic 03 for my Zoathid's so to speak, since I read that the Actinic 03 brings out the flourescence in corals and the blue plus brings out the blue in hard corals.

Did you ever use the ATI Actinic's? What are your thoughts on this.

[danano]

Shawn, I believe you should be able to achieve similar results with your 40g. Adding another 2 bulbs, if possible, is an excellent idea, especially given your plans to keep sps. IMO, the T5 actinics don't do much for sps. If you've got 6 bulbs to play around with, try 4x AB Special and 2x Blue Plus. You could potentially replace one of the ABs with a 6500k but personally, I prefer the AB for its intensity and more complete spectrum.

rj, thanks again. I think you will see better results by replacing the actinic with a Blue Plus. I'm currently running 8 T5 bulbs. If I had 9 or more bulbs, I would consider adding an actinic or two for visual effect, mainly when the other lights are off.

Dan

[Cesar357]

Unbelievable. I thought that you can only keep SPS under MH. That's one of the reasons I bought my MH, so I can keep these guys. WOW they are awsome shots.

[nvert]

First: Great tank, especially noting it's lit by t5's. Very interesting!! AND a great success.

Second: I'd LOVE to add an angel to my 120g mixed reef, and like you, have read about the potential problems of keeping them in with clams and lps. I wish I had some insurance to cover a nice pygmy in case they go hog wild. Any more insight other than what you expressed in your article on reefkeeping mag?

Again nice job!

[PCIALF]

Reel Nice!

[SunnyX]

Great tank Dan. Keep up the good work. And thanks for giving me the T5 bug....

[christine cohen]

Your tank is so beautiful… Can you tell me where you got your live rock and live sand from? Thanks Chris

[shells]

great great tank!!! Love the micro pics!!!
I am setting up a 150g., with 3 MH and 2, T-5's. I am gonna try
a Blue plus, and antenic 03. My M.H. are one 20k in the middle, 400 w., and 2, 250 w, iwaski's on each end. with the T-5's placed
front/back. I'll keep you all up to date on my progress, I've got
the 20k in place now, but no inhabitanets just yet.

[Skipper]

christine cohen: Danano lives in Singapore.

[shells]

Hey Skipper! Just thought i'd say hi to a fellow mississipian.

[danano]

Thank you again for all your support and encouragment!

The T5s have served me well. Then again, so have my Tunze streams and oversized (if there is such a thing) beckett skimmer. And 100% distilled water, etc.

nvert, on pygmies for reef tanks, you've probably heard and read this over and over, there's always an element of risk. I have seen all my pygmies, at some point in time, peck at sps polyps. And sometimes, the growth tips of my monti digis. Fortunately, this happens rarely enough that it does not stress the corals. Besides, with potentially millions of polyps in the tank, it doesn't become a concern. Further, pygmy angels will naturally peck at tissue of unhealthy or stressed corals, further stressing them, so it's important to have a holding tank for your new/recovering specimens, both SPS and LPS. Avoid open brains.

shells, for your 2x T5s, why not go with both Blue-Plus? They would do a better job balancing out the 2x Iwasaki's. Have you started a thread showing your progress on the new setup? Do keep us posted.

Dan

[Aseidman]

Nice tank. Question...If I undestand your article correctly, you are not running metal halides, just T5's ? I have a 30 Gallon x-high (24 inches tall) with 130 Watts of Power Compacts.

How do Power Compacts compare to T5's ? Any chance I can heep SPS to your knowledge ? Do the T5's product a lot of heat (compared to PC's and MH's) ?

Thanks,
Allen

[Thuggin]

Incredible tank... When I grow up I wanna have a gorgeous tank like you! Im just starting my first reef tank.