My Tank Thread: 58gal Pic Intense

[mbierzyc]

I want to create this thread to track the progress of my tank.

My tank is beginning to look full, so instead of focusing on stocking I'm going to focus on tweaking my setup for best results.

I have some hair algae growing, and my corals are not as colorful as they were when I first got them. My goal is to make the tank more healthy in order to see the best color and growth. To start the process I replaced my bulbs with Reeflux 12k and ordered a new set of filters for my RODI.

Lighting is a dual 250w Maristar fixture on BW7 HQI. Actinic is done by 2x 39w Sfigoli Super Actinic.

I upgraded the skimmer a few months back to the Bubble Master 160.

Flow is handled by 2x Nanostream 6025, 2x Nanostream 6045 (one on a sea swirl), and 1x Tunze 6060.

I've had my 58gal up since April. Before that, some of this was in my old tank which I had up since Feb 2006.

I'm going to install my mrc nano calcium reactor soon. Until then I dose 2-part.


My camera isn't the best, hopefully I'll be getting the rebel xti very soon.

Here's the old tank:

12gal Nano Feb 2006


Outgrew the nano in July 2006:


SPS from Dec 2006


Current tank - 58gal Oceanic

April 2007


May 2007

[mbierzyc]

8/25 2007


12/4/2007


Here's the tank today, Dec 19, 2007






And here are two of my favorite corals. On the left is a Peppercorn Monti, and on the right is the Superman Monti.

[mudskipper1]

What do you plan on tweaking to achieve better colors etc.?

[chrismunn]

right on man

[mbierzyc]

I really don't test nearly enough. I want to get on a better testing regimen, and get my calcium reactor running and dialed in. I think that stability will really help coloration. Part of my plan is the fresh bulbs, and things really look much nicer today after the change from the older Phoenix 14k I had running. The two nanostream 6025's are new as of this weekend. Because I run barebottom I wanted to get as much random flow as possible to every area of my tank.

I have everything controlled my an aquacontroller jr.

[dohc97]

everything looks good, how do you like the reeflux 12k bulb by itself? I know Pat uses the 10k and the corals look amazing but the tank color is a bit yellowish.

[mbierzyc]

My tank color is a very crisp white/blue. Blues and neon greens really pop under these bulbs. My neon green hammer looks metallic. I'm very happy with them - but they were what I used with my 150w lighting back on the old tank.

[mg426]

Nice !!

[Aquaticman74]

Looks great with the new bulbs Matt. the growth and colors look pretty good to me. I wouldn't change too much. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

[mbierzyc]

If you look back at some of the older pictures, back when the starboard had cyano all over it --- you can see that the colors on the coral were much more "bold". Things look washed out now. I don't know if the tank is too clean or what. The hair algae tells me that's probably not the issue.

I just want to get the most out of what I have.

[comstona42]

Your tank is filling out nice and looking great! I am considering a skimmer upgrade as well and thinking of getting the Bubble Master 160 also. Do you know the minimum sump space required. I never feel I can be certain based on footprint spec alone. Thanks

[mbierzyc]

I'm at work but when I get home I can let you know the sump space required. Thanks for the compliment.

On a side note, I think I did a poor job acclimating the corals to the new lights, and a lot of my montiporas are much more pale now. Hopefully they can turn around.

[mbierzyc]

I was in the mood to take some pictures. The new lights lightened up my colors; I don't think I acclimated them well enough.

These two corals are on the far right of my tank (Green Slimer and a pink with blue tip either mille or prostrata?)




Most of these are on my frag rack growing out still:


I forget the name - from Menard at the West Chicago swap.



Jose Dieck gave me this one.


I bought this as an Oregon Tort from the West Chicago Swap


I picked up this neon blue encrusting monti from a local store.

[mbierzyc]

Comstona42 -

I'd allow 8" x 11" for the skimmer. It has a diameter right around 8", but the part with the gate valve sticks out about 2.5"

[comstona42]

Great pics, making me anxious to get setup soon...Thanks for the dimensions on the BM160 - much appreciated!

[Mojo Jojo]

Does the 6045 really push that much water? I have two 6025s and thinking of clearing up some space by replacing them with one 6045.

[mbierzyc]

Joe,

I have two of each. I don't think there's very much difference between them. There is, however, a lot of difference between the nanostreams and the 6060 that I have in the tank.

You said you were looking to consolidate the pumps down to one to clean up space -- I don't think the 6060 would save you any space but it would definitely give you more flow with just one pump.

[adamjr]

Originally posted by Mojo Jojo
Does the 6045 really push that much water? I have two 6025s and thinking of clearing up some space by replacing them with one 6045.

Mojo JoJo you can mod out the 6025 to a 6045 quite simply. There is a collar on the outer shell (not the braket side) that surrounds the propeller. You can remove that collar with a dremel or carefully with an exacto knife. You will increase the flow significantly.

[adamjr]

Oh, and I forgot to say, Very nice tank Matt.