New Tank

[lvpd186]

Tom,
I hope your able to turn things around. I can only imagine the frustration you are feeling. As for the lighting debate I would actually recommend going with the 250s. To use my tank as an example: I have (2) 175 10,000 XM lights supplemented by (2) VHO lights. I have never had a problem with "light shock" on a coral and I've had excellent growth (growth for sps, softy and lps corals). You could, since you already have the 400s change your bulb configuration. Maybe use some 14,000s mixed in with some 10,000s or even a 20,000k. Or you could also change your main lights over to 250s and then keep a single 400 with a 20,000k bulb. I missed Adams talk on lighting but I'm not too sure I understand the connection between light and current and how it would be ok to use 1000w MHs as long as you have enough flow. From keeping up with Tom's thread here I would say he has a ton of flow right now so why would 400w lights bleach his corals (the two vortexs alone are 6,000gph after all)? If I was you Tom I would try and force myself to take care of each problem one at a time. You said you have some flatworms; take care of them first. When you got that problem solved take on the next one. I'm sure over time you'll get it set the way you want it. (hows that for a rambling post )

[lvpd186]

Originally posted by garvin90
No, I just am agreeing on the money issue.

You could try the 250s and see how they work however in the long run, 400s and probably more flow might be more beneficial since they(corals) will start growing out and blocking light and current from other areas of the tank.

Ok Ray, I read your review on what Adams was talking about. From what I read in to it the theory is that in order to have high flow you need to compensate for loss of light by increasing the amount of light. I hope he had some testing or empirical data to back up his theory (I only mention this since it wasn't mentioned in your write up). Does that mean the reverse is true; meaning if I have much less flow I can have less light and still have healthy corals. That would be a rhetorical question. Also, like I posted before, Tom does have a high flow tank so according to that theory it should not bother the corals to have intense lighting. I think I tend to believe in more of what Calfo was talking about; ie you must have a balance of light and food (delivered by flow of course) to having thriving corals. I believe he used some example numbers, not scientific, to explain his theory. So if a coral derives 80% of its energy from light (photosynthesis) it must get the remaining amount from something else like food (after all if corals didn't eat why do they have polyps to catch food) in order to really thrive. That theory makes sense to me. From what I understand about coral bleaching due to light it occurs because of the sudden increase in light causes stress. This stress causes the coral to expel it's zooxanthellae algae. If the stress ends, or in this case the coral adapts to the light, the coral will regain it's zooxanthellae algae. If the stress lasts too long the coral will die off.

Sorry to hijack your thread Tom. What color spectrum of lights are you using anyway?

[tom obrecht]

First of all thanks to all who have replied with their viewpoints and advice. This has become quite the issue...lighting that is. I currently have another thread going on in the Wisconsin forum as well and just like here I have varying viewpoints. I'm almost more confused after asking the question than when I started!

lvpd...I'm currently using the 400 watt Reflux 12K bulbs. They are a bit bluer than I care for, but at this point I'm not switching until I decide on what I'm going to do.

[tom obrecht]

Thought I would update things with some pictures. First of all I received my Vortec wireless drivers today. I'm still playing with what mode works best but so far they seem to work well.

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Here are some of the tank. I've added quite a few corals most of which look nothing like the photos here. My skills in photography are poor.

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[tom obrecht]

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[tom obrecht]

As you can see from the last picture I have added ONE fish...a potters angel. I couldn't refuse for a local reefer was selling his tank and he had it for 2 years and was eating everything. He has already started eating and is bold. Very cool fish! Yes Ray I have added one fish...but only one!!

[lvpd186]

Tom, the tank looks great! You picked out some nice size sps corals (nice colors too). Judging by the coraline starting to cover the back glass I would guess some of your water problems might have been worked out. Were you able to get rid of the flatworms?

[tom obrecht]

Originally posted by lvpd186
Tom, the tank looks great! You picked out some nice size sps corals (nice colors too). Judging by the coraline starting to cover the back glass I would guess some of your water problems might have been worked out. Were you able to get rid of the flatworms?

Thanks. I think I might FINALLY be over the hurdle! Fish health has improved, flatworms are gone, getting some very nice sps colonies and they seem to happy and growing. All the equipment seems to be working and now with the Vortec drivers I can get some chaotic water movt. Now I'm just taking my time adding some of the fish I have on my list and continue adding corals. I've been getting some awesome pieces from the Chicago store I frequent. More pics to come in the future.