Big E Rimless 80g Sps

[coral tarracino]

Micro Man ' Funny!

 

[Big E]

Wow i love your tank

Very impressive!

Short Cake neat!

Your shortcake has very unique coralites. It is very beautiful.

Wow sweet colors on the acro man!

Thanks everyone!

that wild raspberry is awesome! awesome wrk on the tank. have you ever thought about selling your trimmings?

Thanks, I do occasionally sell frag packs

 

[Big E]

Hi Ed,
No problems running T5s on the Icecap ballast?
Do you have it wired according to the diagram on the ballast?
I have read that it is the wrong ballast for T5s.
Thanks.

I've been running T5s on Ice caps for 8+ years and never had any problems. This is how the LET kits were configured back then. It is wired per the diagrams.

The bulbs are overdriven and create more par and burn a little differently. This combo was a staple, but people moved to ATI fixtures as they became affordable and more available than they were back then. Same goes for the ballasts.

I like the results I get, so I have no reason to change. This really is no different than people overdriving halide bulbs like the 400w Radium overdriven on an HQI ballast, which was and still is the hallmark lighting for acroporas.

A 6 bulb ATI setup can garner similar results, so I usually recommend them and you'll get about 2-3 months more out of the bulbs.

 

[bknapp]

Incredible.

Any updates?

I seen where you said you'd never go back to a calcium reactor, what's your reasoning behind that? Just curious as the two part is definitely working.

 

[Big E]

Thanks Brandon,

I used a calcium reactor for around 7 years and just got fed up with it. There were clogged valve issues, media melting, inconsistent bubble rates and drip rates. Invariably when corals get big the reactors can't keep up and people end up supplementing with kalk or two part.

Even the best top of the line reactors had the same issues. I've seen friends buy Deltec and Schuran reactors only to want to throw them against the wall due to failures, ect. I don't know what the top brands are now, but they were the best at the time.

The media is expensive and some of the high end reactors need specialized media for flow control, performance ect.

For me, when I added it all up from cost, consistency, performance, maintenance, ect. over the long term, two part dosing has been much more satisfying.

 

[jackson6745]

Awesome tank E. Love the colors you're getting, but we need some more pics :)

 

[bknapp]

Thanks for the reply.

Personally, I couldn't dial in two part and switched to a reactor.

I'm running an ATI 8 bulb (6 Blue+, Coral+, Purple+) and it amazes me the amazing colors you're pulling out with four bulbs. Great work!

 

[therman]

Gorgeous tank, my friend! Looks like you are doing every one of your corals justice and they are growing into some really stunning colonies.

 

[Big E]

Awesome tank E. Love the colors you're getting, but we need some more pics :)

Thanks, I'll work on more pictures

Thanks for the reply.

Personally, I couldn't dial in two part and switched to a reactor.

I'm running an ATI 8 bulb (6 Blue+, Coral+, Purple+) and it amazes me the amazing colors you're pulling out with four bulbs. Great work!

What do you mean you couldn't dial in two part? Can you elaborate?

On the lights--
The reflectors of the LET setup are each 1/4" wider than a Sunpower, and I over drive the bulbs so I get more par per bulb. Measured with an Apogee I get about 200 par more setting the sensor just under the bulb comparing an ATI ballast to a 660. I'm guessing my 4 bulb is similar to a 6 bulb Sunpower in coverage/performance.

I love the Coral+ bulb (hint)................did I mention the Coral+ is an awesome bulb?;)

Gorgeous tank, my friend! Looks like you are doing every one of your corals justice and they are growing into some really stunning colonies.

Thanks Tim! Truthfully they don't all do good.........I get rid of the ones that don't like my tank:D

 

[coral tarracino]

CORAL NO KEYS' Never! Lived their Years' ago NEVER , NEVER!!!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

We need a full tank shot!!

 

[bknapp]

I'm a fan of the Coral+ bulb as well, considering adding one more of those or an Aqua blue.

As far as the two part goes I couldn't find consistency, things would be good for a few days then it would swing in either direction. I would test every 24 hours (as close to the same exact time daily as possible.) And at that time I was also running a 180 and the chemicals would get expensive after a while so I decided to try a reactor.

 

[aquavista99]

Outstanding, Big E!! Love all those colorful sticks!!

 

[Big E]

Outstanding, Big E!! Love all those colorful sticks!!

Thanks!

 

[A.G]

Big E tank is sure to be one of my fav due to the fact its only lot by 4 atl bulbs ! And addatives !
Now if he can only update this thread with FTS :)

 

[Pirates.Reef]

That raspberry is gorgeous

 

[A.G]

@Big E , we need an update plzzz

 

[Pirates.Reef]

Big e which two part do you dose if I may ask

 

[Jimbo]

Amazing tank man! Some of the nicest Acro's I've seen.... Beautiful. FTS would be nice

 

[themcnertney]

Sorry about not following/updating sooner..........I dose Randy's two part for Alk & Calc. Mg is maintained by my water changes

Here's a tank shot of the left side of the tank.........still rearranging things on the other side of the tank. This shot is a month or so old. I changed it a bit, so the aquascaping part is still a work in progress.

Wow. Very impressive.
If you ever want to do any trades, let me know. I live in Akron, not to far from you. Maybe we could meet half way? Any who here is my tank if you'd like to take a look....

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/220-gallons-of-eye-candy.245484/page-3