KJoFan’s IM SR80

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KJoFan

KJoFan

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What LFS has Skys in use that I can check out??

Tank looks really awesome btw!

The new Reefis look really frickin nice, just too blue heavy for my liking. +1 to seeing and liking Reefbreeders.
One I visit in Sioux Falls, so probably not real feasible for you. But they’re running them on one of their displays. Look very nice.
I really think if I swap lighting I’d go with Reefbreeders. Dropping the money on Skys is just tough to swallow.
 
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KJoFan

KJoFan

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Hey man, what did you end up doing about the lights?
So, in the end I went with the Reefbreeders Photon V2 48”. So far so good. I would maybe like to add a couple of their Lumenbars at some point as well. Someone locally is selling one UV/Blue fixture but it’s only a 36”. So that might look kind of silly on a 48” fixture.
Otherwise, things are going pretty good. I’ve battled extremely high nitrates for a long while now. Thus, I am in the process of removing the majority of my sand. I’m hoping that helps. I can’t seem to keep nutrients in check with a sand bed. I need to keep some thought for my Pencil wrasse to sleep in.
I’d like to add some yellow tangs but don’t think I could sustain more than one in this tank long term. So, I’m debating an eventual upgrade. I thought I wanted to go back to a sump, but I really do like the ease of the AIO so maybe move up to the SR-120. I do like the 6’ length of those without being a massive tank volume wise.

I’ll find some pics to post…
 
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KJoFan

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So, in the end I went with the Reefbreeders Photon V2 48”. So far so good. I would maybe like to add a couple of their Lumenbars at some point as well. Someone locally is selling one UV/Blue fixture but it’s only a 36”. So that might look kind of silly on a 48” fixture.
Otherwise, things are going pretty good. I’ve battled extremely high nitrates for a long while now. Thus, I am in the process of removing the majority of my sand. I’m hoping that helps. I can’t seem to keep nutrients in check with a sand bed. I need to keep some thought for my Pencil wrasse to sleep in.
I’d like to add some yellow tangs but don’t think I could sustain more than one in this tank long term. So, I’m debating an eventual upgrade. I thought I wanted to go back to a sump, but I really do like the ease of the AIO so maybe move up to the SR-120. I do like the 6’ length of those without being a massive tank volume wise.

I’ll find some pics to post…
I’m glad you found a light that works well, I’ve always heard good things about the Photons.

Weird about your nitrates and sand. I’m sandless myself right now but you couldn’t tell at a glance because the tank is so full very little of the bottom is visible. I do usually like to have sand though.

SR-120 is a great size. The only thing I don’t like about it is the relatively narrow width of the filtration section, you can’t get a big enough skimmer. I’m getting a larger AIO tank myself soon that has 8” wide back chambers. They are huge compared to anything else available right now. The skimmer chamber is nearly 13” x 8”. I’m getting a 48” wide tank but it also comes in 60” and 72” lengths. It is acrylic though so if you want glass the SR-120 is the biggest one I’m aware of.
 
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KJoFan

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I’m glad you found a light that works well, I’ve always heard good things about the Photons.

Weird about your nitrates and sand. I’m sandless myself right now but you couldn’t tell at a glance because the tank is so full very little of the bottom is visible. I do usually like to have sand though.

SR-120 is a great size. The only thing I don’t like about it is the relatively narrow width of the filtration section, you can’t get a big enough skimmer. I’m getting a larger AIO tank myself soon that has 8” wide back chambers. They are huge compared to anything else available right now. The skimmer chamber is nearly 13” x 8”. I’m getting a 48” wide tank but it also comes in 60” and 72” lengths. It is acrylic though so if you want glass the SR-120 is the biggest one I’m aware of.
Well, right now I run the Icecap K3 250 HOB. It’s a beast of a skimmer and I could likely use it on the 120 as well.
Plus, other than another light or swapping out the 48” for two 36” lights and maybe another powerhead or two, I wouldn’t need much additional equipment.
If I get into a sumped tank again, I’m looking at a lot more new equipment and that doesn’t thrill me.
 
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I should add that one downside to the AIO is I tend to have chronically low pH. I think AIO style tanks compound that.
That flow of water to and from the sump seems to help keep pH boosted a bit.
That would be one reason I’d consider a move away from the AIO style.
 

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I should add that one downside to the AIO is I tend to have chronically low pH. I think AIO style tanks compound that.
That flow of water to and from the sump seems to help keep pH boosted a bit.
That would be one reason I’d consider a move away from the AIO style.
That's interesting. My ph fluctuates more than I would like it to but it never drops below 8 and tops out around 8.5 per my ph probe, which addmittedly hasn't been calibrated in about a hundred years. It's always been stable between the two readings on a daily basis though. Wonder why yours is low, have you ever measured co2 in the room? Does it get better if you crack a window?
 
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KJoFan

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That's interesting. My ph fluctuates more than I would like it to but it never drops below 8 and tops out around 8.5 per my ph probe, which addmittedly hasn't been calibrated in about a hundred years. It's always been stable between the two readings on a daily basis though. Wonder why yours is low, have you ever measured co2 in the room? Does it get better if you crack a window?
Oh I have no doubt it’s mostly caused by room co2 levels. But, I think it’s compounded by the lack of water movement/oxygenating by traveling to a dedicated sump and back. Just my theory. With a co2 scrubber I can keep it at 8 at night and 8.2 or so during the day. But performance starts to drop after a week and after 2 weeks or so I change media.
 

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You’re tank is looking bloody GREAT! Looks like you’ve caught a case of collectoritus though!
 
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You’re tank is looking bloody GREAT! Looks like you’ve caught a case of collectoritus though!
Thanks!

re: collectoritus…I have a bit of a jumble of corals carried through from tank to tank and new acquisitions. I’m also plagued by laziness and indecision when it comes to placing/mounting corals. Thus, they end up just sitting around. I’m aiming to clean that up and clear some things out come spring expo time.
 
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They look great!
Thanks! I feel like I lucked out. These guys have been chilling at my local lfs since September. Happily living and growing in one of their display tanks.
I’m keeping them in observation for a couple weeks just to ensure no issues pop up.
 
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The eagle has landed.
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I’ve only unpacked it enough to inspect for any damage and test fit the skimmer. Skimmer fits, but the lid doesn’t. Will have to think about that a bit more.
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Keenan

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The eagle has landed.
6577CEB9-1EDA-4937-8009-DCD59A973E6F.jpeg
C490105E-E469-42D9-BA14-B84FDDC3B3E5.jpeg


I’ve only unpacked it enough to inspect for any damage and test fit the skimmer. Skimmer fits, but the lid doesn’t. Will have to think about that a bit more.
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Exciting!

I would say if you love the skimmer, don’t worry about the lid for that chamber. That’s what I did for mine.

Or of course you could just cut a larger opening :)
 
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