Randy's Tank and Learn Thread

[fandaga]

Awesome thread! I just skimmed through all pages - love the drama with the nems and that the NPS showed up again! I really like your stocking choices, particularly the gorgeous sponges.

Anything you wished that you did differently? Do you wish that you could have done something to remove the bad inverts early on?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Awesome thread! I just skimmed through all pages - love the drama with the nems and that the NPS showed up again! I really like your stocking choices, particularly the gorgeous sponges.

Anything you wished that you did differently? Do you wish that you could have done something to remove the bad inverts early on?

I think starting the refugium before I was feeding the tank was a mistake, leading to the pests that may have been dinos.

The hitchhikers are a mixed blessing, and the mantis have surely caused tons of snail deaths, but the red mithrax crabs are a family favorite and I think I would do it again as I did. I think of the tank like an ecosystem, not a zoo.

 

[fandaga]

I think starting the refugium before I was feeding the tank was a mistake, leading to the pests that may have been dinos.

The hitchhikers are a mixed blessing, and the mantis have surely caused tons of snail deaths, but the red mithrax crabs are a family favorite and I think I would do it again as I did. I think of the tank like an ecosystem, not a zoo.

I could see that. The live rock provides drama and excitement!

 

[Seancj]

Try upping the cool white to 100% on the fixture directly above the spot where you want the Mag to find its forever perch.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Try upping the cool white to 100% on the fixture directly above the spot where you want the Mag to find its forever perch.

Thanks. :)

I upped the light a bit and altered (increased) the flow. The lights are bars across the length of the tank and the anemone is directly under 3 of the four right now, so there is not much local light control.

I actually pointed the nearby powerhead more at the very top of the rock island and altered it to lower percent flow that varies every 10 seconds. The anemone was on the island side when I made this change and it has now moved so part of it is getting near direct pulsed flow. We can see if more aggressive flow is what it is looking for. I can actually see the anemone mouth something’s now. lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Here’s a video from just now showing the flow level as well as the romping clown trio.

 

[Miami Reef]

Here’s a video from just now showing the flow level as well as the romping clown trio.

The flow looks nice. It’s pretty targeted at the center. Just an observation. I don’t know or think that’s an issue.

The flow looks varied and random, is that due to your powerhead settings?

 

[X-37B]

Yellow Tang


The tank raised yellow tang from Dr Reef is doing great and really looks spectacular under the warm lighting I’m using. My wife commented this morning how nice it looks. :)

The color of the chromis is fantastic.

 

[X-37B]

Lighting Profile

Plenty of power left with those settings. I ran the 16hds at first 4 100%, the rest 50% with excellent results.

 

[Seancj]

They love lower spectrum, 5500K to 6500K. If what you did just now with your LED bar's spectrum and intensity and flow adjustment doesn't keep it from wandering, you could try a cheap 6500K LED grow bulb spotlight, from Lowes or Home Depot, pointed right at the top of the outcropping you made for it. In my opinion, Mags chase light and the highest perch they can 'feel' far more than they chase flow.

 

[Seancj]

Here’s a video from just now showing the flow level as well as the romping clown trio.

Beautiful!
Mags and clowns, just the most spectacular relationship that grabs and holds our attention! My entire tank is dedicated to that.
That flow is pretty good. Non laminar random flow is the key. Once your Mag appears to be fully situated and happy, you could even turn it up a bit more. Mags like to be moved back and forth, sometimes quite vigorously, hence the development of thier large anchoring foot. A Mag in high random flow will become much more robust and full in appearance. The clowns will also help.

 

[CoralsComeInMoreColors]

Return Pump

I’m planning to get a Sicce SDC 7 or 9 to pump water from the basement fish room up about 10 vertical feet and through several fittings and turns to get to the display.

I do not intend it to provide much flow via the return, so the turnover can be reasonably low. The 7 may be plenty. Thoughts on that choice are welcome. The fact that it can communicate over the internet is a plus. Can it tell me anything except temperature?

Before I get one of these, I’m likely to get a Jebao from Amazon to use right away, and then it can become an emergency backup. I was thinking of the DCP-6500. Thoughts on that choice?

Thanks in advance!

Have a dcp 6500 on my 120g, I don’t see any issues works easy to work with and clean

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The flow looks varied and random, is that due to your powerhead settings?

Yes, it changes speed every few seconds:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Beautiful!
Mags and clowns, just the most spectacular relationship that grabs and holds our attention! My entire tank is dedicated to that.
That flow is pretty good. Non laminar random flow is the key. Once your Mag appears to be fully situated and happy, you could even turn it up a bit more. Mags like to be moved back and forth, sometimes quite vigorously, hence the development of thier large anchoring foot. A Mag in high random flow will become much more robust and full in appearance. The clowns will also help.

Thanks. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Have a dcp 6500 on my 120g, I don’t see any issues works easy to work with and clean

Thanks. So far I’ve had no issues with the Jebao return pumps. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The color of the chromis is fantastic.

Yes, their color is good. They get a lot of potential chromophores in the TDO chromoboost that is a large part of their diet. In my old tank I saw a big color improvement when using Arctipods, but the chromoboost is a lot more convenient for me to use.

 

[X-37B]

Yes, their color is good. They get a lot of potential chromophores in the TDO chromoboost that is a large part of their diet. In my old tank I saw a big color improvement when using Arctipods, but the chromoboost is a lot more convenient for me to use.

Nice! I have just fed some that I have had for awhile but had not opened.
My Maroon Clown, yellow tale damsel, tomini tang, and anthias
Really enjoyed it. Gone in seconds.
I will feed daily for few months and keep an eye on color.
I may kook into and auto feeder. Never ran one before.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Magnifica

Anemone did not move overnight, so maybe it likes the flow. It’s not in the highest flow, but we will see over the next week if it moves again. Here it is this morning:

 

[bureau13]

Sorry if you said this already...do you know what PAR you're getting where the Magnifica is currently residing?

 

[Reefer1978]

Thanks. So far I’ve had no issues with the Jebao return pumps. :)

I don't expect you to have a problem. I am running one on my WC system for close to 8 years.

Magnifica

Anemone did not move overnight, so maybe it likes the flow. It’s not in the highest flow, but we will see over the next week if it moves again. Here it is this morning:

Nem looks amazing Randy!!