re-fin-aways 180 sps build

re-fin-away · Feb 15, 2011

So back in sept I transfered my 72BF over to a 180 (6x2x2). I had LED's on my 72 but since changed over to T5's. I am much happier with both growth and coloration from the SPS.

equipment
-6 bulb Tek t5 60" with 2 modded PC fans and a controller.
Blue
ATI Purple Plus or Fiji Purple
Blue
GE 6500K
Blue
Blue

-1 mp40w
-2 Coralvue Octopus 3000gph powerheads
-1 k4 evo
-1 k3 evo

40 gal sump with LR
super reef octopusxp1000sss skimmer- will upgrade to a 3000 when the time comes.
2-BRS reactors running GFO and Carbon
1-sicce return pump 900 gph

I am going to go for a SPS dominate tank with a clam between the islands and a acan and scoly garden mixed in.

liquid landscaping 1.0

re-fin-away · Feb 15, 2011

I should also let you know what I have for live stock.
1- ocellaris orange and white clown I have had him since my 29 gal. First fish I ever got.
1- royal gramma
1- Banggi cardinal
1- Yellow fin fairy wrasse
1- Splendid leopard wrasse or Vermiculate Wrasse
1- Purple firefish
1- Red mandarin
1- Yellow tang
1- Achilles tang
1- Regal tang recued him from a tank a year ago not the best looking but He needed a home
2- dispar anthias
4- bartlett's anthias

dougers31 · Feb 15, 2011

Looks like its gonna be sweet! Do ya think you're gonna need more t-5's or some other type of supplemental lighting to support some of the higher light sps?

re-fin-away · Feb 15, 2011

dougers31 said:
Looks like its gonna be sweet! Do ya think you're gonna need more t-5's or some other type of supplemental lighting to support some of the higher light sps?

I think I might have to change over to at least an 8 bulb sometime down the road. I have my eye on the ATI dimmable. All my SPS are looking good as of now. The have all encrusted and the growth looks great. I have not had a single peice not take off in here. I even revived some corals from a friends tank that were almost dead.

tangboy · Feb 15, 2011

So you went from LED to T5 and are happier? Have you tried MH or just like the mix/match flexibility of T5s?

re-fin-away · Feb 15, 2011

I like that I can dial in to the color that I want with the T5's. That being said I have never had metal halides. I could not get the growth from the LED's I wanted. I also thought that the color was a little washed out. I got the LED's from a LFS and they have them over their frag tank. I have since bought some SPS from them and put in my tank and the difference in color is amazing, much better in mine that is. So for now I am going to stick with T5's even though I dont like the electric bill.

re-fin-away · Feb 16, 2011

So back in Dec I got some dry shelf rock from BRS and this is how the aquascaping turned out. NowI have a lot of space to place sps.
left island

right island

FTS

akabryanhall · Feb 16, 2011

Your tank is going to look sweet when everything has grown in. Already does with the shelf rock!

re-fin-away · Feb 16, 2011

Thaks here is a list of SPS I have in there now.
ORA hawkins blue echinata

ORA pink and blue milli
ORA plum crazy acro

ORA tricolor acro
ORA red planet acro
ORA pearlberry acro
Blue tenuis

green slimer

gar732 · Feb 16, 2011

Love the achillies tang. I don't know if I'll ever have a tank big enough for one though. A 180 is a great tank, very nice.

re-fin-away · Feb 16, 2011

I have to say I was very excited to get him. I have been battling ich with him, but he is eating everything in site.

MimicOcto8 · Feb 20, 2011

sweet setup but i'm guessing the achilles tang didnt make

re-fin-away · Oct 9, 2011

So the tank turns 1 year old this month. I have some pics to share.
first off the growth on the Garf Bonsai.
Here it is when I first got it in Jan.

As of Oct 2011.

you can see more growth shots of other SPS on this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-discussion/71298-insight-needed-2.html#post784385
as well as giving me some much needed advice.
I will also be adding some full tank shots soon.

KJAG · Oct 9, 2011

how do you like the 6500k compared to an aquablue special? currently have a 6 bulb ATI, switching to LED in a couple weeks, but my bulbs are old/fading-debating on getting a 6500k or another AB special in the meantime until my fixture is done

re-fin-away · Oct 9, 2011

I love it! I will keep the bulb set up this way from now on. It helps bring out the yellow and green in the SPS and also does not wash out the blue so much. Even the fish have a better looking color to them. I have had 3 other reefers change their bulb set up after they have seen my tank and have been very happy they did.