Trying to learn how to reef correctly!

[Evil1]

 

[Bruttall]

you asked about filtration im currently running a canister with a UV in it, however many many people in the hobby have talked me into switching to a sump with a small refugium for balancing chemistry.

Is this true truthfully idk but i have the extra tank and some glass laying around figured get a pump and a overflow box and couldnt hurt me none.

now my light is a nicrew hyper reef 150w on a 48Lx18Wx24T im running at about 40% blue and 15% white peaks (information is hard to find for light and i dont have a par reader) but doing the best i can.

Your firmly on the right path! Local Fish Store should have info on any local Coral Clubs. They usually offer Par Meters to members. LFS usually have them as well but they like to charge to come out and Par Map your tank.

There are several people on these forums running those lights. Hopefully someone will correct if I am wrong in this but i think those are 8 to 12 inches mounted above water line. With roughly 20 inches of water on top of your sand or so, and you will need to turn them up. I would find a par meter to use as I am thinking you will be able to run those lights at 95% blue and adjust white to your liking so you can see your coral and fish clearly.

My Reefi are 270 watt total, I'm at 216wattts in 27 inches of water at peak. Hitting 150 par in the middle of my water column roughly. I just posted a screen capture of my Light Profile this morning you can see how I am balancing my Blues to Whites. Purple/Blue being on the bottom of my sliders, white being the top.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[Money63]

Your firmly on the right path! Local Fish Store should have info on any local Coral Clubs. They usually offer Par Meters to members. LFS usually have them as well but they like to charge to come out and Par Map your tank.

There are several people on these forums running those lights. Hopefully someone will correct if I am wrong in this but i think those are 8 to 12 inches mounted above water line. With roughly 20 inches of water on top of your sand or so, and you will need to turn them up. I would find a par meter to use as I am thinking you will be able to run those lights at 95% blue and adjust white to your liking so you can see your coral and fish clearly.

My Reefi are 270 watt total, I'm at 216wattts in 27 inches of water at peak. Hitting 150 par in the middle of my water column roughly. I just posted a screen capture of my Light Profile this morning you can see how I am balancing my Blues to Whites. Purple/Blue being on the bottom of my sliders, white being the top.

so hold on you think im under lighting my tank all my personal research all saying the gen 1 is bad for hot spots so i hung light a little higher and all recommendations have said never cross 50% on blue as im awful curious because ive been running the tank 6 months and this is my results

 

[Reef Jedi]

Welcome to R2R! The greatest community out of water.

 

[Bruttall]

so hold on you think im under lighting my tank

I'm saying it is possible, based on raw numbers your lighting 20 inches of water or so with 150 watts at 40% = 60 watts. Also why I am hoping someone running those lights would chime in.

I'm putting 216 watts into 27 inches of water to get 150 par at what would effectively be your sand line, mid range in my water column is 14 inches or so deep. If your tank is 24 inch deep, you got 2 inch sand and water level is 2 inches below top of rim (all estimated) you got 20 inches of water. 14 inches deep into your water puts you firmly in the bottom 1/3rd of your tank.
Why I suggested the par meter, and ways to access one possibly.

 

[Bruttall]

This is the meter I am using to measure par. I believe it is pretty accurate. amazon link.

DANOPLUS PAR Meter, Par Meter for Reef Tank IP68 Waterproof Aquarium PAR Meter, 400-700nm Spectral Range PPFD Meter Data Logger, 37" Telescopic Pole, 79'' Sensor Cable Included: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

DANOPLUS PAR Meter, Par Meter for Reef Tank IP68 Waterproof Aquarium PAR Meter, 400-700nm Spectral Range PPFD Meter Data Logger, 37" Telescopic Pole, 79'' Sensor Cable Included: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

tinyurl.com

 

[Money63]

This is the meter I am using to measure par. I believe it is pretty accurate. amazon link.

DANOPLUS PAR Meter, Par Meter for Reef Tank IP68 Waterproof Aquarium PAR Meter, 400-700nm Spectral Range PPFD Meter Data Logger, 37" Telescopic Pole, 79'' Sensor Cable Included: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

DANOPLUS PAR Meter, Par Meter for Reef Tank IP68 Waterproof Aquarium PAR Meter, 400-700nm Spectral Range PPFD Meter Data Logger, 37" Telescopic Pole, 79'' Sensor Cable Included: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

tinyurl.com

looking into ordering me one hopefully be here soon enough really debating on sending in for a water test, ive seen people start and have perfect success but not been the story for me.

 

[Bruttall]

looking into ordering me one hopefully be here soon enough really debating on sending in for a water test, ive seen people start and have perfect success but not been the story for me.

I do an ICP water test every couple of months. It helps figure out what you need to do to keep everything looking good. I wish they didn't cost $50 test, but just another item in the reef budget ya know.

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world.

 

[mcarroll]

I'm guessing that if you got at least 1 or 2 good reef books it would help your success rate. Martin Moe is usually a great author to start with, but there are tons of good ideas on that link.

If you're only going by the internet's advice, I think you're going to continue having a rough go of it.

 

[Mongo1.0]

Welcome. Coming up on 2yrs with my 1st saltwater tank. Like you, I have had numerous freshwater tanks. Saltwater is definitely more challenging. I have a 75 gal. I run a Fluval 407 canister filter, in tank UV, hob protein skimmer and 2 100 watt Nicrew lights. Would recommend checking the PAR to set your lights. Some corals do better at different levels. I try to get them in right zones (par changes everywhere in the tank). Also have Hannah checkers for testing water. Bought a RO system also, that will save you in the long run. If you need more info on that, you can do it without spending to much. If you have any questions it want info, just ask. Enjoy the rollercoaster, lol.

 

[Money63]

Welcome. Coming up on 2yrs with my 1st saltwater tank. Like you, I have had numerous freshwater tanks. Saltwater is definitely more challenging. I have a 75 gal. I run a Fluval 407 canister filter, in tank UV, hob protein skimmer and 2 100 watt Nicrew lights. Would recommend checking the PAR to set your lights. Some corals do better at different levels. I try to get them in right zones (par changes everywhere in the tank). Also have Hannah checkers for testing water. Bought a RO system also, that will save you in the long run. If you need more info on that, you can do it without spending to much. If you have any questions it want info, just ask. Enjoy the rollercoaster, lol.

Just a quick question I’m running the nicrew gen 1 hyper reef 150w with controller but limited 5% increments what are you running your lights on I was advised not to cross 50% on blues I have it hanging about 15” above waters surface and about 20 inches of water to sand bed..

 

[mcarroll]

20" is a fairly deep tank....not especially shallow.

In general you run blue's at 100% and white only bright enough to look good to you. The other colors (if any) can remain off.

Assuming your lenses are 90º, then you want the mounting height to be about 1/2 the shortest width of your tank.

If that seems really bright, back off the blues and whites by 25% and see what you think.

You can use a lux meter ($15+ for handheld; $free for app) to quantify changes you make as well as to get an idea of the overall level of light.

 

[Mongo1.0]

Welcome. Coming up on 2yrs with my 1st saltwater tank. Like you, I have had numerous freshwater tanks. Saltwater is definitely more challenging. I have a 75 gal. I run a Fluval 407 canister filter, in tank UV, hob protein skimmer and 2 100 watt Nicrew lights. Would recommend checking the PAR to set your lights. Some corals do better at different levels. I try to get them in right zones (par changes everywhere in the tank). Also have Hannah checkers for testing water. Bought a RO system also, that will save you in the long run. If you need more info on that, you can do it without spending to much. If you have any questions it want info, just ask. Enjoy the rollercoaster, lol.

Just a quick question I’m running the nicrew gen 1 hyper reef 150w with controller but limited 5% increments what are you running your lights on I was advised not to cross 50% on blues I have it hanging about 15” above waters surface and about 20 inches of water to sand bed..

8in from the top of the tank. I changed from the original settings. Running white a lower and blue a little higher. All the corals seem to like it this way.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Hello reefers!!! im a fresh water hobbyist trying to fit in to the coolest world ive come to kno thank you all for the welcome i hope we can help eachother as i learn and grow threw the hoppy been trying to reef for a little over a year with little success i have finally got fish and feeling good trying to learn the coral curve as i call it thank you all in advance for any help!

That'll take awhile. Like months or even years. Just study like they're no tomorrow and you'll do fine.

Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!

 

[edsbeaker]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Fish Styx]

Greetings and welcome to the reef!