TX REEF’s side by side test lagoons!

[TX_REEF]

As I age, I find that I feel most fulfilled when I am challenged and busy.

To that end, I have once again willingly bitten off more than I can chew. The time has come to finally address this thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-faceoff-choose-your-fighter.1042091/

Say “Hello!” to TX REEF’s side by side test lagoons!

This ongoing project is two 18 gallon ReefCasa (by FragBox corals) AIO lagoons, positioned side by side on a single stand. I will methodically test different reefing equipment and methods on two otherwise identical systems, and share the results as I progress.

The first test to be carried out will be lighting, namely, Reefi vs. Radeon LEDs. Initial setup pics below, stay tuned!

 

[UncommonSense]

Excellent idea!! This promises to be very interesting! — I’ll be following along!

The only thing I can see which might help control the experiment a bit more would be a divider between the two tanks to minimize light spill! — does one tank or the other get more natural sunlight?

 

[TX_REEF]

Excellent idea!! This promises to be very interesting! — I’ll be following along!

The only thing I can see which might help control the experiment a bit more would be a divider between the two tanks to minimize light spill! — does one tank or the other get more natural sunlight?

Good question - I’ll have no direct sunlight on the tanks, and shrouds on the fixtures and a light blocking barrier between the tanks to eliminate light spill. I’m also going to be drilling and plumbing these to a central sump to eliminate any water quality variables.

For future tests regarding water quality, water changes, additives, etc, I’ll use two separate sumps.

 

[bubbgee]

What kind of corals will you be focusing on? One of each kind (sps, softie and lps) or specifically sps?

 

[VintageReefer]

We already know reefi is superior to radions. You should use the new meridians instead

In the time since your poll a lot more people have bought meridians and are impressed by them

 

[TX_REEF]

What kind of corals will you be focusing on? One of each kind (sps, softie and lps) or specifically sps?

Open to suggestions there. Initial thoughts are zoas and montipora as I have an abundance of frags of those with vivid colors. I am going to be focusing on not just growth results, but also color development. I think there is already plenty of focused data out there on growth (and obviously intensity and spectrum = growth)… but far less data available in the way of color development.

 

[TX_REEF]

We already know reefi is superior to radions. You should use the new meridians instead

In the time since your poll a lot more people have bought meridians and are impressed by them

That’s good to know - unfortunately or fortunately depending on your viewpoint, I purchased the fixtures about a year ago so that’s what I have to start with. I’m going to focus not just on growth rate, but also color development. It won’t be hard for me to pivot to other light fixtures or other variables down the road.

 

[bubbgee]

Open to suggestions there. Initial thoughts are zoas and montipora as I have an abundance of frags of those with vivid colors. I am going to be focusing on not just growth results, but also color development. I think there is already plenty of focused data out there on growth (and obviously intensity and spectrum = growth)… but far less data available in the way of color development.

Theoretically, zoas won't change colors much but montis would.

Ideally, if it's a color test.. tenuis like WD or Homewreckers would be best as it's what sps keepers would like to know. Unfortunately, it also involves a lot of variables especially with trace. But you can also go with no name millepora and montipora that could color up coming from brown or green frags.

It would be similar to the experiments covered by BioReef in his video below.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Ooooo I'm excited to see how this progresses! Definitely going to be checking in as you make progress on these tanks!