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Chyendra's 45 Gallon Cube


Chyendra

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Not so awesome that my bulb broke....

 

 

So here's a few ideas for lighting.

 

1. switch out the Pheonix 250w for a Ushio 14K - The pheonix is just too blue and washes out all my blue coral.

2. Replace my ARO electronic ballast with a HQI M80 Ballast (something like PFO) which I'm told will override the bulb producing more PAR and a whiter hue?

 

Ideas?

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You know....a few years ago when I had MH lighting, I too went with the Phoenix 14k because it was so highly recommended. I hated how blue it was!!!!! The bulb did burn in and was less blue, but still...wasn't crazy about the colors I was getting out of my corals. I felt stuck with the bulb though since I had paid an arm and a leg for it :lol:

 

How's the algae battle going? Do you have a new FTS?

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I've been so busy with life that my tank has been neglected. The algea problem is subsiding on the rocks and back wall, but I still have turf algea growing on the sand. I think one of these days I'm just going to scoop it out the sand with algea stuck to it and replace it. The scarlet hermits and emerald crabs have cleaned the rocks off pretty well.

 

Every few weeks I notice a spot or two of bryopsis alegae grow back so I add a little more Kent Tech M. The whole tank needs a good cleaning, but I'm super busy as of right now.

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  • 5 weeks later...

The cheapest fix for the overly blue lighting after switching back to the Phoenix, was to replace one of my Blue Plus bulbs with a 10,000K daylight bulb. This was the perfect solution.

 

I am winning the battle with hair algae! For the last several months, the hair algae and bubble algae on the rocks has dwindled to 1 tiny patch. All the hair algae that use to be growing along the back wall is GONE!

 

The only remaining (and persistent!) algae was a turf type hair algae growing along the sand bed. After removing large amounts during water changes several times, I decided, finally, to remove the top layer of sand and all the algae with it. I put brand new sand on top, so hopefully any remaining bits won't have access to light. WOW what a huge difference a clean sand bed makes! The whole tank looks cleaner and brighter.

 

I was super embarrassed and angry about the sand bed algae so I don't have any before pictures, But I will take some after pictures tomorrow once the water clears completely.

 

In unrelated news, in 2 weeks I will be graduating from veterinary school with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree! It's been a long road, and I'm excited to see where the next year takes me.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Finally the pics I promised.

Here are 2 pictures of the new T5 lighting with the metal halide off. This is an ATI blue plus in the front and coralife 10,000K in back.

DSC_0295-1.jpg

DSC_0296-1.jpg

 

Here is a picture with both the T5 lights and the phenix bulb all on.

DSC_0237.jpg

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It looks fantastic, Chyendra!!!!! Looks like you totally won the algae battle too...congrats

 

I think my favorite thing in your tank is your two different colored colonies of candy cane. I'm starting a new tank soon and will incorporate those into it, I like it so much :)

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Congrats on the TOTM Gena!

 

I love how many different shades of green candy cane corals come in, and they don't tend to fight with each other so you can group them together all in one spot.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Having fun taking pictures and decided to share some of my more artistic photos. Enjoy!

 

Orange Plate coral

05_31_12_1small.jpg

 

05_09_12_4small.jpg

 

Actinic photos: Pangota cup coral

05_09_12_3.jpg

Actinic photos: Dragon Eye Zoas

Zoassmall-1.jpg

T5 only : Orange Crush Acan

05_31_12_2small.jpg

Warhead Lobo

05_31_12_01small.jpg

Scarlet hermit on Purple encrusting monti

Hermitmontiporasmall.jpg

Hermit on Eagle Eye Zoas

Hermitzoassmall.jpg

Blue leg hermit

Hermit7small.jpg

Bangaii Cardinalfish

DSC_0007small.jpg

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  • 1 month later...
redkneecoral

Wow you have made a lot of good changes with your tank and of course more awesome frags!!!!!

Congrats on your newest additions since i was last here.been too long

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  • 7 months later...

Well... Here is my last full tank shot. The 45gal cube is coming down :(

wholetankfront_zps604e3896.jpg

So sad to hear :( I'm glad that Hvani was able to get some of your corals though....lucky girl :happy:
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