bonese's 40b | revival

[bonese]

Information

 

40 Breeder
20 Long Sump

Skimmer | Reef Octopus 2000SSS
Return Pump | Eheim 1260
Lighting | 36" ATI 6X39W Powermodule

 

RO/DI Unit | Spectra Pure 90 GPD

32G Brute | RO/DI Reservoir
32G Brute | Salt Mixing Tank

Adjustments:

Change Scape - Minimalism

Swap 2000SSS for 1000 S

Ecotech M1

Ecotech mp10w

Ecotech Radion

[bonese]

 

 

 

 

[Arkayology]

You might want to look at the JBJ ATO or the Tunze Osmolator for top off controllers. Both are rated very highly.

 

I would also suggest looking at this thread

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178954 for ideas on bulb combos.

 

To me, salt is salt. But I use Tropic Marin salt and have had good a experience so far. Many use Instant Ocean. You may want to look around the forums to see what people have to say about the different salts. Trial and error is what it comes down to.

 

Good luck!

[bonese]

I have read rave reviews about DD H2Ocean Salt. However I also have read great things about IO being a staple reliable salt but other information has also said that just simply isn't true. In my theory I feel as you do in salt is salt and you could always change it over. That being said how does Instant Ocean as a starter salt then if I find problems I can switch out to H2Ocean if it is really that good.

 

Any other suggestions or any users of H2Ocean or other salts?

[WorrBaller]

I use Oceanic because it dissolves pretty fast. The main thing with salt, from what I hear, is to just be consistent. You shouldn't change it every time you run out.

[bonese]

I decided on using Instant Ocean. I don't mind adding the required dosing of Cal. and Alk. as well as Mag. I know that i need to test every batch after making it as it does sometimes stray from previous numbers slightly. In all though I feel like it is a good salt to start with and see what happens...If its not going well I'll adjust it accordingly.

 

Any ideas on a return pump? Eheim 1260? 1262? Mag 7? or 8?

[bonese]

Picking up either the eheim 1260 or 1262 tomorrow. Can I have some input on either of the two?

 

I ordered the Spectra Pure RO/DI, I got a order confirmation email and I do understand the four day delay however I trust Spectra Pure very much as their a sponsor here as well as a very reputable source. My question is when in the ball park do you think my order will ship if the order was placed on April 29th at 11:30PM EST. I don't want to annoy the company especially if there swamped down with orders but I am just a little curious as to when I should be expecting this so I can get a refractometer and such.

[GrandpaFeathers]

I used instant ocean for a while, but I only use reef crystals now. Both are great ime.

 

I it were me, or lighting I'd go:

blue +

actinic white

blue +

figi purple

super actinic

blue +

[bonese]

Decided after talking to Jeremy over at Premium Aquatics to go with the Eheim 1260 for my return. Now all I need to do is start plumbing and I should be ready to get this up and into its cycle.

 

Where are some good places to get dry rock? Marcorocks? BRS? Any suggestions?

[bonese]

Question about painting the back of the tank. Krylon fusion is the paint and black is the color however do I want to use the flat black or glossy black? Is there even a difference?

[adam87]

Use the flat black.

[WorrBaller]

I went with satin. It is kinda in between the two and looks dead sexy to me.

[rocko52286]

Dunno. I prefer vinyl

[bonese]

Decided on using the flat black and when I closer inspected the can it did read Satin finish. It came out perfect and the Krylon fusion goes on very smooth and even.

 

Today: I need to go look into an overflow and plumbing these beast (Kill me)

 

Does anyone have nay suggetions on the plumbing aspect of this build? I would like to keep it with PVC pipes. My bulkheads are 1 3/4" so I'm guessing I'd be using 1" Piping?

[bonese]

I bought the 6X39W 36" ATI Powermodule from Premium Aquatics. As excited as I am to get this sweet fixture I am faced with a thought that is making me nervous. I need some help on picking the best combo of bulbs for SPS as well as to make the colors pop. I'm not against the blue look at like it more than I like the yellowish tint. I've checked out the T5 thread and was just going to try and see what others think would work.

 

Thanks!

[pismo_reefer]

[captainbastard]

Any reason why you went with one mp40 and not two mp10s?

[bonese]

Still no idea on the bulbs but I'm not really worried about it as that is the easiest part. Any thoughts?

 

Pismo - Thanks for the look around and the up to your specifications approval I definitely enjoy looking at the Franken.

 

Bastard - The reason to go with the MP40 is I have an MP10 on my NC24 and it would be going into this setup in the long run. So in actuality no there really wasn't any particular reason.

[Weetabix7]

Just sent you a PM on bulb combo, still thinking on other options besides what I told you.

[bonese]

Thanks to weetie I believe this will be my first bulb combination:

 

-3 ATI Blue+

-1 UVL Super Actinic

-1 ATI Aquablue

-1 KZ Fiji Purple

 

Any comments?

[steely185]

Shouldn't be a bad combo at all. I've run it before when I had t5s. I liked it better without the aquablue and an extra blue plus instead.

[bonese]

I received my fixture from premium aquatics and might I say wow definitely a well made piece of equipment from ATI and worth the money. Now I also order the following bulb combination for this fixture in hopes to achieve a nice deep blue that will make my color really go crazy.

 

My ordered bulb combo:

3 - ATI Blue Plus 39W

1 - ATI Aqua Blue Special

1 - Korallen-Zucht T5 Fiji Purple Special Red/Blue

1- UV Lighting T5 Super Blue Actinic

 

What would be the best way to put these bulbs in the fixture?

 

The only thing left before I can fill this up is I need to get an internal overflow made. I'm looking at wetdryfilters dot com but am wondering if thats my only option.

[lakshwadeep]

Usually a staggered arrangement (blue then white/non-blue) with the "special" bulbs near the center works best. Maybe you could try

 

front

 

blue plus

super blue

fiji-purple

blue plus

actinic white

blue plus

 

 

How are the bulbs controlled (i.e. number/orientation of bulbs per power cord)?

[bonese]

Usually a staggered arrangement (blue then white/non-blue) with the "special" bulbs near the center works best. Maybe you could try

 

front

 

blue plus

super blue

fiji-purple

blue plus

actinic white

blue plus

 

 

How are the bulbs controlled (i.e. number/orientation of bulbs per power cord)?

 

I was also thinking about using the staggered formation but am happy you told me about the special bulbs and where the placement is appropriate for those.

 

What would the actinic white be in my current setup? The blue special?

 

The fixture is the ATI powermodule and it has two switches one to control the outer two and one to control the inner four.

 

Thanks!

[lakshwadeep]

You're right that I meant "aquablue special" instead of "actinic white". Sorry, I was thinking of another thread.

 

The blue pluses would be best for the outer bulbs because often those bulbs aren't directly above rocks/corals and will give a good dusk/dawn effect. You can rearrange the middle four bulbs if you want since it's likely the super blue actinic is going to be similar to a blue plus.