Michika's 28g long nano-esque tank! - Page 14

michika · #**131** 01-09-2008, 03:33 AM

I switched out my (dirty) batwing reflector for a luminarc reflector tonight. The change is huge, however the drawback is the crazy shading from the reflector.

I'm not sure if even moving the PC lights further to the sides is going to do anything for the shading. I can't see how to get any PC light to the center of the tank.

Shot down the right side of the tank

SPS today after 3 days of dosing. I think all the polyps are out more in all my pieces, even ones I've had in the system for a month, or the surviving zoas and LPS.

I've decided to go to 250w MH, regardless of the reflector. Its too hard to get 175w bulbs reliably, and I'm thinking of moving that setup onto my QT system. I just have to buy a ballast, which I'll do tomorrow.

Next up on my todo list:
- hook up kalk stirrer on the kalk. reactor (I'm sick of hand shaking)
- Swap out 175w ballast, and put in new 250w ballast and new bulb
- Re-plumb my skimmer
- Put in a new sump
- New drain design for the overflow

Snappy · #**132** 01-09-2008, 04:04 AM

Catherine you are very welcome, I hope things continue to turn around for you. I do recommend that the type of birdnest be kept in a low light area and it will get green hues through it and the polyps will turn green as well. It is a bit bleached from the location it was in high in my tank before I cut it down. The acros & digitata you got should colour up in no time under the strong light assuming your nitrates are kept in check. Anyway, let me know how those experimental pieces do and we can get you set up from there. Good luck.

michika · #**133** 01-09-2008, 05:28 PM

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely make sure that the birdsnest is placed low as I want to see those lovely greens again.

Edmonton Eskimo · #**134** 01-09-2008, 05:45 PM

I still haven't seen a full shot of everything! Why are you doing this to me

Edmonton Eskimo · #**135** 01-09-2008, 05:47 PM

I wonder if you can drop the actinics down even with the bottom of the reflector. This should eliminate some of the shading.

michika · #**136** 01-09-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmonton Eskimo

I still haven't seen a full shot of everything! Why are you doing this to me

I'm doing 'cause I'm mean and like to tease you

The lights just came on so here you go. I'll take something nicer in the future after I'm done cleaning up the tank.

Edmonton Eskimo · #**137** 01-09-2008, 06:00 PM

Nice! I'm glad it looks good. Now we just need to remove that growth from your camera lens... Oh wait that's a dog! Your dogs are such camera hogs

michika · #**138** 01-09-2008, 06:02 PM

Yeah they are bad, Matia is the worse though.

Brent F · #**139** 01-09-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmonton Eskimo

I wonder if you can drop the actinics down even with the bottom of the reflector. This should eliminate some of the shading.

Another idea that might work - install them at a 45 degree angle low on the sides of your hood instead of the top. Might be able to get some light to the middle. Would need to play around to figure out what angle gets light to the middle without excessive light bouncing off the water surface.
________
FXR150

michika · #**140** 01-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Well I want to put the luminarc on a slider system, and maybe I can put the actinic down at the edge and tilt them like you suggested. I wonder if my actinics will even reach the center of the tank.