480g sps shallows + 1000g build

[Recklessryan904]

The tank is pretty much on cruise control right now . I’m just being patient and letting time/nature take its course establishing the tank . The new volute came in so the tank will be 100% running by tomorrow . I’m hoping to have the canopy done in the next few days .

 

[Recklessryan904]

The stand/canopy is mainly done besides trimming the doors and making the side panels .

 

[Fudsey]

Nice work !

 

[Recklessryan904]

Unfortunately I have to head back out to sea this week but on a positive note it will give the tank 1-2 months to mature . When I get back it will be time to start adding SPS ! Right now the tank has 3 radion pros off of my 180g until I order the t5s. I’ve been very happy how the tank is running , the only issue was the skimmer breaking in with micro bubbles . I still have a lot to do to get this tank to my end goal .

-lights ( 4 ati 6x54 sunpowers)
-ventilation ( ac infinity controllable fans )
- flow ( the tank is running awesome with the 4 sea swirls and rfg nozzles ) . I want this tank to not only succeed but have thriving SPS . I will be ordering 2 maxspect gyre 280 to create some insane flow .
- Refugium ( when I get back I will be ordering some clean chaeto from Algae Barn)

The next big step is getting the water change / dosing closet setup .

 

[CoralWealth]

looks great!

 

[Recklessryan904]

What do guys think I should for my lights . All out with 4 6x54 fixtures or 2 6x54w x 2 4x54 fixtures with reefbrites ?

 

[Pete1968]

Epic

 

[bubbaque]

What do guys think I should for my lights . All out with 4 6x54 fixtures or 2 6x54w x 2 5x45w fixtures with reefbrites ?

What fixture is the 5 x 45w?

If you care at all about the real blue look, I would go with the reefbrite setup. If not, Id go with the other. You could still always add the reefbrites to the first option later on also if you decide you want that look.

 

[BigJohnny]

What do guys think I should for my lights . All out with 4 6x54 fixtures or 2 6x54w x 2 5x45w fixtures with reefbrites ?

I'd go with the 4 6x54w because ati doesn't make a 5 and anything else is inferior imo. I personally think reefbrites should really only be for aesthetics (not that you can't grow coral with them or leave em on all day) and I think your corals would benefit more from an additional bulb with a more well rounded spectrum. If you put blue + and actinic or just blue + in the 2 bulb channels on all the fixtures and run those as your dusk/dawn you will get plenty of pop. If you want more, you can always add reefbrites on the 6x54s and angle em in.

Just my two cents. Either way it will be awesome lol.

 

[Recklessryan904]

What fixture is the 5 x 45w?

If you care at all about the real blue look, I would go with the reefbrite setup. If not, Id go with the other. You could still always add the reefbrites to the first option later on also if you decide you want that look.

I meant 4 x54 watt . I do like a dual/ dawn setup to view at night but I want the coral health and color to be the main priority.

 

[Recklessryan904]

I'd go with the 4 6x54w because ati doesn't make a 5 and anything else is inferior imo. I personally think reefbrites should really only be for aesthetics (not that you can't grow coral with them or leave em on all day) and I think your corals would benefit more from an additional bulb with a more well rounded spectrum. If you put blue + and actinic or just blue + in the 2 bulb channels on all the fixtures and run those as your dusk/dawn you will get plenty of pop. If you want more, you can always add reefbrites on the 6x54s and angle em in.

Just my two cents. Either way it will be awesome lol.

I meant 4 x 54 watt lol I like the idea of running blue plus / atinic giving me more combination choices . Also saving a few bucks not buying reefbrites .

 

[CoralWealth]

I have 2 reefbrites for my dawn/dusk on my 8x80w because I did not think the 2 blue plus bulbs really gave a pop at all. Being 48 inches wide, I would probably go with 4 6x54 or you may be able to get away with 4 4x54 and leave a little space in the middle and still get a ton of par there. I would look for other 48 inch wide tanks and see what theyre running if you havent already

 

[Recklessryan904]

I haven’t found many people with 48 wide tanks unfortunately. One of my lfs has the same tank dimension just shorter and they run 6 radion pros . I had radions previously but wasn’t happy and felt like their was some missing color and growth that t5s give .

 

[Recklessryan904]

Thier is another lfs that has 48x48x24 tank and they run 4 radions with a 6x54 in the middle .

 

[Recklessryan904]

The 1000g is running awesome , we’re just waiting on the tank to cycle . My tank is finally starting to read ammonia so hopefully by the time I get back it will be ready to rock !

 

[bubbaque]

I am with Cody, the blue+ and actinic t5 bulbs don't give any "pop" really. The bulbs just give the tank an over blue look. If you are looking for that coral "pop" you will want some sort of blue leds in there.

 

[Recklessryan904]

I want the tank to have a very bright 14-15k look and have insane colors in the corals . I do love that atinic pop but my goal for this tank is to have truly colorful corals at all times of the day . Fellow reefer @Big E has inspired me to go t5 after seeing how true the colors were in his acros without drowning the tank in blue light . I do also like having a disk/dawn effect to view morning / night . This pic is from his tank using a simple combo of blue plus /coral plus .

 

[BigJohnny]

I am with Cody, the blue+ and actinic t5 bulbs don't give any "pop" really. The bulbs just give the tank an over blue look. If you are looking for that coral "pop" you will want some sort of blue leds in there.

Agree to disagree, I run 2 blue + dusk dawn and my corals pop like crazy. Maybe I just have naturally brighter corals than you .

Having said that, when my blue leds kick on after it’s slightly poppier. All personal preference really.

 

[Recklessryan904]

The biggest hurdle right now is figuring out the permanent light setup . Some of my favorite tanks are MH and T5 . My goal is to have amazing growth while developing amazing colors and not killing the bank account in the process . I spoke with Tulio at Reefbrite today about their 250w mh pendants with reefbrite xhos . He recommended 3 and it might be the route I go . I might order one and test out if they live up to their claim of putting less heat out compared to older metal halides . Each light has its pros and cons I’m just trying to figure out what’s going to give me the best results and the best price short term and long term .

 

[Wrangy]

If you're a fan of MH and T5's I use the Hamilton lights which are MH+T5 hybrids and I love mine They come in all manner of lengths and are very well constructed! That being said I've heard great things about the Reefbrite units as well! I'm not sure if you've decided on bulbs yet but I wouldn't recommend anything other than the almighty Radium or if you're a little more of a white light kind of person, the Iwasaki 10 or 16k bulb (I forget which it is lol)