AstroReefer's 425XL build

[CDavmd]

Yes, I remember you tagging along on my build!

I think on my next tank I will compromise between the extensive rock work I did and the more minimal design you have on yours. I am definitely thinking my corals are getting crowded and I'm starting to be concerned about the rocks and larger coral colonies starting to limit the water flow from my powerheads.

I really like the look of yours. Nice job.

Thanks again! Glad you stopped by for a look. Yep....next build....gotta love this hobby

 

[SuncrestReef]

Thanks again! Glad you stopped by for a look. Yep....next build....gotta love this hobby

As a side note...It's funny that your other hobby is astrophotography. I've been an astronomy fan since I was about 10 years old, and have always wanted to get into it more deeply but just haven't yet. Someday I hope to buy a nice big telescope if I can find a nice dark sky area to take advantage of it, or perhaps place one on an isolated property and remotely control it. For now I just enjoy looking at other people's sky shots.

 

[CDavmd]

As a side note...It's funny that your other hobby is astrophotography. I've been an astronomy fan since I was about 10 years old, and have always wanted to get into it more deeply but just haven't yet. Someday I hope to buy a nice big telescope if I can find a nice dark sky area to take advantage of it, or perhaps place one on an isolated property and remotely control it. For now I just enjoy looking at other people's sky shots.

Ha! Same here....I've loved everything space since I was a kid and watched the first moon landing. I've had big scopes, little scopes, you name it. It's an amazing hobby but can be more frustrating that keeping SPS lol! The photography part has a very steep learning curve but well worth it. If you ever need some info or advice just holler....Always love getting someone started in the photon catching hobby

 

[Crabby48]

Sometimes when I see tanks like yours I wish I put less rock in mine. Yours seems so much more open and spacious. Looking good!

Here's my 425XL for comparison:

Funny I say I wish I had more rock in mine every time I look at your tank Suncrest. I have minimal rock in my 425.

 

[Crabby48]

Just finished reading. I really like how you can recirculate sump water through the socks. I may have to steal that idea.
Your rock work and how you have your corals look stunning. Love the detail work put into the build.

How do you rinse your carbon in the reactor? I use bags now and hate it so thinking using aquamax reactor.

How are you controlling your lights Apex?
What percentage of power did you settle on?

Also you may find this web page interesting. IPSF.com. You seem like you like things that crawl around your tank. They have some cool videos. I placed an order after my cycle with them for some diversity. I only had dry rock and sand.

 

[CDavmd]

Just finished reading. I really like how you can recirculate sump water through the socks. I may have to steal that idea.
Your rock work and how you have your corals look stunning. Love the detail work put into the build.

Thanks! steal away

How do you rinse your carbon in the reactor? I use bags now and hate it so thinking using aquamax reactor.

Its a bit of a pain- I was using Rox carbon but honestly it is too small and some of it flows through the reactor and ends up in the sump. I'm switching to something bigger- I will rinse in a bag than put the empty it into the reactor. Makes a bit of a mess. I've thought about just leaving it in the bag and putting it in the reactor that way but it clogs up quickly.

How are you controlling your lights Apex?

I'm using the WXM module and created a light scheme that approximates SPS AB+

What percentage of power did you settle on?

I'm still playing a bit because I recently added diffusers to the Radion's- but previously I had rented a par meter from BRS and mapped out the tank and ended up with these settings. Seems I might have to increase everything by 25% or so now that the diffusers are on the lights.

Also you may find this web page interesting. IPSF.com. You seem like you like things that crawl around your tank. They have some cool videos. I placed an order after my cycle with them for some diversity. I only had dry rock and sand.

Ha! I know them well- I've ordered from them multiple times over the last decade. Great stuff!

 

[Crabby48]

I use rox carbon and figured it would want to escape from a reactor.

After seeing your par numbers I’m wondering if my two Radions at 50% is a little much.
Guess it’s time to rent a par meter

 

[CDavmd]

I use rox carbon and figured it would want to escape from a reactor.

After seeing your par numbers I’m wondering if my two Radions at 50% is a little much.
Guess it’s time to rent a par meter

Sorry, I put my responses within your message using my phone, I see it kinda got lost within now that I am home on my computer.

so the Picture I inserted is running the T5's and Radions on AB+ at 50% on the left and I run them lower on the right since I have mainly LPS on the right side of the tank. Without the T5's the numbers are still good but definitely not hitting the 350's. Now that I put diffusers on, it has eliminated hot spots but Ive needed to up in the range of 62-65% to hit the high numbers some of my SPS need.

Definitely rent the par meter, its just better to have it mapped out and keep it for future reference.

 

[Crabby48]

No worries on the post. I do it when on my phone also.

I have been contemplating trying the diffusers. When I sit on the couch the led’s are at the right angle to get in your eyes and figured the more even spread would be great. I will pick them up before getting the par meter and maybe check it both ways.

Never liked to guess the unknown and always want to improve things. Only had a tank for 6 months so I have a lot of uncertainty.

Thanks for sharing your experience

 

[CDavmd]

I like the diffusers. Really kills the disco effect and helped get rid of some hot spots. Also easier on the eyes when I sit in front of the tank. I think you’ll like what they do.

 

[Crabby48]

The disco is very annoying to me so I could only imagine how the coral feel. Glad they are easier on the eyes when in front of tank. I wasn’t sure if the extra spill would be a problem.

Maybe I’ll pick them up Saturday when I go to the LFS.

Do you use less whites, red, or greens with the ab+? I keep mine at 20% mainly do to the disco effect made them look little over powering.

 

[CDavmd]

The disco is very annoying to me so I could only imagine how the coral feel. Glad they are easier on the eyes when in front of tank. I wasn’t sure if the extra spill would be a problem.

Maybe I’ll pick them up Saturday when I go to the LFS.

Do you use less whites, red, or greens with the ab+? I keep mine at 20% mainly do to the disco effect made them look little over powering.

I'm using WWC SPS AB+ settings- but modified the ramp up and down to my liking using the season tables in Apex. I've created a Dawn and Sunup program that proceeds to the SPS AB+ then ramps down in the evening with a Sun Down and Dusk program. I also have my T5's come on at around 10am and off at 2pm during the peak photoperiod.

The WWC settings are 100% for all the Blue channels, 50% for Cool White and Green, 10% for Red and 0% for Warm White, then in the afternoon it shifts to only the blue channels and all the others at 0%- so far I've been happy with it and the corals seems to be growing nicely.

 

[CDavmd]

Just some random shots...done tinkering. Frags and corals all moved over from the old system, finished mounting all my SPS frags and needed to adjust the aqua scape a bit to make room.

Now to sit back and watch them grow.

Still have a couple wrasses and Anthias in QT for another week before adding them.

Thanks for looking!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Tank is looking fantastic!

 

[CDavmd]

Tank is looking fantastic!

Thanks bud! [emoji4]

 

[DS204]

Looking great! Especially like the shape of the left-side rock structure. What kind of coral/plant is in the back, to the right side of the overflow box? Wouldn't mind something similar. Cheers, thanks!

 

[CDavmd]

Looking great! Especially like the shape of the left-side rock structure. What kind of coral/plant is in the back, to the right side of the overflow box? Wouldn't mind something similar. Cheers, thanks!

Thanks! It’s a photosynthetic purple Gorgonian...I’ve had it for about 4 years. I can’t remember where I purchased it but I think it was tidal gardens.

 

[DS204]

Thanks! It’s a photosynthetic purple Gorgonian...I’ve had it for about 4 years. I can’t remember where I purchased it but I think it was tidal gardens.

I hope you don't mind if I borrow that idea for my overflow box, too. It looks like it helps to take the eye away from focusing on the overflow box, plus probably gives fish a little spot to hide behind.

 

[CDavmd]

LOL! Steal Away

 

[CDavmd]

Got home from work late tonight. Went to check on the tank which was under moonlight. It looked like a frigg’n snow globe in there. I turned on some lights and saw these clouds of white spheres bursting from a rock. A closer look revealed one of my mithrax crabs! Spawning! I never expected this.

A couple months back my rock flower anemones had babies. Now I have Little Rock flowers all over the place.

Probably the crabs will just be coral food tonight but sure is cool to see.

I was able to grab a few seconds of video just before she finished.