Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[Fin]

One question. I thought butterfly fish weren't reef compatible? That is a copperband in the picture though isn't it?

They are reef safe - with caution. The only thing mine ever bothered was feather dusters and he nipped at my Derasa clam. The clam stayed only partially open after a while. But, my 75 and 140 was completely free of aiptasia. I can do without feather dusters. Of course, all fish are different and your mileage may vary. That has been my luck with two Copper Bands. The one I have now is about 12 years old.

 

[Fin]

Do you think having a basement sump would really help with the heat? I'm guessing you mean the tank itself getting hot.

It couldn't hurt. We don't have basements in Louisiana.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Do you think having a basement sump would really help with the heat? I'm guessing you mean the tank itself getting hot.

About three times the electricity and tons of heat on the tank and room as Fin said.

 

[Katrina71]

This was my 140.

Where is the drool face????

 

[Fin]

Where is the drool face????

The thing about that tank is there was a huge arch joining the scape on the two sides. It just doesn't show up well in photos. There was a huge open area right in the middle. Looks like a rock wall in pics.

 

[Katrina71]

I would love the MH. Our new tank is only 15". I would love a triple hybrid. Tribrid. Lol. MH, T5, and LED.

 

[Katrina71]

I don't mind replacing bulbs. I'm comfortable with that. The LEDs are so expensive to replace when they crap out. Maybe it's my fear of no safe fails in place. I also think all 3 types of lightning have benefits.

 

[Katrina71]

The thing about that tank is there was a huge arch joining the scape on the two sides. It just doesn't show up well in photos. There was a huge open area right in the middle. Looks like a rock wall in pics.

I'm going to do an arch in the shallow too. I think it gives the fish a feeling of security for escape. Not sure about the best approach yet.

 

[Katrina71]

@Fin what would you suggest for MH in a very shallow tank?

 

[sfin52]

@Katrina71 those are great looking zoa. Happy you are getting them
You also get me so close to getting a nem and than you say they move and wipe out coral. Thats is what keeps me on the sideline with nems

I think a t5 and led are your best option at this point. Light saturation and shimmer.

I can't check all day and I come back 5 pages behind. While I'm trying to catch up it expanded by two pages.

 

[sfin52]

oh good news ive got new leopard coming tomorrow. They will keep it till its eating frozen. Great customer service

 

[Fin]

@Fin what would you suggest for MH in a very shallow tank?

If you are still planning to go with the floating canopy and considering MH, I would still use the 205W 14k mogul base with 4 T5s. You could put the light about 18" or higher off the surface and not heat up the water too much. That's just me though.

 

[JoshH]

About three times the electricity and tons of heat on the tank and room as Fin said.

You think it's that much electricity? Some LEDs even get up there in wattage. Do you think a basement sump would really help compensate for the heat? It's very cold down there...

 

[sfin52]

You think it's that much electricity? Some LEDs even get up there in wattage. Do you think a basement sump would really help compensate for the heat? It's very cold down there...

depends on how long water stay away from the tank. Turn over rate and all else. What about the winter.

 

[Why-Me]

Today has been rough. I wake up to no power in my dining room meaning my 75 gallon freshwater planted tank had no power. Had to run an extension cord to it from the living room until I could get off work. Ended up moving the tank into the living room this evening...then found the problem was a loose wire in the breaker box.
And the compressor went out on the a.c. in my SUV on my way to work...big problem considering I live in the South and it's August.

I need some cheering up. Show me some pretty pictures of your tanks please?

 

[Why-Me]

 

[Crabby48]

Great looking fish. Looks like kitty want to pick his dinner @Why-Me

 

[Katrina71]

@Katrina71 those are great looking zoa. Happy you are getting them
You also get me so close to getting a nem and than you say they move and wipe out coral. Thats is what keeps me on the sideline with nems

I think a t5 and led are your best option at this point. Light saturation and shimmer.

I can't check all day and I come back 5 pages behind. While I'm trying to catch up it expanded by two pages.

You know you want one.

 

[Katrina71]

If you are still planning to go with the floating canopy and considering MH, I would still use the 205W 14k mogul base with 4 T5s. You could put the light about 18" or higher off the surface and not heat up the water too much. That's just me though.

Fans in the canopy blowing out?

 

[SashimiTurtle]

One question. I thought butterfly fish weren't reef compatible? That is a copperband in the picture though isn't it?

Ehh, some more than others. Their utility at pest anemone eradication and beauty usually outweigh the minor damages they can cause. The orange or kelini butterflyfish absolutely demolishes aiptasta, but once they are gone it will turn to your corals.


The acans behind my copperband may or may not be retracted because of it. I've had some alk swings recently and it was almost lights out when this picture was taken.

PS, she has a name and a better picture on my thread.