JCOLE's Big Box of Rocks

[JCOLE]

Spent the weekend deep cleaning the frag tank and adding new racks. Did a couple water changes, changed some powerheads, and some much needed maintenance.

Tank was looking good tonight so decided to snap a couple quick cell phone pictures. No filters and a dirty glass so you know I had to have been feeling good about the tank. Something about side views!!

 

[JCOLE]

Lowering the light intensity seems to have been for the better. I am getting good PE on all on pieces and coloring is improving. Biggest thing is my ALK consumption is rising. I try to keep my ALK around 8-8.2 and it has steadily dropped since the day I changed the intensity a week ago. Corals seem to be consuming a lot more. Need to bump up the DOS.

 

[JCOLE]

This has been a busy weekend! Finished making new racks and cleaning the frag tank.

Made a DIY algae scrubber. Didn't see this anywhere. I just had this idea so hoping it actually works...fingers crossed.

 

[Wrangy]

Looking good man!!

 

[Drendo]

BC Rainbow Melon-Teni

How long did it take you to grow this From a frag. I just got a nub from BC and am curious.

 

[JCOLE]

How long did it take you to grow this From a frag. I just got a nub from BC and am curious.

About 6 months. Takes awhile for the small ones to do anything. I need to snap another pic because it is almost double that size now.

Also, I believe that one is the Rainbow Brite. I got both the Rainbow Brite and Rainbow-Melon Teni and couldn't remember where I put each one. Both look similar and I won't be able to know for sure until they get bigger. Adam is waiting to help me ID them as well.

 

[JCOLE]

Looking good man!!

Thanks man. I busted my butt this weekend knocking off some much needed TO-DO items with the tank. Glad it is over!

It never ends though. I worked for 7 hours straight today cleaning and setting up the tank, Etc. Soon as I walk in from the garage eyeing the couch to relax I hear the famous words....."Hunny, will you please hang the dining room light now" Ahh, so close.

 

[Drendo]

About 6 months. Takes awhile for the small ones to do anything. I need to snap another pic because it is almost double that size now.

Also, I believe that one is the Rainbow Brite. I got both the Rainbow Brite and Rainbow-Melon Teni and couldn't remember where I put each one. Both look similar and I won't be able to know for sure until they get bigger. Adam is waiting to help me ID them as well.

Thats really good growth! Thanks for the info.

 

[porkchop-rob]

what was the final solution on the Klir Filters?

 

[JCOLE]

what was the final solution on the Klir Filters?

I ended up removing one of them. I originally wired both of them up to my Apex and controlled them by a floatswitch. The controllers that come with them are horrible and It works really well this way hooked to the Apex. They would run about every hour. However, the rolls only lasted about two weeks. I am not about to spend $460 on filter rolls. I removed one of them and installed the Klir 7" Cap to plug up one of the filter sock holes. I am going to see how this works. Hopefully the filter roll will last longer this way

If not, then I will have two of these up for sale soon.

 

[JCOLE]

Also, forgot to mention, over the weekend I changed the LED layout on my new Viparspectra Blackbox I have over the FT. This is my first experience with Viparspectra as I have all MarsAqua BB's over my DT. I have to say I was VERY impressed with the Viparspectra's and going forward I will be swapping out all of my MarsAqua on my DT in the future with these if this one works out over the next couple of months. The only issue I have right now is the PAR is very low but I am chalking that up to it not having the lenses installed. I removed the lenses hoping to give more spread and the depth is about 5 inches from the surface. However, I am getting 230 max PAR at 4" under the water with both channels at 100%. I will be installing the lenses back tonight to give it another shot.

I only took one picture before I started. However, the board felt more durable and was thicker than the Mars board. Also, had a big heatsink on the backside which the Mars did not. Changing the diodes was SO much easier on the Vipar. What I did was take a small chisel and hit the top of the chisel to pop the diodes off the board.

The Vipar already has some lower 410nm and 420nm diodes already on the blues. What I did was remove all of the white diodes on the white channel except for (4) 6500K, (4) 12000K, and (2) 660nm diodes. I replaced the rest of the white channel with all 440nm and (2) 490nm Cyan diodes. Honestly, this gives off a beautiful look to the tank when the blues and whites are at even intensity. Very nice blend of color.

Viparspectra Factory Layout

My new layout

 

[JCOLE]

Walt Disney starting to encrust

 

[JCOLE]

 

[JD Hayes]

Walt Disney starting to encrust

I need that

 

[JCOLE]

I need that

It is really coloring up nicely. Still a baby though. Hopefully in the next 4-6 months it will be big enough to frag.

 

[JCOLE]

 

[JCOLE]

BC Reefers Cove Poison Envy

 

[JCOLE]

BC Catapult Fireball - Finally starting to do something. Pastel with red polyps and orange tips. I like the coloring of this one though. Interested in seeing where this one goes.

 

[JCOLE]

BC Pearly Cadaver

 

[JCOLE]

BC Rainbow Jewel - Starting to finally do something. It shot out this ice blue tip which is VERY promising. Yes it is that blue in person.