Serpentman's ADHD Multi Tank builds with some throwbacks

[Serpentman2024]

Originally was gonna go with a minimalist approach to aquascaping. After scoring some primo Figi rock, I couldn’t resist adding more. Also regretting my choice of substrate. Lot of drifting.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Cycling is like watching paint dry! Getting close.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Meanwhile, I'm almost as excited about little side project. My budget soon to be softy tank.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Rented a PAR meter from my LFS. Here are the results, with and without diffusers mounted on the Radions. PAR loss with diffusers was significant enough that I will not be using them. Also, I'm planning to run SPS dominant, so will likely have to run the lights 90-100%.

 

[Serpentman2024]

While I'm on a measuring kick, I ran some numbers on my little budge 40g softie side project. I'm running a 36" Orbit Marine IC LOOP LED. Not too bad for a budget light. Microbubbles from the skimmer are going to be my issue with this setup.

 

[Kirklan]

Thanks for posting up your PAR results. Looks like my 2 XR 15 Pros should hopefully have enough PAR for SPS on my system as well. Only problem is the dang cooling fans rattle like crazy on my Pros.

On a side note, I've entered the ugly stage on both my tanks. Diatoms have hit plague populations in my IM 40 AIO!

 

[Serpentman2024]

Thanks for posting up your PAR results. Looks like my 2 XR 15 Pros should hopefully have enough PAR for SPS on my system as well. Only problem is the dang cooling fans rattle like crazy on my Pros.

On a side note, I've entered the ugly stage on both my tanks. Diatoms have hit plague populations in my IM 40 AIO!Y

I think you should be good on PAR. Unfortunately, I think we both will need to run at the higher power level. I'm planning to run mine 100% power once I have SPS in there.

I feel your pain on the diatoms. Just started to get a light peppering on my sand. I've purposely been running my lights (at reduced output) during my cycle just to get the "ugly phase" started and over with. I also have some "weapons" (UV, GFO, etc) at the ready if things get too crazy.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Added some life yesterday! Added a 2 perc babies, a 6-line wrasse and a coral beauty. Some may argue the logic but I was faced with dosing more ammonia or getting something in there to generate some more.

 

[Serpentman2024]

I've been running my lights at 40% during my cycle. Although totally not necessary, aesthetically, it looks better and I've been actually wanting to encourage the "ugly phase" sooner than later. Well, my wish was granted lol. Diatoms are now starting to appear. Totally expected so not panicking.

 

[Kirklan]

I've been running mine at 20%. Why delay the inevitable. Just as soon get the diatom party started so I can get it over with ASAP.

 

[Serpentman2024]

I've been running mine at 20%. Why delay the inevitable. Just as soon get the diatom party started so I can get it over with ASAP.

Agree. I'm literally growing diatoms on purpose. Rather get it over.

 

[Serpentman2024]

I have added some fish. Current stock list is as follows:

• Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa)
• Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani)
• 2 x Perc Clowns (Amphiprion percula) - normals as I'm not really into designer morphs
• 6 Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)

I'm not sure what else I would like to add. Would like a Yellow "Coris" Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) but concerned my 6-Line might disagree. I'm also a huge fan of jawfish.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Some of the current tank inhabitants:

 

[Serpentman2024]

Playing with lighting. The Radions are just too blue for my liking so adding a Kessil. It's jury rigged in place as I'm waiting for the mount to arrive. Unfiltered pics of the Radions (AB+ at 80% intensity).

Radions only:

Radions with Kessil:

 

[Kirklan]

Looks like your off to a good start! I've found that today's lighting is quite a bit to blue for my taste. My preferred lighting is in the 14k range from my past metal halide days.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Looks like your off to a good start! I've found that today's lighting is quite a bit to blue for my taste. My preferred lighting is in the 14k range from my past metal halide days.

Thanks! The Kessil made a world of difference. Hard to capture in the pics but it (tuned more to the white spectrum) combined with the Radions nails the MH look. Shimmer is great too.

I'm waiting on the mount and the narrow intensity lenses for the radions. Once they come in, I want to take some updated PAR readings.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Some better pics of new additions. I've still gotta work on my photo skills. Been adding stuff fast so now gonna let things percolate for bit.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Current levels:

NH3: 0
NO2: 0
No3: 0
Ca: 430
KH: 9.5
Mg: 1400
pH: 8.1

 

[Serpentman2024]

Little update. Bit the bullet and installed a controller (used APEX). Waiting on calibration fluids.

Definitely have a case of the uglies going on. Water is cloudy so running my UV and some GFO until it passes. Also trying to get my skimmer dialed in. Definitely need to raise it in my sump. I temporarily jury rigged something until the skimmer platform arrives.

Installed a Kessil a360x TB and loving the difference. Pics don't do it justice. I'm a fan of shimmer. When the water clears, will take some PAR readings.

 

[Serpentman2024]

My little budget tank in my office is actually coming along. Picked up a cheap A7 Kessil knockoff off of Aliexpress. Not bad but also definitely not a Kessil. App is super confusing.