WHAT ARE THEY DOING THAT WE AREN'T?

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

Is it just me or are reefs in places like Europe much more beautiful than the ones in America. I am not saying ours aren't beautiful, but you can't deny the fact that they are amazing and that they can grow SPS like nobodies business. What are they (reefers in other continents) doing that we aren't?

Lionfish Lair · May 30, 2016

We're doing the same thing. There are people with tanks here that you've never seen the like of, they just aren't on forums or have pictures of the homes "out there". Los Angeles may be a ridiculous town, but the tanks here are star quality.

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
We're doing the same thing. There are people with tanks here that you've never seen the like of, they just aren't on forums or have pictures of the homes "out there". Los Angeles may be a ridiculous town, but the tanks here are star quality.

That is true.
I just feel like there SPS tanks are amazing. Do they dose differently than we do? My tank is so small it is hard to keep a constant calcium and alk so I have a hard time keeping SPS.

Tahoe61 · May 30, 2016

I tend to think the common goal is truly ultra low nutrient systems with use of zeovite or other dosing products, Balling Method...... Systems appear to use the state of the art equipment. I tend to agree their systems are just stunning, I happen to love the look of pastel acropora.

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
I tend to think the common goal is truly ultra low nutrient systems with use of zeovite or other dosing products, Balling Method...... Systems appear to use the state of the art equipment. I tend to agree their systems are just stunning, I happen to love the look of pastel acropora.

What is the balling method?

jsker · May 30, 2016

I agree with @Tahoe61 I am using a European products in my system along along with the balling method and I am having great results.

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

Would the balling meathod be a good way for me to keep my cal and alk stable?

jsker · May 30, 2016

here you go, http://www.leonardosreef.com/2012/06/guide-to-balling/ this should explain the balling method. The product that I am using is already mix and ready for dosing. So there is no measuring errors and guessing if it is right. How is the tank fund going?

jsker · May 30, 2016

Baby Ray said:
Would the balling meathod be a good way for me to keep my cal and alk stable?

Yes, you spend a couple of week taking you parameter to fine tune the dosing. Once you hit you goal Parameters you are almost on auto pilot. I think to note is the more you add, such as coral there is more demand on your system to absorb the trace elements and you will have to adjust to dose. I test about every two weeks now just to make sure that I am inline.

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

jsker said:
here you go, http://www.leonardosreef.com/2012/06/guide-to-balling/ this should explain the balling method. The product that I am using is already mix and ready for dosing. So there is no measuring errors and guessing if it is right. How is the tank fund going?

Thank you so much. I want to get into harder to keep SPS but I don't think my tank is ready. Maybe this will help me get there

Right now I am getting on contact with all the big companies like inovatice marine and apex about possible donating some stuff. Some of my LFS have also agreed to let me set up funding jars in their stores. It is kind of a pain though because you have to do a lot of paper work and other stuff so the people donating know that the school is a non-profit. It is moving kind of slow now because the end of the school year is always busy but I think u will have it cycled by the end of the summer

The hardest part is going to be stocking. I already have a stocking plan but I don't one of any places that would donate fish and corals. Would places like liveaquaria donate?

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

jsker said:
Yes, you spend a couple of week taking you parameter to fine tune the dosing. Once you hit you goal Parameters you are almost on auto pilot. I think to note is the more you add, such as coral there is more demand on your system to absorb the trace elements and you will have to adjust to dose. I test about every two weeks now just to make sure that I am inline.

Good to know

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

I want to know what @Debora Dlugopolska doses

That tank is amazing!!!!

ksc · May 30, 2016

How many USA residents from this forum post pics of their tank on forums based in other countries? Not many is my guess. You are only seeing the best of the best from other countries on this forum.

jsker · May 30, 2016

Baby Ray said:
Thank you so much. I want to get into harder to keep SPS but I don't think my tank is ready. Maybe this will help me get there
Right now I am getting on contact with all the big companies like inovatice marine and apex about possible donating some stuff. Some of my LFS have also agreed to let me set up funding jars in their stores. It is kind of a pain though because you have to do a lot of paper work and other stuff so the people donating know that the school is a non-profit. It is moving kind of slow now because the end of the school year is always busy but I think u will have it cycled by the end of the summer
The hardest part is going to be stocking. I already have a stocking plan but I don't one of any places that would donate fish and corals. Would places like liveaquaria donate?

I use the @Aquaforest balling products. good stuff.

That is a great start

Good job on the jars at the LFS. Set up a Facebooks page, so people can read about what you are doing. As for corals and fish you can always try, then you will know if they will. Have you contract the local reef clubs, those guys have equipment laying around the they would donate.

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

ksc said:
How many USA residents from this forum post pics of their tank on forums based in other countries? Not many is my guess. You are only seeing the best of the best from other countries on this forum.

Your right, I just want to know what the "best of the best" use because their tanks are amazing!!!
I'm sure there are people in the US who have amazing tanks as well, they just don't post as much about their tanks, or at least I haven't seen them

jsker · May 30, 2016

ksc said:
How many USA residents from this forum post pics of their tank on forums based in other countries? Not many is my guess. You are only seeing the best of the best from other countries on this forum.

Well then it would have to be based on the state they live in instead of country, but that is a good idea on posting pictures based on states or regions of the USA

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

jsker said:
I use the @Aquaforest balling products. good stuff.

That is a great startGood job on the jars at the LFS. Set up a Facebooks page, so people can read about what you are doing. As for corals and fish you can always try, then you will know if they will. Have you contract the local reef clubs, those guys have equipment laying around the they would donate.

I would like to get brand new equipment but if I can't, I will go there next. Also my LFS has tons of skimmer and stuff laying around and I am sure they would give one to me. I am trying to get the best of the best..... why not

I can't decide because LEDs or T5's. I am personally a T5 man but LEDs are a lot lower maintenance. I will probably end up going with LEDs just because I don't think my science teacher will be happy about having to replace bulbs every 6 to 8 months

Lionfish Lair · May 30, 2016

My friend had an account in a 5 million dollar home. It rivaled the state aquarium and was the entire wall. It went up two flights of stairs behind a spiral staircase. It was like those tanks you see from other countries. He had many accounts like this.

jsker · May 30, 2016

Baby Ray said:
I would like to get brand new equipment but if I can't, I will go there next. Also my LFS has tons of skimmer and stuff laying around and I am sure they would give one to me. I am trying to get the best of the best..... why not
I can't decide because LEDs or T5's. I am personally a T5 man but LEDs are a lot lower maintenance. I will probably end up going with LEDs just because I don't think my science teacher will be happy about having to replace bulbs every 6 to 8 months

go for it on the new equipment. You always can do a combo of the LED and T5. I am a LED guy and have my Hydra 26 HD's for there reason I do not have to change bulbs. I had systems in the past with the tubes, so I want to try the LED. They run a lot cooler, and save on engery, and they are bright. the down side you are playing with the LED to get them tuned for you system.

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

jsker said:
go for it on the new equipment. You always can do a combo of the LED and T5. I am a LED guy and have my Hydra 26 HD's for there reason I do not have to change bulbs. I had systems in the past with the tubes, so I want to try the LED. They run a lot cooler, and save on engery, and they are bright. the down side you are playing with the LED to get them tuned for you system.

What led would you recommend for a 20 gallon? AI Prime?