Featured Member Series: May '01

[scubadude]

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[Reef Engineer]

Hey folks, thanks! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] I've been out of town since this past Sunday and just got back today - I want to thank each and every one of you - you guys are awesome! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

I've used an Olympus D340R,450Z,600Z as well as a Nikon Coolpix 990 (taken by James Wiseman) to take the pics of the tank. I'd say about 90% were taken with the 450Z although I'm using the 600 more now to take the macro (closeup) shots.

Once again, thanks to one and all! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Randy

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[omegatron]

Congratulations Randy! Nice tank.

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Chuck

DIVE IN AND VISIT ME:

Omegatron's Reefs

Administrator at Reeftalk

[This message has been edited by omegatron (edited 05-10-2001).]

[VIC]

Randy,
Absolutely beautiful tank buddy. How are you getting the stonies to color up like that? I also have a 300 gallon tank with a calcium reactor but I do not add kaukwassar. Could that be it. My dkh is approx 10-12 and my calcium level between 425-450. Ph is between 8.15-8.27. I do not add iodine but I change 10% of the water a month. Can you give me some tips?( I feed the corals 2x a week with phytoplankton)
Thanks,
Vic

[Ninong]

Vic ~

Check out Randy's lighting: 1600 watts 6500K metal halide plus 640 watts VHO actinics = 2240 watts total. That is probably the principal reason for the coloration. He is even considering adding a couple more metal halides.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[Reef Engineer]

Vic,

Sounds like you have a pretty good system in your own right - you should post some pictures of it! BTW, I'm originally from Weehawken, NJ in the Hudson County area - small world, huh? [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

I think that Ninong hit the nail on the head regarding the coloration and lighting. I have friends that have more "watts/gallon" (a near worthless measurement, IMO) but they don't have the intensity that the MHs have (at least the Iwasakis) and there is a fair color discrepancy between our corals - even though they are frags of each other.

I add the kalkwasser more to maintain a stable pH in the tank than anything else. Like you, I'm able to maintain a decent alkalinity and calcium level without it but choose to continue anyway. I doubt it adds anything in the way of coral coloration. I don't add iodine or anything else in tank other than the kalkwasser and the calcium reactor and really haven't noticed a difference. IMO, additives are more hype than anything else - a great way for the manufacturers to make a quick buck. I change 30 gal every two weeks (I used to do 10 gal/week) and find that this works very well for me in regards to water parameters and overall stability of the tank.

In short, however, I find that the more intense the lighting, the better the coloration. I have had several of these corals through my VHO phase, PC phase, 175w MHs, 250w MHs, and now the 400w MHs and every time I upgraded to the more intense lighting, the colors brightened up in the corals. I'm a firm believer that "more is better" - within reason - when it comes to lighting and coral coloration. I don't really worry too much about the higher spectrum bulbs since I feel they are merely for the perceived aesthetics rather than true coral coloration. The 2-400w MHs that Ninong referred to that I'm planning on adding will be 12K bulbs in order to give a bluer cast to the tank. I could simply replace the bulbs I have now on my current setup but then I wouldn't have the same PAR that I do now. I'd rather deal with the heat and electricity issues than compromise the PAR! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Best of luck to ya!

Randy

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[karun]

Randy,
Unbelivable tank. I have been diving in the Maldives and did not think any tank could come close to the ocean. Looking at your tank makes me reconsider that statement. How long has your tank been set up?

Karun

[Reef Engineer]

karun,

Now that's a compliment! It may not have any basis of truth but it's a compliment anyway! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

The tank has been set up since May 1, 1999, but it replaced two other tanks that had been setup for about four/five years so there were plenty of mature corals in the other tanks.

Thanks again!

Randy

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[Evets]

Randy,
Inquiring mind wants to know...
Question #1: What is the SPS frag with the purplish gray branch with contrasting greenish-yellow tipped corallites that can be seen in the upperleft corner of the Stylophora pistillata picture?

Question #2: Where can I get a frag of this coral?

Question #3: I was hoping to go on the San Diego tank tour coming up this weekend, but babysitting problems may have put an end to that plan. Just to add to my sense of loss, is your tank on the tour? Is Tapio's? On second thought, don't tell me. I'll just get depressed. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

Question #4: Is it just me, or is Bob Fenner the most irrepressible reef guy in San Diego?

-Steve (someday I'll make a San Diego tank tour" Elias

[Reef Engineer]

Steve,

The coral that you are referring to is a tricolor but it's not an Acropora nana (not really sure at this point) - but the coloration is a bit different than most (I have several different types). I got that coral as a small frag (as you can see in the picture) from Tapio. Tapio's tank will not be on the tank tour but mine will be. As for Bob - he can be a handful at times. [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] He's a great guy with alot of knowledge but it's virtually impossible to shut him up once he gets going! But that's why we love him down here [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

Sorry you couldn't make it!

Randy

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[scubadude]

Randy you still around? I have been wondering about your tank lately and would love an update Anyone heard from him?

[vtec si]

WOW great tank!

Martin