Lighting questions ?????

[DanMan36]

Ok, so i have a 33 gallon with a 250w de mh, and two 96w blue lights, and around 8 moon lights.....I ahve had them going for a few days now and my fish look like there going to die I guess 13w per gallon is a lil bit too much ....So ya, today i bought timers and thats where i need some help..I was thinking maybe i should set my MH to turn on from 1-5-then have the two 96watters go on from 5-11-then have the moon lights go on from 11-1 ? what do you guys think ?

[DanMan36]

Here's a pic of my 33

[Ratpack]

The 250W is bright for that tank but I don't think it would cause the fish to look as if they are going to die. What are the other water parameters? Temperature could be an issue with that amount of light.

As for the schedule, are there an corals in the tank? Usually most have te blue bulbs come on 1-2 hours before the halides or whites and then stay on for 1-2 hours after. Then all are off the rest of the time.

[DanMan36]

The 250W is bright for that tank but I don't think it would cause the fish to look as if they are going to die. What are the other water parameters? Temperature could be an issue with that amount of light.

As for the schedule, are there an corals in the tank? Usually most have te blue bulbs come on 1-2 hours before the halides or whites and then stay on for 1-2 hours after. Then all are off the rest of the time.

Temperture ? Well it wasn't a problem, it hasn't gone over 78 since iv used the light, but funnt enough, i didn't turn my MH on tonight, just my two 96 watters, and the temp wen't up to 81 . I also didn't have my fan on tonight, but i honestly thought i didn't have to....Well ayways my Flame Angle has passed away, my yellow tang doesn't look like he's gonna make it through the night, my 3 stripe damsel looks horrible, and his mouth is moving 100 miles a minute, the only fish that looks ok is my tomato clown...Here's a pic of my Angle just hours before he passed

[DanMan36]

[charlie]

First off, how long has this tank been setup?
Secondly, I do not think that your lites are causing this!!!!!
I usually run my halides 8 hours and the actinic lites 12 hours. Is that a cover on your tank? I would remove the cover, it will help with O2 exchange.

[DanMan36]

First off, how long has this tank been setup?
Secondly, I do not think that your lites are causing this!!!!!
I usually run my halides 8 hours and the actinic lites 12 hours. Is that a cover on your tank? I would remove the cover, it will help with O2 exchange.

3 months, yes thats a glass cover, i wanted to use it because without it water and salt gets on the light..I can't believe the glass broke right in the middle..lol Do you have your actinic lites go on before the MH and after ? Moon lites should be ok to run all night right ?

[Rubisco]

How many pounds of rock do you have in there? Doesnt look like much to me, how long has it been in the tank. I know you said the tank is 3 months old but has the rock been in that entire time?
Also I cant really tell, but from the looks of your photo you could use a quality skimmer. Looks like an in tank model, these are simply junk.
Finally I think you need to test your water.

Rubisco

[DanMan36]

How many pounds of rock do you have in there? Doesnt look like much to me, how long has it been in the tank. I know you said the tank is 3 months old but has the rock been in that entire time?
Also I cant really tell, but from the looks of your photo you could use a quality skimmer. Looks like an in tank model, these are simply junk.
Finally I think you need to test your water.

Rubisco

Umm prolly around 30-40 pounds tops...Some rock is from my 55 (check gallery) and it has been in the tank for 3 months and the rest was bought from a local fish store and was added monthly. Ya the skimmer isn't the best, but i think it kinda works, do you have any suggestions for a 33g ? Tests will be done this weekend....So does anyone know how long i should have my moon lights on at night for ? Thanks

[charlie]

3 months, yes thats a glass cover, i wanted to use it because without it water and salt gets on the light..I can't believe the glass broke right in the middle..lol Do you have your actinic lites go on before the MH and after ? Moon lites should be ok to run all night right ?

My actinics come on 2 hours before and stay on 2 hours after the halides go off. Isn't there a cover on the lite? IME you are better off without the glass lid. Your evaporation rate may go up a bit, but think about it, the ocean doesn't have a glass lid on it, does it? I have never run moonlites before, but I don't think I'd run them all nite.
Have you taken any water tests to find out what your parameters might be?

[DanMan36]

My actinics come on 2 hours before and stay on 2 hours after the halides go off. Isn't there a cover on the lite? IME you are better off without the glass lid. Your evaporation rate may go up a bit, but think about it, the ocean doesn't have a glass lid on it, does it? I have never run moonlites before, but I don't think I'd run them all nite.
Have you taken any water tests to find out what your parameters might be?

What time does your actinics go on in the morning and what time does it go off ? Ya, there's a cover, i just don't like cleaning it. The glass is now in the garbage, and im gonna do tests this weekend

[DanMan36]

Here's a pic of my 33

Im not sure where my Flame Angel was hiding all day but he came out when my moon lights came on...Now you tell me where the hell he could of been hiding in that tank ? lol I hope he's ok...I guess there's still a good chance he and others may pass away...

[charlie]

Actinics run from 10 to 10.

The angel could have been hiding anywhere in there. At least he is still living!! Get those parameters checked!!! Let us know how the tests come out, and we can go from there, OK.

[DanMan36]

Actinics run from 10 to 10.

The angel could have been hiding anywhere in there. At least he is still living!! Get those parameters checked!!! Let us know how the tests come out, and we can go from there, OK.

Wow, i can't believe it..I found my Angel dead this morning.. Is back fin was gone...Im thinking the three stripe damsel did it...Im gonna take him out today...They are pretty agressive, no ?

[charlie]

Let that 3 stripe swim with the brown trout. They are very aggressive and have no place in a reef, IMO. Sorry 'bout your angel tho.

[warforged]

1 to 1.75 pounds of rock per gallon is about perfect...and I think you have enough rock myself... I am a bit surprised about how ...well..clean your tank looks in 3 months.

Im no expert..but ive got 3 tanks up since i switched from freshwater...and I have green algae hair algae bubble algae and that purple kind...(red slime when something dies <,<) .... now my algae is undercontrol now...

but your tank looks like its been up for like a few days in the pic..its so clean. =)

12w a gallon is pretty sweet.... (why no corals??) .. and that glass breaking... typical

I broke mine twice when I finally figured out why.... MH bulb was the cause for me...both cracks right at the most hottest area of the hood....

Have you considered having some glass cutter cut strips into 3rds for you and shave off lets say 1/8th inch..so you can leave a slight slit between sheets for air exchange..at the same time avoid splash up and getting crap on your hood?

anyway.. just wanted to comment on how clean your tank looks....

[Rubisco]

With 30lbs-40lbs of rock your at .9-1.2lbs per gallon at best. I think Warforged said it best though, your tank looks so clean, I agree completely.
But I still think based on what I see in the image I dont think your quite at the 40 lb mark unless youve got 8,9 or 10lb peices of base rock? Which is completly possible.

However is it me or does it appear as though there is a precariously stacked row of rubble all along the upper reaches of the rock?
To me that not only looks like a hazard but it also seems like a waste of space. Shove that rubble in between some of those larger peices and get yourself a nice tonga branch or two to glue in at mid level or higher.
I actually happen to have a 33L my self and Ive got 49lbs currently, thats 1.4lbs per gallon. Following the rule to the max of 1.75lbs/gal would give you 57.75lbs
FWIW

Rubisco

[charlie]

Lbs per gallon is in the same bag as watts per gallon, outdated IMO. The way he has the rock now allows for good flow in andaround the rock which is important. JMHO

[ret25yo]

I was going to agree and say I dont think the rock is the issue. We need test results to find the isssue.

[Rubisco]

I was going to agree and say I dont think the rock is the issue. We need test results to find the isssue.

I think this is obvious but as we are all still waiting for those ever important test results. I was merely pontificating upon my own observations.

I would have to argue with you Charlie, the lbs/gal is not necessarily outdated its is however a general guideline for one to follow. So while it isnt an accurate measurement of a tanks filtration capacity it does however serve a purpose for the novice.

As for the rock I still see a precarious stack just waiting to be glued (or fall and damage some coral).

Rubisco