Parrothead's 180-gal reef tank build:

[charlie]

did i forget to post the picture after nobody posted tank shots??!?!?!??!

That is one hell of a big cat.

[TimH07]

Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom

[TimH07]

robert, to help one of your old problems with PH due to lack of oxygen exchange i'd like to recommend this.

Google Image Result for http://www.ocreef.com/images/super/AZ71021.jpg

OR something similar to it, i built my own with acrylic and some computer AC cooling fans.



its simply critical to oxygen exchange!

[charlie]

Are they fairly quiet?

[Parrothead]

Tim,

Ain't got the sump up and running, still working on getting the return pump and overflow box, got the plans just not the fun tickets, it's not far away though, couple of weeks and the sump will be up and running, since I dumped the gulf rock ph has been pretty stable at 8.1 - 8.2, not arguing with that, thanks for the tip though, remembered that from reading through your thread.

Tanks,
Robert

[TimH07]

Are they fairly quiet?

not even a whisper now

[zhenya]

Tim,

Cat, the other white meat.

Either one of you touches that cat you'll have to answer to me... :eek3:

Robert, my persian is feeling very lonely after her mate had passed one while I was driving home from Florida last month. I had him since he was a babe and he was the best pet one would ever dream of having. RIP!

[Parrothead]

Gene,

If I did anything remotely resembling the above comments my wife and kids would take care of me long before you could make it here from Jersey,

[Parrothead]

Here's a quick update and some eye candy,

I've got all the plans in place and am working on getting the necessary hardware to put it all together, business needs to cooperate a bit. But went for salt today and saw this little guy and couldn't say no. So enjoy the pics and updates will happen as the fun tickets come in. or if something really, really cool comes.

Tanks
Robert

[charlie]

Is that a small coral beauty?

[Parrothead]

Yes he is, he's alittle over an inch and a half, deep, deep colors, he's been living in a 8 x 8 x 8 inch acrylic cube for about 3 weeks at my lfs up the street.

Tanks,
Robert

[CutthroatKid]

He's a pretty little thing! Charlie, are CB prone to fungal infections? Maybe that was a fact my brain made up...
I bet if the LFS has had it for 3 weeks that it's fine though

[Parrothead]

They have been known for hole in head dis., but as I said he been in a lfs display for 3 weeks that I know of, so cross your fingers, and lets see what he does, I've got some high quaility flake food and will be picking up some frozen food tomorrow that does contain a higher content of sponge. Lets all hope he stays pretty, Have tried before but that was a long time ago, I've gotten a little smarter since then

Tanks
Robert

[Parrothead]

Hey Charlie,

Since this is a rebuild thread, I'll post this here instead of pm'ing you,

Are there any serious benefits to MH vs. T5 lighting that would be required to keep lps and sps corals in my tank, I figure I've got the flow planned out pretty well and want to start planning my lights, all the really nice tanks, here and at the various lfs's that I frequent all run mh's over the tanks, would I be better off going with 2 x 150 watts or 2 x 250 watts, with some actinics(T-5) or just go straight T-5, as mentioned I want to keep both lps and sps, what do you think would be the best, all others are invited to join in.

Tanks,
Robert

[reefhead728]

Hi robert
correct me if im wrong but i thought a coral beauty was not reef safe.

[charlie]

Hey Charlie,

Since this is a rebuild thread, I'll post this here instead of pm'ing you,

Are there any serious benefits to MH vs. T5 lighting that would be required to keep lps and sps corals in my tank, I figure I've got the flow planned out pretty well and want to start planning my lights, all the really nice tanks, here and at the various lfs's that I frequent all run mh's over the tanks, would I be better off going with 2 x 150 watts or 2 x 250 watts, with some actinics(T-5) or just go straight T-5, as mentioned I want to keep both lps and sps, what do you think would be the best, all others are invited to join in.

Tanks,
Robert

I will get back to you, it is late!!!!!!!!!

Hi robert
correct me if im wrong but i thought a coral beauty was not reef safe.

They are as reef safe as any angel, it is pretty much a crap shoot with any of them.

[Parrothead]

Quick Draw Charlie, always awake when someone needs an answer.

Yes Jeremy, Charlie's right, safe as any angel, just have to watch em and keep them feed.

Robert

[charlie]

As far as cost concerns go Robert, I think you are going to be able to get away with a 4-6 bulb T5 setup.

[Parrothead]

Aren't you running the 6 bulb set up over 40 frag tank? How is the growth and color of the corals? You are doing mostly sps in there right?

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Yes I am, but to be honest, it is way to early to tell anything in that frag tank. Trust me, you will get by with the T5, less $$$$, less heat.