The McKay build thread.

[Steve McKay]

Really didn't notice that all my pink had turned to purple,looks nice.Bad news now there's diatoms on my new rock.I'm cutting my light back to 8 hours maybe that will help till it cycles out.Suicidal hermit crab,had to turn him over twice in the last couple hours.Does he think he's a snail?

[Steve McKay]

There could be several reasons for the diatoms and a few changes I made that might have contributed to the cause,but no need to go in depth about it now.The most likely cause would be the fact that I used mainly new mixed water,I use Reef Crystals and a comparison chart of mixes showed that the mix I use as well as the others are high in silicate.Not only that but I raised my specific gravity from 1.023 to 1.024 and my temp.from 76 to 78.Higher temp.releases more silicate,cutting back on the amount of light or length of the photoperiod would just prolong the issue.But to keep it from becoming unsightly I will use both methods,I will refrain from further water changes and monitor my nitrates closely.I didn't look to see if phosphates contribute to this problem my levels of phosphate is 0.1 according to the test kit but could be lower being that is the lowest reading the test kit will provide.I distill my own water and feed mainly frozen food.I would think my phosphate levels would be pretty low.

[Steve McKay]

On a lighter note my skimmer will be here today along with my splash guard for the Tek.That's the fastest skimmer I know of,they shipped the same day and are in Indiana.It's a shame I don't have my sump,I'm hoping it comes Friday.So I can set them up over the weekend.This skimmer should suck the scales right off my fish,I know it will be better than the Red Sea C-Skim 1200 because it would do more turned off.I'll be getting a Safilert nitrate test kit Friday,then I'll be able to test high and low range.I'll be able to see were I really stand on the nitrate issue.

[Parrothead]

Sounds like a plan, I'd ask when we get pics, but you're missing your arms and a leg.

Tanks,
Robert

[Steve McKay]

Sounds like a plan, I'd ask when we get pics, but you're missing your arms and a leg.

Tanks,
Robert

Yea it hurts.

[Steve McKay]

My Tek is up and running.I've got my Bubble King but not running yet,waiting on sump.Here's some before shots with pc lighting.

[Steve McKay]

Here's my Tek.

[charlie]

You are gonna like that, that is a wonderful difference!!!!

[Steve McKay]

Do you have a extra pair of sunglasses.

[charlie]

Do you have a extra pair of sunglasses.

photo-gray

I am gonna change my daylite bulbs on the 40 to the Geisemanns I have just because of you. Darn, that looks really good Steve!!!

[Steve McKay]

Thanks,it took me long enough.

[Steve McKay]

I got the lamps I was talking about 4 aquablue+ and 2 actinic+.

[charlie]

I have 4 Aquablues waiting to go on, and I think it is gonna happen tomorrow just because of you!!! I will try to get before and after pics like you did.

[Steve McKay]

I like to see those pics,I was looking at your angle nice fish.

[Steve McKay]

Here's one pic of the skimmer.

[Parrothead]

God, I love those lights, I guess the word I'm looking for is "Clean" everything is so sharp, I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous.

Skimmer looks nice too, can't wait for it to have the bubbles in its head, instead of yours

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

That is gonna kick some serious butt!!!

Pics in my thread will be of the 40, not the 300. I mught get there this weekend.

The 40 has finally cleared up enuf to see so I am kinda happy about that.

[Steve McKay]

Thanks guys,I think things will come together once I get my skimmer operational.

[Steve McKay]

It's actually brighter than it looks.

[Parrothead]

Double Damn, the ps3 can wait, T-5's here I come, lets see do I give up food or basting material, guess I'm gonna lose some weight. I just can't believe the difference, and I know it looks better in person.

Good Job Steve, Kudo's are due.

Tanks,
Robert