Joomla! site syndication http://samsreef.com Sat, 19 May 2012 16:56:15 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://samsreef.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://samsreef.com Joomla! site syndication http://samsreef.com/content/view/35/2/ I have noticed my reef tank is not looking as good as it has in the past so I am making an action list of things to do for a reef tune up.Nutrient Control Starting to use Prodibio again after a long hiatus. My NO3 (nitrate) is about 0.20ppm which is not bad but PO4 (phosphate) is 0.08ppm! When I used Prodibio before PO4 always stayed below the magic 0.03ppm threshold. Water Testing I got new test kits. Some of my test kits have expired so I was not certain if the results were accurate. I just got some of the newer Red Sea Pro test kits. The Red Sea Reef Foundations test kit for CA, Mg and Alk is fantastic! Accurate tests and easy to use. I also got the Red Sea Algae Control test kit for NO3 and PO4 (http://www.aquabuys.com/p/red-sea-algae-control-pro-test-kit.html). The PO4 test seems to be very accurate and tests in the low range that is meaningful for us reef hobbyists.RefugiumI am working on tuning up my refugium. I had a frag rack in my refugium that was essentially blocking water flow to the sandbed. The function of de-nitrification seems to have been reduced? I took the frag rack out about a week ago and the nitrate has already dropped below 1ppm!Lighting My T5 bulbs are old. I am ordering new bulbs and will change them out. I am using the following T5 lamps and a row of TrueLumen Pro LED's from front to back:UVL Super ActinicWavepoint Tropical Wave 6500K Daylight LEDTrueLumen Pro 12K Diamond WhiteGeisemann Actinic PlusUVL Super ActinicI am also considering adding some more robust LEDs such as the Ecotech Marine Radion or maybe the Maxspect Mazarra. I like the TrueLumen Pro and I get about the same PPFD from one 36 strip @ 23 watts as I do from one 36 T5 @ 39 watts. A good amount less power consumption with about the same light output. The color on the 12K Diamond White strip is very crisp white.New Cleanup CrewI just added a bunch of reef critters. I got about 30 snails and 15 or so crabs. Astrea, Cerrith, Nassarius, Mexican Turbos for snails and Red Leg Cortez hermits along with a couple Emerald Mitrhax crabs. These guys have done a great job on cleaning out some of the algae that has been growing in the tank.I will post an update with some before and after shots in the coming weeks. Aquariums - 125 Gallon Reef Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:11:28 +0100 http://samsreef.com/content/view/34/2/ It is inevitable to get bored with any hobby. My large 125g reef while being a great pleasure has been about as tweaked out as I can get it in terms of equipment. It needs some work on the biological side of the equation and has become more of a chore. Time to set a up a new tank and get inspired!Of all the aquariums I have had over the years it seems the nano reef tanks have been the most fun. I have been hoarding a 12g aquapod for quite some time. Never set it up as it was just the tank - no lighting. I recently realized this was going to be an advantage. My 7g nano was fishless which gave me a great advantage in terms of keeping the tank clean. My 28g nano only had one fish with the Tail-spot Blenny. I am considering keeping this tank fishless as well with only soft corals. This new 12g nano will give me a place to move all my softies to making my 125g pretty much SPS only. Aquariums - 125 Gallon Reef Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:35:24 +0100 http://samsreef.com/content/view/33/2/ This is the second HD video I have done. This one features the 125g reef tank again. I like the music in this one as well as the better control I had over the visuals with exposure.zSLJFuoUV0A Aquariums - 125 Gallon Reef Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:04:46 +0100 http://samsreef.com/content/view/32/2/ After wrestling with the entirely new HDV video workflow I managed to get this quickie video done and working in HD on YouTube! It will not play in HD here in embedded form but you can watch it full size and crystal clear on YouTube. Click the watch in HD link. Note that this video was shot in October 2008.rn67JzoBlFo Aquariums - 125 Gallon Reef Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:29:20 +0100 http://samsreef.com/content/view/31/2/ My original equipment list is a bit different than this one. I had much different ideas for my tank and have taken a turn towards focusing on SPS corals. The fish have become a secondary but still loved part of the reef. Here is the complete list of equipment now on my tank. Aquariums - 125 Gallon Reef Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:07:53 +0100