For you BB reefers! A question?

[herman]

 

[jhale]

to answer the first question, my reef started as a BB so I have nothing to compare it to.

I feed my fish quite a bit, 3 or four times a day.
I also feed the lps cyclopeeze, and add reef plus for the rest of the coral.

 

[ShaunW]

Shaun,
So over running your lights can actually be detrimental to the coral?

Do you guys think in a BB system, over running the lights can keep corals from coloring up?
-Kris

Well Kris, Rich's observations prove it in my book (I am actually observing the same thing in my tank). He has the most colorful SPS that I have seen (besides Kedd, whose abilities in reefkeeping are unprecedented). Jon too keep a similar style tank to Rich and his colors are also awesome! I have not seen many other tanks beside these, unfortunately, , that are of that "style" tank, i.e. SPS dominant/BB reef. Please understand that I have seen many awesome mixed DSB tanks and softie tanks with a sandbed that were beautiful. But I am really only talking about the husbandry for strict oligotrophic (nutrient limited) SPS tanks.


If your going to keep a BB tank you should pay close attention to how much you feed and how much light you give your corals (specifically SPS, for softies it is a competely different story). For DSB users, more light is the husbandry required to keep SPS, i.e. 6 hrs and above.

 

[nanoreefer22]

I'm running my lights for almost 6-7 hours daily and only feeding once. I'm thinking about just feeding some more to see how things do. Just want to know the reasoning behind feeding more(besides extra happy fish).

Yup Richs tank definately proved it. Never did see Kedd's tank but I've heard great things about it.
-Kris

 

[ShaunW]

Tried to catch on but whats "C" and "P"? I get the rest of it.
-Kris

Sorry, C = organic carbon. P = inorganic phosphate.

 

[DRZL]

Kris,
I think C and P are carbon and phosphate

Shaun correct me if im wrong, but does PAR intensity have to do anything with how fast a photo saturation point is reached within the corals? I believe (not sure) bomber ran 10K 400 watters and therefore reached it his sat. point quicker. But I run 14K 250W so would I therefore take a longer time to hit the sat. point? Does this mean that T5 tanks need to run longer photoperiods?

Im still not sold on the less light=better coloration (within limits of course), looking forward to this convo

 

[ShaunW]

I'm running my lights for almost 6-7 hours daily and only feeding once. I'm thinking about just feeding some more to see how things do. Just want to know the reasoning behind feeding more(besides extra happy fish).

Yup Richs tank definately proved it. Never did see Kedd's tank but I've heard great things about it.
-Kris

But do have a problem with your SPS color and growth. I am seeing real difference after changing my feeding schedule. You really need to get a sense of your tank and what it needs at any given time, i.e. think of your tank as the bunny on the bottom :bunnies: .

 

[herman]

Im getting more and more convinced Andres. Yesterday I was looking at Rich's tank after he complained of the polyp extension on certain corals. The only thing he changed was increase his photoperiod. The one thing that was apparent is that the corals that were not extending their polyps had normal extension is the shaded regions such as on the base.

Its definitely something worth looking into.

 

[herman]

But do have a problem with your SPS color and growth. I am seeing real difference after changing my feeding schedule. You really need to get a sense of your tank and what it needs at any given time, i.e. think of your tank as the bunny on the bottom :bunnies: .

You just started this thread so you could use the bunnies didnt you!!:biggrinpa

 

[nanoreefer22]

LMAOO!! Well growth is fine, I think the tank just settled into the change from SSB to BB. Took a while but it's definately picking up.

Now colors have gotten better from the SSB days, but colors are not as good as I know they could be. Color on new growth is fine of course, but the "old" growth remains the same tan/brown color or whatever colod it was before.

It could just be a matter of time now. I skim wet and feed moderately, I'll pick up feeding a little more each day. To the point where I'm up to two full feedings a day and see how things look then.
-Kris

 

[ShaunW]

Shaun correct me if im wrong, but does PAR intensity have to do anything with how fast a photo saturation point is reached within the corals?

Most certainly yes.

I believe (not sure) bomber ran 10K 400 watters and therefore reached it his sat. point quicker. But I run 14K 250W so would I therefore take a longer time to hit the sat. point? Does this mean that T5 tanks need to run longer photoperiods?

Yes, the less intense light the more you need to provide, and vice versa.

Im still not sold on the less light=better coloration (within limits of course), looking forward to this convo

SPS has a max limit in light needed for successful photosynthesis, anything over is just going to create a "burn". Once the optimum is reached, it is then up to the dark cycle of photosynthesis to use the light energy acquired to create sugars nessesary for growth.

 

[Quang]

Man this thread is interesting. Keep the debate and info coming, especially with Andres throwing in the T-5s, since I'm thinking of upgrading my light to that eventaully. Patiently waiting for more informative posts...:Hydrogen:

 

[nanoreefer22]

Shaun,
You mention "burn", what do you mean by that?

 

[herman]

When you put a "pink" white guy in the sun, he will burn after 10 minutes. He can handle 5 minutes. Bad example but you get the idea

 

[nanoreefer22]

So I'm guessing its not a good thing, I never had the experience. I only get tanned :icon16:

 

[ShaunW]

"Burn" = how you would feel if I put you on the equator right now and left you there for 10 hours.

Why do you think SPS don't feel the effects of the electromagnatic spectrum??

Kris, also you need to be patient and observe your reef, remember GROWTH = COLOR. So find what you tank needs for optimum growth, forget searching for "color" alone.

 

[herman]

With me I burn if I overdo it on the first day. But if I take it easy then go out more each day I get balck as hell. Acclimation!! Each person and tank is different

 

[DRZL]

oh almost forgot my BB experience,

my tank's n03 (undetectable) and p04 .002 has stayed solid for about a year before my sump incident, after which my n03 rose to 15ppm and my P04 .02, which immediately browned out everything.

Before then my colors were very good, and I could color up brown pieces well, I ran my MH for 10hrs and never had a problem bleaching or dulling. I then switched to a 10K and kept the light length which did end up lightening and bleaching some of my coral (hence my PAR question). Since the sump incident, ive done 2 50% WC and Im back to 14K and w/ the new setup w/ 3 tunzes for crap removal, the colors are coming back.

Rich said he thought my system was actually too clean , and I should look into this shortened photoperiod thing, but like I told him I like to enjoy seeing my tank...lol. I also like color, but we shall see, you know theres more than one way to F a rabbit :bunnies:

 

[ShaunW]

So I'm guessing its not a good thing, I never had the experience. I only get tanned :icon16:

So you would be the same as a high light loving SPS, i.e. A. samentosa for example. Myself I burn just going in the sun, so think of me as a A. simplex, :lol: .

 

[DRZL]

Im getting more and more convinced Andres. Yesterday I was looking at Rich's tank after he complained of the polyp extension on certain corals. The only thing he changed was increase his photoperiod. The one thing that was apparent is that the corals that were not extending their polyps had normal extension is the shaded regions such as on the base.

Its definitely something worth looking into.

Thats the weirdest thing, one of my forte's is my PE, its always been big

like owner like tank :biggrin: