GARFS BULLET PROOF REEF SYSTEM?

[REEF-ER]

ANY BODY TRIED GARFS BULLETS PROOF REEF? THE 55G TANK WITH 3--40WATT BULBS, ANY LUCK?? ANY RESULTS?? ANY PICS????????????

 

[REEF-ER]

---> sorry i have to know

 

[Mabu]

Putting on my flame retardant underwear... and grabbing a comfortable chair...

 

[Anonymous]

many moons ago, I set up a 50 gallon (36" x 18" x 18") aquarium with a 4" sandbed (plenum) and 5 30 watt bulbs (3 tritons and 2 blue moons). Thus my tank had more lumens and less water penetration than a 55. I was basically giving the Garf method the old college try.

Results?

Miserable failure. The lighting was totally inadequate for anything other than zoanthid polyps and mushrooms. Other corals such as softies survived but did not thrive. My very first coral, an open brain succumbed due to inadequate lighting (it did fine for 6 months then deteriorated over the course of 6 weeks which is a classic case of coral starvation).

IMO the method doesn't work, others have had similar experiences and a search of this message board on the subject will yield you those experiences.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, there are always "the GARF files" if you really want to read the sordid details.
http://www.reefs.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=31/SUBMIT=Go

You can buy compact fluorescent lighting for what you might pay for NO fluorescent at a LFS at www.ahsupply.com

Basically, even that is a compromise (one I have made due to heat considerations and electrical bills) but a much better one than NO fluorescents. I have had mixed results with stony corals. If you want no-compromise lighting, HQI double-ended halide lamps can actually give you the most bang for the buck. I wish I had bought these at the beginning.

 

[Mouse]

Look on GARFS web site and go fish counting, i think you'll be surprised. No fish = no poo = no problem. They are idiot proof, but then the majority of idiots would try and fill them with fish.

 

[Mouse]

Oh and you will also need a good copy of Photoshop if you want you tank to look like theirs, or perhaps some rose tinted sun glasses would do.

 

[ShipMate]

Also tried here 55 gal with lps and 'shroom survival but NO growth..slight problem with nitrates, phosphates, unable to feed much. Would certainly NOT recommend this system. Currently upgrading to a decent system with MH + VHO actinic 03, sump added as well...trust the experienced reefers on this board. Loads of invaluable advice is found here. IMHO Stay away from the "grunge"..

 

[Clown Trigger]

LOL MABU!!!!!!

 

[swreefer]

I just did this and have pics. I just have to get off my lazy ass and scan them. The triton bulb is waaaaay too pink. The blue moon however is very nice. I have a candy cane frag that I place toward the top. It has been splitting like mad. Doubled in size in a month. Leathers do not really like these lights. Shrooms (not hairy ones) like it and I have a new tiny little Florida Ricordia polyp next to the original 2. I will get off my ass and scan the pics.

 

[fishpoo]

i almost started one a few years ago. i ordered Garf grunge and used normal lamps and the mushrooms were doing fine. the grunge had no life in it and i couldn't find any days later.
i believe it can be done and probably have a nice tank, but even the Garf people later switched to vho.
also you have to have the super glue touch. ha ha

 

[Richard Rajski]

I have set one up. It will soon be two years old. The system works great.

For the full story and pics go to http://www.reefsuk.org/Marine%20Aquariums/Articles/Articles.asp

Richard

 

[REEF-ER]

what if i did everything the garf way but used vho?? would it be more sufficent? ( except garf grunge}

 

[NaCl]

i would like to thank those brave people who
have found GARF work to be successful. i have
never used their products, but i would have
to put more stock in a positive experience
than a secondhand opinion.

Kings of the Boards... fire away.

 

[cubera]

How 'bout the modified GARF method? It has DSB, LR, high efficiency skimmer, CR, and a minimum of 10 watts per gallon 400 watt MH. Anyone tried this out? OOPS! Forgot to mention the surge device.....

 

[redneck]

I thought the foolproof GARF method required Adobe Photoshop

 

[danmhippo]

Nah...the simple Microsoft photo editor would do fine!

 

[arnjer]

Or take a hit of acid LOL

Jerry

 

[Clown Trigger]

...and with just a little handfull of barf (I mean garf) grunge you too can have this amazing looking reef. That's all it takes. Don't forget the visitherm skimmer too!

IF SALLY JO CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU!!!!