Looking for some suggestions, moved to the metro atlanta

[warloc4326]

I moved to the metro atlanta area about 2 - 3 months ago. I currently have a 38gal tank with a 20 gal refugium. A metal stand, retrofit eclipse hood with all filtration removed (the gf likes how clean it looks and I've done about all the mods i can to it) with currently 2 24w lamps standard fluorescent and 1 65w PC. The PC is split 50/50 and the two SO are both "white" (can't remember the color temp off hand and want to replace these with another retrofit PC or t5's). I'm looking at starting the system back up as I had a very tragic loss during the move. The tanks inhabitants who had been in the tank for approx 5 years all died due to stress (lots of different factors I don't want to get into). I have all of my liverock still and few of my inverts (mostly just hermits that were hiding in the rock). This is currently in a 45gal tub with partial water changes happening every two weeks with all parameters checking out within acceptable ranges(currently checking ammonia, nitrite/nitrate, s.g., temp, and 2 others i know i'm forgetting). I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what to look into before I actually start the tank back up. I'm currently in the process of building the refugium (the old one was dropped in the move ) and refinishing the stand (which i'm debating to just change out for a wooden stand). The lighting is one of my main concerns as I was able to keep stonies in the tank toward the top but I'm thinking of moving into some more difficult stonies and would like to have a bit better lighting to do that with (I was thinking of convincing the GG to going the LED route as due to the power savings or going into the HQI route).

 

[Mthompson]

I would go with LED's if you can afford the initial cost (which is not that bad for smaller tanks like your's). Read the article about a new LED fixture in this month's Advanced Aquarist (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/10/review), if you have not already done so. Very impressive advantages for LED's over metal halides! Plus the included controller is pretty amazing (more info on this at: http://www.aquaillumination.com/controller.html).

 

[warloc4326]

if you had the choice would it be the solaris of the ones in this months article?

 

[Mthompson]

I really like the Illuminaire. One advantage is the ability to upgrade (or downgrade) to match what you situation requires. This means that you can have lighting for a system change without forking over money for a complete new fixture. This design also allows for complete sealing of the lights in their own compartment in the fixture, thus eliminating moisture, dust and other contaminants entering and possible messing up the lights or circuits (whereas the solaris boards are just 'treated with a protective coating'???).

The controller also seems to be an advantage over the solaris, with possible connection to a computer and the solar/lunar phase reproduction (couldn't find info on the solaris controller though).

The Illuminaire also is said to have higher output than the solaris (http://www.aquaillum.com/par.html), but this is on the Illuminaire website and may have some bias.

Hopefully a direct comparison will be made in an upcoming issue ( :wink: :wink: to any pertinent persons reading this).

Hope this helps...

 

[Mthompson]

sorry, just had to erase this double post...

 

[warloc4326]

Any suggestions other than the lighting as i'm going to look into the Illuminaire and think about that one. Currently I've got a backpack skimmer (remora) with a pump upgrade on it. At last check I had approx 900gph flow in the tank with my return pump and 2 powerheads. I had been keeping a few different types of algae in the refugium and also use that as my grow out area for some smaller or delicate coral frags. I also have two 75w heaters down there for temp control. Dosing had been minimal using only kalkwasser dripped twice a week and occasionally a pack of (phosban/chemipure) in a small canister filter to provide some extra cleaning.

 

[Mthompson]

All else sounds pretty good, but I am by no means an expert in nanoreef care (or reef care in general). Many others will hopefully chime in...but if it all worked before, I am sure it will still do the same. Just remember to do a lot of studying of the requirements of the specific hard corals you want, and make the necessary adjustments to the livestock and/or components.

 

[bleedingthought]

What part of Atlanta are you in? Have you joined a local reef club, yet?

Send me a PM and I'll get you plugged in with other reefers here and some great LFS!