Great job Keith! Your tank is looking amazing and the speed at which you achieved this success is amazing! that live rock definitely saved you 1 year of pain!
The corals are looking great Keith. Dosing Kalkwasser was a great idea as it’s keeping your ph elevated to where you like it also enhancing coral growth.
The tank is at the perfect stage where the size of the colonies look great. There is plenty of negative space, swimming space and no over crowding. Its funny how you think BIG colonies are great but one they get unmanageably big, it is a nuisance. Looks awesome!!!
Tank looks absolutely great Keith and you have had some amazing growth. I had a Disney frag not grow at all for well over 2 years one time. I eventually cut a small piece to try to spark growth. 8 months later it RTN'ed. 😃
This is a great example of the perfect application using LEDs. The more coverage the better!! Still not like havingthem under halides in regards to colony formation and colors, BUT in this case you actually like it better and want to switch the other tanks to LEDs. Wow! For a second I though about tying LEDs again. :) (not really). ;P Seriously, I'm so happy for you, Keith. Your peninsula looks great! Would be so nice if you could put pictures of he growth pattern of the colonies comparing the same species under halides and under LEDs. Are you also using kalkwasser on the tank you have halides? How many watts of LEDs are you running? Percentage? Thanks! Cheers!
Thanks Alex! Yes, I am also using kalk on the other system. Below are the settings for my Mitras. The spectrum mimics 400W 20K halides. The six fixtures produce 195W on High Output, which is where I have them set. Power balance settings: 100% for all 9 channels Spectrum: • Blue - 100% • Royal Blue - 100% • Cool White - 28% • Blue White - 100% • True Green - 28% • Hyper Red - 16% • Sky White 28% • Ultraviolet - 100% • Hyperviolet - 100% Schedule: 10A 12N 8P 10P
@@ReefBum Thank you so much for the info, Keith! Very interesting! So you have 1170W running over the tank. How many 400W halides would you apply there? Maybe 2 or 3 fixtures? I think I would run 2 X 250W halides there, not 400W. You are probably using twice of what is recommended for the system with LEDs, right? I'm saying this because that is what I normally tell my fiends that really want to use LEDs, but keep complaining about "bad coverage", or "low PAR"... in reality the reason their tanks aren't doing so great is because they use the minimum quantity of fixtures they can, following the trend or what the brands recommend. All the tanks doing better under LEDs are those that have lots of fixtures over the corals. Remember what Chris said in one of the streams: "A watt is a watt!" Bingo, main basic info to follow in order to achieve the right results with the right application using ANY light. I've seen some tanks with great growth under LEDs and even some very nice colony formation, like yours, but never heard specifically from GHL users. It's a great brand in many ways. One more reason for LED users to try them out, I would say! I'm truly happy for you! One more friend switching to LEDs. ;P Oh well... I already have a bunch of friends using LEDs. Everyone should use what they like to achieve the results they want! What would be the main reason why you would change the other system to LEDs? Please let me know if the tank is running cooler in your case. Would be great to have a video showing the differences of the same colonies under halides and under LEDs. All the best to you! Love to watch your videos! Gotta love Acros!!! Aloha!
@@Alex_Correa The issue is that I am having a lot of trouble removing the glass lenses from my Giesemann Spectra 24″ fixtures to replace bulbs. The last time I had to use a hammer and chisel to get the lenses out. I don't think that is viable long term and I can't imagine having to pick out broken pieces of glass inside the display.
@@ReefBum The reason why you are having trouble is probably because you don't remove the fixture from the hanging kit and place up sid down to open and change the bulbs, right? That is what we are supposed to do. I, like you, will never do that. LOL! My tip to you is to make sure that the fixture is aligned, so the center pressure, where the wires are connected, won't pull the fixture up and make it difficult to remove the metal part while it's hanging. That's why it won't work even if you make that metal part smaller. The fixture will just bend inwards and the problem will be there. You can have someone to hold the sides (out of the T5s) when you remove the metal. I solved the problem here applying some grease on the channels, where the metal is. It's still kinda hard to remove the metals, but not as hard. Using a hammer will actually make things worse because you will force too much and damage the channel. Have in mind that the sides are coming down with the gravity and work pushing the sides up while removing the metal plates. I've never had problems with the glass at all. Is that the only reason why you would change for LEDs? Those LEDs are very expensive. Will that be worth it?
@@Alex_Correa Thanks Alex, I will try those tips. Another reason I am considering LED's for this tank is the success I am having with them on the peninsula tank. I know I have had crazy coral growth in the 187 before I rebooted it but I think my SPS have been doing better under the LED's.....but I guess that is hard to say unless I did a controlled experiment with the same frags in the same tank under the 2 different types of lights.
100% air flow is important. I increased air flow over tank, took skimmer air intake from outside and it made a big difference. I borrowed a CO2 monitor and it’s surprising how CO2 climbs when people are in the room if ventilation isn’t great.
Tank looks great. Can you provide some info on how you have your Kalk and Ca rx setup. Kalk is your primary. How do you have the calcium reactor setup to turn on and off and handle the additional demands? Also how do you have the ATO programmed with dosing Kalk only at night? Just have the ATO off except for a few hours?
Keith, does it seem like you have to work harder on the overall water chemistry with LED lighting? Extra trace elements, etc? Metal Halide seems to be much more forgiving on corals. They need excellent water quality, but with halides all thebl small trace elements and such doesn't seem to be as important as they are using LEDs. Thoughts?
I rebooted my tank and in essence starting over with Marco rock and new sand. I used Dr Tim’s bacteria about 3 weeks ago and my levels are sitting at 0 ammonia, 4 nitrates and 0.03 phosphates. I have a pax bellum 18 reactor ready to go but haven’t started it up yet. I have 3 fish in the tank now from the old setup but no corals. I also have a doser setup with a 10 Gal brute so I can dose kalk Question: I dread the ugly phase, should I install a Uv light ? And when should I start up the pax bellum reactor ? And when should I start to add coral- looking at a bit of a mix reef ?
I never installed UV on mine, but was just very controlled and disciplined and consistent and very gradual at trying to slowly increase food and fish over a long time and I never really had an ugly phase. Tank is nearly 2 years old and is really starting to take off. I stated bare bottom dry rock and was super hard but it now growing Acros. I have 6 large Maxspec bioblocks in my sump and also dosed Dr Tim’s.
So I take it the Morton's is going well? Idk if you mentioned anything about the parameters when you mix that up either. I'd definitely like to hear more about it.
Yes, the Mortons is working out just fine 😀 I haven't tested batches of new salt but my tank parameters for key elements are in my desired ranges. See bottom of these pages: reefbum.com/187-gallon-tank/, reefbum.com/225-gallon-tank/
What kind of PAR do you run, Keith? I’m also curious what acros you would recommend for an acro beginner. I have Bali slimer. I really like the blue SPS.
In my videos I try to chronicle my journey and yes there are material connections with manufactures and the products I use for my tanks. But I only use stuff that I believe is good for my tanks and that I would recommend to other hobbyists. I have turned down plenty of free stuff that didn't meet my standards. Sorry you found this video to be a "commercial". Many viewers like to know what I am using to achieve success so I believe this sort of info is beneficial to many.
Great job Keith! Your tank is looking amazing and the speed at which you achieved this success is amazing! that live rock definitely saved you 1 year of pain!
Gday from Australia! Love your videos and your tank. Keep them coming.
It is very amazing that you can grow corals like that I am in awe and inspired !!
Outstanding brother 👏 Keep up the good work. 👍
Great update I can’t believe how much growth you have got this fast very impressive tank looks fantastic 👍👍👍
The corals are looking great Keith. Dosing Kalkwasser was a great idea as it’s keeping your ph elevated to where you like it also enhancing coral growth.
The tank is at the perfect stage where the size of the colonies look great. There is plenty of negative space, swimming space and no over crowding. Its funny how you think BIG colonies are great but one they get unmanageably big, it is a nuisance. Looks awesome!!!
Looks great. I have enjoyed following this tank
Brilliant work keith. Love what you’re doing. Absolute inspiration! 👍
Nice tank! Nice reset, success, congrats!
Very nice. Yeah I am starting to turn off bacteria
Tank looks absolutely great Keith and you have had some amazing growth. I had a Disney frag not grow at all for well over 2 years one time. I eventually cut a small piece to try to spark growth. 8 months later it RTN'ed. 😃
Thanks Burt! Bummer, that crap happens sometimes.
Never change anything just before bed or vacation.
Looks great! Congrats
Awesome tank and great video! 💪✌️
The tanknlooks great. It is beginning to look almost as good as the 187 at its peak. Not quite but almost.
Great tank man 😊
beautiful tank I have always liked gHL 👌 I love that tone of light can you make a video how do you have the colors?
This is a great example of the perfect application using LEDs. The more coverage the better!! Still not like havingthem under halides in regards to colony formation and colors, BUT in this case you actually like it better and want to switch the other tanks to LEDs. Wow! For a second I though about tying LEDs again. :) (not really). ;P Seriously, I'm so happy for you, Keith. Your peninsula looks great! Would be so nice if you could put pictures of he growth pattern of the colonies comparing the same species under halides and under LEDs. Are you also using kalkwasser on the tank you have halides? How many watts of LEDs are you running? Percentage? Thanks! Cheers!
Thanks Alex! Yes, I am also using kalk on the other system. Below are the settings for my Mitras. The spectrum mimics 400W 20K halides. The six fixtures produce 195W on High Output, which is where I have them set.
Power balance settings:
100% for all 9 channels
Spectrum:
• Blue - 100%
• Royal Blue - 100%
• Cool White - 28%
• Blue White - 100%
• True Green - 28%
• Hyper Red - 16%
• Sky White 28%
• Ultraviolet - 100%
• Hyperviolet - 100%
Schedule:
10A
12N
8P
10P
@@ReefBum Thank you so much for the info, Keith! Very interesting!
So you have 1170W running over the tank. How many 400W halides would you apply there? Maybe 2 or 3 fixtures? I think I would run 2 X 250W halides there, not 400W. You are probably using twice of what is recommended for the system with LEDs, right? I'm saying this because that is what I normally tell my fiends that really want to use LEDs, but keep complaining about "bad coverage", or "low PAR"... in reality the reason their tanks aren't doing so great is because they use the minimum quantity of fixtures they can, following the trend or what the brands recommend. All the tanks doing better under LEDs are those that have lots of fixtures over the corals. Remember what Chris said in one of the streams: "A watt is a watt!" Bingo, main basic info to follow in order to achieve the right results with the right application using ANY light.
I've seen some tanks with great growth under LEDs and even some very nice colony formation, like yours, but never heard specifically from GHL users. It's a great brand in many ways. One more reason for LED users to try them out, I would say! I'm truly happy for you! One more friend switching to LEDs. ;P Oh well... I already have a bunch of friends using LEDs. Everyone should use what they like to achieve the results they want! What would be the main reason why you would change the other system to LEDs? Please let me know if the tank is running cooler in your case. Would be great to have a video showing the differences of the same colonies under halides and under LEDs. All the best to you! Love to watch your videos! Gotta love Acros!!! Aloha!
@@Alex_Correa The issue is that I am having a lot of trouble removing the glass lenses from my Giesemann Spectra 24″ fixtures to replace bulbs. The last time I had to use a hammer and chisel to get the lenses out. I don't think that is viable long term and I can't imagine having to pick out broken pieces of glass inside the display.
@@ReefBum The reason why you are having trouble is probably because you don't remove the fixture from the hanging kit and place up sid down to open and change the bulbs, right? That is what we are supposed to do. I, like you, will never do that. LOL! My tip to you is to make sure that the fixture is aligned, so the center pressure, where the wires are connected, won't pull the fixture up and make it difficult to remove the metal part while it's hanging. That's why it won't work even if you make that metal part smaller. The fixture will just bend inwards and the problem will be there. You can have someone to hold the sides (out of the T5s) when you remove the metal. I solved the problem here applying some grease on the channels, where the metal is. It's still kinda hard to remove the metals, but not as hard. Using a hammer will actually make things worse because you will force too much and damage the channel. Have in mind that the sides are coming down with the gravity and work pushing the sides up while removing the metal plates. I've never had problems with the glass at all. Is that the only reason why you would change for LEDs? Those LEDs are very expensive. Will that be worth it?
@@Alex_Correa Thanks Alex, I will try those tips. Another reason I am considering LED's for this tank is the success I am having with them on the peninsula tank. I know I have had crazy coral growth in the 187 before I rebooted it but I think my SPS have been doing better under the LED's.....but I guess that is hard to say unless I did a controlled experiment with the same frags in the same tank under the 2 different types of lights.
These reef tanks are funny sometimes. I'm dosing the same amount of kalk in a tank less than half the size and I can't even get my PH to 8..
I do have an air exchange unit to bring in fresh air from the outside during the winter months. Certainly helps elevate the pH during that tine.
100% air flow is important. I increased air flow over tank, took skimmer air intake from outside and it made a big difference. I borrowed a CO2 monitor and it’s surprising how CO2 climbs when people are in the room if ventilation isn’t great.
Tank looks great.
Can you provide some info on how you have your Kalk and Ca rx setup. Kalk is your primary. How do you have the calcium reactor setup to turn on and off and handle the additional demands?
Also how do you have the ATO programmed with dosing Kalk only at night? Just have the ATO off except for a few hours?
This should answer most of your questions: ua-cam.com/video/uhqnfIwwlDs/v-deo.html
Love this tank. Well done! I’ve been thinking about getting a peninsula as well. Who made this tank?
Thanks Rich! Coast To Coast Custom Aquariums in NJ has built all five of my current tanks. Patrick is the best.
@@ReefBum Thanks. I’m moving to NJ so that works out well 👍
Keith, does it seem like you have to work harder on the overall water chemistry with LED lighting? Extra trace elements, etc? Metal Halide seems to be much more forgiving on corals. They need excellent water quality, but with halides all thebl small trace elements and such doesn't seem to be as important as they are using LEDs. Thoughts?
Get some g6 pro xr30 watch the growth 😁
I like your pyramid butterflys...how many would you reccommend for a 5x2x2?
I would get a recommendation from the place you purchase theses fish from.
I rebooted my tank and in essence starting over with Marco rock and new sand. I used Dr Tim’s bacteria about 3 weeks ago and my levels are sitting at 0 ammonia, 4 nitrates and 0.03 phosphates. I have a pax bellum 18 reactor ready to go but haven’t started it up yet. I have 3 fish in the tank now from the old setup but no corals.
I also have a doser setup with a 10 Gal brute so I can dose kalk
Question: I dread the ugly phase, should I install a Uv light ? And when should I start up the pax bellum reactor ? And when should I start to add coral- looking at a bit of a mix reef ?
I never installed UV on mine, but was just very controlled and disciplined and consistent and very gradual at trying to slowly increase food and fish over a long time and I never really had an ugly phase. Tank is nearly 2 years old and is really starting to take off. I stated bare bottom dry rock and was super hard but it now growing Acros. I have 6 large Maxspec bioblocks in my sump and also dosed Dr Tim’s.
What lights.
GHL Mitras.
So I take it the Morton's is going well? Idk if you mentioned anything about the parameters when you mix that up either. I'd definitely like to hear more about it.
Yes, the Mortons is working out just fine 😀 I haven't tested batches of new salt but my tank parameters for key elements are in my desired ranges. See bottom of these pages: reefbum.com/187-gallon-tank/, reefbum.com/225-gallon-tank/
What kind of PAR do you run, Keith? I’m also curious what acros you would recommend for an acro beginner. I have Bali slimer. I really like the blue SPS.
On this tank the PAR varies from nearly 500 at the top to the low 300's at the bottom. Stylophoras are very hardy.
Hey Keith, besides the frags falling off, what was your overall experience like using brightwell razor?
It was a good experience....it worked.
8.1 upper is fine if 8.1 goes to 8.5 or reverse its fine but under 8 you are i trouble that means less fish less co2 more oxygen
Looks amazing, do you find that the corals under the leds have better color? I’m guessing the leds push more par than the metal halides?
Some corals do exhibit better coloration under the LED's versus the halides. The LED's are definitely pushing more PAR.
Do you dose anything in addition to the Kalk to maintain your Alk/Calc?
Yes, I have a dual chamber calcium reactor.
Where can one buy the bacteria that you dose?
You should be able to find it here: www.captiv8aquaculture.com/shop?Collection=Coral+Nutrition+and+Care
Video sounded like a 7min ad spot...
In my videos I try to chronicle my journey and yes there are material connections with manufactures and the products I use for my tanks. But I only use stuff that I believe is good for my tanks and that I would recommend to other hobbyists. I have turned down plenty of free stuff that didn't meet my standards. Sorry you found this video to be a "commercial". Many viewers like to know what I am using to achieve success so I believe this sort of info is beneficial to many.