Saltwater & Reef

**Delapool** · 05-29-2016, 07:47 AM

Ok, so for those aquarium nerds out there, here are the PAR readings. Tank and Seneye is a little dirty so this might be lowering readings a little. As well, the light has to get through a perspex cover. Also that this is just out of interest on the light, there is nothing really scientific in the measuring here lol.

As usual the white/grey line is the light reading, the thick coloured line is plant preference and the dashed coloured line is human eye.

Just for reference I've put a hydroponics box light that I was running in the centre of the tank (with more lights either side) some time ago. The PAR reading was just for the hydroponics light. It's interesting I find that this light seems to closely match what plants want but looked visually very high in red lights and simply dreadful.

Nemo light working well with great shop support.

Nemo light - led bulbs

Nemo light - blue channel

Nemo light - white channel (makes sense this is lower PAR as less bulbs).

At the moment running the white channel 100% and the quad t5ho. The readings are about a foot down the tank (halfway). The nemo light is nice and compact, doesn't seem to get very hot either and lights up the back of the tank well (as both lights sitting on glass/perspex top).

**Delapool** · 05-30-2016, 10:01 AM

Whoo-hooo! Some decent pearling tonight across two-thirds of the tank (bearing in mind I count any stream of bubbles). Best I have seen around the co2 diffuser. Really makes me think I should chase up a line splitter and get the second one going (sitting in a drawer somewhere).

Sadly the plant debris is increasing again looks like.

**Delapool** · 06-01-2016, 09:45 AM

Ok, so I love these GLA drop checkers:

CAL AQUA LABS Double Drop Checker | Green Leaf Aquariums

But have spent a fortune on other stuff lately so trying these:

New Aquarium Fish Tank Glass Drop Checker for CO2 Monitor Tester | eBay

No sure if they are very large but very good deal looks like.

**Autumnsky** · 06-01-2016, 11:30 AM

First off love the graph comparisons, and that you are now getting nice pearling.

And even more love the ADA drop checker, and even more LOVE the price of the one you are getting - hahahahahaha!

I thought, "that is pretty spendy for a drop checker" - one from ADA, but how cool you have the comparison right there so less wondering (especially for high tech noobs and I haven't ever bought one so not really familiar with their pricing anyway lol).

Great to follow this process and let you spend the money!

**Delapool** · 06-01-2016, 07:28 PM

I know - I really would love a GLA drop checker but shipping on the other ones was free as well.

Next up is start chasing around for a co2 line splitter. I think I have seen brass ones with controls. I'll have to post.

It amazes me now what I was trying to do with a combination of the hydroponics box light AND two reef lights either side. Now I realise that was way too high on the light.

**Delapool** · 06-09-2016, 09:26 AM

Minor problem. One side of the driftwood stack has collapsed onto a few plants. So to fix this I've bought another piece of wood to wedge under the first piece of wood that is supporting another piece of wood. I'm sure it will work (although last time I touched this I spend 20 minutes trying to sort it out so fingers crossed).

Carriwin · 06-09-2016, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delapool

Minor problem. One side of the driftwood stack has collapsed onto a few plants. So to fix this I've bought another piece of wood to wedge under the first piece of wood that is supporting another piece of wood. I'm sure it will work (although last time I touched this I spend 20 minutes trying to sort it out so fingers crossed).

Good luck! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

**Delapool** · 06-09-2016, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carriwin

Good luck! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

Oh in hiding now.

Brought driftwood home and put in bucket to soak with a multi cure in there just in case of any nasties.

Multi cure includes malachite green - thought I was careful but green fingers says otherwise. Now wondering what parts of the house I touched...

Still, hope to get photos up tonight as new driftwood sunk like a stone and should be ready to go into tank tonight.

**Delapool** · 06-11-2016, 09:56 AM

Here is a before photo showing where the driftwood has fallen out and the hard, straight line of the rock ornament stands out.

Inserted the new piece of driftwood (black on left side) to hold the entire lot up. Spent more time than I thought and not sure it will stay. Underwater glue that is fish safe would be nice.

The trouble is I have to rotate the pieces of wood into the ornament holes one-handed (so I can bend down to look through side glass to see what I'm doing) on top of the ladder which is all a bit painful.

Catfish love the new piece of wood. Had to chase them away so I could see how the wood was slotting together. Anyways fingers crossed!