Recent content by BigAl07

Ok forgive me if I have misunderstood but it sounds like you've added coral before the live rock? That's pretty much backwards from conventional thought. The reason is your Live Rock is a LARGE portion of your biological filtration system and you want that in place, established, and MATURE...

Exactly what lights do you have? T5, PC ? ? ? What size are the bulbs? What size is the tank? Do you have any coral in it at the moment? A true Reef tank can be lighted anywhere from 8 - 12 hours total. I usually start a tank on the lower side and increase the time period according to what...

I would start at a lower %. Since the tank I installed these already had LED I started at 50% and am now up to 80%. My RSM130D that I added LED from factory bulbs I started at 20% (mixture of softies, LPS and SPS) and worked my way up to 85% over a period of a few months (apprx 5% week)...

If you want to "Go Anemone" let that be your goal and take your time and work towards that goal. LED can be a bit "shock worthy" on the initial investment but it's worth it long-term IMHO. I've been LED for over 5 years now and wouldn't go any other way. Of course YMMV :)

Reef Epoxy (online or at LFS) is great for "Stony" coral and I usually put a generous dab of Super Glue Gel on both sides to get an immediate bond. Then once the Epoxy dries it completes the process. I usually order the "Purple" colored epoxy as it blends in the fastest but in a mature and...

You could go Metal Halide, T5 or LED. It's entirely up to you. My personal pref is always going to be LED first.

These are usually low to mid light demanding animals so almost any lights are good here. And THERE in is the problem... these animals (in general terms) are High Light demanding animals as well as are for "Advanced" reefers because they tolerate no parameter fluctuations and need the best of...

Exactly. Think long-term so you aren't re-buying your equipment in a year or so. On my first reef tank I bought a light fixture for it 3x before #4 was the RIGHT fixture. I was trying to save a dollar or two and in the long run I should have waiting and got what was right for the tank long term...

What's in the tank right now? To "Go Reef" you'll want to address the following needs: A) Great water quality and stability B) Sufficient flow for the type of coral you want to keep long term C) Sufficient Live Sand and Live Rock (can be bought as NON-Live and over time it will colonize...

I understand the idea of "hoping the clowns will go to it" but sometimes what we think will work well may not long-term. This isn't always true but sometimes a clown will take a liking to a Hammer, Frogspawn, Torch coral and inadvertently kill it. The genus of Euphyllia (frogspawn, hammer, and...

Thanks for the warm welcome :) I hope to spend some time checking the forum out later this evening and this weekend :)

I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. I went with the BoostLED Typhoon controller. It was an after thought so I didn't get it installed with the LED. It's actually sitting here on my desk waiting for me to install it. I hope to get it installed this weekend. We're actually having a...

I just joined here and thought I'd say hello :) I'm Allen ( but y'all can call me BigAl) from Western NC high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I've been into "water boxes" for about 42years... I know... I know... you're saying... BigAl.. you're only 42 years old how is that?... well I was BORN...

I've got the ModularLED on my RSM130D from a bit over a year ago. I have some pics I can post but . . . I just installed a StevesLED in my 12g Nanocube here in my office and I have to say... I wish I had gone with StevesLED on my RSM as well.. the install was so simple and quick I was shocked...