First tank

[Buehler]

now type in kmuda

[Buehler]

I was doing some research on MH lights today. I was orginally thinking of going with a Viper K2 as many know. However, I have been looking at the
Aqualight Advanced Series HQI Metal Halide Fixture as well. I believe that it is wider. They use these at my LPS and the tank are just amazing, however, I suspect a Cynao pandemic has cause many of their beautiful corals to start dying. Here is a link for both:

Aqualight Advanced Series HQI Metal Halide Fixture

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... atid=13922

K2 Viper

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... atid=15489
BTW I would get the 150 watt model, unless anyone has a reason not to.

[Buehler]

IM GETTING MY HALIDE THING TODAY!!!!
I was cruisiing craigslist and some guy was selling an awesome light.

This is the ad. I called him he said 150 I asked 130 he said no, conversation led to march madness, he is a jayhawk, win. Getting it for 130.
HID and actinic Aquarium light
24'' Metal Halide Power Compact Light Fixture 280 watts includes:

1- 150 w Metal Halide 15k bulbs included
2 - 65 watt power compact actinic (blue) bulbs included (130 watts)
4 watts of Blue Lunar Led bulbs included
power inverter for hid included
adjustable legs to fit many sizes can also be hung
Coralife AQUALIGHT Power Center Dual Light Timer ($50 new)
Fits biocube 29 nicely (pictured but not included)
all for $150

[~RuSh~]

Nice. Sounds like a steal!

[Buehler]

It is about 6" to long for my tank, but I think the MH will be awesome. Got a new phoneix bulb with it so wish me luck.

[Buehler]

Well got some bad news. I got back to my dorms and the tank crashed over the weekend. Everything is dead. So now I have a really nice light and some rocks. F(*K

[~RuSh~]

Oh, no man. Do you have any idea what happened?

[Herefishyfishyfishy]

~Violation of TOS~ man!! Sorry to hear this. How long were you gone? Did you get a chance to test the water to see what went wrong?

[Buehler]

I was gone for 3 or 4 days. Testing the water now. Going to clean out and reset the tank and maybe get some low cost fish tonight.

[Buehler]

I took a water sample to the LFS and did a test myself and we both came out with high readings of ammonia. Nothing a nice large water change couldn't fix
My theory is that when I played with the powerhead on wednesday or whenever, I put to much current on the big mushroom cluster. Therefore, they stressed then died and produced ammonia that killed the other shrooms and in turn the fish and everything else. Watching the parameters like a hawk. I got a blue damselfish to occupy the tank while I scheme some more.

[~RuSh~]

Dang man, still so sorry to hear. I'd be crushed if my tank crashed over the weekend!

[Buehler]

I have bounced back strong though since it was just some ammonia. I removed the bodies and cleaned all the rocks. Everything is going well so far. I will get some pics of the new light tomorrow.

[~RuSh~]

Awesome B. Good to hear you are still going strong. Are you going to re-stock with fish right away or try your hand at some corals?

[Herefishyfishyfishy]

Glad to hear your getting things back in order. Issues (while hurting your wallet) only make you better at the hobby. I think back on all the mistakes I've made and now have a much broader knowledge of it all because of it. No matter how much reading you do it still comes down to you trying your hand at it. Looking forward to the pics!

[Buehler]

I am trying my hand at some cheap zoa frags now. I am thinking with this MH anything is possible now. I have one blue damsel and a peppermint shrimp now.
This is Bluefish II

This is my roommates shrimp Bradford. Sorry the tank is still dirty from cleaning and spring break.

This is the zoa frag. It looks a million times better now, the heads are all open. And that is just a bad photo.

Here is the FTS.

And here is a pic of my ghetto rigged light. I tried to use the legs, but when I went to loosen the screws they were so rusted they just snapped. So my boy scouting skills kicked in and I tied a harness


P.S- Just saw my shrimp for the first time in several days.

[Buehler]

Bleh. New light has caused a massive algae bloom. I really need to buy a mag float.

[~RuSh~]

Well yeh, no kidding. Holy lights batman! That thing is bright!

[Buehler]

I need to get another acintic for it though. When I got it one of them was burnt out, but I was like whatever because the light is cheap to begin with.

[Buehler]

Just a couple of photos of the tank since it crashed.

Here is my lonely zoa

My damsel

And an FTS


The tanks is really bland for now, however, once the algae and cynao clear up I will be getting some frog spawn, toad stool, xenia, and maybe and anemone. I don't know yet though.

[OLroy]

I'm impressed the way its looking considering the melt down. I'd be so mad and broke if that happened to me that I think I'd have to put everything in storage for a little while. Now is this a dorm room or are you renting with utilities included? I'm courious as to how much that light is going to cost you for electricity. I still live at home and we have to pay for the power we use that's why I am not going with MH

[~RuSh~]

Zoas are looking good. Nice and perky.

[Buehler]

This was right after a water change so that everything looked its best.
Yep, I am in a dorm with all utilities covered. Kind of nice really, don't have to pay for water or power, on the down side, I live in a jail cell and really don't have room for anything(sump, other stuff(idk)).

[Herefishyfishyfishy]

I too am impressed that things are still on the up after the meltdown. The zoas look great! When I think back I dont think I could have feasibly had a reef tank in college (money, people putting beer/hands in there). I did however try my hand at growing... other things... but that my friend turned out bad and is for another thread. You live you learn and you pay.

This was right after a water change so that everything looked its best.

That is almost the exact opposite of my tank. I swear the less I mess with the tank better it looks. If I leave the tank for 2 weeks with nothing but feedings and the ATO doing its thing it looks its absolute best. If people are coming over for a party the tank gets cleaned 3 days ahead of time so they all have time to plump back up.

[~RuSh~]

I agree. My tank always looks slightly cloudy right after a water change. The following morning everything is usually back to normal.

[Buehler]

Perhaps right after the water change is used a little loosely. I gave the tank a couple of hours to settle back in. Also, since it was only the water parameters being off, it was not hard to get the tank up and running again.