Marine Chat Session -- December 15, 2007 @ 3PM ET

  • Get the NEW AquariaCentral iOS app --> http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1227181058 // Android version will be out soon!

fsn77

AC Moderators
Staff member
Feb 22, 2006
3,076
2
38
SC
Hello everyone! I hope you're all having a good start to the holiday season. It's time to start thinking about days and times for the next marine chat session. To avoid a lot of holiday travel conflicts, it would probably be better to have the session in the first week or two of December (i.e. before December 15th).

Please post days and times that would be good for this next chat session.

If there's any particular topics of interest that you'd like to talk about, feel free to include them in a post.

The last chat session lasted about an hour or so and we got through a lot of topics. The more people that participate, the more ideas that can be shared. So, check those calendars!

Thanks!

---------------------

Good idea Grins... It might be an easier start if some dates are listed. These days would work best for me: ;)
Tuesday December 4 (evening ET)
Friday December 7 (evening ET)
Saturday December 8 (morning / afternoon ET)
Tuesday December 11 (evening ET)
Friday December 14 (evening ET)
Saturday December 15 (morning / afternoon ET).
 
Last edited:

fsn77

AC Moderators
Staff member
Feb 22, 2006
3,076
2
38
SC
Let's go ahead and schedule the chat session for Saturday December 15.
How would an afternoon time (ET) work for everyone that day? I'm open for suggestions on an exact start time, otherwise I'll just go ahead and choose one for us.

At this point, there's no specific topic(s) selected for the session, so I will suggest a few and you can let me know if you'd like to discuss them, add to the list, or opt for a completely open chat session.
My topic suggestions:
Coral propagation -- which corals are easy for the average hobbyist to frag and different methods for fragging them
Packaging and shipping coral frags
The ins and outs of retrofit kit lighting for the beginner reefkeeper
Favorite online retailers -- if we could come up with a list, it could be useful for anyone curious about which one(s) have quality products and good prices
 

fsn77

AC Moderators
Staff member
Feb 22, 2006
3,076
2
38
SC
We'll go ahead and start the Marine Chat Session at 3:00 pm ET on Saturday, December 15. Please join us to talk about the above mentioned topics and feel free to come with any other marine related questions.
 

fsn77

AC Moderators
Staff member
Feb 22, 2006
3,076
2
38
SC
Thank you everyone that attended this month's marine chat session!
We'll gather again in another month or so, hope even more can make it!

I'll post the chat log in the coming days once I get a chance to edit it down a little.
 

fsn77

AC Moderators
Staff member
Feb 22, 2006
3,076
2
38
SC
Chat Log -- Marine Chat Session -- December 15, 2007
[trippkid] 3:07 pm: What are we going to discuss today?
[trippkid] 3:08 pm: I picked up a bunch of SPS frags from a guy last night.
[fsn77] 3:09 pm: there's a couple things we can talk about, then we can pretty
much open it up
[fsn77] 3:10 pm: fragging corals / propogation, packaging corals, fav online
retailers, retrofit lighting
[fsn77] 3:10 pm: what kind of SPS tripp?
[bethkira2000] 3:12 pm: can someone explain all the SPS and the LPS stuff
please.
[trippkid] 3:13 pm: I got some purple polyped Birdsnest, Larry Jackson Tricolor
valida, Purple mille, Nathan's Green Mille, Purple tricolor. couple more, a
lokani, butani and a couple of stags.
[fsn77] 3:13 pm: SPS = small polyp stony corals... acroporas, montipora,
pocillipora, stylophora, etc.
[bethkira2000] 3:14 pm: so then what are soft corals called
[fsn77] 3:14 pm: LPS = large polyp stony corals... hammer, frogspawn, brains,
bubble corals, etc.
[bethkira2000] 3:15 pm: thank you F
[fsn77] 3:15 pm: just soft corals... they don't get a fancy 3 letter abbrev
[trippkid] 3:15 pm: SPS= small polyped stony(scleractinians) LPS= large polyped
stony(scleractinians)
[fsn77] 3:16 pm: sounds like you made quite a haul tripp
[trippkid] 3:16 pm: I had to go to Allentown, about hour and a half away, well
worth the trip.
[fsn77] 3:17 pm: Allentown, PA?
[bethkira2000] 3:17 pm: I've been to Allentown
[trippkid] 3:17 pm: Yes
[trippkid] 3:18 pm: It was my first time there, will be hooking up with the guy
again
[marine_geek] 3:18 pm: makes me want to take a trip over there...to bad i dont
have a reef tsnk...yet
[bethkira2000] 3:18 pm: yeah I wish I had the chance of anything around h=me,
but I don't
[trippkid] 3:18 pm: You will soon enough, then you'll be hooked
[bethkira2000] 3:19 pm: unless you count Petco
[fsn77] 3:19 pm: don't worry, the LFS here aren't much better
[trippkid] 3:19 pm: I go through the same thing where I live, not too many
reefers around
[bethkira2000] 3:19 pm: I don't think I have any
[trippkid] 3:20 pm: My LFS is that fish place in lancaster PA, pretty decent,
but not much SPS, getting better
[fsn77] 3:21 pm: the local club here is anyone's best bet, unless we want to
drive to Charlotte, Augusta, or Charleston
[bethkira2000] 3:21 pm: I have their catalog
[trippkid] 3:21 pm: All of the smaller shops are junk around here, Beth I used
to work there for about 4 yrs.
[bethkira2000] 3:21 pm: I personally like Dr.Fosters and Smith
[fsn77] 3:21 pm: me too
[trippkid] 3:22 pm: I buy my online critters from there, All dry goods bought at
TFP
[trippkid] 3:22 pm: Usually can't beat the prices
[bethkira2000] 3:23 pm: I wish I could find a great deal on sand
[trippkid] 3:23 pm: I guess we're talking about online retailers now.
[fsn77] 3:24 pm: not a problem... was going to give it a few more minutes before
we really get going... expecting a few others...
[bethkira2000] 3:26 pm: I would love soft corals, I dont think I can handle
anything else
[trippkid] 3:26 pm: I like Premium Aquatics for hard to find stuff, Foster's for
Coral, and of course That Fish Place for my dry goods and most equipment. Have
had all good experiences with these, Foster's Customer service is very good.
[fsn77] 3:28 pm: ok, we'll move along with out her and the couple of others...
[fsn77] 3:28 pm: let's go ahead and continue the online retailer discussion
[bethkira2000] 3:30 pm: I checked out marine depot, I don't really like them
[trippkid] 3:30 pm: I have gotten from Pet solutions too, mostly Loc-Line stuff,
seem a little cheaper than Foster's. I try to be a frugal as possible, if you
can do such a thing in this hobby.
[fsn77] 3:31 pm: I frequently use Drs. F & S, Aquarium Specialty, and The Filter
Guyz... ordered from Marine Depot once but tend to find their prices not as
competitive as some of the others
[dolfans1] 3:31 pm: I use Marine Depot to get info on products, then buy from
somewhere else. Their catalogs are pretty nice to look through too.
[trippkid] 3:31 pm: I think I may have used then once or twice in the past.
[bethkira2000] 3:31 pm: That was what I thought, they also don't have the
selection that the others do
[fsn77] 3:32 pm: I really don't like the way the Marine Depot site is organized
[fsn77] 3:32 pm: I find it hard to navigate at times
[bethkira2000] 3:32 pm: I agree
[trippkid] 3:32 pm: Stay away from Aquacon, I have used in the past, long time
ago, but not a very good reputation with the BBB.
[bethkira2000] 3:33 pm: I love Fosters and smith, they have awesome selection,
good prices, and the shipping won't break the bank
[dolfans1] 3:33 pm: MD's navigation isn't the best - If I go there I usually
know what product I'm interested in and I do a search.
[fsn77] 3:33 pm: true, the Drs. are pretty good on shipping charges
[trippkid] 3:34 pm: I like Foster's a lot too, I wish they would waive shipping
on large orders though, live stuff.
[OgreMkV] 3:35 pm: Who is the best to get live rock from?
[OgreMkV] 3:36 pm: If you were going to order live rock, where would you order
it from?
[fsn77] 3:37 pm: not sure... I've found all of ours locally... paid LFS price
for some, but got most from tanks being torn down
[bethkira2000] 3:37 pm: I only have Petco and Kennelshop
[dolfans1] 3:38 pm: What is the Drs relationship w/ LiveAquaria? Are they the
same company, or do they source their live stuff from LiveAquaria?
[fsn77] 3:38 pm: I always hear good things about tampabaysaltwater for LR
[trippkid] 3:38 pm: I don't like to buy rock unseen. But I did get some from
Foster's, was supposed to be their best stuff, was not doing backflips over it
when it came.
[OgreMkV] 3:38 pm: We have one LFS in SE Texas that does salt water and they
have one big display tank and about five fish tanks
[trippkid] 3:38 pm: I forgot about them
[trippkid] 3:38 pm: I used them a couple of times when I had my small business
going.
[fsn77] 3:38 pm: Drs and LiveAquaria are the same company from what I understand
[bethkira2000] 3:38 pm: live aquaria is the livestock branch of Dr fosters
[OgreMkV] 3:39 pm: Yeah, I'd like eco friendly rock as much as possible
[trippkid] 3:39 pm: that is correct sir
[fsn77] 3:39 pm: Tampabaysaltwater farms LR
[bethkira2000] 3:40 pm: I know there are types of stones like fiji,tonga...but
why is one better then the other?
[OgreMkV] 3:40 pm: I just looked them up. I live on the Gulf Coast so it would
be cool to have that kind of rock, but I want a Mandarin.
[fsn77] 3:41 pm: the different types are of slightly different densities based
on locality
[trippkid] 3:41 pm: I used mostly base rock this time 100lbs, added about 50lbs
of LR to seed
[dolfans1] 3:41 pm: Usually the higher the porosity of the rock, the better as
it allows more helpful to grow.
[bethkira2000] 3:41 pm: how much do I need I have a 55g
[dolfans1] 3:42 pm: You don't want LR that looks like a solid concrete block.
[fsn77] 3:42 pm: I couldn't afford a 100% LR tank... definitely a fan of buying
base and seeding with LR
[bethkira2000] 3:42 pm: I will do that I can't afford all Live Rock
[OgreMkV] 3:43 pm: How long does it take?
[fsn77] 3:43 pm: to seed base rock from LR? it depends on the ratio, bioload
[OgreMkV] 3:45 pm: Hmmm... Gulf Aiptasia doesn't cover the tank like pacific
does?
[bethkira2000] 3:46 pm: what if you wanted to seed your sand too?
[trippkid] 3:46 pm: It will take longer with less LR, but in the end it is all
good, plus you may not quite get the diversity of critter with less rock, again,
over time it all will become pretty good
[trippkid] 3:46 pm: You can do the same thing
[Grins] 3:46 pm: Beth, get a cup from a local reefer or two.
[fsn77] 3:46 pm: it works the same with sand... I haven't ever bought "live
sand"
[bethkira2000] 3:47 pm: I was thinking 55 lbs of live rock, I don't have a local
reefer Grins
[trippkid] 3:47 pm: Me neither
[dolfans1] 3:47 pm: The sand will seed naturally over time. The bacteria spread
from the LR. Don't waste your money on bags of live sand. There are a lot of
other things to waste it on...
[fsn77] 3:47 pm: cup from a friend works really well
[bethkira2000] 3:47 pm: all my friends are here
[fsn77] 3:48 pm: for what size tank, B?
[bethkira2000] 3:48 pm: ita 55g
[Almondsaz] 3:48 pm: I heard that once a year you should exchange a cup of your
sand with someone you know so that you don't have one specific population of
bacteria in your sandbed....supposed to help avoid "the crash". So I have heard.
[dolfans1] 3:48 pm: You can do half and half live rock and base rock to save $.
Just make sure your bioload isn't too high to start - build slowly.
[trippkid] 3:48 pm: Agree
[bethkira2000] 3:48 pm: saving money is good
[trippkid] 3:49 pm: I have never did the cup of sand thing once a yr
[bethkira2000] 3:49 pm: I had a woman ask me yesterday if I would pay 250 for 55
pounds of rock
[Almondsaz] 3:49 pm: Has anyone ever had a crash becuase of the sandbed? Or is
that an extreme occurrence??
[fsn77] 3:50 pm: I wouldn't pay $250 for 55 lbs unless it's incredibly nice
[trippkid] 3:50 pm: but couldn't hurt as long as the system it comes from
doesn't have any bad things to introduce
[dolfans1] 3:50 pm: $250 isn't bad for 55lbs live rock - if it's good quality.
[] 3:51 pm: its pretty much extreme circumstances Almond..
[fsn77] 3:51 pm: but, if there's no other reefers in your area, that price isn't
horrible
[trippkid] 3:51 pm: 5 dollars a pound roughly, not too bad, like said if good
quality, if it is bare, I would say leave it.
[fsn77] 3:51 pm: you can order rock online for $3- $4 / pound including
shipping, but you don't get to pick pieces or really see it before it shows up
[bethkira2000] 3:52 pm: it wasn't a reefer just someone gettig rid of stuff
[trippkid] 3:52 pm: That can be the catch sometimes fsn
[Grins] 3:52 pm: I agree Beth, if you have limited choices there in your area of
Maine and the rock they are selling at that rate looks to be teeming with life
and not full of pests I'd pay it.
[dolfans1] 3:52 pm: If there were a lot of goodies growing on it I would go for
it. Why was she getting rid of it?
[fsn77] 3:52 pm: yeah, nothing like ordering 40 lbs and getting a 30 lb chunk
and 10 lbs of rubble
[bethkira2000] 3:53 pm: there was only a pic and there was nothing spectacular
on it
[bethkira2000] 3:53 pm: she just doesn't want to do salt anymore
[fsn77] 3:54 pm: oh, tank tear down... I'd talk her down on the price some
[dolfans1] 3:55 pm: Before you buy, make sure she hasn't treated w/ anything
like copper.
[trippkid] 3:55 pm: I probably would leave it then, she seems to be trying to
get money back or something, or like fsn is saying to talk her down. 150-200
should be fair. Yes, I would definitely ask questions about it.
[bethkira2000] 3:55 pm: she won't budge, and I am not so sure of it
[fsn77] 3:56 pm: if she won't budge and you're not sure, I'd pass on it
[trippkid] 3:56 pm: Agree
[trippkid] 3:56 pm: to both statements
[bethkira2000] 3:57 pm: I am there was alot of purple and red, but nothing worth
that price
[Grins] 3:57 pm: Beth, typically on tank teardowns around here rock goes from
$1-3 per pound unless it is Marshall Island quality. Then it bumps to $4.
[trippkid] 3:59 pm: Grins, how has the apatasia battle been going
[Grins] 3:59 pm: Very well, Joe's Juice is the upfront winner at this point
[trippkid] 4:00 pm: I have had no luck with the "juice"
[fsn77] 4:00 pm: I had a lot of success with kalk paste
[trippkid] 4:01 pm: It seems to breed them in my tank, the kalk paste too.
[dolfans1] 4:01 pm: Joe's Juice worked great for me - watched the sucker
dissolve in minutes.
[bethkira2000] 4:01 pm: what is Joes juice?
[trippkid] 4:01 pm: I know they do dissolve, but like a week later there is more
[fsn77] 4:02 pm: Joe's Juice is a commercial product used to kill aiptasia
[Pufferpunk] 4:02 pm: I'm having a huge problem w/aptasias, just a couple ov
goent ones--tried everything but they jumpp into their hole before I can dose
them
[dolfans1] 4:02 pm: It's a product that comes in a bottle with an eye dropper -
proprietary formula. I don't know what's in it. Your LFS probably has it.
[Pufferpunk] 4:02 pm: I've tried everything
[trippkid] 4:02 pm: I have heard good things about the "Blue Life" product, I
think it is just a thicker Kalk paste
[Pufferpunk] 4:03 pm: I have a pink cat's paw I had to frag off 1/2 of it
because of the aptasia near it
[trippkid] 4:03 pm: Joe's juice is just concentrated kalk solution
[Pufferpunk] 4:04 pm: yup
[dolfans1] 4:04 pm: Have you tried peppermint shrimp? They are hit or miss. I
had one that got rid of aiptasia right away. Another one sprouted up, I got a
couple more shrimp, they didn't touch it. I fired the shrimp.
[fsn77] 4:05 pm: we had good luck with our peppermint shrimp
[Pufferpunk] 4:05 pm: my aptasias are ove 1" across. you think a pepp could
tackle it?
[trippkid] 4:05 pm: Yes I've tried them too, my Blue line Hamlet eats them for
snacks
[dolfans1] 4:05 pm: Only one way to find out...
[trippkid] 4:05 pm: I am going to get some Nudi's to see if they work
[archer772] 4:06 pm: pepps usally onkly eat the sm ones
[Pufferpunk] 4:06 pm: that's what I figured
[trippkid] 4:06 pm: Agree with archer
[Pufferpunk] 4:06 pm: mine would be quite a meal!
[archer772] 4:07 pm: I know one thing that is a shure fire way take out the rock
and grab a tourch
[fsn77] 4:09 pm: next topic?
[bethkira2000] 4:09 pm: whats the next topic
[trippkid] 4:09 pm: Retrofit or fragging
[fsn77] 4:10 pm: retrofit first ok with y'all?
[archer772] 4:10 pm: yup
[dolfans1] 4:10 pm: Sound good.
[trippkid] 4:10 pm: Cool
[fsn77] 4:11 pm: does everyone know what a retrofit is?
[trippkid] 4:11 pm: I like PFO for the stuff I do
[dolfans1] 4:11 pm: What is PFO?
[Pufferpunk] 4:11 pm: I had hubby install T5 lights into the woden canopy that
came w/my tank
[archer772] 4:11 pm: I am cheap so I just go with a bare ballast and go from
there
[trippkid] 4:11 pm: A retrofit kit is used for tanks with canopys
[Pufferpunk] 4:12 pm: fit 6 bulbs w/seperate reflectors, a fan & a strip of
moonlights in a 90g canopy
[trippkid] 4:12 pm: Sound good PP
[archer772] 4:12 pm: thats what I forgot is my moon lights
[fsn77] 4:13 pm: vn PP... I did 5 in our 90g canopy
[trippkid] 4:13 pm: you should be able to just about anything with that
[Pufferpunk] 4:13 pm: I need new bulbs though, that was last October
[dolfans1] 4:13 pm: How many have uses ready made canopies, and how many have
DIY canopies?
[Pufferpunk] 4:13 pm: my palys are sretching now
[trippkid] 4:13 pm: I make my own stuff
[archer772] 4:13 pm: DIY all the time
[] 4:13 pm: diy for me....and my last reef was diy also
[fsn77] 4:13 pm: I DIY-ed a canopy
[trippkid] 4:13 pm: Mostly, except for skimmers
[archer772] 4:14 pm: easier to customize them
[dolfans1] 4:14 pm: Same here - ready made stand, DIY canopy.
[trippkid] 4:14 pm: just tinker and mod them, skimmers
[archer772] 4:14 pm: diy stand also then can fit what I want in it
[dolfans1] 4:15 pm: I wish I had done that - would have bought larger sump.
[Pufferpunk] 4:15 pm: My system came w/a 20g sump but plumbed a 20g fuge sitting
next to the tank, under a 15g mantis shrimp nano
[dolfans1] 4:15 pm: I would like to get a fuge, but it would also need to be
external; no room in the sump (20 g), and no way to get the sump out of the
stand.
[archer772] 4:16 pm: 4 foot tank and sump plus G-2 skimmer
[Pufferpunk] 4:16 pm: wish I had plumbed the nano into the system though
[fsn77] 4:17 pm: are there any specific questions about retrofit lighting?
[dolfans1] 4:18 pm: What is the biggest mistake/regret (if any) made w/
retrofitting lights?
[fsn77] 4:18 pm: not doing it sooner!
[archer772] 4:18 pm: no quick disconnects
[dolfans1] 4:19 pm: My biggest mistake - I built my first canopy w/ a lift-up
wooden top, and fitted by 2 x 400W MH lights onto that. Didn't realize the heat
would cause the wood to warp. New canopy has no top.
[Pufferpunk] 4:20 pm: I'm so glad I went w/T5s for my wooden canopy
[fsn77] 4:21 pm: I built our canopy with a minimal top to help the heat escape
[fsn77] 4:21 pm: I put T5s in it
[] 4:21 pm: left the top of my reef open for heat escape....glad i did with the
halides
[Pufferpunk] 4:21 pm: The 1 lil fan on mine seems to do the trick
[Pufferpunk] 4:22 pm: I also have a 6" fan over my sump
[Pufferpunk] 4:22 pm: temp is always <80
[dolfans1] 4:22 pm: I also wish I had gone w/ 2 x 250W instead of 2 x 400W. I
can get a tan standing in front of the lights too long, and the heat output is
incredible (not to mention the electric bill).
[fsn77] 4:23 pm: I couldn't keep our tank < 80 until I switched out our PCs for
T5s with this new canopy
[archer772] 4:23 pm: Pufferpunk I had trouble keeping mine down that low with
T-5's but the canopy was short and I use a IC660
[Pufferpunk] 4:23 pm: When I brought home 2 ballasts for a MH system, Hubby
marched me right back to the store!
[dolfans1] 4:24 pm: To pick up the bulbs?
[Pufferpunk] 4:24 pm: archer, did you have a fan over the sump? makes a huge
difference
[Pufferpunk] 4:24 pm: nah, to return the ballasts & lights
[archer772] 4:24 pm: no sump is enclosed in the stand
[Pufferpunk] 4:24 pm: so you have no sump at all?
[Pufferpunk] 4:25 pm: oh, it's enclosed?
[archer772] 4:25 pm: I have a sump but it is enclosed in the stand without a fan
[Pufferpunk] 4:25 pm: how is that?
[dolfans1] 4:25 pm: What type of fan d'yall use over the sump? I gave up after 2
fans. Tired of them getting corroded and me getting electrocuted.
[Pufferpunk] 4:25 pm: I bought a clip-on fan from Menards
[Pufferpunk] 4:26 pm: on sale for $6. I bought 3 of them
[archer772] 4:26 pm: the back of the stand is covered and the doors on the front
[trippkid] 4:26 pm: I just use canopy fans
[Pufferpunk] 4:26 pm: the 1st has lasted 6 months so far
[dolfans1] 4:26 pm: 6 - 8 months sound about right. It didn't help that I
dropped my second fan in the sump while cleaning the skimmer.
[trippkid] 4:26 pm: I have not had to replace any of the 4 yet, after 2 yrs.
[Pufferpunk] 4:26 pm: I have the fan clipped on the front of the sump, over the
most aggitated water, where the overflow drops water in
[fsn77] 4:27 pm: I just use canopy fans as well... our canopy looks like a cross
between a tanning bed and a wind tunnel
[trippkid] 4:27 pm: LOL, mine too
[dolfans1] 4:27 pm: Same as mine fsn...
[Pufferpunk] 4:27 pm: all I could squeeze in mine was a little 4"er
[trippkid] 4:28 pm: going to 250wt after Xmas
[fsn77] 4:28 pm: but, six 120mm fans are nearly silent compared to other
equipment on the tank
[dolfans1] 4:29 pm: The canopy fans are pretty quiet - until a bearing starts to
go.
[trippkid] 4:29 pm: really, they are probably the most noise makers for me
[fsn77] 4:29 pm: I don't think anything is louder than our skimmer and that
sucking noise is makes through the venturri
[dolfans1] 4:29 pm: You just need to get a louder pump and a chiller. They'll
seem a lot quiter then.:)
[trippkid] 4:30 pm: yes, I have one that is starting to go, I guess I should
replace before it goes.
[trippkid] 4:30 pm: I cheat, my stuff is behind a wall
[dolfans1] 4:31 pm: What direction is the flow of the cooling fans for everyone?
Blowing in or pulling out?
[trippkid] 4:31 pm: They can be awfully noisy, skimmers and pumps
[trippkid] 4:31 pm: I do both 2 in and 2 out
[archer772] 4:31 pm: 1 blowing in for now
[archer772] 4:31 pm: but will have 2 1 in and 1 out
[fsn77] 4:32 pm: blowing in... 3 on each end, air escapes out the top
[trippkid] 4:32 pm: I have read that blowing out is most beneficial, though
[Pufferpunk] 4:32 pm: the loudest thing in my fish room is the de-humidifier
[dolfans1] 4:32 pm: 1 x 6" in and 2 x 4" out.
[dolfans1] 4:33 pm: I haven't found the fans blowing out to go faster than the
fan blowing in.
[trippkid] 4:35 pm: I am just throwing this out for anyone making their own
canopies, make sure if using flourescent bulbs, make sure you make it long
enough for 48" bulbs or use 46.5" bulbs if using T5 or VHO, I don't know if they
make shorties for standards if anybody still uses them. PC's are no problem to
fit, usually.
[fsn77] 4:36 pm: very true tripp... don't want to have it be too short end to
end and have problems
[Pufferpunk] 4:37 pm: I had no problem fitting regular T5 bulbs into my 48"
canopy
[dolfans1] 4:37 pm: Good point - 48" bulbs need at least 52" of room.
[Pufferpunk] 4:37 pm: The bulbs aren't really 48"
[archer772] 4:37 pm: 54 watt T-5's only need like 47 inches
[trippkid] 4:37 pm: Standard or Electronic for MH ballasts, some T5's are 46.5"
[Pufferpunk] 4:38 pm: my bulbs are ~45"
[trippkid] 4:38 pm: that is what I thought too, as far as the T5's
[Pufferpunk] 4:38 pm: there is 49" inside the canopy
[trippkid] 4:38 pm: I only have a 24" unit right now for T5
[fsn77] 4:40 pm: do you like the 24" T5s?
[trippkid] 4:41 pm: I mounted a fixture inside the canopy, didn't retrofit this
one(a 29 gallon)
[Pufferpunk] 4:41 pm: that still counts
[trippkid] 4:42 pm: I can't say not running yet, but the guy I got the frags
from only runs T5 on a 120 and his corals were spectacular
[fsn77] 4:42 pm: I've been debating between 24" T5s or a MH for a 20 long
[fsn77] 4:42 pm: (future project)
[archer772] 4:42 pm: With T-5 retros what type of ballast is everybody useing
[trippkid] 4:42 pm: They are just as bright if not brighter than my 110wt VHO's
[archer772] 4:43 pm: I would go T-5's on a 20 long very shallow
[Pufferpunk] 4:43 pm: I have corals bought from under MH that bleached under ny
new T5s
[fsn77] 4:43 pm: our T5 actinics are on a ballast from Ballastwise, the
daylights on an IC 660
[trippkid] 4:43 pm: I plan on rewiring my icecap to do T5's in my 120, changing
out the VHO's to give them a try
[fsn77] 4:44 pm: that's kind of what I thought, archer
[trippkid] 4:44 pm: PP it can happen, they are bright little bulbs
[archer772] 4:45 pm: I have burned up stylo's BN's and a couple of acro's under
my T-5's
[archer772] 4:45 pm: need to start them low
[trippkid] 4:45 pm: I'd say T5's with indvidual relflectors are as good as MH
from some of the tanks I have seen.
[trippkid] 4:46 pm: I still will use MH though and supplement with T5
[Pufferpunk] 4:46 pm: I covered the bulbs w/double screening, remove 1
layer/week
[Pufferpunk] 4:47 pm: I'm getting new bulbs soon & will only replce 1/2 at a
time
[Pufferpunk] 4:47 pm: or do you guys think even less than that?
[trippkid] 4:48 pm: Yes, light acclimation is probably more important than just
acclimating to the water, IMO
[trippkid] 4:49 pm: Half or 2 at a time should be fine, maybe just reduce
photoperiod a couple of hours or so if worried about shocking animals
[fsn77] 4:49 pm: I'd replace 1 bulb / week... changing 1/2 might be too dramatic
depending on how your current bulbs are performing
[trippkid] 4:50 pm: fsn way would be best to let them adjust to the new bulbs
[Pufferpunk] 4:51 pm: I was thinking about doing that way too. replace every odd
bulb for 3 wks then every even one
[trippkid] 4:51 pm: speaking of bulbs I need to drop some $ for some, I guess I
have to decide what I'm going to do
[Pufferpunk] 4:51 pm: I have a wholesale friend but he has pneumonis right now
[trippkid] 4:52 pm: Lucky you, not a problem, I flub up to all the time
[fsn77] 4:52 pm: where do you buy your bulbs, tripp?
[trippkid] 4:53 pm: Either Premium Aquatics, That Fish Place or my last ones
came from ebay(cheapos) they seem to do the trick though
[archer772] 4:54 pm: Look into DIYReef her bulbs are usally the cheapest around
[trippkid] 4:54 pm: they are supposed to 14K, but look more like a 10 or between
65 and 8K
[trippkid] 4:55 pm: I will check them out, soon
[archer772] 4:55 pm: have you tried the D&D Giesman's 11k and have a little blue
cast to them
[dolfans1] 4:55 pm: That's why I don't like buying bulbs over the internet
unless I know exactly what brand and what they look like over a tank.
[trippkid] 4:57 pm: I agree, I had to try them though, and like I said they work
pretty decent. If I wasn't using supplemental VHO's, they would have been in the
trash.
[fsn77] 4:57 pm: I have Gieseman actinics and UV daylights... haven't really
tried others
[trippkid] 4:59 pm: I plan on either Phoenix brand or maybe XM 10K's, haven't
decided if I want to go 10K or 20K or try a real 14K this time.
[trippkid] 5:00 pm: Have heard good things about Iwasaki 15K's
[dolfans1] 5:00 pm: I have the XM 10Ks, w/ 2 VHO actinics. Very white (i.e.
true) light IMO on the XMs.
[trippkid] 5:01 pm: Good to know, I have heard good things about the 10K's, not
so much on the 15K though.
[fsn77] 5:02 pm: does that do it for retrofit lighting?
[archer772] 5:02 pm: xm 20 ks are a little less blue and have better par thean
there 15 ks IMO
[trippkid] 5:03 pm: Like I said I am on the fence on this issue for now
[fsn77] 5:04 pm: ready to move on to fragging?
[trippkid] 5:04 pm: Has anyone tried the powerbrite LED's yet
[fsn77] 5:05 pm: I wish I could afford the LED lighting
[trippkid] 5:05 pm: They are cheaper but nothing like the Solaris lighting
[trippkid] 5:06 pm: Just wondering if anyone has used them for shimmering
effects.
[trippkid] 5:07 pm: those that want the shimmer of MH can do it with the LED's
supposedly, I know my moonlights make the water shimmer at night
[fsn77] 5:08 pm: mine do as well
[Pufferpunk] 5:08 pm: I love my moonlights!
[trippkid] 5:09 pm: Me too, I like the R2 tubes with 5LED's per tube, very
bright, and mine are on a dimmer switch.
[trippkid] 5:10 pm: The Current brand are not as bright, I have them both hooked
to same power supply, and you can tell a big difference
[trippkid] 5:12 pm: I guess fragging is up next
[fsn77] 5:12 pm: anything else we want to talk about regarding lighting?
[fsn77] 5:13 pm: not trying to cut anyone off if there's more to say
[trippkid] 5:13 pm: Me either
[trippkid] 5:14 pm: I can talk about lighting all night, or anything else for
that matter.
[fsn77] 5:14 pm: what's everyone's favorite coral to frag?
[fsn77] 5:14 pm: there is a lot to be said about lighting
[trippkid] 5:15 pm: SPS are the easiest to frag, keeping alive is another story
[fsn77] 5:15 pm: I started by fragging toadstool leathers and Xenia
[trippkid] 5:15 pm: I started with shrooms
[dolfans1] 5:15 pm: Xenia. The more I can frag and give away, the less I have in
my tank.
[Pufferpunk] 5:16 pm: I frag everything! Not happy fragging my zoas/palys
directly off their rock though. The colonies die sometimes.
[trippkid] 5:16 pm: LOL, mine doesn't spread too quickly
[Pufferpunk] 5:16 pm: My LFS gives $5/xenia stalk
[fsn77] 5:16 pm: that's it? I can get $20 / stalk for Xenia here
[fsn77] 5:17 pm: they can't keep it in their sale tanks... people eat it up like
candy around here
[archer772] 5:18 pm: We cant give the stuff away around here except maybe for
the siver branch
[dolfans1] 5:18 pm: I'll usually get ~$15 - 20 in credit for a cluster of a
couple stalks. Depends on who's working.
[Pufferpunk] 5:18 pm: that's about right
[fsn77] 5:18 pm: I recently started with some SPS... very easy to frag and so
far it's been working well
[trippkid] 5:18 pm: I have done just about all SPS, shrooms, Zoa's, Xenia, and
some branching LPS(not really a true frag though)
[Pufferpunk] 5:18 pm: I have it growing on my back wall along w/gsp. really easy
to peel off
[trippkid] 5:19 pm: Yeah, it easy to frag off of the glass
[archer772] 5:19 pm: there is only 1 that I wont frag and thats my Elegance
everything else is fair game
[Pufferpunk] 5:19 pm: I don't even have fingernails!
[fsn77] 5:19 pm: lol
[Pufferpunk] 5:20 pm: I had a beauutiful brain fragged
[trippkid] 5:20 pm: fsn, as long as the water is good things usually work very
well
[Pufferpunk] 5:21 pm:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/Brains/TrachyphylliaRedGreen-1.jpg
[fsn77] 5:21 pm: I like how the acros focus on growing a base first... it kind
of makes them look like they're melthing
[Pufferpunk] 5:21 pm: here's the origional one:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...f/Brains/WellsophylliaRedGreenPurpleLarge.jpg
[trippkid] 5:22 pm: Yes, they are my new addiction fsn
[trippkid] 5:22 pm: Is that the frag of the brain all growed up or the victim
[fsn77] 5:23 pm: mine too... and the whole reason we're setting up a second reef
tank
[Pufferpunk] 5:23 pm: the victim
[fsn77] 5:23 pm: that's a nice brain
[Pufferpunk] 5:23 pm: fragged it in June
[Pufferpunk] 5:23 pm: kept the largest piece
[trippkid] 5:23 pm: How did you do it? a tile saw or somethin
[Pufferpunk] 5:23 pm: yup
[Pufferpunk] 5:24 pm: Calfo did it
[Pufferpunk] 5:24 pm: caused a huge stink over it too!
[trippkid] 5:24 pm: That seems the way to do the LPS, I would have too
[Pufferpunk] 5:25 pm: that's the only way, iMO
[fsn77] 5:25 pm: our club uses a tile saw when we frag LPS like that
[fsn77] 5:26 pm: I'm too chicken to do that on my own LPS, though
[trippkid] 5:26 pm: I'm glad it worked out, me too fsn
[Pufferpunk] 5:26 pm: LOL, me tii, that's why I let Calfo do it, really sorry I
did though....
[trippkid] 5:27 pm: I don't really have any brains to try it on, maybe someday
I'll give it a try
[trippkid] 5:27 pm: Why are you sorry? Looks that way
[Pufferpunk] 5:28 pm: cause he turned out to be a total jerk!
[trippkid] 5:28 pm: Sorry
[trippkid] 5:28 pm: I guess people can get big heads sometimes
[fsn77] 5:28 pm: that's too bad... I thought I had heard he was a nice guy
[archer772] 5:29 pm: I heard the same thing fsn
[Pufferpunk] 5:29 pm: I had been friends w/him & thought a cute tittle to my
selling thread would be" Calfo Fragged my Brain!" He accused me of trying to
exploit his name & getitng muore $$$ for the frags. Even threatened to sue me
[trippkid] 5:29 pm: Crazy
[fsn77] 5:30 pm: wow... that's a bit over the top
[archer772] 5:30 pm: I agree
[Pufferpunk] 5:30 pm: told everyone that was lined up to buy the frags they were
not ready to go home & 4 of them died because of that
[Pufferpunk] 5:30 pm: thte whole reason I was fragging the brain was because it
was too big for my tank. Where was I supposed to put 7 frags!
[Pufferpunk] 5:32 pm: only the 3 largest ones made it
[fsn77] 5:32 pm: that's just too bad
[Pufferpunk] 5:32 pm: I have total disrespect for the guy now
[trippkid] 5:32 pm: were you able to get rid of them
[Pufferpunk] 5:32 pm: like he never fraggs for a profit
[trippkid] 5:32 pm: I would too,
[Pufferpunk] 5:33 pm: I made a total of $60
[archer772] 5:33 pm: I would too, I thought those guys were around to help us
all out
[Pufferpunk] 5:33 pm: one I traded for a pair of clowns & the 3rd I kept
[archer772] 5:33 pm: WOW you did get rich didnt you LOL
[Pufferpunk] 5:33 pm: Looking great, BTW
[trippkid] 5:34 pm: I guess it is just like everything else, buying a name
[Pufferpunk] 5:34 pm: I paid $75 for the parent when it was 1/2 that size. Was
told it was worth $200 by the time I fragged it
[Pufferpunk] 5:34 pm: just because he fragged it made it worth more???
[trippkid] 5:35 pm: Noncomforist would best describe me, I don't usually follow
the leader
[trippkid] 5:36 pm: Who cares who cut it up
[Pufferpunk] 5:36 pm: he's no leader, IMO
[archer772] 5:36 pm: Pufferpunk I was joking and I thought it was the coral not
the person that fragged it that made it worht more
[Pufferpunk] 5:37 pm: I know... :D
[fsn77] 5:38 pm: well, folks... I've got to run... company coming soon
[trippkid] 5:38 pm: as long as the person doing the fragging is experienced, the
coral doesn't care or know who's doing the cutting
[Pufferpunk] 5:33 pm: one I traded for a pair of clowns & the 3rd I kept
[Pufferpunk] 5:33 pm: Looking great, BTW
[Pufferpunk] 5:34 pm: I paid $75 for the parent when it was 1/2 that size. Was
told it was worth $200 by the time I fragged it
[trippkid] 5:38 pm: as long as the person doing the fragging is experienced, the
coral doesn't care or know who's doing the cutting
[fsn77] 5:38 pm: thank you all for coming!
[trippkid] 5:38 pm: Later on fsn, I have to go soon also, got to make dinner for
kids
[Pufferpunk] 5:39 pm: sorry to put a downer on this--my 1st time in chat too
[archer772] 5:39 pm: I need to finish my lights now so later
[fsn77] 5:39 pm: thanks again... later
[trippkid] 5:39 pm: Cool, talk to you again
[fsn77] 5:39 pm: no worries PP... you're just being honest
[fsn77] 5:39 pm: see you all soon!
 
Last edited:
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store