CUNAReefers SPS Tank

[CUNAReefer]

Hey Reefers,

Hope all is well!

I posted this in the welcome section yesterday, but thought it also belongs in the SPS section.

I thought it was a good day to take some pics of the tank. I took two different types of pics. Raw images that use a grey card for white balance and full auto that have a touch too much blue for my tastes. The camera is a Canon Rebel T2i with a stock lense. The tank is a custom made 100g rimless lit by an ATI 8x80 Sunpower. The tank uses the full ZEO system. There is about a fist size piece of live rock and a couple of cups of sand. Other than that, this tank relies on ZEO for biological filtration. The Octopus XP 3000-int helps too. Anyways, hope you enjoy.


Warmest Regards,
James
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_3.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_4.jpg
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http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_47.jpg

[Manoj's Reef]

Looking very good James. Welcome to CR.

Could you shed some experience on how you started the zeo system?

[CUNAReefer]

And here are some more…
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_63-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_61-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_52-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_50-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_66-1.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_65-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_60-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_58-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_57-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_54-2.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120901_40-1.jpg

[CUNAReefer]

Looking very good James. Welcome to CR.

Could you shed some experience on how you started the zeo system?

Hi Manoj!

Great to see I already have some friends on the board.

Before providing the info, I must warn those new to SPS that this method is for the more advance SPS keeper. This method does put your tank on the knifes edge and can easily cause bleaching, tissue recession, and coral death. Manoj, you are more than capable of keeping a thriving ZEO system :) You have a friend that can help get you started:)

Now to shed some light on how to start a ZEO system. The full zeo system uses several key elements that help obtain a Ultra Low Nutrient System. The first part of the ZEO system is the ZEO media. The media is placed in a reactor where water is pushed through it. The media removes ammonium which prevents the nitrogen cycle from starting.

The second part of a zeo system is the carbon source. In the ZEO system, this is now ZEO Start 3. It feeds the bacteria (which I will touch on next) which assimilate phosphate and nitrate while consuming the carbon source.

The third part of a zeo system is the bacteria source. In the zeo system, the bacteria additive is ZEO Bac.

The fourth part of a zeo system is the coral food. ZEO Food was originally recommended as the food source, but I have since moved towards Oyster Feast, AAHC, and Coral Vitalizer.

Starting a ZEO system is going to be different for every tank. The best advice that I can shed on starting a zeo tank is:

1) Start slowly. Using too much too quickly will guarantee coral issues
2) Feeding has a greater importance with a ULNS

I hope this helps!

Warmest Regards,
James

[MizTanks]

Beautiful shots of some mighty fine corals :)

[FRAGMEISTER]

Beautiful colors on some gorgeous corals. What kind of light are you using?
If you have any for sale pleae email me. pgoettner@comcast.net

[CUNAReefer]

Beautiful colors on some gorgeous corals. What kind of light are you using?
If you have any for sale pleae email me. pgoettner@comcast.net

Hi Fragmeister,

Hope all is well!

The corals are lit by an 8x80 ATI Sunpower with the following bulb combination

Blue+
Blue+
Actinic
aquablue
aquablue
actinic
Blue+
Blue+

I remove quite a bit of the blue color with the use of a grey card for white balance. I like to show the natural color of the coral as if it was still in the ocean.

email being sent.

Warmest Regards,
James

[binford4000]

Nicely done James and good description of the zeo method. Are you open for x mas. Lol. Beautiful job. :oldman:

[CUNAReefer]

Nicely done James and good description of the zeo method. Are you open for x mas. Lol. Beautiful job. :oldman:

Thanks, Chuck! I'm comming up on my 1 year anniversary with the full ZEO method. I could type for pages on ZEO. Its really great for those that want to take their SPS tank to the next level. I just ordered some Zeo Biomate tonight.

I've recently become more reluctant to release any frags for sale. I really like to let me corals grow. I'm probably going to release a couple more than be done for a little while. With that said, I should be releasing some sweet frag packs around Christmas. :thumbsup:

Warmest Regards,
James

[CUNAReefer]

Now it's time for some actinic shots kids!

Some side shots
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_56_zps114f4d75.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_55_zps7483694c.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_68_zpsc7a9211a.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_67_zps7b128aea.jpg
Season’s Greetings vs. Lucid Props Blueberry Sneeze
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_1b_zps668d9a3d.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_72_zpse89adc33.jpg
Orange Setosa
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_75_zps6627963a.jpg
Red Dragon
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_2b_zps124d001a.jpg
$500 Efflo
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_4_zps2cc54da7.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_5_zps6db205df.jpg
ORA Hawkins Echinata
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_9_zps06ddb663.jpg
CUNAReefers Purple On Purple Stag
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_11_zps41adabb9.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_13_zps60b393d9.jpg
Rainbow Acro
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_14_zps875aa59c.jpg
Blueberry Acro
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_17_zps2f588684.jpg
ORA Blue Voodoo
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_18_zps7750f28b.jpg
ORA Purple Plasma
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_19_zps619a4738.jpg
Pink Branching Milli
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_21_zpsb3600d00.jpg
Rainbow Acro 2
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_23_zpse4457eeb.jpg
Ultimate Stag
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_24_zps18e3d35a.jpg
ORA Red Planet
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_27_zpsf3e9fb96.jpg
CUNAReefers Lakers Acro
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_30_zps5c978ee2.jpg
CUNAReefers Nuclear Sunshine Tort
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_35_zpsb0056e5a.jpg
This coral has a white to green base, blue tips, and is just starting to develop pink polyps. The pink is only on a couple polyps and is very hard to get on camera. Its only at the base of the polyp right now.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_37_zpsf4066804.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_39_zps027b846b.jpg
Sold to me as Pink and Blue Abrotanoides
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_40_zps9f4059f9.jpg
ORA Boreallis
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_41_zps32e397bc.jpg
ORA Bellina
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_43_zpsc0fc7ca5.jpg
Blue Branching Milli
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_47_zpsf04ac6b6.jpg
PC Strawberry Fields
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_49_zpscb44544d.jpg
Purple Nana
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_50_zpsfe68d6b9.jpg
CUNAReefers Ausie Gold
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_51_zpsf9a2d00e.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_52_zpsaa2ae5a7.jpg
ORA Ice Tort
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_54_zps54e38f14.jpg
Sold to me as Blue Lightening from Hugo (SniperSPS)
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_59_zps3242fab5.jpg
PC Blue Thunder
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_62_zps7232d48c.jpg
Tri Color
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q194/CUNAReefer/20120923_70_zpsef4f5287.jpg

[jimsflies]

I missed this earlier. :doh: I moved it over to the member's reef forum so it can be shown off more fully. :)

[CUNAReefer]

LOL. Thanks, Jim! I'm glad you found it. I hope to be a source of answers for some of the SPS keepers on the board.

[MizTanks]

I've got one thing to say. Having been reefing for just a short time (3yrs) I have never seen such natural looking SPS. Many sellers could learn something from you......NATURAL is sooooooo much better!!! :smt24

[CUNAReefer]

I've got one thing to say. Having been reefing for just a short time (3yrs) I have never seen such natural looking SPS. Many sellers could learn something from you......NATURAL is sooooooo much better!!! :smt24

Hi Miz,

Thank you so much for the kind words. I agree with you 100%. When I took the day light shots of my coral, I wanted reefers to see what they would look like in the ocean. The naturals pics have almost all of the blue removed. These are the natural colors of the coral. I also wanted to show some actinic only pics so reefers could see the "pop" of the colors.

Warmest Regards,
James

[MizTanks]

Well you did them justice for sure. Now I really don't understand why so many use Photo Shop. If they can look like this naturally, then why not show it?

Whats even more amazing is the fact that you are keeping them all under T5 lighting. I've always been told that success with sps would be hard under anything less then LED's or MH. I do know that your ZEO systems has a lot to do with your success also, right?

What is the depth of your tank and where do your lights sit? Are the ATI Sunpowers different then the regular ATI's? I use 4x24w T5HO ATI.

[CUNAReefer]

Well you did them justice for sure. Now I really don't understand why so many use Photo Shop. If they can look like this naturally, then why not show it?

Whats even more amazing is the fact that you are keeping them all under T5 lighting. I've always been told that success with sps would be hard under anything less then LED's or MH. I do know that your ZEO systems has a lot to do with your success also, right?

What is the depth of your tank and where do your lights sit? Are the ATI Sunpowers different then the regular ATI's? I use 4x24w T5HO ATI.

Hey Miz,

You can usually tell if someone is trying to alter the look of their corals for their benefit if you look at something that is supposed to be white in the picture. This is why some many reefers focus on the color of eggcrate. If its purple or ultra blue, chances are the coral will not look like that the pick when in your tank.

As a reefer since 1999, I have used PC, MH, and T5. I have grown SPS under all three. I didn't try Acropora under PC, but I was able to grow montipora. The greatest success I have had with SPS is with T5. I know exactly what the PAR is going to be at different spots in my tank. There are so many tanks that have had success with nothing but T5s. I wouldn't try SPS with LED. Maybe LPS, but not SPS. Its just my personal preference. With that said, I have a good reefing buddy that has over a 1000 watts of LED over a 320. He has done very well with LED.

ZEOVit does help, but it is not a recipe for success. Its a means to an end. The end in this case is an ULNS. ZEOVit can wipe out an entire tank very quickly if not used correctly. If I were to sum up my approach, I would say I target to maximize my food input while matching my nutrient export. ZEOVIt was the next big challenge for me. If you ever would like to venture into the realm of ZEO, Captive Reefs now has someone that can help.

The depth of my tank is 22". The length of my tank is 60". The 8x80 Sunpower sits over my tank perfectly. My bulbs are almost 6 months old. At 8.5" above the tank and 9" below the water, I have a PAR of 540 under the middle of my fixture. IF I understand the question, the ATI Sunpower is the actual fixture I use. The ATI bulbs all pretty good. The difference is going to be in your reflector and cooling. I can actually measure the increase in PAR with the increase in fan speed on the unit. My bulb combo is the following.

Blue +
Blue +
Actinic
Aquablue
Aquablue
Actinic
Blue +
Blue +

Warmest Regards,
James

[MizTanks]

I still can't get over that those are under T5's....I'm telling all my friends :silly:

[Sir Patrick]

Great shots of some really great coral. Thanks for sharing!

[CUNAReefer]

U wouldn't try SPS with LEDs?????????????????.... please tell me that was a joke.

Nope. Not a joke. Thats just me though. I prefer T5 or MH. I was at a buddys house of Friday, and he has over a 1000W of LED. He keeps a thriving SPS tank. Its just my preference. I am not a fan of the color or the spread. My buddy needs nine seperate banks of LEDs to light his 320. When we were measuring his PAR, I could move the PAR sensor a couple inches and the reading would spike or plummet. With T5 or MH, I can get a much more consistent reading on PAR levels. The PAR wasn't as choppy as it was with the LEDs I've tested. Not to say growing SPS cant be done. It surely can. Its been proven time and time again. I just like the T5s and MH over LEDs.