[Timezone Detection]
Create Account - Join in Seconds!

User Name: Email Address:
Human Verification

Please enter the six letters or digits that appear in the image opposite.

PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


Bookmark and Share
Page 1 of 2 1 2 Last
Results 1 to 10 of 15
  1. #1

    Default PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef

    Introduction

    Hello! It's a great honor to have been selected as "Tank of the Month" by the Captive Reefs team. Thank you so very much for the recognition. It's been a long road to develop such a system, one that I have enjoyed despite a few trips down Frustration Lane from time to time. The tank has been a great bonding experience for my daughters and me, as well as a great source of peace, relation and pride.

    The local reef community has been such a great asset. There are many friends I have met through this hobby. It would be impossible to name them all! I have so many people to thank for their support. I will place some kind words to a few of the businesses that have provided insight and resources, specifically the Fish Doctors (hardware and livestock) and Tropicorium. Mucho appreciated guys!

    Background

    My tank has been running continuously since February 2005. It's a 6 foot wide 135g tank made by All Glass. It has dual corner overflows with standpipes from the famous Richard Durso. The stand and canopy is a Mission style built by a local carpenter sourced through the Fish Doctors. When moving out of my Novi home in August 2004, I broke down a 20 month old 100 gallon display with a 4 inch sand bed. It was a memorable experience: the Southdown sand was, in a word, nasty! This substrate had quickly become a nutrient sink; I was determined not to replicate that experience.

    As we would be living in a condo for 6 months, I used that time to experiment with different processes. I became influenced by Bomber from Reef Central, who pioneered the concept of a high flow, no sand bed environment for SPS tanks, accompanied with a starboard (cutting board) bottom. My tank started down this path; restaurant-grade cutting board was ordered from US Plastics in Ohio. The tank was aqua-scaped with islands on the left and right, with the center serving as an area for lower light creatures.

    Although the system worked well for the first few years, the tank had a stark feeling due to the bare white bottom. I then took advice from JimsFlies, who used various LPS corals to add layers and texture to his beautiful bare bottom tank. As a result, the front bottom became more colorful and exciting. The stark feeling disappeared, especially as the rest of the bottom became coralline encrusted.


    Name:  Brains.jpg
Views: 6241
Size:  100.7 KB Name:  front-right.jpg
Views: 1543
Size:  91.1 KB Name:  left-area.jpg
Views: 2079
Size:  83.7 KB

    Hardware

    The current lighting system is very unique. The tank initially ran with 2x250 halides; a 3rd MH was added in late 2008. Although the color and growth was good, I frequently battled heat fluctuation, and, in the summer, struggled to keep the system cool.

    In June of 2009 I made a major conversion from the metal halide lighting to a LED system by Sunbrite lighting. The Sunbrite "bulbs" appear to be fluorescent bulbs, but are actually tubes with LEDs mounted to circuit boards inside. The ballasts are also inside the tubes; just plug on the clips and insert the plug into the wall, and away you go!
    Currently seven bulbs are in place:
    . "Hi Power 2nd Gen" - 470 nm and 12k
    . "2nd Gen" - 440 nm, 22k x2, and 16k
    . "1st Gen" in 12k
    I have dropped from 8 bulbs to seven with the implementation of the Hi Power Gen 2 bulbs. Why? A few weeks ago, while running 8 bulbs, I replaced a standard Gen 2 12k and 16k with a Hi Power 12k and 16k. Mistake! I burned a number of chalices and some SPS frags as well. Going from 1 to 3 High Powers was too much! As a result, I pulled out the Hi Power 16k. In the coming week, I'll put it back in, but pull out both a 16k and probably the 12k 1st Gen as well.

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4562 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


    The picture below demonstrate the color temps in the early bulbs. Initially the cases were white plastic tubes. There were 90 LEDs per foot in these bulbs!

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4563 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


    The Gen 2 bulbs converted to aluminum cases. In December, Sunbrite introduced the "Hi-Power Gen 2" bulbs to the US market only. These bulbs employ a Cree-based solution with higher output LEDs - only about 6 per foot, vs. 90 per foot in the prior designs.

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4569 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


    The Sunbrite Timer Pack turns the bulbs on and off. It is a very effective tool for creating a dawn effect. I've set it to turn on a bulb about 20 minutes starting at 9 am. In the evening, I reverse the process starting at 8 pm to simulate dusk.

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4564 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


    Behind the scenes

    For flow, a Tunze 6100 controllable pump is in place, using the Tunze 7091 Single Controller alternating between 30% and 100% to create a wave. I have been experimenting with a Tunze 6101 (slightly updated version of the 6100) and a Vortech MP 40. There's also a Korilia Nano at the bottom to keep detritus off the
    Hollywood Stunner.

    The system is controlled with a Reefkeeper 2. Its web server functionality (providing access to data via any browser) and alert capability keeps me informed if issues arise. but, to be frank, without the halide-driven temp peaks and valleys, I don't have such panic. However, I plan to test another Profilux in the coming weeks.

    A larger sump was added in November 2009. It replaced a smaller Pro-Clear which had been used since the tank's 2005 start up. Skimmer is a Tunze 9010.... compact, energy efficient, easy to clean, and quiet. Heater also rests in the sump.

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4565 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef

    The thin white tube feeds topoff water from the basement. The flex tube pumps up fresh salt water from the basement for water changes. no more lugging of buckets from the basement!

    Return pump is an Iwaki MD-30. The smaller Iwaki pumps are quiet (no fan), cool, reliable, and use relatively low energy. I explored placing the sump in the basement, but that would require a much larger pump, significantly increasing energy costs.

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4566 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


    Topoff water comes from an old 15 gallon tank in the basement sitting on a used aquarium stand. I manually fill the tank every week or so with RO; it's mixed with a sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate to maintain the tank's alkalinity and PH. A SpectraPure "Liter Meter" doses the water upstairs to the sump.

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4567 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


    Finally, the RO system. An electronic valve (upper left) is turned on for 2 hours daily by an electronic timer (at right). The valve feeds water to the RO system (middle left), which flows to the Rubbermaid container. This water is used for making up water for topoff and weekly changes. A 10% water change is done every Sunday morning.

    attachmentphp?attachmentid4568 - PJR's 135g Awesome LED Reef


    Livestock

    The system is dominated by large montipora capricornis, specifically the Idaho Grape, Green, and Orange. All were grown from small frags. The Orange and Green colonies have been fragged many times over. You can see from the white band on the front glass that the orange cap is now growing up the front glass.

    The tank also houses other shelf-type corals: a large Tyree Blue Chalice, a Hollywood Stunner chalice, and a pair of yellow turbanaria (scroll), all members of the LPS family. The chalices were growth from tiny frags.




    No code has to be inserted here.
    [attach]4562[/attach]
    [attach]4563[/attach]
    [attach]4564[/attach]
    [attach]4565[/attach]
    [attach]4566[/attach]
    [attach]4567[/attach]

    [attach]4568[/attach]
    [attach]4569[/attach]
    Attached Images Attached Images                  
    Last edited by jimsflies; 03-12-2012 at 10:16 AM.

  2. #2
    jimsflies - Reefkeeper
    Admin/Founder

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    11,467
    First Name
    Jim

    Default

    Awesome tank Pat!

    Sorry for being a little late to get the TOTM posted this month. :embarrased:

  3. #3
    Bongo Shrimp - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    585
    First Name
    L. carmabi

    Default

    Awesome tank!
    My Bongo Shrimp Want To Eat Your Starfish.

  4. #4
    Sir Patrick - Reefkeeper A2 Club Coordinator
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    UofM territory
    Posts
    7,838
    First Name
    Chris
    Awards Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default

    That tank looks familiar....

    Congrats pat!!!

  5. #5
    ReeferRob - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    CORAL CITY U.S.A
    Posts
    3,367
    First Name
    Rob
    Awards Photo of the Month

    Default

    Absolutely killer tank, very deserving!
    "We shouldn't think of an environment where livestock can survive, we should ensure an environment where livestock can thrive."-Rabidgoose
    "If it's gonna be that kinda party, Ima stick my ........ in the mashed potatoes!"-Beastie Boys

  6. #6
    youngtimothy - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Tecumseh MI
    Posts
    323
    First Name
    Tim
    Awards Photo of the Month Photo of the Month Photo of the Month Tank of the Month

    Default

    Congrats!!!!!!!

  7. #7
    kgood1 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Lake Orion
    Posts
    968
    First Name
    Kyle

    Default

    Congrats Pat! pictures dose your tank no justice,truly awesome setup.

  8. #8
    Tom@HaslettMI - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    East Lansing, MI
    Posts
    2,144
    First Name
    Tom
    Awards Yugo Award - For helping with the CR Booth at MCES Monthly Giveaway Winner Monthly Giveaway Winner Photo of the Month Tank of the Month

    Default

    Great system. I like the simplicity and efficiency you've built into the whole set up.

    Only one snail...and I thought I had a small CUC!

  9. #9

    Default

    thx everyone!

    I wish I was a better photographer.... I'd be able to capture the setup with greater clarity and pop. Still learning....
    Detroit's oldest large LED tank! Est'd Jan 2005, went LED June 2009. 6' wide 130g reef, Sunbrite T10 LED tubes (3xGen 3 and 1xGen 1), mostly SPS, but chalices, other LPS, and a few softies too.
    http://pjr-reef.blogspot.com/

  10. #10
    ReeferRob - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    CORAL CITY U.S.A
    Posts
    3,367
    First Name
    Rob
    Awards Photo of the Month

    Default

    Hey Pat, I was wondering how you calculate exactly how much sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate you put in your ATO resy. You mentioned that you do this to help control pH and alkalinity for the display right?
    "We shouldn't think of an environment where livestock can survive, we should ensure an environment where livestock can thrive."-Rabidgoose
    "If it's gonna be that kinda party, Ima stick my ........ in the mashed potatoes!"-Beastie Boys

Page 1 of 2 1 2 Last

Similar Topics

  1. Large Reef Aquarium
    (91g-180g)
    Rambo's Reef 135G Cube Build
    By Riblet in forum Member's Reefs
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 08-03-2013, 11:59 AM
  2. more awesome reef pics with an iphone 4s
    By jimsflies in forum Photography
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 02-08-2012, 01:18 PM

Tags for this Article

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new articles
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

About CaptiveReefs

    If you are interested in learning about reefkeeping or have a problem with your reef, our reefkeeping community is here to help. Feel free to ask a question or search our site. We have lots of experienced reefkeepers that are willing to provide free reefkeeping advice!

    Besides being a great resource for all levels of reef aquarium hobbyists, CaptiveReefs is a social experience that will enhance your enjoyment of reefkeeping. CaptiveReefs is committed to connecting reefkeepers with the support and information they need to grow beautiful coral reef aquariums.

Information

Connect with Us