CalmSeasQuest's Dueling LED Frag Growouts

[CalmSeasQuest]

LED Growout Challenge - AquaIllumination vs Maxpsect

Sorry for the delay in getting this thread up - I've been traveling on business since the swap. A couple of the ShyHighs in the DT melted in the time I was away. A few others appear to be struggling - time will tell. I'm not anticipating great growth from the frags placed in either tank as it is primarily a SPS tank running LNS. I'm interested in seeing what, if any differences occur under the different LED lighting using similar PAR and a common water source.

Both sets of Frags are residing on racks in similar flow. Please excuse the algae on the DT rack - it seems the new egg-crate rack in the DT is leaching a bit of phosphate. Should be gone in a couple weeks.

Tank showcase is available here

You can see the Apex status and real-time tank parameters here.

Display
39 gallon Cadlight's 24"x20"x20" DSB
AquaIlluminations Sol Super Blue LED- 2 units - Frags @ 100~140 PAR
2X6W 403nm LED strips
MP40 / Reefcrest

Frag Tank
17 Gal Advanced Acrylics 24"X24"X8"
Maxspect G2-160 Frags at 100~140 PAR
MP40 Lagoon

Sump
12Gal sump
Rio Hyperflow 20HF 1100 GPH return pump
Tunze 9011 Skimmer
Evil PAR 38 21W 12K LED
Tunze Osmolator w/ Tunze Calcium Dispenser
BRS Dual GFO/GAC filter running HiCap GFO and ROX 0.8 AC
CO2 Scrubber

Routine
BRS 2 part hourly dosing via BRS Peristaltic pumps and Apex
Vinegar dosing (added to ATO/ Kalkwasser)
Bi-Weekly 10% water changes - Reef Crystals
BRS MAG dosed as needed to maintain 1450

11/21/2010



12/4/2010



12/30/2010


02/10/2011


02/28/2011


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Frag Tank

11/21/2010



12/4/2010



12/31/2010


02/10/2011


02/28/2011


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* Cyano and algae bloom prevented accurate count and photos in 1/2011

[ReeferRob]

Awesome format Thomas looking forward to see the progress.

[creefer]

Great info Tom.

Thanks for sharing. I just started a system with a Maxspect G2-110. Very interested in seeing the progress here

[Sir Patrick]

The pic under the Maxspect G2-160 LEDs-

I am counting 6 eyes of rah and 5 green bay packers. Think ya got the count switched.

[CalmSeasQuest]

The pic under the Maxspect G2-160 LEDs-

I am counting 6 eyes of rah and 5 green bay packers. Think ya got the count switched.

Thanks Chris - I had them misidentified in both sets- Fixed

[CalmSeasQuest]

Original post updated to include 12/04/2010 photos and polyp count data.

[cephalotus]

Pretty neat tagging along.

[creefer]

Thanks for the information, Tom. This is a great way to highlight LED performance.

[jimsflies]

Great job on that first post! Looks great!

[CalmSeasQuest]

12/30 update finally posted.

Note I've got a couple Frags reversed in the 12/30 DT photo (moved the Frag rack to clean glass a few fell to the substrate - I then replaced them in the wrong order.). I'll switch them back to the original order in the next update to keep things standard.

As expected, I'm not getting much growth as these tanks are maintained as LNS for SPS. I have started dosing a small amount of AAs (Brightwell) in the hopes of promoting some growth. I've also been fighting a Cyano outbreak as a result of varying Carbon dosing testing.

All considered, I'm pleased I haven't lost any Frags thus far.