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Arce's 29 Gallon SPS Tank

Juano908

Juano908

Arce said:
Thanks alot!

For equipment....

29 standard
10 standard sump (Drain/Fuge/Return)
Coralvue 4x39w T5 LED Fixture
SCA 301
BM doser
Tunze ATO
MP10 & WP10
RKL
350GPH return
Aqueon 200w Heater

...Think thats everything for equipment...

In terms of filtration, my methodology has evolved quite a bit over the course of my tank. As it currently stands, my goal is aggressive feeding with aggressive nutrient removal. To expand on that, i feed quite a bit daily between food for my fish and broadcast feeding for my corals and filter feeders, at the same time i aim to immediately remove it to not spike my nutrient levels. So i essentially aim for that low nutrient water quality but ensure there are plenty of foods in the water column to keep my fish and corals happy and healthy. I can make all of this happen thanks to a fuge literally full of chaeto, my oversized skimmer, using a filter sock which is cleaned almost every other day, and weekly water changes. I have also been dabbling in bacterial dosing but i cant say that its made a huge impact just yet.

For the LED T5 conversation... Its been proven T5 and MH work, not doubts about it, but LEDs are just as viable when used correctly. Most of the negative comments that come from LEDs are that corals, mainly SPS, do not color up fully and may look great top down but not looking through the front of your glass. Thats because LEDs only shoot light straight down, where the reflectors of T5 and MH shoot light at multiple angles. LEDs are viable, there are plenty of tanks out there with them but you cannot get a 2 cluster fixture and hope to light a 36" tank. In my opinion, T5 with LEDs are where its at. The color and pop from the LEDs and the dispersed light from the T5s. Just my .02.

Hope this answers your questions!
Click to expand...
Justin how many gals is your weekly water change?
 
A

Arce

Juano908 said:
Justin how many gals is your weekly water change?
Click to expand...


I split a 5 gallon bucket over two weeks. So anywhere between 2-3 gallons each week. I dont need large waterchanges because my nutrient levels are already so slow, i just do them to replace other things in the water that i dont dose. Also i hate large changes because salts have such high alk and i aim for 7.5. Even with a 5 gallon change it may only swing .2-.3 dkh but imo thats unnecessary especially with sps who thrive in stable conditions.
 
Juano908

Juano908

Arce said:
I split a 5 gallon bucket over two weeks. So anywhere between 2-3 gallons each week. I dont need large waterchanges because my nutrient levels are already so slow, i just do them to replace other things in the water that i dont dose. Also i hate large changes because salts have such high alk and i aim for 7.5. Even with a 5 gallon change it may only swing .2-.3 dkh but imo thats unnecessary especially with sps who thrive in stable conditions.
Click to expand...
So you keep your alk at 7.5 dkh, what about cal and mag?
 
A

Arce

Juano908 said:
So you keep your alk at 7.5 dkh, what about cal and mag?
Click to expand...

I Aim for 7.5, usually its been sitting at like 6.9 recently because of increased consumption. But for calc I aim 420-450. Mag anywhere from 1250-1350 is usually good, mostly the higher end.
 
D

Dave6265

Arce said:
Thanks alot!

For equipment....

29 standard
10 standard sump (Drain/Fuge/Return)
Coralvue 4x39w T5 LED Fixture
SCA 301
BM doser
Tunze ATO
MP10 & WP10
RKL
350GPH return
Aqueon 200w Heater

...Think thats everything for equipment...

In terms of filtration, my methodology has evolved quite a bit over the course of my tank. As it currently stands, my goal is aggressive feeding with aggressive nutrient removal. To expand on that, i feed quite a bit daily between food for my fish and broadcast feeding for my corals and filter feeders, at the same time i aim to immediately remove it to not spike my nutrient levels. So i essentially aim for that low nutrient water quality but ensure there are plenty of foods in the water column to keep my fish and corals happy and healthy. I can make all of this happen thanks to a fuge literally full of chaeto, my oversized skimmer, using a filter sock which is cleaned almost every other day, and weekly water changes. I have also been dabbling in bacterial dosing but i cant say that its made a huge impact just yet.

For the LED T5 conversation... Its been proven T5 and MH work, not doubts about it, but LEDs are just as viable when used correctly. Most of the negative comments that come from LEDs are that corals, mainly SPS, do not color up fully and may look great top down but not looking through the front of your glass. Thats because LEDs only shoot light straight down, where the reflectors of T5 and MH shoot light at multiple angles. LEDs are viable, there are plenty of tanks out there with them but you cannot get a 2 cluster fixture and hope to light a 36" tank. In my opinion, T5 with LEDs are where its at. The color and pop from the LEDs and the dispersed light from the T5s. Just my .02.

Hope this answers your questions!
Click to expand...


Thank you...that was very helpful. Last request then I'll leave you alone...:encouragement: Do you think you could show a pic of how your sump is setup?

I am planning a tank currently and constantly going back and forth between aio, 29 or 30 breeder with sump, or 29/30B with hangon backs and equipment in tank. There is so much info out there it makes you dizzy, but I'm the do it right the first time type. Your .02 is very interesting to me... I love the adjustment in LEDs, and was pretty set on 2x kessils but I also love the color of your tank and health of your corals.
 
A

Arce

Dave6265 said:
Thank you...that was very helpful. Last request then I'll leave you alone...:encouragement: Do you think you could show a pic of how your sump is setup?

I am planning a tank currently and constantly going back and forth between aio, 29 or 30 breeder with sump, or 29/30B with hangon backs and equipment in tank. There is so much info out there it makes you dizzy, but I'm the do it right the first time type. Your .02 is very interesting to me... I love the adjustment in LEDs, and was pretty set on 2x kessils but I also love the color of your tank and health of your corals.
Click to expand...

Ask as many questions as you want.

If you want to do it right go with a sump. Can get better equipment and not have everything hanging inside your tank which can be ugly. As for lighting, first just decide what tank you want, then go from there. Kessils are nice for sure, i know a couple people with them. But check every option you can and decide what your budget is. Like i said LEDs are just as viable but make sure you get an adequate amount for your tank size. Let me know if you have any more questions

Havent cleaned my sump in months so ignore the mess lol.

IMG_0319 by justinarce5692, on Flickr
 
kschweer

kschweer

Administrator
Staff member
Officer Emeritus
Moderator
Very nice! Great pictures man.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mrehfeld

mrehfeld

Officer Emeritus
This is a very impressive tank and informative thread. You seem to have everything dialed in nicely. Did you have any ah ha moments or ideas that made a big difference?
 
A

Arce

mrehfeld said:
This is a very impressive tank and informative thread. You seem to have everything dialed in nicely. Did you have any ah ha moments or ideas that made a big difference?
Click to expand...
Thanks!
Nope, i dont do anything special. Sps success comes down to stability, thats really the only key to my success.
 
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