let's try it again!

[mysterybox]

Update: I am reducing Selcon to 2 to 3 drops on Nori 2x a day, and 2 to 3 drops on frozen food 1x a day. Acro's are repairing & coloring nicely, monti cap & digi's are GROWING again! The only questionable coral is my Purple Bottle-brush acro which is still 50-50. (not worsening, but not really improving either.)
Ralph

[Amphibious]

Dear Carmie,

I really appreciate the great.......scratch that.........AWESOME follow-thru that you have given me! That is very rare & special. So, I just want to say, "Thank-you!". (and) I'd give you a hug if I could!

Ralph

Ralph,

Just read this thread from the beginning, sorry I didn't see it earlier. There isn't anything I could add to Carmie's advice.

You don't need me to confirm this but, I'm going to. Carmie is one of the most awesome people you could ever have the privilege of knowing. She is a knowledgable, warm, caring, loving person. I've known her for a couple of years here on TR and had the pleasure of meeting her at MACNA XIX in Pittsburgh this past September. A group of TR members hung together and Carmie chauffeured us around. If you'd like to meet her, she will be at MACNA XX in Atlanta (I believe) next September. She gives awesome hugs, too.

Dick

[mysterybox]

Obviously, since I'm suburban Atlanta, that's one event that I will be at!

[mysterybox]

follow up:

Turbinaria Peltata, Monti cap, purple & orange digitata are kickin' butt, both acro tenuis are really doing well, 1 tort is looking good & the other is "moving foward", the green millie "frag" is good, and the rose millie "frag" is ok. The frags are what was left from the 2 colonies that went to coral heaven. This past friday, I felt so good that I put 2 Tub's purple polyp birdnests in. One is actually showing some bumps already!

Overall, I'd say excellent! Not only all have healed, but remarkable growth in 4-6 weeks time! Plus, that big, bad ass worm was adding to the biological burden of the tank, too.
Sweet!
Ralph

[mysterybox]

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

where are the acros placed in the tank ?? with only 150w halides at 13k (IIRC, the par on the bulbs is very low), i would recomend placing any light demanding coral up high in the tank. i would not suggest less than 175w, but would recommend 250w. a buddy of mine runs 2 250w 10k's on his 75g, and it is only a few inches wider than a 55g.

FYI:
just some feedback from careful research on why I keep 2 electronic 150 watt AB MH from
Paletta to Fenner:

In my opinion, two 250 watt metal halide lamps would be extreme overkill on a 55 gallon aquarium. The 150's will be more than enough light for most anything you would want to keep.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steven Pro, yeah that is my real name.



But again the dual 150 watt DE fixture will work great for a 55 gallon tank. You can see picture of my 54 gallon with a single 150 watt unit here (My 54 corner tank).

HTH,
________________________________________________

Keith

"The best



For DE bulbs it is generally recommended for tanks 22” or shorter to go with 150 watt and for tanks 22-30” deep to use 250 watt bulbs. 70 watt DE bulbs can be used for tanks under 15” deep and for tanks over 30” deep 400 watt DE bulbs are usually recommended. These are all just general statements to assist in going the correct route with choosing wattage. Water clarity and quality will also play a big factor in allowing light to penetrate deeper in the tank.



We've actually had more complaints that the 250w was too strong and killed their corals versus not enough light. I would stick with the 150w fixture personally. You can't go wrong with the electronics.



MH Upgrade - 11/03/06
Dear Bob Fenner,
My 55 gallon is only 20 inches deep, would it make any difference to
upgrade from the 2x150 MH 48-inch Sunpod to the new 2x250 MH?
<<Not necessary for this tank in my opinion>>

[lReef lKeeper]

what works for some, may not work for others. i have a 150w fixture over my 40breeder ... it is not doing what i want it to so i am switching it to a 250w . granted, it will be hung a little higher up, but IMHO, the 250's on my friends 75 were perfect for what he was keeping ... Acropora, Montipora, and some LPS.

my opinion on this is not going to change, however i am glad things are working out for you.

[mysterybox]

Hey bobby!

I am not trying to change your opinion, so don't worry, and I am not trying to "knock you down"! It was just an FYI kinda thing!
Twice now phosphates has wrecked havoc on my tank, and twice now I have overcome it! In so many other forums, many people gave me advice that the issue is with lights. If I wasn't confident enough, and persistent, then I might have upgraded for no reason and had futher issues. In your situation 150mh might not work; I believe that. However, a lot of folks have 2 x 150 watts over their 55's, so I jus want you to realize that if my alk, calc, nitrates, flow are ok, and my lights might be questionable in your opinion, it still could be something else like phosphates. That's not to say that lighting is not important, however, and I value you and your opinion. I know you "know your stuff", but that's not to say we all can't "learn something new everyday"!

[lReef lKeeper]

i agree Ralph, i DO learn something new everyday. that is what keeps me in this crazy hobby !!

i am glad that you have the problem under control now. i was going with what i saw on my buddy's tank. that is the only experience that i have with halides on a 4' tank, and it was amazing (he upgraded to a 180 [why i said "was"] after about 6 years in the 75).