Rusty1's 1500 x 800 x 550mm Starfire Front. April Update 14

[Rusty1]

Thought it was time to get another journal up. Will start with the basics and add updates when I can.

Introduction:
This tank came about after a little disaster with my dream tank. This will be a dedicated SPS tank due to the Angel I currently have eating all the other types of corals.
I currently have more rock than I planned but am happy with the Aquascape so it is staying. I am also attempting to automate as much as possible to give the tank stability as well as chosing low wattage equipment where possible.


System Objectives: To run a successful SPS system with minimal work to maintain it

System Type: Mainly SPS

Display System: 1500 x 800 x 550 with Starfire front panel. It has a coast to coast (partly) overflow and is built by 1 of Brisbane's best tank builders, Dennison from Mary Anne's.

Strike up Date: September 1 2010



Display Lighting: 2 x Coral Vue dimmable 250watt ballasts with Lumenbright reflectors. Computerised moon lights. 2 x 80w T5 running KZ Fuji Purple and Geisman Pure Actinic

Stand: DIY timber stand cladded on 3 sides, open back. The panels are press on and pull off.

Hood: The hood is a 3 sided slip on to finish it off.

Sump: Currently running my old sump from the 6ft'er I had. It is 920 x 550 x 450 race track.

Refugium: Remote refugium added March 2012

Refugium Lighting: 2 x 24w Power Compacts


Support systems:60KG of rock maybe a bit less. Running Bio Pallets on this 1.

System Water: Natural salt water

Display Water circulation: 2 x MP40's, 2 x Tunze 6205

Return Pump:Lag 11000 run externally.

Skimmer: ATI Powercone 250

Evaporation Top Up:Auto topup Profilux


Chemical Support: Turbo special CR

Calcium Addition: N/A

Alkilinity Addition: N/A

Other Chemical Maintenance: Non at this point

Current Water Chemistry: If applicable
Nitrates: < 5ppm
Phosphates:.05 Sept 2012
Alkalinity: 8 DKH
Calcium: 400ppm
Salinity / Specific Gravity:1.026
Magnesuim: N/A


Images:
FTS SEPT 2012

Sept 2010







Trimac

Rabbit Fish


FTS


Mystery Wrasse

[n0rk]

Looking good Rusty will have to hold a committee meet at your place one of these days mate, I would love to see it in the flesh. Aquascape is gorgeous, sort of reminds me of your old one.

Thought anymore about lighting mate?

[Rusty1]

Currently the tank is going through hair algea (expected). I used all base rock to set up and added a few nicer pieces of LR from my old tank. The base rock has had hair algea growing since about week 5. It is just starting to die off now.

Coraline is slowly taking over.

The SPS currently in the tank are not doing that well for color but growth is there. The small Dallas frag you see in the images above has grown onto the rock and has 4 new branches coming up. Other frags have encrusted as well.

Fish List as it is now:

Rabbit Fish
Trimaculatus Angel
Mystery Wrasse
Banana Wrasse
Coral Beauty
Lawn Mower Blenny (Carpet Blenny)
Arabian Dotty Back
Plectranthias inermis
1 x Pictulus Anthia
Purple Tang

To Come:
Niger Trigger
Trio Square Block Anthia's

[Rusty1]

Looking good Rusty will have to hold a committee meet at your place one of these days mate, I would love to see it in the flesh. Aquascape is gorgeous, sort of reminds me of your old one.

Thought anymore about lighting mate?

I am still sitting on the fence. I looked at the 2watt LED's Andries bought in but I just keep thinking these things are advancing so fast. If I can hold out this summer I might find that they are even better then. Would love them to be dimmable and controlled by the profilux!

[Alf D]

Great size tank Rusty.

[marks]

Looking good Rus. I'm with you on the lights, I'm waiting to see what will happen.
First thing I thought when I saw Rus and tank was NO NOT ANOTHER TANK MOVE!

[Rusty1]

Great size tank Rusty.

Thanks Alf. I have always wanted that extra width since I saw what you did with yours.

Looking good Rus. I'm with you on the lights, I'm waiting to see what will happen.
First thing I thought when I saw Rus and tank was NO NOT ANOTHER TANK MOVE!

No, not yet. Will sit on this 1 for a couple of years mate

[Postal]

What the hell Russ you actually have a tank haha looking good

[mattgreen]

nice tank rusty. andries is bringing in more dimable leds in january if you can hold off. cheers

[snaza]

Nice tank. Looks like mine

[Dan]

Nice Rusty, love the aquascape, it looks very natural with lots of interesting nooks and caves.

[StripestheEel]

Where's the up to date pics mate

[marks]

Where's the up to date pics mate

and fix up your signature

[Rod the Reefer]

Very nice Rus.
I've got a good feeling about this one.

Rod.

[Turbo]

Good one Russ.

[Rusty1]

What the hell Russ you actually have a tank haha looking good

Thanks buddy. Despite what I may say or do there has always been some form of a salt water fish tank running in the house somewhere! Most just have not been something I am proud of

nice tank rusty. andries is bringing in more dimable leds in january if you can hold off. cheers

Yes Matt, that is what I am thinking. So many new units coming out, just have to get through summer.

Nice tank. Looks like mine

Yeah some randoms design huh?

Nice Rusty, love the aquascape, it looks very natural with lots of interesting nooks and caves.

I have lost a little bit of the nook and cranny look over the last month or 2. I am trying to regain it. Thanks for the comments though.

Where's the up to date pics mate

In the not up to date camera!!!!!!

Very nice Rus.
I've got a good feeling about this one.

Rod.

I hope you are right Rod. I am looking forward to SPS only. The wife has had some input and interest in this 1 as well. She is selecting the fish and I just tell her if she picks that 1 means I can not have that soft flowy coral anymore. Win Win. I get SPS AND colorful fish!!!

Good one Russ.

Thanks Pete!

[mattgreen]

what price were you thinking for your light upgrade rusty?

[Rusty1]

what price were you thinking for your light upgrade rusty?

Well I was thinking free but somehow I dont think the retailers wil agree


Seriously though, I have not looked at pricing too much yet till I know what I want AND what I want is available.

My requirements are:
1. Must have shimmer. This makes a reef tank IMO.
2. Controllable by the profilux
3. Must be able to cover the wider width of my tank.

[mattgreen]

i think diy would be the best option! if your capable. with dimable drivers.

could also experiment with the 5w leds they seem to put off alot more shimmer then the 3 and 1 watts. i also noticed the 3w leds put off alot more shimmer then the 1w leds.

[n0rk]

Where are you getting these 5W LEDs from?

Next time I see you Russ, I'll have a bit of a chin-wag about it.

[reefsecretsaquariums]

Looking good ... Whooo hoo about time

Plectanthias inermis

[camo1]

Looks good mate geez the stand looks a bit dodgy nar good job mate.

[Rusty1]

i think diy would be the best option! if your capable. with dimable drivers.

could also experiment with the 5w leds they seem to put off alot more shimmer then the 3 and 1 watts. i also noticed the 3w leds put off alot more shimmer then the 1w leds.

I am not really the DIY type when it comes to electronics. I really no zip about it.

Where are you getting these 5W LEDs from?

Next time I see you Russ, I'll have a bit of a chin-wag about it.

These are LEDS Ben, not those T5 thingys you have :p

Looking good ... Whooo hoo about time

Plectanthias inermis

Thanks Mate!

Looks good mate geez the stand looks a bit dodgy nar good job mate.

If there is any dogeyness in that stand it would only be that you had input into it!!!!

Thanks for the help though

[mattgreen]

was darren holding your trimac angel for ages? i love that fish. looks like it would smash coral tho

[n0rk]

Where are you getting these 5W LEDs from?

Next time I see you Russ, I'll have a bit of a chin-wag about it.

These are LEDS Ben, not those T5 thingys you have :p

Don't fret mate, I've gone back to my roots... I'm all about halides and PCs now...

[Postal]

Careful guys too many comments in Rusty's journal and he'll be scared away!

[imf]

Looks great Russ. Will catch up after Chrissy and get your reflector back as well.

Cheers,
Ben

[StripestheEel]

Plectanthias inermis

Worst... Fish... EVER

[reefsecretsaquariums]

Plectanthias inermis

Worst... Fish... EVER

your just jealous...

[Rusty1]

Careful guys too many comments in Rusty's journal and he'll be scared away!

Me? Scared away? Indeed I will!!

Looks great Russ. Will catch up after Chrissy and get your reflector back as well.

Cheers,
Ben

Hey Ben.

How did the house move go? No rush on the reflector.

I am on holidays now till the 17th Jan so lets make sure we catch up!

was darren holding your trimac angel for ages? i love that fish. looks like it would smash coral tho

Yup, thats the 1. Beautiful fish but loves corals.

Plectanthias inermis

Worst... Fish... EVER

your just jealous...

OI!!! I get to see it once or twice a month!!!!!

Least it isnt too big for my tank!!!!

I have scarped the plans for the Niger Trigger after seeing the dude spear 1. Man they get big.

So now looking for something unusual again.