A few coral pictures

Upgrading Biopellet Reactor

I have been running the Ecoback Biopellets for about two months now. It has been able to keep my phosphates about where they were when I ran GFO, but now dropped it down any less. With the GFO, I was at .03-.04, and that is where I am at now on the Hanna meter. The directions on the biopellets say for a tank my size, I need 750ml or more. I have about 180g total water volume, and it states 250ml per 50g. I started with 500ml as not to overdo it, but have realized if I want to drop my phophates even further, I will need to bump up to the recommended dosing. With that being said, I was running the pellets in a Phosban 150 reactor, and it would not hold another 250ml and still be able to tumble. So I got a NextReef SMR1, made specifically for biopellets. It is nice. It has blue clear acrylic to keep algae and coralline from growing in it from light exposure. It also has 5/8" tubing and fittings for more flow to better tumble the pellets. No sponges to get clogged, already equipped with plastic mesh plates to keep the pellets in. I hooked it up lasts night and it seems to work great. Will check back in a few weeks and see what my PO4 is after the bacteria has had time to develop from the new media being added.

I am trying my 250w's again since I already have all the equipment and liked the growth under them. To solve the heat and airflow issues, the spider type reflectors open things up a bit, and the bulbs aren't as close to the water as when in the Lumenarcs. I also added a big fan to the sump that moves alot of air. I have read that the best way to mount retro halide reflectors is perpendicular to the front glass, but I mounted them parallel to get more airflow down along through them. My tank is 2' front to back, so I doubt it matters on my dimensions anyways. (click on pictures for closer view)

Lights as is now: (Radium 250w SE, in Reef Optix 2 reflectors)

 

 The new fan:

 

Newest Front Tank Shot: