James's RSM 130

[jroberts51411]

ksicard, here is the description of lights I have from reefgeeks:

65W PC-R 75-25 Aquablue 14000K Powercompact - Straight Pin UVL1011 1 $18.95
65W PC-R 2-in-1 14000K & Super Actinic Powercompact - Straight Pin UVL1035 1 $18.95
Subtotal $37.90
Shipping & Handling $8.95
Grand Total $46.85

They add a purple hue to the tank, and it seems they make the colors in the tank "pop" a bit more.

 

[jroberts51411]

If you were wondering, I am using these bulbs in the stock hood, and I have had no problems with compatibility. My corals have also been growing nicely under these lights. It's always nice to have options

ksicard, here is the description of lights I have from reefgeeks:

65W PC-R 75-25 Aquablue 14000K Powercompact - Straight Pin UVL1011 1 $18.95
65W PC-R 2-in-1 14000K & Super Actinic Powercompact - Straight Pin UVL1035 1 $18.95
Subtotal $37.90
Shipping & Handling $8.95
Grand Total $46.85

They add a purple hue to the tank, and it seems they make the colors in the tank "pop" a bit more.

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

There is also a free Adobe PhotoShop Express program - that is very nice - I have the full version on my PC ($80) but the (light) free version app is nice too

 

[6linewrasser]

Do your current lights fit in the RSM hood that came with the tank?

 

[jroberts51411]

My current lights from reefgeek fit in the stock RSM hood that came with the tank. If you are interested in switching to those lights, just make sure you get the straight pin option. I had no trouble installing them either. So far, I have been very satisfied with them.

 

[jroberts51411]

Excited to post a recent picture of my birdsnest coral compared with an older picture of the coral in its first week in my tank:

By the way, I have had my new lights for the majority of this coral's life in my tank.

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

Nice growth - he is a happy coral

 

[jroberts51411]

Not the greatest picture in the world, but it shows my new equipment. I added a Hydor Flo deflector to one of my return pumps (it spins in circles creating a wave-like flow from that pump). I also added the Hydor Koralia Nano 425. I have really liked having both of them in the tank.

 

[jroberts51411]

If you do not have an extra circulation pump, I highly recommend the Hydor Flo deflector. It is very cheap and adds an extra bit of character to your tank.

 

[jroberts51411]

Due to school and traveling, I haven't posted in a long time, but here are a few pictures of my birdnest coral. The first two pictures are old. The third one was taken today.

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

Really nice growth - well done !

 

[jroberts51411]

New FTS. As you can tell, I have some cyano algae at the moment. I eliminated most of it via manual removal and several big water changes. I also run my lights less (from 8 hours to 6 hours) each day for a couple weeks. I am also feeding every other day to reduce food waste.

 

[jroberts51411]

I also removed my in-display powerhead for the holidays, since I was traveling and wouldn't be there to monitor it. I think that caused some dead spots where opportunistic algae was just waiting to laugh in my face.

 

[jroberts51411]

Here are a few more updated pictures:

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

Really looking pretty !

 

[jroberts51411]

I added this coral beauty angelfish today. I have heard about coral nipping, but I just had to give him a chance. It is such a beautiful fish! Still tying to wipe out the cyano though

 

[jroberts51411]

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

He gorgeous !

 

[jroberts51411]

I had lingering cyano algae for nearly a month, so I decided to take much needed action. I turned out my lights for 3.5 days (I was planning on 4 full days but got a couple new additions that I really wanted to enjoy with the lights on) and performed several large water changes. I have a little bit of cleanup to do, but this is what it looked like the day I turned the lights back on.

 

[jroberts51411]

I added a red sea star and a sand sifting star the day I turned my lights back on.