Coral Reef Aquarium Book -- ??'s

MagicMan · 06-12-2004, 09:20 PM

So I go to the local public library and rent one of the books recommended on the site here. The Coral Reef Aquarium, by Ron Shimek. I have a few questions:

1) He states that the best temperature for the fastest coral growth ranges from 82 to 84. (page 67). Most corals are found where the water temperature never gets below 80, and the average temperature in the most diverse coral reefs is 84. The place where I bought my two frags (Soutas in Portland, Oregon) had the temperature at 76. I've been worried that my temp is too high as it fluctuates regularly between 80 and 84. A long background for a short question: what is the right temperature?

2) He writes that VHO cannot support most zooxanthellae-bearing animals. They should not be used for most shallow-water corals or giant clams. (page 66). On page 65, he raves about MH and power compact fluorescent bulbs. I looked at my bulbs, they are VHO. One is actinic (looks white) the other is 50-50 (looks purple). This tank has had a derasa clam for years, no problem. Bubble-tip anemone is doing pretty well, as is one of my corals (one doesn't look too good). So my simple question here is: what gives? Is it possible I have power compacts without knowing it? If not, how much do those puppies run? Also, how come my derasa is so healthy if VHO isn't supposed to work?

Doug1 · 06-12-2004, 10:30 PM

Power Compact is basically a VHO folded in half. IF it works don't sweat it. Derasa clams are not as light hungry as other species.
Dr Ron has his own opinions about the way things should be. There are a lot of people using vho on soft coral tanks , so don't sweat it. If you are looking to upgrade light then yes Metal Halide is a good choice for light hungry clams and corals but since you have VHO dont think twice about changing to PC bulbs

MagicMan · 06-13-2004, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the help, but I need clarification. If I currently have VHO, then I can upgrade to PC just by buying different bulbs and they will fit in the same hood, right? I just went to LiveAquaria and saw that they are listing the PC bulbs with "straight pins," and I assume that is on the end of the bulb where it plugs into the hood.

What wattage would you recommend for my tank (58 gals, hard coral, etc.)?

I get your point that the author has his own opinions about how things should be, but does that mean I should be trying to get the temp of my tank lower or that it is probably okay? So far, only the temp is making me nervous because all of my other tests are coming up very normal.

jesspaul · 06-13-2004, 06:57 PM

VHO and PC are not interchangable. PC will have four pins on on end of bulb that is bent in a very thigh 'U' while VHO will two pins on each end of a long straight bulb. VHO works for hard corals if you keep them close enough to the bulbs. 6" to 12" works for me.

tdwyatt · 06-13-2004, 06:57 PM

A 180 gal VHO tank after 5 years (Say "Thank you Fishdaddy for taking the picture at that time")

This tank ran with 8 x 160 watts VHO bulbs and Icecap ballasts, and although I never kept (many) Acropora spp. or other reef-top species in this particular tank, the lagoonal setup thrived with VHO bulbs (mostly octocorals, corallimorphs, Euphyliids, Faviids, Trachyphyllia spp., etc.), and had a few specimens of lower light req. Acroporiids and a few other typical low(er)-light SPS-type corals. You will find that Dr. Ron has quite a few opinions based on his personal thought processes, and ...

well, make you decision after you research a few other resources besides Dr. Ron...

ruhspolostar · 06-15-2004, 10:12 AM

everyone pretty much answered your Q's

most people around here will tell you to keep temp around 78-82

but I have been at 76.5 for 2 years

....no problems

tdwyatt · 06-15-2004, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

A 180 gal VHO tank after 5 years (Say "Thank you Fishdaddy for taking the picture at that time")

whoops, forgot to post the pic, click on it for an enlargement (heh, hope this works):

btw, Greg, where is the tutoral for the new enhancements???

mapster · 06-16-2004, 01:00 AM

A little smaller Tom, I think I can make out a fish.

lol, I cant click on the pic to enlarge. Could be on my end though, my cpu has cuckoo for cocco puffs lately.

wanareef · 06-16-2004, 03:23 AM

magicman

If you go to PC's you are NOT Upgrading but down grading IMO. As mentioned if it's working for ya, don't change it. But if you did change lights - MH would be the way to go and this would be an upgrade.

just my .02

tdwyatt · 06-16-2004, 07:10 AM

[quote=mapster]A little smaller Tom, I think I can make out a fish...[quote]

let's try again...

well heck, I will work on this after work tonight...

here is the url:
http://thereeftank.com/forums/attach...achmentid=9204

jesspaul · 06-16-2004, 07:35 AM

The file is there because you can click on the first link and then take out the part of the URL that makes ita thumbnail and its full size. Nice tank. I haven't tried a clam yet because I don't think enough light reaches the bottom, how are yours doing?

SPC · 06-16-2004, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanareef

magicman

If you go to PC's you are NOT Upgrading but down grading IMO. As mentioned if it's working for ya, don't change it. But if you did change lights - MH would be the way to go and this would be an upgrade.

just my .02

Ditto

I have run VHO only for the past 4 years on my tank that contains some SPS.
Steve