I thought I would post some updated pics of the 4x2x2 that I have been working on slowly. Now you will notice that these pictures aren't fantastic and, this is because, I have uploaded them using my mobile phone which only has a 3 mega pixel lens....
Also, its worth noting that this tank is running on about 220 watts of lighting mixed between Blue and true daylight bulbs. In total there is roughly 550 litres of water with the sump included so this lighting is slightly insufficient for ideal growth of corals. Some of the low light requiring corals don't mind i.e. the fungi, cataphyllia, bubble coral, soft corals i.e. the Kenya tree, devils hand and, also corallimorph don't care (but, I think they would definitely do better on about 1 watt per litre).... but, the LPS in the top left hand corner is suffering and, this is evident by the fact that it doesn't fully open. You will be happy to know that we are on the hunt for some Metal halides with LED's and blue T5's to make this tank look spectacular.
After a few weeks I have removed all the bio balls from the sump left the coral sand and hope top add some live rock to the mix. There is also some filter wool and some filter foam. The protein skimmer is working like a charm and, skimming away but, I think the lighting will be the key. We have been adding coral trace elements and, the corals actually seem like they are coming back - the bubble coral is starting to grow again ! and, the corallimorph are getting massive - so all in all tank is slowly getting better.
Also, have added a Moorish Idol to the tank which I know aren't the easiest fish to look after however, this guy is seems to be feeding well looked really healthy when i bought him and, hasn't been picking at the corals - they are known to go without any reason however, we will see how this fishy goes. By the way the first picture is a panoramic shot so there is a GHOST Moorish idol ... there is actually only 1).
Also, its worth noting that this tank is running on about 220 watts of lighting mixed between Blue and true daylight bulbs. In total there is roughly 550 litres of water with the sump included so this lighting is slightly insufficient for ideal growth of corals. Some of the low light requiring corals don't mind i.e. the fungi, cataphyllia, bubble coral, soft corals i.e. the Kenya tree, devils hand and, also corallimorph don't care (but, I think they would definitely do better on about 1 watt per litre).... but, the LPS in the top left hand corner is suffering and, this is evident by the fact that it doesn't fully open. You will be happy to know that we are on the hunt for some Metal halides with LED's and blue T5's to make this tank look spectacular.
After a few weeks I have removed all the bio balls from the sump left the coral sand and hope top add some live rock to the mix. There is also some filter wool and some filter foam. The protein skimmer is working like a charm and, skimming away but, I think the lighting will be the key. We have been adding coral trace elements and, the corals actually seem like they are coming back - the bubble coral is starting to grow again ! and, the corallimorph are getting massive - so all in all tank is slowly getting better.
Also, have added a Moorish Idol to the tank which I know aren't the easiest fish to look after however, this guy is seems to be feeding well looked really healthy when i bought him and, hasn't been picking at the corals - they are known to go without any reason however, we will see how this fishy goes. By the way the first picture is a panoramic shot so there is a GHOST Moorish idol ... there is actually only 1).
a bit of overkill with the filter media right????
