In this episode, Join Sam as he discusses the relevance of tank tops and lighting.
Episode 4: Tank Top & Lighting
Dec 1, 2023
Sam shares the importance of tank tops and lighting, emphasizing that the best view for any aquarium is often from the top down. To enhance this perspective, he raises the lights to their maximum height.
As the AFC pumps turn off, the fish recognize that it is time for hand feeding. Before that, Sam takes note of the refugium, which requires trimming. Growing mangroves presents a challenge, and while there are some current issues, new growth has started to emerge.
Despite some scale issues, several new offshoots have developed. The Miracle Mud at the base has been in use for years and is known to enhance system performance, though only a select few truly understand why. With the current setup, the lights can be adjusted to their highest position, improving visibility and accessibility.
The ledge, made of inch-and-a-half thick acrylic, provides sturdy support, allowing Sam to lean across and easily access different areas of the reef. The overflow spans coast to coast and is angled downward to maintain water flow while preventing debris accumulation. To keep the panels clean, he uses strong magnets, as they are also constructed from inch-and-a-half thick acrylic.
The lighting system has been retrofitted for individual control and movement. Sam accomplished this by working with New Orleans Machine and Fabrication in Jefferson, incorporating stainless steel bars and aluminum fittings. This setup enables the lights to pivot within the limits of the support structure. Each light can be programmed individually for intensity and spectrum through the Hydros system, allowing precise adjustments.
Feeding Ernie remains a favorite activity. In a previous video, Sam demonstrated feeding him nori sheets. A school of yellow tangs also shares the food, while the emperor fish occasionally tries to steal Ernie’s portion if given the opportunity.
To ensure all herbivores receive their share, additional food is provided daily by tearing apart nori sheets and distributing them evenly. This is only a fraction of the daily feeding routine, which also includes frozen food, pellets, and coral food. David manages this process, supporting the overall health and vibrant coloration of the fish. Nutrient levels typically range from 0.09 to 1.3 for phosphates and 20-30 for nitrate.
As Sam wraps up, he thanks viewers for joining and looks forward to sharing more in the next video. He invites questions in the comments, assuring responses to any inquiries
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
"So of course, this is always the best view and any aquarium is top down. So to, facilitate this a little bit.
We're going to bring the lights up. Bring this side of our.
So whenever you turn off the, AFC pumps fish, all know that it's time for their hand feeding. But before we get to that. Have a look at, the refugio needs a little bit of a trim. For those of you who have grown mangroves, know that they are very challenging. We are obviously having some challenges right now.
With some scale issues, although at the same time, they have put out several new babies and so, this is miracle come in the base. I've been using it for years. It is a proven method and improvement of any system. Only Linksys specifically knows why. And as far as this view, you know, the ability here is we can continue to raise these up all the way to their maximum.
You can actually sit on the ledge. It's, inch and a half thick acrylic. So it's quite sturdy, and it really makes it very easy. So you can actually lean all the way out to the other side just by supporting yourself on the back and easily access just about any part of the reef. Additionally, you can see here are designed for the overflow.
As I said previously, I insisted on a coast to coast and it has a downward angle to maintain the flow and to keep detritus and debris from accumulating inside the overflow. We just clean the, panels. We use these massive, mighty magnets. As the panels themselves are also inch and a half thick. So on the lights, one thing that we wanted to have the ability to do was not just control them individually, but also be able to to move them.
So we had we used a camera called shoe. Had this fitting machine by a local machine shop, New Orleans Machine and Fabrication and Jefferson and the bar which is stainless steel, and then these aluminum fittings. So we retrofitted the lights to accommodate that. And by doing so, this gives us the ability to pivot the lights in any direction we so choose.
Within the limitations obviously the support structure. Now all of the lights can be individually programed for intensity and spectrum. Currently they just run on two separate programs, but to fine tune to specific areas of the reef and the corals in that spot, it's simply a matter of going into the hydrous program and setting it up that way.
And he's chasing the wrong journey. Might have to be replaced for that. So. Feeding Ooni is, one of my favorite things to do here. And you may have seen a previous video on my feet of him. Getting his nor his cigars. You can also see, the full school of bio, the yellow tangs up here, ready for their share.
Now, the only one that really interferes with, with Ernie's share of the cigar is the Emperor. There is. Will.
He will steal it if he's given an opportunity.
I guess we can let her have a little bit. No, he doesn't want her to.
I mean, it's about halfway gone.
Now, Ernie has some pretty significantly sharp teeth, so I'll definitely be letting this go. Well, sooner than originally planned, but there we go. And then to make sure, you know, this really big population of herbivores gets their share, we take five more sheets, and this is every day. For them up. And then just tear a little pieces off, throw them toward the front.
There's a flow will keep them close to the front glass.
And they'll all come up and gobble these up within a few minutes.
And this is only, of course, a fraction of the food input. There's a significant amount of frozen food, as well as various pellets and coral, food that goes into the system as well. David handles all that on a daily basis. That's why all these fish are so fat and happy and have such wonderful coloration. Nutrients in the system tend to run,
Point zero 9 to 1.3 for phosphates. And, anywhere between 20 and 30 for nitrate. Well, thanks for joining us. We hope to see you on the next video. And we really hope you've enjoyed it. By all means. If you have any questions, put them in the comments and we'll answer all the questions you have. Have a great day."
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