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From Carmel

Guest
Joined
Mar 9, 2026
Messages
4
Hello everyone!

My name is Nathan, I’m a nurse in Monterey, like in Carmel. Moved to Salinas about 25 years ago from Fresno, worked at the aquarium in Monterey in the early 2000s in Guest Services. I was a Guest Ambassador when we had the white shark, not so much fun, it was insane. During that time, I was involved with the Central Valley Reefers. I remember one particular time, you all let us crash your swap, this may be a bit late, but thanks! I had a good time.

As life goes, so do tanks. I haven’t had a tank for a few years now, and getting back into reminds me of the build, what a great time…and the cost, not a great time. We rent a place and we are not supposed to have any pets, so I naturally can justify a 20G. Biggest tank I had was a 120, man I miss that tank! Any how, new tank will have many bells, some whistles.

I am running a black box Radion, it’s really a A8 SE ii. It seems powerful. I am used the MH and T5s. The instructions leave a lot to be desired for sure. I’ll run a dose for three part and ATO. No fish, yet. My last crash has left some PTSD on my wife.

Stupid sand. I have some tester corals, and they are doing ok, not great. The Cali tort, not great, the setosa is doing really well. Zoas, no issues. Adjusting the lights is much trickier than the old days.
 

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Facilities/Events
BOD
Joined
Aug 19, 2023
Messages
4,585
Welcome interesting center ridge you have with the sand in the tank. I kinda like it.
 
Guest
Joined
Mar 9, 2026
Messages
4
Thanks! Yeah, still dialing in the power heads. I want to have a zoa garden, and that is going to help it none too much.
 
Facilities/Events
BOD
Joined
Aug 19, 2023
Messages
4,585
Maybe aim them at the rocks it'll break the flow off center them from each other and make it sorta swirl. Or consider slightly more coarse sand.

I kinda thought that was intentional lol.
 
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
2,206
CVR was great. I used to come out to your events for Reef Nutrition, and I had you guys out for BAYMAC.
 
Guest
Joined
Mar 9, 2026
Messages
4
Thanks, everyone.

The A8, nice lights, the set up leave A LOT to be desired.

Two power heads is overkill? Not the 250W of LED over a 20? The two power heads are left over from the 40B I had last. I have the power heads dialed down.

I noticed a couple people from this area. Monterey unfortunately is more of a retirement community, so most of the frags I get are from SJ area.
 
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
2,206
Thanks, everyone.

The A8, nice lights, the set up leave A LOT to be desired.

Two power heads is overkill? Not the 250W of LED over a 20? The two power heads are left over from the 40B I had last. I have the power heads dialed down.

I noticed a couple people from this area. Monterey unfortunately is more of a retirement community, so most of the frags I get are from SJ area.

The MB area has never been much of a powerhouse in terms of reef keeping, which has always been strange to me. In the last 30 years we've lost most our LFS.
 
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2024
Messages
2,553
Thanks, everyone.

The A8, nice lights, the set up leave A LOT to be desired.

Two power heads is overkill? Not the 250W of LED over a 20? The two power heads are left over from the 40B I had last. I have the power heads dialed down.

I noticed a couple people from this area. Monterey unfortunately is more of a retirement community, so most of the frags I get are from SJ area.

Lights can be turned down, and this might increase their lifespan too as they’ll run cooler. Powerheads take up viewing space in a tank, but if you tune them and are okay with some visual obstruction, they’re fine too

Unfortunate that MB isn’t very active. We still do frag swaps semiregularly so please come by!
 
Guest
Joined
Mar 9, 2026
Messages
4
Thanks, everyone.

Mlang, I may take you up on that, thank you for the offer.

Going to the Bay Area is helpful for the wife as well, our restaurant selection isn’t stellar here either.

Darkxerox, I have been out of the hobby for 5-6 years so I haven’t heard anything about anyone’s tank. She did have a sweet set up. Her energy bill must have been through the roof!
 
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