Any MoonShiners in here?

[Dave T]

I just sent my first ICP in and am awaiting results. I am torn between Moon Shiners and the Captiv8 method. Seems to get you to the same place, but it looks like Captiv8 is easier, cheaper and can be dosed in one liquid as opposed to multiple dosing. Anyone have Captiv8 experience?

Another difference is that Captiv8 has you maintain natural sea water levels, while Moonshiners has you maintain many of the traces at an elevated level, some of them massively elevated. For example, on my last ICP Captiv8 said my cobalt was over 50 times the base level, while Moonshiners said it was slightly low.

There are very successful reefers that use each one. For example, Chris Meckley is on Captiv8, while Andrew Sandler is on Moonshiners.

FWIW, there's a brief discussion on Captiv8 vs Moonshiners on this week's episode of the Reef Builders podcast:

A Car Drove Into the Reef Builders Studio!

Reef Therapy by Reef Builders · Episode

open.spotify.com

 

[Mike Lemming]

Another difference is that Captiv8 has you maintain natural sea water levels, while Moonshiners has you maintain many of the traces at an elevated level, some of them massively elevated. For example, on my last ICP Captiv8 said my cobalt was over 50 times the base level, while Moonshiners said it was slightly low.

There are very successful reefers that use each one. For example, Chris Meckley is on Captiv8, while Andrew Sandler is on Moonshiners.

FWIW, there's a brief discussion on Captiv8 vs Moonshiners on this week's episode of the Reef Builders podcast:

A Car Drove Into the Reef Builders Studio!

Reef Therapy by Reef Builders · Episode

open.spotify.com

Thanks man! I listen to all of the reefing podcast and this is the only one on my subscription list that I haven't listened to yet. lol I'll give it a listen soon. Thanks!

 

[Duds]

This is the correct shipping address from now on.View attachment 213886

I had reached out and heard back today apparently usps has misplaced it and I need to send in a new sample yayyyyyy

 

[Duds]

@Mike Lemming what are you running for flow in your 125? Trying to plan ahead flow wise for the 125 seahorse tank. Going bare bottom but still can’t be too much for the horses. Seahorse tanks are notoriously dirty tanks so trying to cut down on dead spots which I have quite a few in my silly 60 cube at the moment.

Also if you don’t mind letting me know what you decide when the time comes captiv8 or moonshiners and the process to get it going it’s intriguing to me.

 

[Mike Lemming]

@Mike Lemming what are you running for flow in your 125? Trying to plan ahead flow wise for the 125 seahorse tank. Going bare bottom but still can’t be too much for the horses. Seahorse tanks are notoriously dirty tanks so trying to cut down on dead spots which I have quite a few in my silly 60 cube at the moment.

Also if you don’t mind letting me know what you decide when the time comes captiv8 or moonshiners and the process to get it going it’s intriguing to me.

I’m currently running 2 gyre 350’s but considering switching one out for (2) Mp40’s so fill in some dead spots.
I haven’t made a decision yet about dosing. Still going to do some research but I’m liking captiv8 so far..

 

[JPags]

I was using the moonshine method and liked it but it’s a bit of work so I backed off recently and went with more water changes (auto water change). Dong swears water changes are the best method and I have seen his corals so I trust him a lot.

I will say my colors were much better on the shine but you need the time and money. It’s not cheap to start. I don’t do really high end corals so im happy to have nice colors and ease of the auto water change

 

[Chris A.]

I like the shine more because i don’t do regular water changes. Wife would always give me help over buckets and hoses lol
This way it’s just a few bottles

 

[Dave T]

I was using the moonshine method and liked it but it’s a bit of work so I backed off recently and went with more water changes (auto water change). Dong swears water changes are the best method and I have seen his corals so I trust him a lot.

I will say my colors were much better on the shine but you need the time and money. It’s not cheap to start. I don’t do really high end corals so im happy to have nice colors and ease of the auto water change

Just keep in mind that your trace element concentrations will ALWAYS be depleted if you only do water changes. The only way a water change will bring the trace concentrations back up to whatever level is in your salt mix, would be if you did a 100% water change. Otherwise it doesn't matter how often you do water changes, you'll never be able to bring them back up. I think this is obvious? But people keep saying you can maintain traces via water changes.

Now whether or not you need to maintain natural seawater levels (or higher, as in moonshiners), is another question.

 

[JPags]

This is my tank on water changes only. The colors were a bit brighter on the shine but I’m still happy with growth and look given the corals I keep

 

[Mike Lemming]

I was using the moonshine method and liked it but it’s a bit of work so I backed off recently and went with more water changes (auto water change). Dong swears water changes are the best method and I have seen his corals so I trust him a lot.

I will say my colors were much better on the shine but you need the time and money. It’s not cheap to start. I don’t do really high end corals so im happy to have nice colors and ease of the auto water change

I think I’m going with captiv8. One dosing liquid that I can set on a doser..

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Hit up @Todd@ChampionLightingSupply or @ReefBum for your Captivat8 products.

 

[Mike Lemming]

Hit up @Todd@ChampionLightingSupply or @ReefBum for your Captivat8 products.

I will do that. Thanks bro

 

[Duds]

@Mike Lemming I made it to sea creatures Christmas Eve emerald entree there is only $5.99 and if he doesn’t have a different food I’m sure he can get it. Safe bet call and make sure he has what your looking for before you head down but definitely the cheapest I’ve found for food!!

 

[Mike Lemming]

@Mike Lemming I made it to sea creatures Christmas Eve emerald entree there is only $5.99 and if he doesn’t have a different food I’m sure he can get it. Safe bet call and make sure he has what your looking for before you head down but definitely the cheapest I’ve found for food!!

That is super cheap! I'll have to check them out. Thanks bro!

 

[Duds]

That is super cheap! I'll have to check them out. Thanks bro!

Anytime!! I did my searching lol my adult seahorses eat 4 cubes of frozen mysis a day. Now I have 13 juveniles on shaved mysis and 3 young adults on full size eating maybe half a cube a day so even more demand lol. Hikari at other stores is 9.99-10.99 I’ve found, he’s just $3.99 food alone was adding up quick lol.

 

[Dave T]

Thanks man! I listen to all of the reefing podcast and this is the only one on my subscription list that I haven't listened to yet. lol I'll give it a listen soon. Thanks!

What other podcasts do you listen to? With Reefbum shut down, I'm looking for something to fill the void. Right now I listen to Reef Beef and Reef Builders. Are there any I'm missing?

 

[Mike Lemming]

What other podcasts do you listen to? With Reefbum shut down, I'm looking for something to fill the void. Right now I listen to Reef Beef and Reef Builders. Are there any I'm missing?

I listen to those but there’s also Saltwater Aquarium Radio by Mad Hatters Reef. Quick 30 minute episodes every Wednesday and then Reef Dork and Prestige reef have a show “The Prestige Reef Dork Show” every Sunday. Typically 2 hours long. Beyond the reef is another that is done by Adam from frag garage corals. It’s a more advanced talk pod cast but it’s good. Tidal gardens also started one but hasn’t posted in weeks. I also listen to “we the reefers” but he hasn’t posted in a bit either. Polo reef has one too. BRS has one old talks. I find these all on Apple Podcasts. I don’t listen to music anymore when driving, strictly reef podcasts lol

 

[Cpage101]

I listen to those but there’s also Saltwater Aquarium Radio by Mad Hatters Reef. Quick 30 minute episodes every Wednesday and then Reef Dork and Prestige reef have a show “The Prestige Reef Dork Show” every Sunday. Typically 2 hours long. Beyond the reef is another that is done by Adam from frag garage corals. It’s a more advanced talk pod cast but it’s good. Tidal gardens also started one but hasn’t posted in weeks. I also listen to “we the reefers” but he hasn’t posted in a bit either. Polo reef has one too. BRS has one old talks. I find these all on Apple Podcasts. I don’t listen to music anymore when driving, strictly reef podcasts lol

ditto

 

[Dave T]

I listen to those but there’s also Saltwater Aquarium Radio by Mad Hatters Reef. Quick 30 minute episodes every Wednesday and then Reef Dork and Prestige reef have a show “The Prestige Reef Dork Show” every Sunday. Typically 2 hours long. Beyond the reef is another that is done by Adam from frag garage corals. It’s a more advanced talk pod cast but it’s good. Tidal gardens also started one but hasn’t posted in weeks. I also listen to “we the reefers” but he hasn’t posted in a bit either. Polo reef has one too. BRS has one old talks. I find these all on Apple Podcasts. I don’t listen to music anymore when driving, strictly reef podcasts lol

Thanks. Me too!

 

[jonesboy6]

Thanks. Me too!

I listen to those but there’s also Saltwater Aquarium Radio by Mad Hatters Reef. Quick 30 minute episodes every Wednesday and then Reef Dork and Prestige reef have a show “The Prestige Reef Dork Show” every Sunday. Typically 2 hours long. Beyond the reef is another that is done by Adam from frag garage corals. It’s a more advanced talk pod cast but it’s good. Tidal gardens also started one but hasn’t posted in weeks. I also listen to “we the reefers” but he hasn’t posted in a bit either. Polo reef has one too. BRS has one old talks. I find these all on Apple Podcasts. I don’t listen to music anymore when driving, strictly reef podcasts lol

I've been listening to some of this list too. I think Beyond the Reef is maybe the best of the bunch at the moment. Definitely a bummer to not have ReefBum any more. If you are willing to go to YouTube too then there's some other good stuff from Pieces of the Ocean, Coral Euphoria, and Parkers Reef. Lots of info out there and interesting to see how differently run really successful systems are.