180 build from scratch!

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My tank is 30" tall and I'm using 250w bulbs over my tank. I do have a 400w bulb, but it is a Radium/20,000K bulb which has less PAR. Higher wattage at a higher Kelvin produces similar lighting intensity to a lower-wattage lower-Kelvin bulb.

The clams in my tank are on the substrate, and seem to do there very nicely.

When you consider how long each bulb is on each day, the additional wattage may be something to be concerned with due to the electricity consumption.

The Luminarcs put out quite a bit of light too, but I don't have any hands-on experience with them. I'm using the LuminBrites and have each bulb 18" off the water, and each bulb runs 6 hours a day.

My reef has improved significantly since I made the change.

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The pair of you have sold me, 250s it is. Right now the bottom of the reflectors are about 10" from the water surface. We can probably try it as is, and move them up/down as needed.

Those clams are sweet, and at $19.99 each, I am insanely jealous! Clams here go for $50 at least.
 
Things are still going well in the tank. SPS frags are still doing well too.

I ordered the RKE today along with a few extras. I hope they will eventually email me back or do something to confirm my purchase
 
...I hate my life. I have been working on my 58 build for two weeks now and am nearing the point where i'll be ready for saltwater...I start my new internship on monday at 8:30 in the morning with about an hour commute, and instead of getting my sleeping schedule on track, here I am on ReefCentral reading tank builds until 3, 4, 5 in the morning.

Anyways, your tank is absolutely gorgeous, the system should be AMAZING. I've just read through 13 pages of build thread for no apparent reason other than I wish I was working on my own (it sits in the parent's garage...my dad is the man with the tools.)

Can't wait to see some updated photos from your system.
 
Thanks guys!

Photos once the lights come one for the day, SPS, and maybe something else.

Hahah, I do the same thing, on nights I REALLY need to go to bed on time, I just can't seem to make myself head to bed at a reasonable hour. I think I would cry if I had an hour to commute anywhere, that or I'd fall asleep on the bus/train and miss my stop.
 
Vlamingi is still up in the air, but is most likely a yes at this point. I'm still waiting on some photos of it, and a chance to go check it out in person. This weekend is going to be pretty brutal; its a weekend long sports clinic, so I fully expect to be exhausted, and to sleep through Monday.

Is it just me or do the fish hide when you want shots of them, and then get in your way the moment you want shots of something else in your tank?

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Lets pretend that I have some photo skills here, these are supposed to be my SPS frags. One shot with a flash, and one without. Note the crazy film algae that took hold over the course of 4 hours while I was gone!
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My nano tank-o-death is on the verge of being part of a confirmed sale. When the tank goes, the 175w MH ballast will be going too. So I will probably be adding my 2x 250w MH ballasts this coming week if this sale goes through.

Any recommendations on two bulb T5 combinations, preferably Geismann brand. I'm looking mostly for something to provide me supplemental lighting when my MHs are off. Hoping for something that is almost white, with a hint of blue.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12643547#post12643547 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michika
...that or I'd fall asleep on the bus/train and miss my stop.
Click to expand...

Nope, I have to drive it. It's going to be an adventure to say the least.

At least I'm getting closer to having my tank finished...got it moved into the apartment and out of the garage and it's about 30% filled with RO.
Our unit's a bit slow, so the law of physics or some other such devilry is forcing me to wait...lol

I can't wait to see you get your lights up over this tank...I think it's gonna look great.
 
I am amazed you can do the 1 hour commute by car everyday. I would go crazy, and not just making faces at other drives to laugh at their reactions crazy. Full out psychosis!

I can't wait for the lights either, waiting on ordering them is trying my patience.
 
Catherine -- love the build, tank, etc. I got a good deal on a 180g AGA with dual island overflows. It is going to be a peninsula tank so I have decided to remove one of the overflows. It also has a 14 inch center brace that I want to remove and replace with Euro Bracing. I was trying to see from your pictures -- when you glued the Euro Bracing in, is it glued to the top of the glass? I am wondering if I have to remove the top trim and glue to the top or would it also work if I glued it below the trim. Also -- does it need to be on all four sides? Any advice would be greatly appreciated ...
 
I'm struggling with the same question on the T5s. will you be getting a single colour T5 or actinics and white In my case I would prefer something that would give a bit more blue to the tank when the halides are on.
Are your halides 20K or 14?
 
Sherri,

The eurobrace is glued to the top of the tank, and they are glued to each other. I'll try and get some photos for you after the weekend is over.

Maroun,

I think I want to go with 2 different colors for my T5s, I just want the color to to come off as a slight blue. Right now my single bulb is a 15K XM. When we replace the 175w ballast we will probably go with 14 or 15K bulbs again.
 
Sherri,

The eurobrace is glued to the top of the tank, and they are glued to each other. I'll try and get some photos for you after the weekend is over.

Maroun,

I think I want to go with 2 different colors for my T5s, I just want the color to to come off as a slight blue. Right now my single bulb is a 15K XM. When we replace the 175w ballast we will probably go with 14 or 15K bulbs again.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12647037#post12647037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michika

Any recommendations on two bulb T5 combinations, preferably Geismann brand. I'm looking mostly for something to provide me supplemental lighting when my MHs are off. Hoping for something that is almost white, with a hint of blue.
Click to expand...

Since you willl be runing 15k XM Mh bulbs I would run Actinic Plus 22k in the front, and Aquablue Plus 15k in the back. Both of those give off quite a bit of blue. The 22k will make your corals glow just enough. If it isn't enough blue/glow for you you could swap the 15k with a Pure Actinic 420nm, but the bluer you get the less light you get. It would look really nice with the 420nm, but I dont know if your MH's would over power it to much.
 
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