225 gal walk-around starphire from Miracles
- Thread starter summer6
- Start date
overflow covers
overflow covers
Finally got the overflow covers made. It was tough to keep-up with the algae growth in them, and it will also keep curious fish out.
They're a little scuffed-up, when I have the time, I'll clean them up a bit.
Nice not having to look at the white drain pipes. Still have enough air pulling through the airline to stay away from gurgling noises.
Twin overflows:
close-up of cover:
overflow covers
Finally got the overflow covers made. It was tough to keep-up with the algae growth in them, and it will also keep curious fish out.
They're a little scuffed-up, when I have the time, I'll clean them up a bit.
Nice not having to look at the white drain pipes. Still have enough air pulling through the airline to stay away from gurgling noises.
Twin overflows:
close-up of cover:
Timers for Spectra
Timers for Spectra
Let me say that getting my Giesemann Spectra up and running has been a challenge from day one. The tank's been a breeze compared to the lighting system!
I've had 2 of the 3 ballasts fail - don't know why just yet, but I'm working closely from Phil from Xenia (he's a nice guy) to try and zero-in on it.
First, we tried the X-10 route. No luck, too much interference with the MH's.
Next I decided to buy the ACjr/DC8. (Unfortunately that will be up for sale soon).
I think my main problem there was interference from house electrical wires that ran along the same support beam. Due to the unusual nature of the walk-around tank, I'm very limited in where to put electrical wires and such.
We had originally hid the ACjr wire (coated etc.,) in the wall, but it just wasn't meant to be - as the lights would have "a life of their own," and once we thought that it was working, something else would happen.
So, after weeks of trial and lots of errors, we went with heavy-duty wall timers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as the lights are working well with it. Have the actinics on one timer, 2 MH on the second, and the 3rd MH on the third timer - it gives me enough flexibility, and it took all of the above to come to a simple conclusion?
Nobody ever said this hobby was easy....
:rolleye1:
Intermatic STO1 self-adjusting wall switch timer:
I've heard some stories about these timers, but my husband got them in o.k., and at this point if they only last a year or two, I don't care!! We'll just switch them out - as long as it works, I'm happy.
Timers for Spectra
Let me say that getting my Giesemann Spectra up and running has been a challenge from day one. The tank's been a breeze compared to the lighting system!
I've had 2 of the 3 ballasts fail - don't know why just yet, but I'm working closely from Phil from Xenia (he's a nice guy) to try and zero-in on it.
First, we tried the X-10 route. No luck, too much interference with the MH's.
Next I decided to buy the ACjr/DC8. (Unfortunately that will be up for sale soon).
I think my main problem there was interference from house electrical wires that ran along the same support beam. Due to the unusual nature of the walk-around tank, I'm very limited in where to put electrical wires and such.
We had originally hid the ACjr wire (coated etc.,) in the wall, but it just wasn't meant to be - as the lights would have "a life of their own," and once we thought that it was working, something else would happen.
So, after weeks of trial and lots of errors, we went with heavy-duty wall timers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as the lights are working well with it. Have the actinics on one timer, 2 MH on the second, and the 3rd MH on the third timer - it gives me enough flexibility, and it took all of the above to come to a simple conclusion?
Nobody ever said this hobby was easy....
:rolleye1:
Intermatic STO1 self-adjusting wall switch timer:
I've heard some stories about these timers, but my husband got them in o.k., and at this point if they only last a year or two, I don't care!! We'll just switch them out - as long as it works, I'm happy.
updated pictures/lights working ....!
updated pictures/lights working ....!
I'm so glad that the Giesemann Spectra seems to finally have the kinks out (ballast problems) and it's been working smoothly with the wall timers.
I was concerned about heat build-up in the cubby above the lights. We seem to have that under control now with the addition of a small, quite fan pulling air from one side of the space, across the 3 MH ballasts, and out the other vented end. The ballast are on small wooden "feet" which also keeps air circulating much better.
It was a tight squeeze, but my husband got everything in, and i think we can breathe a sigh of relief.
Just have my trusty thermometer sticking-out one end, to keep tabs on the temp, but with it only 103 degrees now, things are looking good.
I think I'll be able to devote some time to the tank - would like to "lighten up" the rockscape, and start adding some sps corals, and a few fish. Thankfully, the water parameters are good, and I was able to get a cleaning crew in to start working on some algae clean-up.
I must say that I love the open top, easy to clean (but a lot with 4 sides!) with water changes mostly done in the basement by sending the clean water through the sump.I like to siphon- off detris from the sandbed, it's just a simple siphon (with the python) going from a hole under the tank, through flex tube, and outside the house, and underneath our deck into a gravel bed.
updated pictures/lights working ....!
I'm so glad that the Giesemann Spectra seems to finally have the kinks out (ballast problems) and it's been working smoothly with the wall timers.
I was concerned about heat build-up in the cubby above the lights. We seem to have that under control now with the addition of a small, quite fan pulling air from one side of the space, across the 3 MH ballasts, and out the other vented end. The ballast are on small wooden "feet" which also keeps air circulating much better.
It was a tight squeeze, but my husband got everything in, and i think we can breathe a sigh of relief.
Just have my trusty thermometer sticking-out one end, to keep tabs on the temp, but with it only 103 degrees now, things are looking good.
I think I'll be able to devote some time to the tank - would like to "lighten up" the rockscape, and start adding some sps corals, and a few fish. Thankfully, the water parameters are good, and I was able to get a cleaning crew in to start working on some algae clean-up.
I must say that I love the open top, easy to clean (but a lot with 4 sides!) with water changes mostly done in the basement by sending the clean water through the sump.I like to siphon- off detris from the sandbed, it's just a simple siphon (with the python) going from a hole under the tank, through flex tube, and outside the house, and underneath our deck into a gravel bed.
