225 Tank build thread
- Thread starter calvin415
- Start date
aquaman2000
In Memoriam
I think he did it last night, if not tonight then while he hooks up the new ballast.
calvin415
New member
Alright, sorry for the late post but I've been working on the T-5's all night... Only have one side wired and the lights flash on for a moment then go out. I must have something wired wrong somewhere. 
Oh well I'm too tired to screw with it any more tonight.
Got the new ballast wired and going, holy crap that thing is BRIGHT!!!! And what's amazing is the color is still pretty white, no yellowing for a 10K and I still have the Actinics to get running. Grabbed some Firefish (4 to be exact) to create some attention in the tank for tomorrow, and I checked all the parameters tonight and there is just a trace of nitrates, 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites!
Anyway, here's some pics now that you can see the left side.
Oh well I'm too tired to screw with it any more tonight.Got the new ballast wired and going, holy crap that thing is BRIGHT!!!! And what's amazing is the color is still pretty white, no yellowing for a 10K and I still have the Actinics to get running. Grabbed some Firefish (4 to be exact) to create some attention in the tank for tomorrow, and I checked all the parameters tonight and there is just a trace of nitrates, 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites!
Anyway, here's some pics now that you can see the left side.
aquaman2000
In Memoriam
Looks great! The fire fish seem so miniscule in there by them selves.
normanviking
New member
Looking good Eric.
calvin415
New member
Just realized I forgot to post a pic of the new ballast, so I'll try to get one soon. 
We had to run a 2x8 across the light rails and it barely fits on it! This thing is huge! and weighs 41lbs!
While the 10K will be great to get the tank going, I'm not expecting any great color for at least 6 months as we'll switch to a 15K XM at that time.
All that's left is to get the power management cleaned up (2 American DJ AS-100A's are on thier way) and need to get the Ca Reactor hooked up, (just need media and a 20lb tank).
It's mostly just a waiting game now, to let things settle in. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped get this baby going... Russ for helping me build the tank, Dan N for keeping us entertained with his acrylic breaking ability.
Chris and his son for helping Russ and I move it into the basement! Tim for helping me get the sump moved and into the basement! Keith (Fishy Business) for the hook up on some water storage, and Larry for doing the leg work with the water tubs! Scott (Exotic Tropicals) for the sweet prices and additives. If anyone needs to get their tank going asap just talk to him about some sweet bacteria he has. Supposed to cycle a tank in 3-7 days! And thus far we are very, very, impressed with it's results! As well as the rest of the club (especially, Russ, Chris, Dan, Tim, Scott, Keith, Paul, Todd, Tracy, Reet, David, Robert, Lin, Cliff, Chris, Caleb) for the support and feedback through all this!
I hope to have a get together (meeting?) in the 2nd half of the year, if anyone would like to see the setup prior to then, just shoot me a PM and we'll meet up.
-Eric
We had to run a 2x8 across the light rails and it barely fits on it! This thing is huge! and weighs 41lbs!While the 10K will be great to get the tank going, I'm not expecting any great color for at least 6 months as we'll switch to a 15K XM at that time.
All that's left is to get the power management cleaned up (2 American DJ AS-100A's are on thier way) and need to get the Ca Reactor hooked up, (just need media and a 20lb tank).
It's mostly just a waiting game now, to let things settle in. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped get this baby going... Russ for helping me build the tank, Dan N for keeping us entertained with his acrylic breaking ability.
Chris and his son for helping Russ and I move it into the basement! Tim for helping me get the sump moved and into the basement! Keith (Fishy Business) for the hook up on some water storage, and Larry for doing the leg work with the water tubs! Scott (Exotic Tropicals) for the sweet prices and additives. If anyone needs to get their tank going asap just talk to him about some sweet bacteria he has. Supposed to cycle a tank in 3-7 days! And thus far we are very, very, impressed with it's results! As well as the rest of the club (especially, Russ, Chris, Dan, Tim, Scott, Keith, Paul, Todd, Tracy, Reet, David, Robert, Lin, Cliff, Chris, Caleb) for the support and feedback through all this! I hope to have a get together (meeting?) in the 2nd half of the year, if anyone would like to see the setup prior to then, just shoot me a PM and we'll meet up.
-Eric
normanviking
New member
Can't wait to see it stocked. I am sure anyone could have broken that acrylic. lol
normanviking
New member
Can't wait to see it stocked. I am sure anyone could have broken that acrylic. lol
