265G Project

[RParker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14870622#post14870622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mebo926
By looking at the top and the bracing was the glass smoothed?? Would hate to cut your arm when putting things in.

Are you talking about the sump or the tanks... Neither of them have sharp edges.. But maybe if they were left sharp it would make me keep my damn hands out of the tank!

 

[RParker]

Started to plumb the tank the other night. I should be ready to fresh water test it in a couple of weeks!

 

[Ed Reef]

About time too Robb....

 

[RParker]

Here are some pics of the pluming, I'm trying to keep it nice and tidy:

The sump return:

Some poor pictures of the light rack, not finished:

 

[Kellsindell]

Beautiful tank and nice sump. Great setup! SPS dom?

 

[Ed Reef]

Very nice work on the plumbing Robb....plan to color code em?? :lol:

 

[RParker]

There will be a good amount of SPS in the tank but not dominent. I need to have a few corals that "wave" as my wife would say to keep her happy and interested in the tank.

 

[RParker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15097216#post15097216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Very nice work on the plumbing Robb....plan to color code em?? :lol:

Don't be putting ideas in my head!

 

[Bax]

Looks good Robb!

 

[RParker]

Well it's wet! Running a fresh water test now, everything looks good. I have one small drip from a union that I need to address, but other then that nothing unexpected!

 

[RParker]

The 2x65w CF is struggling to put light in the tank!

 

[RParker]

I was working on my light rack tonight and I'm undecided on how far above the water surface my lighting should be?

I'm running 3ea 400W - 14k DE bulbs plus 2ea 48" actinics and 2ea 24" actinics.. Any thoughts?

 

[Bax]

If you can build in a few inches of adjustment, having the ability to fine tune your height as you change bulbs is great. I had 5" of adjustment in my 120 canopy and after changing bulbs had to redo it to lift them 2 more inches.

My 2x 400 w SE 12k Reeflux ran at just over 9" off the water on a 24" deep tank. My 48" T-5 tubes about 2" lower. I think, in the end, a lot will depend upon how your heat transfer is managed as well as the reflectors, bulbs & ballast you are using. In terms of height off the water, you have to find the sweet spot for the lighting and heat transfer. But in any case, you'll appriciate a little adjustment ability.

Chains are OK if your rack doesn't slide, but I like an turn buckle style of adjuster for security.

 

[michika]

I used to keep mine about 4-6" off the top of the tank, which translated to like 10" from the water. I liked the option to adjust lights up or down, we had a winch system on our old 230g. It worked really well.

 

[RParker]

Catherine

How deep was your 230 and what lighting were you running?

 

[RParker]

I started to do a bit of aqua scape, my wife REALLY likes the look of the rock and foam reef she's seen so I'm going to give it a shot.

Here's a pick of one of the panels in the early stages. I think I need to use more rock and pack it denser then fill the gaps in between.. I'll follow this panel all the way through and see how it turns out.. I zip-tied the rocks on then filled the gaps with foam, let it set then knocked most of it down with a wire wheel on my angle grinder. Once it dries all the way through I'll sculpt it a little more with my drill and dremel.

Again I'm not all the happy with it so far, but we'll see.

 

[Bax]

Those pannels are a real art form, good luck with it!

 

[RParker]

Yeah I'm finding that out! I'll see what it turns into.. The foam seems to come off the rock fairly easily so if I need to pull it all apart it shouldn't take to long.

 

[leslie hempel]

cool cant wait to see more...

 

[gman107]

any updates ????