ti-christ- That tank was set up only using 4 pieces of rock and a piece of pvc. I drilled a hole through the rocks in the place I thought was appropriate for the look I wanted. Then epoxied them together. Most of the hard part was picking the right rocks and taking the time with the drilling.
Just ordered my ecoxotics this morning. We'll see how it goes!
Thanks for your answer. How did you fix the PVC tube on the bottom of the tank? Because the rock are probably heavy!!!
My goal was to create a sustainable and economical aquarium that would be easy to maintain and still fun. I want to enjoy the hobby and time looking at my tank not throw money and time down the drain because someone else thinks they know what I want.
Awesome, please post in this thread once you get your fixture!
Subscribed... to the thread and to your philosophy on the hobby!
jciotti:
Do you think this setup will work?
135G Max Reef (SPS, LPS) 72L*18W*24H tank,
using 10 to 12 Panorama 12 watt LED Modules(same modules found in Ecoxotic Panorama Fixture) ?
jciotti:
Do you think this setup will work?
135G Max Reef (SPS, LPS) 72L*18W*24H tank,
using 10 to 12 Panorama 12 watt LED Modules(same modules found in Ecoxotic Panorama Fixture) ?
I know you didnt ask me, but I have a lot of experience with these modules, unfortunately Ecoxotic played a trick on us... The modules in the fixtures have a nifty little polished aluminum reflector around the LEDs, I wish I had a pic to show you what I am talking about. The reflector helps direct the light into the tank, the seperate modules are missing these nifty little pieces of aluminum, and therefore do not focus the light nearly as much. I have heard rumors of lenses or optics of some sort being made available for the modules, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
So for the long answer I would say no, you are not going to get the same amount of light out of the modules as you would out of the same amount in a fixture due to the reflectors. I dont have a PAR meter or any other way to measure, but I think the fixtures provide more useable light in the tank than the modules do. There is a lot of "bleed" sideways from the modules, where the fixture doesnt have the same effect.
Am I about right John?
Edit: Also on a 6 foot tank, they would recomend 3 2 foot fixtures, which would be 18 modules WITH reflectors. I believe that would be a TON more light than the 10-12 module idea you had. I supplement my Panoramas with T5 actinic, and I love it, if you were to do that it may allow you to do your 10-12 module Idea... just a thought.
John, like your little nano. Inspired me to do this last week:
![]()
![]()
Only one little SPS yet, but I am still tweaking the lighting.
BTW it used to be "rock wall" lol:
![]()
pic is from LONG ago.
29g AGA lit with 2 panorama LED modules and 2x24w Geismann actinic T5s. Went from 250+ watts to 72 and the corals are loving it. I have an additional all blue Panorama and another 50/50 to add soon I just have to figure out where. I am still playing with my coral placement, most notably the large acan colonies in the middle, any suggestions from the Scape Guru?
Didnt mean to hijack, but thought it was relevant to the LED and scape...
Thanks for all the answers!
I replaced my T5 bulbs 3 months ago. I will move to LED before the next replacement of T5.
So I still have time to wait.
Do you have any idea of when reflector version, optic version or 50w multichip LED pendent/retro fit will come out?
Maybe Hybrid version: T5 + LED is another choose for me.