--75g Barebottom/Starboard Reef Project--

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If the lumenarcs weren't so big I would give them a try. But I want to use Actinics

I have been looking a RETRO setup versus a PFO hood.

I think I'm going to fabricate a hood like Melevs with the Aluminium.

Reef Optix 2 Retrofit Reflector w/ Socket Assembly
2 x 250w ICECAP Ballasts

I will take the VHO ballast off my hood I think.

I need suggestions....



For my frag tank I will go with T5's I love the color.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7285822#post7285822 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arconom

I need suggestions....
Click to expand...

Maybe wait a few months until there is some more data on these:
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These are the new PFO LED fixtures. They just released them to the public at IMAC and I think they are going retail in the next week. The color is really nice and you can independently control the white and blue LED's by dimming one or the other to control how the light looks. I saw a side by side comparison with a lux meter under this light and a 250w XM 15k (I know, I know, XM 15k is a sucky comparison as it is a very low PAR bulb) and the LED fixture put out twice as many lux. The lights will run for 10 years without needing to be replaced but they recommend a replacement interval of 5 years just to be conservative. And best of all... these lights are literally cool to the touch. I touched the glass lens and it was not warm, it was not room temp, it was even cooler than room temp. The first type of lighting I've ever seen that puts off absolutely no heat.

I know Sanjay and possibly a couple other lighting experts will be evaluating these so it will be interesting to see what they think of them.
 
thats a cool light up there!

Acronom,

About the ph issue, maybee somhow run a line from the skimmer intake outside. This way you can keep the ph high without having the window open all the time.Only drawback is you will loose air intake. Possibly it can be counteracted with an air pump somehow?

Everythings looking great, keep up the good work!

How about your water parameters? Im interested in seeing your nitrates and phospates with fish in there now!

Box :)
 
The lights that Travis posted is the ones that I told you about Erik. Very cool indeed. I have some pics at home that I can send to ya.
 
Zachtos, I saw the PFO hood in person and still think you should continue your research. The PFO is likely going only high end, based upon the prices that were quoted. There's lots of room for those of us that cannot afford the PFO prices.:)
 
I don't remember the exact prices but I think the one I posted goes for around $700, but please don't quote me on that. I have a price list at home and I can check that later. I agree the price is very steep, much higher than I expected. But if the lights truly can go for 5 years before needing to be replaced that is a significant long-term savings. I don't remember the energy consumption but I'm guessing it is a lot lower than an equivalent MH or T5 setup. Lastly, the largest cost savings will come from the fact that the fixtures are cool and add absolutely no heat to the tank. This means no need for an expensive chiller and lower tank running costs associated with running power hungry chillers to keep the water cool.
 
you would save 50-75% on your electric bill for the tank, not including the cost of running a AC induction motor to cool your tank. You may still have some heat issues w/ the large water pumps used in these tanks... so some form of cooling may still be required, hard to say. I would happily shell out the cash for an LED hood for a large tank... remember, less equipment = less problems.
 
Well from another post I made

Well I have always been unhappy with my lighting setup. I have have hardly any good colors at all. I'm running a Mag ballast 2x250w SE Reeflux bulbs with 2x96w Actinic VHO.

I have tried Xms,Ushios,Hammy's,Reeflux, all with disappointment. But the reeflux is up there with the XM's there color isn't so bad but still Bad.

My Greens really aren't there. I have all nice pieces that came in with the color that I bought them with. Pinks became Orange,Green became Yellow. Light Aqua blues became brownish light blue.

I'm sick of it. I am very particular of corals that go in my tank since I only have a 75 gallon.

I am lacking colors big time. It gets me very dissapointed SO........

So in a attempt at correcting this I will be Downgrade/Upgrading my subpar reflectors to ROII. I bought 2 175w PFO Electronic ballasts,with 14 iwasakis.

I will be running 2x110 Actinic VHOS, And 2x 6.7k PC

WHY? I plan on grabbing ever spectrum my corals need to look there best. Jay our clubs version of "Sanjay" saw a tank, which was a TOTM lit in a similair way and he said it was sick.. For him to say it was sick mean a lot.







My favorite piece corals I am holding off on since I know I would only be dissapointed in the colors.

I know what colors I'm looking for since 2 tanks that I love are all lit by different methods and love there tanks. I have the pleasure of looking at there tanks all the time.

The first tank is Jays 120gal it's lit by 2x250 DE Ushios with 4x 110 Actinic..Color is incredible. It's the color you see on frag sites that are selling corals that POP.. Pink is Pink, Green is green,

The next tank is nine9d a 90gal lit with all T5 and colors are also sick. He "HAD" a superman Danae that looks better then all the pictures on sites. All rich colors.

There both my TOTMs

During these months my dissapointment has grown more and more:( I have pieces from Jay and Ross and they never look anything like they do in there tanks:(

I buy all the best of equipment:) and still skipped the most important thing, Lighting.

WHY?? The 120gal was always on my mind and I want 2xROIII with phoneix bulbs with 2 VHO actinics. But it won't fit over my 75. Now I have come to grips with the fact that the 120gal is drifing farther away. My wife and I will be having another child and I go to College at night and have a Full time Job. So as it is I spend 4 hours a day with my 75gal. Well you know where thats going.

So the Frag tank...........WHY the frag tank Erik?

The frag tank will be the collection of all the best of the best pieces that I want to trade and buy. This will house my future collection for my 120gal when ever it may be.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7306351#post7306351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arconom

The first tank is Jays 120gal it's lit by 2x250 DE Ushios with 4x 110 Actinic..Color is incredible. It's the color you see on frag sites that are selling corals that POP.. Pink is Pink, Green is green,
Click to expand...

ah ur so sweet... to bad so many of those Arcos are dieing in my QT tank as we speak... AEFW are pure evil. :furious:

QT EVERYTHING that goes into your tanks folks... I played Russian roulette and lost. :fun2: ........... :thumbdown:

I make no guaranties that the lighting scheme will work out as planned but I sure am stoked to give it a shot. :bounce1:

Jay
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7306351#post7306351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arconom
The next tank is nine9d a 90gal lit with all T5 and colors are also sick. He "HAD" a superman Danae that looks better then all the pictures on sites. All rich colors.

There both my TOTMs
Click to expand...

Jay is right, Erik is too sweet (LOL). If I still had my SUPERMAN I would give him to you. I hope you like this lighting that you are getting and leave me alone about grabbing my T-5's, LOL.

- Ross
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7309685#post7309685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nine9d
Jay is right, Erik is too sweet (LOL). If I still had my SUPERMAN I would give him to you. I hope you like this lighting that you are getting and leave me alone about grabbing my T-5's, LOL.

- Ross
Click to expand...

Sorry to take this just a touch off topic but Ross, can you tell me a bit about your T5 setup? Which bubls, how many, what order etc... It's great to hear arconom mention a great looking T5 tank.
 
I bought 2x175watt Electronic ballasts from one of the most well known vendors on RC. I wanted to buy the Icecap brand but they were sold out and offered me the PFO brand for the same price as the icecap. I questioned them and they told me they are one in the same.

I had this on mind all day at work. Was I getting a good ballast? Will I be getting the par from the bulb even if it's not a icecap?

After calling Ross and Jay they agreed I should believe what I was told since they were such a reputable company. After all most electronic ballasts are the same as you can see in Sanjays charts.

So I called the vendor back again:) They assured me I was getting a Icecap with a different sticker on it. They said they had the same question from others also.

So then I asked others on RC on another thread on RC. I asked if the PFO brand Electronic ballast is the same as the Icecap with a different label.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=837522

Well Guess what????


I recieved my ballasts,socket/reflector,wiring harness today.

There was a Phone number on the ballast so.............I called:)

I talked to one person then was put to someone higher up I believe. Then they told me what I wanted to here they are identical:) The same but with a different label.

I will take pictures of the ballast tommorrow.
 
So what is the difference in price between the two? And do you have any idea about customer service from the 'other' company?
 
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