900 Gallon Reef Project

[cwegescheide]

Yer wife have a sister?? :lol:

 

[Bennytheblenny]

So my lighting is coming in over the next few days, its a new model from Acan lighting. Going to go with five 3 foot and one 2 foot fixture. Can't wait.

http://www.acanlighting.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&catid=1&Itemid=81

 

[dahenley]

which model lights are they? you can post the model, or some info (if available that is )

 

[Bennytheblenny]

which model lights are they? you can post the model, or some info (if available that is )

Looks like I am getting the first run of these:

Stay tuned for the launch of the A103AC. This model, like the A102, will feature bulbs that are similar to Cree XP-G, and have a unique 75 degree angle lens on the side LED "strips" to increase the spread of the light. (Center LED "circles" will feature 55 degree lenses, and the A102AC will have 55 degree lenses on all LEDs). This powerful LED fixture will have enough output to meet the lighting needs of the most demanding SPS corals. In addition, a redesigned controller will allow the user to customize the intensity level of the white, blue, and moon light in all light stages. A new and improved tank mounting bracket system will increase the flexibility of mounting options and allow hobbyists to tailor fit the light to their needs. Pricing for the A103AC is $625 per foot. Further details will be announced on our site shortly!

If you click the link http://www.acanlighting.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&catid=1&Itemid=81 you can see what the A102 looks like, the A103 is an upgraded model. Also there is a link to Sanjay's review of the lights in comparison to Halides, T5s and another model of LED lighting. The KR92 is identical to the A102 :

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature2

 

[chimmike]

bulbs that are "similar' to the xp-g? Well, what are they? chinese copies? That makes me wonder.

 

[Bennytheblenny]

bulbs that are "similar' to the xp-g? Well, what are they? chinese copies? That makes me wonder.

I would imagine that similar means, similar in specs. I am not attached to name brands as long as I can get a similar product that is going to do the job equally as well. I have seen these lights in action and with Sanjay's review I am pretty comfortable investing in them. Also they have an interesting setup where they underdrive the LEDs at a bit over 1 watt on a 3 watt LED and then simply add more LEDs to compensate for the loss in intensity.

 

[kentrob11]

Very nice! I take it you'll be letting coraline encrust the tile?

 

[Bennytheblenny]

Very nice! I take it you'll be letting coraline encrust the tile?

Yes that and some stony corals as well I hope.

 

[nycreef]

All I can say is WOW!

 

[Beaun]

I've seen the A103s in action and they have a lot of extras built into the controller when compared to the A102s.

 

[thejuggernaut]

those lights are really neat...are you planning on running two of them over your tank?

 

[chimmike]

I would imagine that similar means, similar in specs. I am not attached to name brands as long as I can get a similar product that is going to do the job equally as well. I have seen these lights in action and with Sanjay's review I am pretty comfortable investing in them. Also they have an interesting setup where they underdrive the LEDs at a bit over 1 watt on a 3 watt LED and then simply add more LEDs to compensate for the loss in intensity.

interesting on the underdriving. Can't wait to see 'em in action!

 

[Bennytheblenny]

those lights are really neat...are you planning on running two of them over your tank?

I am going to be running 6 of the 3 foot fixtures over my tank. I may upgrade to the 4 footers if it seems like I am not getting enough coverage. The savings in electricity is huge compared to 90% of LED models out there. I figure it will take me 2.5 years of run time to break even on cost. I think they are arriving in 10 days.

 

[thejuggernaut]

Well they def. look cool. It would take me forever to justify that kinda upfront cost. Right now we are paying 8.5 cents per KwH.

 

[Bennytheblenny]

Well they def. look cool. It would take me forever to justify that kinda upfront cost. Right now we are paying 8.5 cents per KwH.

I didn't even factor in bulb replacement costs or chiller run time in my break even analysis. I think I pay 3x that in terms of of KwHs.

 

[wtildens]

Amazing!!! Cant wait to see more.

 

[Bennytheblenny]

So I sent my water sample out for testing @ aquariumwatertesting.com and the results I got were not very comforting. This is after 2 weeks of just rock in the tank. I am going to probably have to do a huge water change to fix the issues :furious:

Any advice? We used all Tropic Marin salt, I must have received a bad batch or two. Here are the results:

Ammonia (NH3-4)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.010 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.050 mg/L
Tested: 0.020 mg/L
(GOOD)

Nitrite (NO2)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.010 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.100 mg/L
Tested: 0.008 mg/L
(GOOD)

Nitrate (NO3)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.050 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 25 mg/L
Tested: 2.4 mg/L
(GOOD)

Phosphate (PO4)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.030 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.250 mg/L
Tested: 0.05 mg/L
(GOOD)

Silica (Sio2-3)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.040 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.500 mg/L
Tested: 2.2 mg/L
(HIGH)

Potassium (K)
Natural Seawater Value: 390 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L
Tested: 160 mg/L
(LOW)

Calcium (Ca)
Natural Seawater Value: 400 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L*
*These values represent only the amount of free calcium ions present in the samples. According to Randy Holmes-Farley, the total calcium concentration can be 10% to 20% higher.
Tested: 230 mg/L
(LOW)

Boron (B)
Natural Seawater Value: 4.6 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 3.0 "“ 6.0 mg/L
Tested: 3.6 mg/L
(GOOD)

Molybdenum (Mo)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.01 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.0 to 0.12 mg/L
Tested: 0.3 mg/L
(HIGH)

Strontium (Sr)
Natural Seawater Value: 8.1 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 5.0 to 12.0 mg/L
Tested: 8.9 mg/L
(GOOD)

Magnesium (Mg)
Natural Seawater Value: 1280 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 1100 to 1400 mg/L
Tested: 850 mg/L
(LOW)

Iodine (I¯)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.060 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.030 to 0.090 mg/L
Tested: 0.20 mg/L
(HIGH)

Copper (Cu++)
Natural Seawater Value: 0.030 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 0.000 to 0.030 mg/L
Tested: 0.04 mg/L
(HIGH)

Alkalinity (meq/L)
Natural Seawater Value: 2.5 meq/L
Acceptable Range: 2.5 to 5.0 meq/L
Tested: 2.55 meq/L
(GOOD)


Thank you for using AquariumWaterTesting.com

 

[Dante_JoseCuerv]

I would check the RO/DI water for the copper thing. Same with the silica... I
don't think the salt would've had either of those.

 

[Bennytheblenny]

I was using a spectrapure 5 stage RO/DI with Maxcap DI. I tested the output and it was normal...

 

[GregC]

Wonder if it is or was something on the tile, on the interior of the tank?