AgentSPS' 300 Gallon ***DreamReef***

[AgentSPS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15129335#post15129335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by purebullet417
new pics please i havent seen a FTS in a while. also how is your spetra doing? it was though in deciding between the spectra and sfligoi for my current setup but in the end i chose sfligoi cause of the deal they offered me with the custom black powdercoat finish.

Go back a few pages

Both the Spectra and the Sfiligoi are amazing fixtures. I have to say that changing the bulbs on the Spectra is a huge production. Major design flaw not having the glass covers over the reflectors just unscrew to remove.

Do you have any photos you can post of your Sfiligoi?

While we are on the subject, I have been kicking around the idea of replacing the Spectra with a suspended canopy. It would probably only be between 9-12 inches tall (enough to house lumenarcs or something similar). I am thinking it would be made of aluminum frame skinned with 1/4 ply with the same laminate as used on the stand. I would have to have custom brackets and hydraulic jacks to suspend it over the tank which is really the main headache I am avoiding. In the end it would, no doubt, give me much more flexibility with lighting and still look way cool.

 

[Ed Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15167136#post15167136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AgentSPS
While we are on the subject, I have been kicking around the idea of replacing the Spectra with a suspended canopy. It would probably only be between 9-12 inches tall (enough to house lumenarcs or something similar). I am thinking it would be made of aluminum frame skinned with 1/4 ply with the same laminate as used on the stand. I would have to have custom brackets and hydraulic jacks to suspend it over the tank which is really the main headache I am avoiding. In the end it would, no doubt, give me much more flexibility with lighting and still look way cool.

Sound like a cool project :rollface:

 

[mpoletti]

Erik- A guy with your DIY skills will definitely enjoy a new project to tinker with. There is no fixture out on the market that has reflectors that are up to par with an after market reflector. I debated the spectra when I was setting up my current tank, but I was always drawb back to reflectors and VHO's.

 

[stunreefer]

Sounds like a great project Erik (although I'm a big Spectra fan ). This unit Reef Specialty is releasing will sport one of the industries best reflectors: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1641716 and http://glassbox-design.com/2009/lumenbright-hybrid-lighting-unit-combines-mh-t5-and-led/

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15168160#post15168160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
Erik- A guy with your DIY skills will definitely enjoy a new project to tinker with. There is no fixture out on the market that has reflectors that are up to par with an after market reflector. I debated the spectra when I was setting up my current tank, but I was always drawb back to reflectors and VHO's.

Mark have you seen the Sfiligoli (sp?) reflectors? they are very nice.

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15168555#post15168555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
Mark have you seen the Sfiligoli (sp?) reflectors? they are very nice.

Yes Nick, I have. I think the spectra has a better spread that the Sfiligoli; but no matter what, IME, they do not match up to a LA, LB, or an elite. Another benefit of a hanging canopy is that you can bring the front lip down a little further and help with light containment. This is important for those of us that have wifes and do not like watching TV with a blue actinic reflection.

 

[BigTuna321]

NICE LAVENDER MAZE BRAIN !!!

 

[paulthomas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15168589#post15168589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
This is important for those of us that have wifes and do not like watching TV with a blue actinic reflection.

Guess the wife has to go then...

Erik, Mark or whomever,

Does the Spectra do a good job of containing light within the perimeter tank?

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15167136#post15167136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AgentSPS
[BI have to say that changing the bulbs on the Spectra is a huge production. Major design flaw not having the glass covers over the reflectors just unscrew to remove.
[/B]

I would have to agree, that is one of the things I don't like about my Spectra fixture. Awesome light though...

 

[paulthomas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15171076#post15171076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcrist
I would have to agree, that is one of the things I don't like about my Spectra fixture. Awesome light though...

+1. I've only tested lamps in the fixture, but getting them in there was a big production. Plus one of the hex head screws on the end cap/thingy stripped.

 

[purebullet417]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15167136#post15167136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AgentSPS



Do you have any photos you can post of your Sfiligoi?

of course i do

sneek peek of the tank i still have to make a thread

 

[AgentSPS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15168160#post15168160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
Erik- A guy with your DIY skills will definitely enjoy a new project to tinker with. There is no fixture out on the market that has reflectors that are up to par with an after market reflector. I debated the spectra when I was setting up my current tank, but I was always drawb back to reflectors and VHO's.

Hi Mark-

Yes this is probably one project I will leave to the experts. Would be happy to submit the sketches and let them figure out the engineering!

 

[AgentSPS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15169763#post15169763 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paulthomas
Guess the wife has to go then...

Erik, Mark or whomever,

Does the Spectra do a good job of containing light within the perimeter tank?

Sure...well if its low enough over the water I have positioned mine at a height that does not allow a ton of light to escape but its still more than I want. The most annoying part is that if you are sitting at the chase or chair in front of the tank, you are subjected to the intense glare of the halides. Im used to it but imagine guests have a hard time getting past it.

 

[AgentSPS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15171226#post15171226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paulthomas
Plus one of the hex head screws on the end cap/thingy stripped.

Trick I learned is to have someone grip the side edges of the fixture and lift or push down. The fixture structure is not super rigid and doing this takes pressure off the screws allowing you to more easily screw in/out. Not sure if yours does this but after my lights go off at night, I often will hear a loud pop when the fixture cools. Something is shifting from the expansion/contraction.

 

[AgentSPS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172570#post15172570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by purebullet417
of course i do

sneek peek of the tank i still have to make a thread

Wow that looks awesome! I have always like the design. Definitely looks like it has a bit more light containment then the Spectra. I am sure you still get a ton of glare sitting at the chair next to it?

 

[AgentSPS]

Some more fungia action....

this was another one from Eddie sold through AquaSD. It is not mine but I found one almost identical which I have yet to take photos of.

This one is mine. Can you guess where I got it? Will take some photos of the whole collection soon...

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15240336#post15240336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AgentSPS
Not sure if yours does this but after my lights go off at night, I often will hear a loud pop when the fixture cools. Something is shifting from the expansion/contraction.

Mine does the same thing, very annoying.

 

[Ed Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15240398#post15240398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AgentSPS
Some more fungia action....

this was another one from Eddie sold through AquaSD. It is not mine but I found one almost identical which I have yet to take photos of.

This one is mine. Can you guess where I got it? Will take some photos of the whole collection soon...

OMG - and I thought the fungia I just got was out of this world....!! :eek2:


Nothing compare to this two gems here :eek1: :eek1: :eek1: when is it coming???

 

[Leonardo_]

Woow, those Fungia's are unbelievable! Why don't I see them around over here in Europe... :sad1:

Leonardo

 

[AgentSPS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15241981#post15241981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
OMG - and I thought the fungia I just got was out of this world....!! :eek2:


Nothing compare to this two gems here :eek1: :eek1: :eek1: when is it coming???

Hi Ed-

Thanks! These have both been in my tank for a while but I just have not taken photos. The pink one was a bit faded for two weeks but has colored back up very nice. It has a little more peach color to it now.

Believe it or not I got the purple w/ green tenticle one for only $60!!! The AquaSD one sold for close to $300! Pretty stoked!