An unforseen fork in the road
- Thread starter Putawaywet
- Start date
Todd March
Premium Member
Hey Brettm what bulb combination are you currently running? Your T5 selection when I saw your tank last July was so nice...
Todd, I'm not sure if I had swapped bulbs around before or after you were here. Was the light fixture gray and was there a big box fan sitting atop my tank when you stopped by?
From the start it was 5 Blue+, 5 Aqua Blue Specials, 1 ProColor, and 1 middle of the road UV actinic.
I played around with a couple GE daylights and an extra Actinc here and there but wasn't happy so I swapped back to the above.
Then right after the replacement fixture arrived I took out one of the Blue+ and added a 2nd ProColor. Which is where I am now.
One thing worth mentioning...
The way I have my photoperiod setup I have over 5 hours at various times throughout the day where less than all 12 bulbs are lit. This makes it near impossible to get a balanced color spectrum for the entire photo period. So, figuring that I spent more time in the evenings looking at the tank, I just balanced out the bank of 4 that was last to shut off and ignored how the other 2 banks looked on their own. So the first 4 to come on are all Blue+ & Aqua blue specials (which isn't all that bad actually) then 2 more Blue Specials, 1 ProColor and 1 more Blue+ come on an hour later. Last to kick on is 1 Blue+, 1 Aqua Blue, 1 ProColor & 1 Actinic. Which is the 4 bulb combo I get to enjoy the last 2 hours of the evening.
The trade-off means a slightly off kilter color for an hour or so in the morning and afternoon, but I think the tank really pops in the eveining after the sun has gone down with that last 4 bulb combo.
Brett
From the start it was 5 Blue+, 5 Aqua Blue Specials, 1 ProColor, and 1 middle of the road UV actinic.
I played around with a couple GE daylights and an extra Actinc here and there but wasn't happy so I swapped back to the above.
Then right after the replacement fixture arrived I took out one of the Blue+ and added a 2nd ProColor. Which is where I am now.
One thing worth mentioning...
The way I have my photoperiod setup I have over 5 hours at various times throughout the day where less than all 12 bulbs are lit. This makes it near impossible to get a balanced color spectrum for the entire photo period. So, figuring that I spent more time in the evenings looking at the tank, I just balanced out the bank of 4 that was last to shut off and ignored how the other 2 banks looked on their own. So the first 4 to come on are all Blue+ & Aqua blue specials (which isn't all that bad actually) then 2 more Blue Specials, 1 ProColor and 1 more Blue+ come on an hour later. Last to kick on is 1 Blue+, 1 Aqua Blue, 1 ProColor & 1 Actinic. Which is the 4 bulb combo I get to enjoy the last 2 hours of the evening.
The trade-off means a slightly off kilter color for an hour or so in the morning and afternoon, but I think the tank really pops in the eveining after the sun has gone down with that last 4 bulb combo.
Brett
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The above pic of me next to the tank would be with only the 8 inner most bulbs lit.
2 Procolor
1 Actinic
3 Aqua Blue Special
2 Blue+
2 Procolor
1 Actinic
3 Aqua Blue Special
2 Blue+
Yes. They are now white gloss powdercoat which I think looks better than the older gray ones. They also come with a thin gray plastic trim strip down the side (it's removable and could prob be painted if you so desired). They've also changed the mounting cables around a bit. It no longer comes with screw posts for 4-point mouning on the corners. They are now using a system that gives you 4 points on the fixture by way of sliding slots and 2 points on the ceiling.
But the biggest and most important change of all, (if you're not counting the internal US spec ballalsts) is they now have a clear sheet of flexible plastic closing off about half the vents on the top on fixture. My other fixture never had this plastic. So I'm having trouble understanding, with air taking the path of least resistance and all, how you can stick some fans in just one end and expect to move air the entire length of the unit if the entire top of the case is one large piece of mesh.
Brett
Tangwich
In Memoriam
First hand look at Brett's tank
First hand look at Brett's tank
THis tank is unreal and I know that my old Majestic angel is living in Nirvana from this point forward. So what can I say about this tank that most of you don't already think after reading this build thread? It is all true, the tank is incredible, the Clarion SPECTACULAR, the Yellow tang GIGANTIC, the aquascape very precise and well thought out and the man behind it all one of thee nicest reefers in this hobby, that I have ever encountered.
I wish I would have had some helpful advice to offer as Brett is still trying to combat some problems with his tank, however what I did mention to Brett was that he shouldn't be so hard on himself and his tank. As I mentioned, it's like the first scratch on a new car, usually only the owner notices that scratch as everyone else rants and raves about how nice the paint shines and how beautiful the new car is. I also mentioned another truth to him, which was that about 99.9% of us on this forum would still love to have his tank, "problems" and all
so try and see it for the great accomplishment that it is and take the set backs in stride as I'm sure it will all work out for the good in no time. Ok, I'm done rambling :lol: It was a true pleasure meeting you Brett and not only having great reef talk, but great sports car chat as well.
oh and Stunreefer, thanks for the compliment
First hand look at Brett's tank
THis tank is unreal and I know that my old Majestic angel is living in Nirvana from this point forward. So what can I say about this tank that most of you don't already think after reading this build thread? It is all true, the tank is incredible, the Clarion SPECTACULAR, the Yellow tang GIGANTIC, the aquascape very precise and well thought out and the man behind it all one of thee nicest reefers in this hobby, that I have ever encountered.
I wish I would have had some helpful advice to offer as Brett is still trying to combat some problems with his tank, however what I did mention to Brett was that he shouldn't be so hard on himself and his tank. As I mentioned, it's like the first scratch on a new car, usually only the owner notices that scratch as everyone else rants and raves about how nice the paint shines and how beautiful the new car is. I also mentioned another truth to him, which was that about 99.9% of us on this forum would still love to have his tank, "problems" and all
so try and see it for the great accomplishment that it is and take the set backs in stride as I'm sure it will all work out for the good in no time. Ok, I'm done rambling :lol: It was a true pleasure meeting you Brett and not only having great reef talk, but great sports car chat as well. oh and Stunreefer, thanks for the compliment
mcliffy2
New member
From my understanding, you don't need air all the way through...maybe someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I read that T5s have a "cool" spot (cool in that its less PAR, but hotter temp), that needs to be kept at about 130 degrees on the end with the bulb label printed on it. So its this end that needs to be cooled. This means that as long as you orient your bulbs so the writing as at the end with the fans, they should be properly cooled.
And I agree, the new fixture looks sweet. As soon as you get your deposit back it looks like you'll finally have got what you paid for
j-soler
New member
well i dont know where to begin! im really impressed with your craftmanship and the quality of your build is second to none especially after all the twists and turns, you could make a documentary on this alone. another compliment: ive yet to have seen a title that better suits the thread, omg i cant believe youve had so many "against the grain" things happen but the end definately justifies the means and this tank is well worth it.
i do lament one thing... that jesse (tangwich) didnt tell me he was coming over if only i had read your thread on saturday instead of monday perhaps that would of changed. he is a stand-up guy that has also been very good to me.
as to the lighting issue, its my experiance that when someone is dealing over the phone or email you almost always get the run around. squeeky wheel gets the grease man youll get yours in due time just keep squeeking! good luck and Keep us updated
tony
i do lament one thing... that jesse (tangwich) didnt tell me he was coming over if only i had read your thread on saturday instead of monday perhaps that would of changed. he is a stand-up guy that has also been very good to me.
as to the lighting issue, its my experiance that when someone is dealing over the phone or email you almost always get the run around. squeeky wheel gets the grease man youll get yours in due time just keep squeeking! good luck and Keep us updated
tony
Well it looks like I've been stonewalled yet again by Will at Aquarium Obsessed. It's apparent that Will's offer to settle up was little more than an empty handed promise aimed at dodging the hornet's nest that was getting stirred up on this thread. Will agreed to refund me by bank draft no later than Thursday of last week. On Friday I had to draft yet another email asking for an update. He replied yesterday that he had just finally "gotten" to the bank and would be emailing me my tracking number later Monday evening.
Well, I'm still waiting for that email and tracking number.
So, I have sent another email advising Will I am now escalating this to the next level.
I am asking that everyone please hold their comments to themselves so this thread doesn't get out of control and become an issue for the mods.
I will deal with Will and Aquarium Obsessed in the appropriate manner and in the appropriate place.
Thank you
Brett
Well, I'm still waiting for that email and tracking number.
So, I have sent another email advising Will I am now escalating this to the next level.
I am asking that everyone please hold their comments to themselves so this thread doesn't get out of control and become an issue for the mods.
I will deal with Will and Aquarium Obsessed in the appropriate manner and in the appropriate place.
Thank you
Brett
Aquarium Obsessed
New member
The funds were sent express yesterday as promised. I appologize for not making it on Thursday but we have been extremely busy and last night was my first chance. Tracking # sent.
AO
AO
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murphysfish
New member
nice skimmer and love the rock
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13628618#post13628618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
From my understanding, you don't need air all the way through...maybe someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I read that T5s have a "cool" spot (cool in that its less PAR, but hotter temp), that needs to be kept at about 130 degrees on the end with the bulb label printed on it. So its this end that needs to be cooled. This means that as long as you orient your bulbs so the writing as at the end with the fans, they should be properly cooled.
And I agree, the new fixture looks sweet. As soon as you get your deposit back it looks like you'll finally have got what you paid for
I've read various bits of info here and there about proper temps and such, but I've never across anything where it was mentioned specifically that the end with the label was different then the end without. And Sfiligoi's instructions are pretty basic, they certainly don't make mention of T5 bulbs needing to be oriented a certain way.
Do you remember where you read that? I'd like to read up on that if I can.
Brett
mcliffy2
New member
Putayawet, Sorry it took me so long to get back to you....just went through a saga with my Sfiligoi doing self-repair. Nothing like yours, but painful none-the-less. I confirmed with Grim Reefer, there is a hotspot at the end with the writing on it, so the fans should go on that side.
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