An unforseen fork in the road

Brett,

I was afraid of that. Got any grey spaflex you want to sell? :)

I may go all black or black and gray plumbing. I don't think I can fully avoid gray.


Kids - I bet that has been a fun learning curve. As far as violins go, you should ask that bergzy fellow if you can borrow one of his. :D

Top of stand - can't help you there, but I can offer some advice on lighting. I am in the same boat. There aren't many options out there.

Status of silver pendant manufacturers that sell in the US.

Aquaconnect - Not available in US any longer

Aqua Medic - Sunlight NG (internal ballasts), Oceanlight

Giesemann - All fixtures are having their ballast redesigned (per two good sources). These are supposed to be coming into the US in a few weeks. They show serious promise:
http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/images/Infiniti-Large_001.gif

Sfiligoi - Quite a few options.
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/

Grotech - Photon line
http://www.grotech.de/ENGLISH/index.php?c=1&s=beleuchtungstechnik

Available via dropship via finsreef.

I should just have my sister bring back some lighting systems from Europe on her next trip back. :D

I have inquired about the Aqua Medic Ocean Light (I believe stlouisguy has one above). Several seasoned users have stated that they really like the pendant, and the price makes it twice as attractive. More importantly, they stated that they would buy one again.
 
Appreciate those links - they help a lot. I've seen pics of most of those, but not much of the technical specs so that's more food for thought.

I'm liking the Giesemann, especially the 150W / 4x29w T5 model. I could easily see 3 of those in blue above the tank.

The Photon MH/T5 combo looks nice also, and I really like the 6 tube T5 option, but that's a whopping 18 bulbs for 3 fixtures??? Wondering about the practicality of that over the long run.

You wouldn't happen to know if the Giesemann is going to use internal or external ballasts would you?

My innitial plan is to run the power cords up to the ceiling where they will integrate (plug?) into that modular raceway track. So, the frewer power cords the better. From there it will be just the raceway running across, down the wall and into the stand, which I'm hoping will be a nice clean look.

Those lighting control interfaces that are offered as options look super sweet, but I'm not sure if the cords will go the distance since the fixture farthest from the wall would need in excess of 20' of cord to make it into the stand. The Elos units use a single power cord and a telephone type cord routed back to the controller. But that's like a $200 add on per fixture for the interface, not counting the controller. Granted, that gets you a ton of bells and whistles, but when I priced those puppies out with the interface and the custom color I was looking at nearly$1,800 per unit - which was just insane. Crazy I can handle, but insane is out of my budget :)

I'm even kicking around the idea of mounting Intermatic digital type timers directly to the fixtures that have internal ballasts. I imagine all it would take is a good location and some cutouts in the metal. My SLS BlueWave ballast boxes came that way. Just a rectangular hole punched into the sheetmetal and the timers are press fit into the hole so only the LCD window is exposed.

Brett
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8293371#post8293371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Brett,

I was afraid of that. Got any grey spaflex you want to sell? :)
Click to expand...

Sell? Yes. Ship? Not particularly.

If push comes to shove and you don't come up with anything, PM me and we'll talk more.

Brett
 
Well, with that in mind, I'd look at the Giesemann Infiniti, AquaMedic Oceanlight, and the Sunlight NG. The photon is $1900 per unit. Ouch.

The Infiniti is supposed to have external ballasts and has nice adjustable MH reflectors so you can change the spread. They are supposed to be here soon, but I don't know where here is. :) They are supposed to retail for $1200 to $1400 a piece.

The Sunlight NG is superior to the Oceanlight due to the reflector design and number of T-5's in each pendent. They also include moonlights. They are available through customaquatic. The only drawback IMO is the whole internal ballast thing. Longevity may be an issue, and those whoe own them state that they are HEAVY.

The Oceanlight's reflector is the hammertone style, but it encompasses the entire bulb. It may not be good for intensity, but many users report superior spread. It has external ballasts with super long cords. Some users say the ballasts make a little noise.
 
Wow... lots of good info tacocat! :) I really like the look of open top tanks with a really nice light fixture hanging above it. However the power cables are difficult to hide and make attractive. Cant wait to see what you come up with. :D
 
Putupwet
Sorry about my post, I was trying to put it in near your beautiful rock work. Just after I posted I found my answer. Thank you.
 
i feel bad even asking becuase im sure its already been asked a ton of times, but...

how much were those faux piling that you ordered and how did you go about ordering them?....also was that side of the tank with the piling a fuge?

thanks

josh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8313446#post8313446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaulieWalnuts
i feel bad even asking becuase im sure its already been asked a ton of times, but... thanks josh
Click to expand...


how much were those faux piling that you ordered and how did
you go about ordering them?

Josh, Price all depends on what you want and who you get it from. Something like that is a custom piece and is made to order. David L. Manwarren (DLM Corp) over in Rancho Cucamonga CA. did that one and if I remember correctly the original quote for a finished piece was in the 2K neighborhood. I was able to cut that in half by going with a stripped down version and then finshing it off myself.

also was that side of the tank with the piling a fuge??

The piling tank was a very simple mixed species tank that contained a few corals and a handful of fish. I don't/didn't run a fuge. At least not in the sense you are probably most familiar with.

Brett
 
Last edited:
wow! Your first tank was amazing I can only imagine how this will turn out but so far I for one am impressed. Great work and well designed.
 
WOW- Absolutely beautiful- I'm really digging those rocks. that was a great idea getting tons of smaller rocks to build up your own reefscpae with...
 
Unfortunately, I'm fighting things beyond my control.

Not trying to bore anyone with my troubles but let's just say....

Ex husband's who don't like the way things go in court and subsequently move out of state and decide to pay their child support whenever it's conveinent for them are a real drag.

Acrylic prices have gone up considerably in the past year and my tank estimate jumped 25%. As a result I'm now shopping around for quotes.

And even worse... now that the project is severely behind schedule I'm facing the reality of running into our wedding planning timetable. And while my fiance totally loves the tank, I'd sooner eat glass than put a lighting unit in front of her wedding plans.

At best, with the delay, and tank cost increase, I'm realistically looking at getting just the tank and perhaps a Vortec or two.

I guess on the positive side, with more European lighting finding their way across the pond and EcoTech not releasing their wireless controller untill summer/fall, I'm hoping that somehow these delays will work out in my favor somewhere down the road.

Happy New year to everyone!

Brett
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8878793#post8878793 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Putawaywet
Unfortunately, I'm fighting things beyond my control.

Not trying to bore anyone with my troubles but let's just say....

Ex husband's who don't like the way things go in court and subsequently move out of state and decide to pay their child support whenever it's conveinent for them are a real drag.

Acrylic prices have gone up considerably in the past year and my tank estimate jumped 25%. As a result I'm now shopping around for quotes.

And even worse... now that the project is severely behind schedule I'm facing the reality of running into our wedding planning timetable. And while my fiance totally loves the tank, I'd sooner eat glass than put a lighting unit in front of her wedding plans.

At best, with the delay, and tank cost increase, I'm realistically looking at getting just the tank and perhaps a Vortec or two.

I guess on the positive side, with more European lighting finding their way across the pond and EcoTech not releasing their wireless controller untill summer/fall, I'm hoping that somehow these delays will work out in my favor somewhere down the road.

Happy New year to everyone!

Brett
Click to expand...

Oooh dang Brett, that sucks to hear. FWIW, I feel likt a turd for bumping this. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8861164#post8861164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
taco, where is your thread?
Click to expand...

Edward,

I am doing the photo documentation now. The tank has been running saltwater since X-mas. I want to write the entire build up in Word and copy and paste it as posts so that all the good info will be blocks so that readers will have less to stuff to weed through.

One interesting aspect of this build up is that 90% of the equipment was bought used or as ReefCentral transactions. It's kind of a high end recylce project. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8878875#post8878875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Oooh dang Brett, that sucks to hear. FWIW, I feel likt a turd for bumping this. :)
Click to expand...

No worries!

Just a few growing pains in my transition from bachelor to family man. Or perhaps "a few speed bumps in the road" would be more appropriate :)

Regardless, I still have a week of vacation left and as soon as I return to work I'll post some updated pics. Nothing earth shattering, but I do have the Eheim's installed as well as some more plumbing done so at least I have something to show for my time spent sitting on my butt.

Brett
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8878943#post8878943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Edward,

I am doing the photo documentation now. The tank has been running saltwater since X-mas. I want to write the entire build up in Word and copy and paste it as posts so that all the good info will be blocks so that readers will have less to stuff to weed through.

One interesting aspect of this build up is that 90% of the equipment was bought used or as ReefCentral transactions. It's kind of a high end recylce project. :)
Click to expand...

Im doing the same thing! I have A LOT of documentation about mine too. Cant wait to see yours.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Returning to the hobby
Replies
13
Views
327
griss
griss
Paul B
The Benefit of Parasites
Replies
1
Views
324
Timfish
Timfish
cilyjr
Cilyjr 320 gallon on the central coast
Replies
12
Views
540
rogerwilco357
rogerwilco357
Nanook
Reefbreeder Photon V2+ 50” fixtures FS (5 of them)!
Replies
3
Views
128
Nanook
Nanook
DRThompson
FMAS Holiday Party Dec 7th, 2024 @2pm
Replies
0
Views
68
DRThompson
DRThompson
Back
Top