Another 250DD upgrade
- Thread starter bankerboy350
- Start date
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
A hundred pounds of rock looks so small in there! It must be nice with dry rock to be able to take your time with the aquascape, something to put on the "pro" list for dry rock.
bankerboy350
New member
Definitely a pro. I'll either get additional rock from brs or I'll move existing rock from my 90
bankerboy350
New member
It has been a while since I last posted. October was a busy month. I have been working on the exterior of the stand which is solid oak. Have also built a canopy frame and hung the MH reflectors. Should complete the exterior of the canopy in the next week or so.
I have been reading about AI Sol LED's over the past week after my LFS told me they are replacing MH's on a display tank. Sounds like the controlability is awesome. I like the idea of not having to replace bulbs. Not sure if I am going to shift gears on lighting now or wait until LED's come down in price. I want to see these on the 240 display at the LFS, though.
I have been reading about AI Sol LED's over the past week after my LFS told me they are replacing MH's on a display tank. Sounds like the controlability is awesome. I like the idea of not having to replace bulbs. Not sure if I am going to shift gears on lighting now or wait until LED's come down in price. I want to see these on the 240 display at the LFS, though.
Attachments
bankerboy350
New member
Tank is filled. Canopy exterior is complete. I believe I have the rockwork about like I want. I placed an order for 4 AI Sol Blue LED's two weeks ago with the LFS aftering seeing them setup on a 240 cube. Expect those in this week or next. Still need to get the skimmer and additional vortech.
Attachments
bankerboy350
New member
I don't want to be doing this long term but will likely go this way for now. Deciding to go LED vs MH/T-5 is stretching my current upgrade budget. A calcium reactor will likely be at the top of the list for future purchases.
bankerboy350
New member
After a little over a month of waiting, got the AI LED's today. Got them installed this evening. Also, just added the XP 5000 skimmer this past weekend. Updated photos are attached. Let me know what you think. I plan to tinker with the controller this weekend and my LFS is going to let me use their PAR meter to take some measurements.
Well, 5 updated photos but can only get one attached at this time.
Well, 5 updated photos but can only get one attached at this time.
Attachments
bankerboy350
New member
Well, I see the one photo I had attached didn't take.
kmu
New member
Nice looking tank you got there, and excellent choice on LED set up.
I got a 48x48x24 240g cube and would love to run an all LED set up, what LED system is your LFS running and if its a AI LED set up how many modules where they using?
THX in advance
bankerboy350
New member
Thanks for the reply. I am quite pleased and my corals seem to be liking the lighting so far.
LFS is running 4 units. They are spaced a little far apart and the tank is a little dim in the center. Owner was contemplating adding a 5th unit in the center. I believe if they were spaced a little closer together and raised a few inches, the 4 units would cover sufficiently with minimal shadows. I believe those lights are about 7-8" above the water.
Mine are currently at 8" above the water.
I am going to try and get my first FTS this weekend. All coral and fish have now been transferred from my 90 and it came down last weekend.
bankerboy350
New member
kmu
New member
THX for the reply...
Thats good news on the 4 modules at your LFS...
I would run all 70 degree optics and raise them at least 10" from the water level to have all 4 units cover the whole tank.
The tank is a 48" cube but really only need to light a 30"x30" area so 4 modules with 70 degree optics and raised high should do the trick. Im currently running a single 250 Radium on a lumenbright large pendant and Im very happy with the results...
bankerboy350
New member
I used the "u" shaped tubing at Lowes for my light rack with stainless steel screws. I think if you hang the lights running the long way from end to end and space about 12-14" apart from the end of each light and space the 2nd row about 15-18" (Center to Center) you will be pleased with 4 units. Hang the rack so that the front lights are about 9-12" from the front of the tank. Interior will be well lit with the outer edge of the sandbed a little dimmer but still good coverage for softies and LPS.
The LFS was getting a PAR reading in the front corner in the 70-80 range.
ScubaPrawn
New member
Nice tank, I like the dimensions.
What did you use for structural support and how do you measure how much is necessary?
What did you use for structural support and how do you measure how much is necessary?
bankerboy350
New member
The tank sits along a load bearing wall. The floor joists run parallel with the tank. I have block columns directly under the tank with 2 treated 4 x 6 posts sitting on top of them running perpendicular to the joists. So, the weight of the tank is essentially transferred to the block columns under the house.
The 4 x 6's were probably a bit overkill but the floor seems to be holding up nicely. There's really no movement in the floor.
