CADlights 39g Pro build thread

[reeftivo]

My maxima lives on the bottom of my tank under stock lights. It never stays up top for me...always jumps. He was doing fine with color and health but could never be happy in the cad maybe a flow issue I'm not sure. I put him in my frag tank. He just wouldnt stop moving around in the CAD and knocking things over. Its a beautiful clam but I can't stand it lol would rather have a nice favia or something haha. I don't know maybe it's the clam I have been thinking about trying a different one.
Still trying to decide on lights will probably take the actinic plus's ...who makes those? I really don't want a purple tank lol.
What's the verdict on the 14k Phoenix? I thought they were supposed to have nice color and good intensity. Is the intensity not there? I don't care how fast stuff grows, I want great colors. This tank is small enough I don't need to outgrow it in a year.

The clam doesn't like the flow-probably too much! The best thing I've found is to get a smal piece of creviced rock and put the clam on it in a low flow area. You don't need great lighting at this point but what you want is for it to attach its foot to the rock. Once it attaches its foot you are almost there. You must place them in a moderate to low flow area with at least moderate/high to very high lighting. when they attach to the rock they will not jump and you can affix them just about anywhere in the tank after that. If the clam doesn't want to attach to the rock then you can get a short piece of wide i.d. PVC (4 or 6 inches depending on clam size) and put the clam inside the PVC over the rock so it cannot jump as easily and will eventually attach.

BTW clams suck up calcium!!!!!!!!!

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Very Nice! Are you going with one 12" unit or two?

Rehype has two 12" on his signature and they look nice but they say that you can put one for every 24 inches of tank length so one should work if its raised up a bit for light spread-does that sound right?

I may wait a year or so for mine so the chinese can create more competition and the prices hopefully will come down. Can't wait to see yours up and running-Awsome!

Although one unit probably would have been plenty, I went with two. Mostly because I want to be able to better light the sides - whereas with a single light, there are many shadowy areas created by the aquascaping.

I'm also planning a larger (6X2X20") shallow reef next - So I'll add more light units and transfer these to the next tank.

And you're right - I'm sure the costs will come down significantly (and performance will increase.) I believe these will totally replace MH in a few years.

 

[reeftivo]

After LED comes Plasma-WOW, I can't keep up!
http://glassbox-design.com/2009/aqua-illumination-luxim-plasma-light-emitter-impresses-with-spread/

 

[Gillundr]

The clam doesn't like the flow-probably too much! The best thing I've found is to get a smal piece of creviced rock and put the clam on it in a low flow area. You don't need great lighting at this point but what you want is for it to attach its foot to the rock. Once it attaches its foot you are almost there. You must place them in a moderate to low flow area with at least moderate/high to very high lighting. when they attach to the rock they will not jump and you can affix them just about anywhere in the tank after that. If the clam doesn't want to attach to the rock then you can get a short piece of wide i.d. PVC (4 or 6 inches depending on clam size) and put the clam inside the PVC over the rock so it cannot jump as easily and will eventually attach.

BTW clams suck up calcium!!!!!!!!!

I have tried that. I have tried 3 tanks, low flow, high flow, high light no light, LOL everything. I put it on a flat piece of rock all over and it moves within 24 hours. I used epoxy and made a "fence" around it twice and it managed its way out or just flips over. It's a pain. I think it's just this particular clam. I have had it for a long time and he just isn't happy anywhere. Wish I could return him to the ocean or something lol. He appears healthy other than a broken edge from one of his "suicide attempts" jumping off a pile of rock. I moved him to my frag tank about a month ago. I just don't know. I can keep trying but I thought moving it around too much was too big of a stress on it so I was going to let him be for a while.

 

[timdanger]

Just moved my mp10 to the back wall of my tank last night. definitely creates some different flow patterns, and reaching areas that it hadn't gotten to before. Having said that, I don't know what it might be missing now that it was hitting before. I'll continue to observe.

has anyone else noticed that their vortech will create a whirlpool from the surface, and actually pull air down to the pump (resulting in a spraying of bubbles into the tank/slight splashing)? I'm a good 4" from the surface, and it's still doing that.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

has anyone else noticed that their vortech will create a whirlpool from the surface, and actually pull air down to the pump (resulting in a spraying of bubbles into the tank/slight splashing)? I'm a good 4" from the surface, and it's still doing that.

Yup - they definitely draw a lot. Make sure you have the wet side properly oriented. You'll notice that part of the cage is solid, rotate the wet side so that it's on top - That should eliminate the problem.

For reference, my MP20 is running at about 50% - 3" below the surface. It creates a little bit of surface agitation (which is good) without any bubble issues.

 

[timdanger]

Yup - they definitely draw a lot. Make sure you have the wet side properly oriented. You'll notice that part of the cage is solid, rotate the wet side so that it's on top - That should eliminate the problem.

For reference, my MP20 is running at about 50% - 3" below the surface. It creates a little bit of surface agitation (which is good) without any bubble issues.

See, I thought there was supposed to be a solid part of the cage, too -- but I couldn't find it on the mp10 wet side assembly. Is it supposed to be there on the mp10?

 

[reeftivo]

I have tried that. I have tried 3 tanks, low flow, high flow, high light no light, LOL everything. I put it on a flat piece of rock all over and it moves within 24 hours. I used epoxy and made a "fence" around it twice and it managed its way out or just flips over. It's a pain. I think it's just this particular clam. I have had it for a long time and he just isn't happy anywhere. Wish I could return him to the ocean or something lol. He appears healthy other than a broken edge from one of his "suicide attempts" jumping off a pile of rock. I moved him to my frag tank about a month ago. I just don't know. I can keep trying but I thought moving it around too much was too big of a stress on it so I was going to let him be for a while.

Have you checked the clams mantle and outer growth rim? Mine was openining and closing constantly at one point and I was wondering what was going on and read that someone else had a similar problem and found a tiny Aiptasia attached to the outer portion of the growth rim. I was barely noticeable and everytime the clam would expand the mantle it would touch the pest and get stung then close up quickly. He wrote that this was causing the clam to jump before the mantle was attached.

Flat worms and tiny pyramid snails will also munch on the foot and mantles and they are barely noticeable.

Give it a good looking over before you give up on it.

Tivo

 

[reeftivo]

Just moved my mp10 to the back wall of my tank last night. definitely creates some different flow patterns, and reaching areas that it hadn't gotten to before. Having said that, I don't know what it might be missing now that it was hitting before. I'll continue to observe.

has anyone else noticed that their vortech will create a whirlpool from the surface, and actually pull air down to the pump (resulting in a spraying of bubbles into the tank/slight splashing)? I'm a good 4" from the surface, and it's still doing that.

I've experienced that too and had to move mine a little further from the closest rock structure. I think the stream was blasting against my rock just enough to cause the swirl. It stopped when I moved it.

 

[reeftivo]

Yup - they definitely draw a lot. Make sure you have the wet side properly oriented. You'll notice that part of the cage is solid, rotate the wet side so that it's on top - That should eliminate the problem.

For reference, my MP20 is running at about 50% - 3" below the surface. It creates a little bit of surface agitation (which is good) without any bubble issues.

+1 for CalmSeasQuests suggestion but I'm not sure if the new MP10 pumps have that solid intake section. My MP20 does and it's a big difference with the orientation of that section on the MP20s. My MP10 does not have that section.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Sorry Tim - I just assumed the MP10 would have a similar intake guard.

 

[reeftivo]

See, I thought there was supposed to be a solid part of the cage, too -- but I couldn't find it on the mp10 wet side assembly. Is it supposed to be there on the mp10?

You could always devise a small piece of plastic or heavy guage bag (maybe 1" x 2")and set it at the top portion of the intake. It should hold with the strong pull on that strainer and give you a nice downward roll like the MP20s.

Shoot! I may have to try that myself!

 

[reeftivo]

My MP20 is getting me mad! It was giving me problems by tripping the circuit in the controller. It would run for about 10 minutes then just power down. It would do this on all modes except for short pulse mode. I disassembled everything and soaked it in vinegar/water (per EchoTech) and it ran good for a couple of days and is now shutting down again. Just by having the darn thing down off and on, I'm getting cyano spots again. RRRRGGHH!

I have to get some pictures of the wet side dismantled and send them to EchoTech in order to get a new wet assembly. I think they want to make sure I didn't forget to assemble something when I clean it.

Anyways, I love my MP10 but man what a difference without the MP20. The short pulse mode is pretty cool though as long as I have the pulse at the longest interval (too short and it causes big waves). For me the pulse mode creates this very cool lower push pull wave affect but doesn't move enough water at a long enough interval to stop deadspots.

 

[Gillundr]

I was going to order one of those Vortecs couldn't decide between the 10 and the 20, but I have heard a few complaints on these things. Sort of made me hold off on ordering one for now I think. I would hate to drop 2-300 and have it turn out to mess up and not work right, have to send it back and go through all the hassles lol. I know they are cool, and work good when they run but it just seems like a lot of little issues for that much scratch.
I suppose I'll break down one of these days and buy one the main thing is what size but a lot of people on RC seem to have some issues with them.
Thanks for the ideas on the clam I'm going to check him really well tonight.
What is the link on that LED? I looked back and just couldn't seem to locate it. How much do they run to light the CAD up with it? 1500 or so right? A buddy is offering to give me a 125g tank but not sure I like the 6ftx18in layout. Was thinking about trying to stay more in the 4ft range like a 120. Lots more to light a 6ft tank. But I suppose the cost would be offset by the free tank..but then there are power bills to consider too lol. Decisions I hate making them, just wish I could have it all to play with and then decide what I like.

 

[reeftivo]

I was going to order one of those Vortecs couldn't decide between the 10 and the 20, but I have heard a few complaints on these things. Sort of made me hold off on ordering one for now I think. I would hate to drop 2-300 and have it turn out to mess up and not work right, have to send it back and go through all the hassles lol. I know they are cool, and work good when they run but it just seems like a lot of little issues for that much scratch.
I suppose I'll break down one of these days and buy one the main thing is what size but a lot of people on RC seem to have some issues with them.
Thanks for the ideas on the clam I'm going to check him really well tonight.
What is the link on that LED? I looked back and just couldn't seem to locate it. How much do they run to light the CAD up with it? 1500 or so right? A buddy is offering to give me a 125g tank but not sure I like the 6ftx18in layout. Was thinking about trying to stay more in the 4ft range like a 120. Lots more to light a 6ft tank. But I suppose the cost would be offset by the free tank..but then there are power bills to consider too lol. Decisions I hate making them, just wish I could have it all to play with and then decide what I like.

not sure if you're looking for this or the link to purchase. $600 for 1 x 12 inch/1200 for two give or take.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/10/review

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

AI Wow...

AI Wow...

I just threw these up - haven't had a chance to tweak. They are a bit "spotlighted" but that will be fixed once they are hung a few inches higher.

All I can say is WOW - they change to total character of the tank. It looks so much crisper. The photos are not post-processed. The FTS were taken at 45% power - that approximates the output of the stock bulbs. The Zoa shot is just the blues.

When you turn down the whites, the "Pop" is absolutely unreal - My photo skills in no way demonstrate how beautiful these lights are. I've never seen anything like it.

To say I am impressed would be an understatement.

 

[reeftivo]

Looks pretty good!

Just kidding! Looks AWSOME!!!!!

all I can say is I'm not corresponding with you any more because I'm jealous!!!!!!!

Whatever!!

Just kidding!

What did you pay for those bad boys? The ligh does'nt bleed out like halides. LOVE IT!

Keep the pics coming

 

[reeftivo]

Okay, I'm getting 2 now. Thanks ALOT $$! My wife's going to kill me!

 

[reeftivo]

I just threw these up - haven't had a chance to tweak. They are a bit "spotlighted" but that will be fixed once they are hung a few inches higher.

All I can say is WOW - they change to total character of the tank. It looks so much crisper. The photos are not post-processed. The FTS were taken at 45% power - that approximates the output of the stock bulbs. The Zoa shot is just the blues.

When you turn down the whites, the "Pop" is absolutely unreal - My photo skills in no way demonstrate how beautiful these lights are. I've never seen anything like it.

To say I am impressed would be an understatement.

I heard the fans in those things are loud!!!:lolspin: It makes your DSB look great! Kind of fades the depth in the pics!

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Okay, I'm getting 2 now. Thanks ALOT $$! My wife's going to kill me!

LOL - Sorry Brother - But they really are incredible

Bout $1200 through ReefGeek - that included a hanging kit.

ZERO noise - Can't hear the AI fans - With my new overflow mod, the loudest thing on my tank is now the MP20

My guess is these put our about the same as 2 X 250MHs (and they have nice shimmer) - all for about 140 watts of electricity. One negative, there's NO heat, I'll have to run my heater a lot more (you can sell your chiller) :lolspin: