CADlights 39g Pro build thread

[reeftivo]

I am seriously considering the Apex, but with all the probes and add-ons I have to budget for it. Ie...buy it when the wife's not looking.

There's a RC user named aquamanic that wrote a pretty intensive guide to the Apex.

Here's my Q&A thread in the Neptune forum:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1988200

:lolspin:Ie...buy it when the wife's not looking.


Thanks buddy! I've done the wifes not looking thing many, many times. Doesn't work so good these days after 20+ years of being married:bounce2:. I might have to sneak out and open up a toy account.

Nevermind!:mad2: She'll find out because she always checks the direct deposits:bounce2:

I'll check out the link

Thanks again!

 

[meinestrasse]

Anyone ever think about putting an ATI powermodule over their tank?

 

[reeftivo]

Some of the best units out there I think.

Not sure if they offer a black fixture though!

I ran VHO's on my larger tanks and didn't care for the varying outputs from bulb to bulb. That was a long time ago and the T5's are pretty consistent.

For me, I just like replacing one bulb now-LOL!

You'll get a lot of good info from the lighting/filtration thread on the ATI's.

 

[meinestrasse]

I did a bit more reading up on lighting. ATI is a great fixture but you still don't get that shimmer of MH. I've now got my eye on the Gieseman Spectra and Gieseman Infitini, which are MH/T5 combo fixtures. The Infinity and Spectra are similar fixtures except the Spectra is a SE and Inifiniti is DE. Gieseman makes it in 600 mm length, which is perfect for the 24 inch wide CAD.

 

[meinestrasse]

So I am pulling the trigger on this:



Giesemann Spectra HQ/T5 1 x 250 Watt HQ E40 / 4 x 24 Watt T5 600mm

 

[reeftivo]

beautiful fixture my friend. That sucker's going to really light it up!

Can't wait for pics!

What did you pay for it?

Thanks

Tivo

 

[meinestrasse]

The 24" Giesemann Spectra sells for $1100 here in Canada. I think this is a bit less than in the States because the distributor for all of North America is located in Montreal. They also make a 400 watt version in 24" but I think that would cook my tank.

 

[meinestrasse]

I was playing around with some dry rock I bought from BRS for the scape in my 39g Pro.



Another view...

 

[reeftivo]

looks really nice!

Make sure you can get around all the pieces for cleaning though, or it will be a nightmare to clean the glass. Been there done that!

Back right and front left look tight for a magnet to get around. You could always tap off some chunks of the shelf rock to give you more room.

Looks like fun!!

Tivo

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I was playing around with some dry rock I bought from BRS for the scape in my 39g Pro.

Looks Great meinestrasse!

The nano I'm building has less than 1/2" between the aquascape and glass in many places - I was able to make it so tight due to finding the 2 fishies Nano cleaning magnet. It get in anywhere and does a great job of cleaning the curved corners.

 

[meinestrasse]

Thanks for the advice. So here's a little surprise. Recall, I had a problem with the overflow box. Well, I removed it completely, finally fixed the leaking seam, and installed a 700 gph overflow from glass-holes that mounts high on the back wall of the tank. This has increased the usable space footprint in the tank tremendously, allowing me to be more liberal in my rock scape. Tivo, thanks for the tip on glass holes. So the overflow is now plumbed externally, and I am installing a Tunze inlet pipe set for the return (also plumbed externally) with entry from the back wall. I also upgraded my return pump to the new Tunze Silence 1073.05 variable speed. I hope to have some photos next weekend.

 

[reeftivo]

Cooool!

I'm getting jealous! Variable speed Silence? Checking it out!

Also will have to check out the nano mag that Tom's got. I've got 2 areas on the sides that are a pain right now.

Going automated soon w/ dosing pump and Ca reactor because my helper has moved and no longer can help-LOL. Will be taking off for trip in a few weeks so need to get things up and running in tune.

Thanks for the updates!

Tivo

 

[meinestrasse]

Going automated soon w/ dosing pump and Ca reactor because my helper has moved and no longer can help-LOL. Will be taking off for trip in a few weeks so need to get things up and running in tune.

I am serious on the dosing pump, too. I contemplated a calc reactor, but I think the doser is much better at dialing in specific concentrations of Ca, alk, Mg, etc. and can be used for dosing foods for SPS.

BRS makes an affordable and reputable doing pump. But I think I am going to go with the GHL Profilux III EX controller with doser add-on (I just learned I'm getting a $1400 tax refund!). GHL also makes a standalone dosing unit that doesn't require their controller. But pricey.

 

[reeftivo]

I like my calk reactor w/ pH controller because I don't have to worry about it at all for around six months when it's dialed in. It also delivers trace elements when the media dissolves so additions for me are not needed. I only plan to use the dosing pump for my zeo start3 which I have to dose twice a day. Still looking at dosers but really need to hurry up.

Peace!

Tivo

 

[itsdarrow]

quick question for you guys, what size pluming is the drain (durso) and the bulkhead on the CAD? is it one 1in or 1.5in?

 

[reeftivo]

1 inch i.d.

 

[reefinmo]

I've got the standard Bubble-Magus skimmer that came with the Pro. How often do you all clean this skimmer? Mine worked for about 6 months, then stopped making bubbles. I finally figured out how to clean that blue and white air intake part on the pump and it started working like a champ again. But two weeks later, it got clogged up again. I wasn't expecting to have to clean it that often at that level. Do you clean it that often?

This is all new to me. I started looking at skimmers last night, but this one seems to work great when the air is not clogged up.

 

[reefinmo]

I've got the standard Bubble-Magus skimmer that came with the Pro. How often do you all clean this skimmer? Mine worked for about 6 months, then stopped making bubbles. I finally figured out how to clean that blue and white air intake part on the pump and it started working like a champ again. But two weeks later, it got clogged up again. I wasn't expecting to have to clean it that often at that level. Do you clean it that often?

This is all new to me. I started looking at skimmers last night, but this one seems to work great when the air is not clogged up.

 

[itsdarrow]

Hey I'm going to be selling my pro with no cabinet. But with sump and mh t5 light( the old style). What do you think I can get or ask for?

 

[timdanger]

I like my calk reactor w/ pH controller because I don't have to worry about it at all for around six months when it's dialed in. It also delivers trace elements when the media dissolves so additions for me are not needed. I only plan to use the dosing pump for my zeo start3 which I have to dose twice a day. Still looking at dosers but really need to hurry up.

Peace!

Tivo

Tivo, I've been using the BRS 1.1ml/minute dosing pumps for Ca/Alk for about 9 months. i love them, and they've been very good. the only problem is that they are so convenient that i don't ever think about them and sometimes my Ca/Alk reservoirs run dry!