Coral Tank from Canada (1350gal Display Tank)

[mr.wilson]

Shawn
Did you show peter the LED Vertex Illumina ?
http://www.vertexaquaristik.com/products/lighting/led/lumina/luminaSR.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHo7LTgkbZ4

Yes, we looked at a Vertex LED fixture at MACNA. It is in violation of the US patent but they had one there on display anyway. The fixture design wasn't very impressive and it wasn't turned on so I can't comment on the quality of light. I can comment that it is way overpriced One of my customers ordered one recently as they can be legally sold in Canada, but I haven't seen it yet.

 

[mr.wilson]

Am I the only one that likes the color of the plasma, looks a lot more natural to me. I dont think it's "yellow", people are just used to the crazy blue spectrum.

Lighting is subjective. In my opinion the plasma light would look very natural over a Pacific Kelp display with Garibaldi, but it doesn't represent how natural reefs look. I do however agree that popular lighting systems are way too blue and are equally as inaccurate portrayals of reefs.

Aquarium servicing companies love dim blue lighting with low PAR values because they minimize algae growth. Unfortunately they also minimize coral growth.

I just picked up some T5 actinics and 250 watt 14k Phoenix bulbs to try out in one of our test fixtures. They will be replacing some 20k lamps that aren't cutting it. I will be installing them tomorrow. Pics to follow.

My first MHL reef lighting was from a hydroponic shop with Venture 5K bulbs, circa 1989. They looked just like the plasma light we have. The human eye recognizes yellow light as brighter than blue so even a low wattage light appear to be much more efficient than higher colour temperature lights.

Keep in mind, we are not looking for the highest PAR values. Too much focus on photosynthesis will yield corals with a brown or drab green film of zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae). The 400 watt MHL we are using has higher PAR and better coverage while offering a very bright looking natural (white) light. It appears that plasma only offers longer bulb life if that proves to be true. The new 250 watt bulbs will close the gap between plasma and MHL among our test fixtures. Stay tuned...

 

[mr.wilson]

Mr.Wilson, your so cruel with me !
Do you import direct all the fish or you take from local importer ? (a specially helfrichi)

Thank's
SPIN

I buy from a few different sources. This order was from Sea Dwelling Creatures in LA. The Helfrichi came in flawless condition and they are eating well. The price has dropped on them considerable over the years. They used to be at least $300 each... wait do you think Peter will read this

I had one come in with an order of purple fire gobies from The Philippines about 15 years ago. It was a waif (drifter) as they are not supposed to be in that range. It was a truly amazing surprise, especially in those days when they were the Holy Grail of reef fish.

Live Aquaria had some nice ones in one of their display tanks at MACNA.

 

[mr.wilson]

I agree, and the technology has a long way to come till I ever look at getting one. But for some people to just dismiss it as yellow is shutting the door on a promising technology. For public aquariums and macro displays it certainly has its place already. My guess is that it'll be a few years before we really see what is possible.

Absolutely. If we discounted MHL back in the 5,000K days or current LED technology for that matter, then advances will never come. Plasma went from lab to reef tank in no time. Give it some time to evolve and we will have cause to finally retire our MHL systems.

In the end it will still come down to personal preference, but a controllable system offers something for everyone. MHL is the least controllable technology on the market, but it's the best complete package in my opinion... for now!

 

[mr.wilson]

I bought three for the fish room. Two will be for the Mangrove wall units and one for the refugium. They will be great for those purposes however I will say they are extremely heavy and cumbersome to work with from an architectural point of view.

Peter

Yes, they are perfect for growing algae and plants, and yes, the are very awkward fixtures to install. I may have to bill hourly on this one

 

[mr.wilson]

I'm certain that plasma lights have a very bright future though

So are you saying there is light at the end of the tunnel? Time will tell how long that tunnel is

 

[kharmaguru]

My first MHL reef lighting was from a hydroponic shop with Venture 5K bulbs, circa 1989

I have the same bulbs from my original reef. My wife uses them in the winter for Seasonal Affective Disorder now! You are right - they look exceedingly bright to the human eye compared to the newer high Kelvin MH bulbs...

 

[mr.wilson]

I have the same bulbs from my original reef. My wife uses them in the winter for Seasonal Affective Disorder now! You are right - they look exceedingly bright to the human eye compared to the newer high Kelvin MH bulbs...

Tell her to use a blue light as that is what is used in the medical field. Your old light will not have much of the viable spectrum she needs for treatment... besides, it's a perfect excuse to go to Cuba for a week during the winter. Ontario health care should cover that right???

*** Mr.Wilson is not Dr.Wilson and his medical advice is given only as his own personal opinion and such comments do not reflect the position or liability of the Reef Central community ***

 

[Elliott]

seasonal affective disorder or depression is often treated with daylight bulbs in the 10,000K range

 

[mr.wilson]

Okay readers, it's time to become contributors. We need some suggestions for an external protein skimmer for the Mars invert system. The sump is too small and too buried to allow for an internal (in sump) skimmer. I was ready to order an external ATB cone, but just found out they are discontinued

The system is around 100 gallons but it will have a high bio-load due to heavy feeding of non-photosynthetic corals, new arrivals, and frags. I don't normally over-size a skimmer as they perform poorly in most cases (premature bubble popping, poor surface tension etc.), but with a heavy bio-load, elevated TOC (total organic carbon) and "bleeding" frags, a bigger unit will be justified in my opinion.

We are looking for a premium model that is durable, reliable, and proven. We don't want anything flimsy or high maintenance... just set it and forget it.

Let the debate begin...:reading:

 

[killerbee181]

this is a local company that has an amazing skimmer they are top notch quality and even better performance I highly recommend
http://www.i-techskimmers.com/forums/
let me know if you need any help getting in touch with him
Terry

 

[yimmerz]

Check out the My Reef Creations needle wheel skimmers. They're well made, well priced and work great.

 

[kharmaguru]

It's often worth seeing what Saline Solutions can do custom for you. He's in Toronto if you've never used him.

http://www.salinesolutions.net/index.html

Thanks for the tips on SAD. My wife finds great relief from the 5K bulbs - she's used one in the morning getting ready for work the last two winters. Strange that the medical treatments would use bluer bulbs considering surface daylight is not like that. I have some 10K bulbs kicking around, maybe I'll get her to try those.

 

[funkehouse]

I have been reading this entire thread for the last few days, finally caught up in real time !! I dont know if there has ever been a single thread with more information than this one. I think it is SO cool that you basically let us all into your life while you take on this monster project. And not only do you ask advice of members but you have used quite a bit of it and reported back the results. Good stuff. You Sir are both a Scholar AND a Gentleman !

 

[Azazael13]

I really like my reef octopus skimmer, and I think their larger models can be done as external, though I am not positive.

 

[SaraB]

Oh boy, the great skimmer debate begins!!! I'm a big fan of the H&S skimmers out of Germany. They are right up there with Bubble King and Deltec for quality of construction but are priced just under them. I've personally run 3 different models in my systems being 2 internal and 1 external and I'm pleased with all of them.

Fins Reef is a sponsor on RC as well: http://www.finsreef.com/xcart/home.php?cat=258

 

[mr.wilson]

this is a local company that has an amazing skimmer they are top notch quality and even better performance I highly recommend
http://www.i-techskimmers.com/forums/
let me know if you need any help getting in touch with him
Terry

Looks good. I'm not crazy about a forum, rather than a website that showcases the products, but I was curious enough to sign up.

My concern with a product like this, no matter how well it is put together, is product support. Once agin, he may be the nicest guy in the world, but it looks like he has some delivery problems with his CNC shop. I can't afford to hear "we will have them in three months" when a part fails.

 

[mr.wilson]

I have been reading this entire thread for the last few days, finally caught up in real time !! I dont know if there has ever been a single thread with more information than this one. I think it is SO cool that you basically let us all into your life while you take on this monster project. And not only do you ask advice of members but you have used quite a bit of it and reported back the results. Good stuff. You Sir are both a Scholar AND a Gentleman !

It's worked out very well that we have the proud owner Peter and myself the system designer/engineer on the thread. Thanks for reading it all. I came in at about page 20 and had some serious thoughts whether it was worth catching up or not. It worked out well as I mentioned

I don't think this thread would have the following it does if it were just Peter or just myself posting here. It appears that the team is greater than the sum of its constituent parts, as the saying goes. We both have a unique perspective and contribute accordingly, and I can't leave out the cast of characters in the supporting role of following the thread, asking questions and most importantly, offering advice. We can't follow everyones advice, but you have collectively been of great assistance.

 

[mr.wilson]

It's often worth seeing what Saline Solutions can do custom for you. He's in Toronto if you've never used him.

http://www.salinesolutions.net/index.html

Thanks for the tips on SAD. My wife finds great relief from the 5K bulbs - she's used one in the morning getting ready for work the last two winters. Strange that the medical treatments would use bluer bulbs considering surface daylight is not like that. I have some 10K bulbs kicking around, maybe I'll get her to try those.

Yes I contacted Angelo at Saline Solutions about getting a sump for the project but he is very busy these days with the water wall end of the business.

 

[mr.wilson]

I really like my reef octopus skimmer, and I think their larger models can be done as external, though I am not positive.

We are seriously considering this one... http://www.saltysupply.com/Reef-Octopus-Super-Reef-XP-2000-External-p/oc9111.htm

It is a direct substitution for the ATB external I had planned.