Custom 160 Build Thread - Finally!!

Ok, so after a very long battle with a common disease that affects many reef hobbyists, known as "Lighting Indecision," I have finally made my final decision on lighting.

If you saw this thread from the beginning you'd know that I was in between an ATI fixture, and a MH/T5 combo retro set up. Well, after much research, looking at peoples tanks, looking at pictures, figuring out wattage, and thinking about what would work best for my tank, I have decided on running 3x 250w Reeflux 12k bulbs with no supplemental lighting simply because I dont think its needed with the color they provide. I am going to run dimmable Coralvue ballasts and Lumenmax Elite reflectors. I figure later on I can always add some powerbrites, VHOs, or even T5's later on if i dont like the overall look.

But for now and after looking at 100s of pics I am as sure as I can be (w/out trying them first) that these bulbs will provide the look and healthy coral growth that Im going for.

While I will miss my T5s very much, itll be nice to try something new and finally get some shimmer in my tank.

Ill keep you guys posted with updates as they come along. I am undoubtedly picking up the tank on Sunday and the canopy will be ready by the middle of next week. I want to try and pick up most of the plumbing early next week as well.
 
Jorge, one thing to think about when picking the lighting opions is the electrical load. You may not be able run the MH, Chiller, and pumps from the same line. How many electrical outlets do you have available in that spot? Is it on the same line? I did not think of this when I set my system up and had to drop another electrical line.
 
Thanks Jose. Actually I am planning on running a second line to the area. But I do have to figure that out to see if I have too. Even if not, Im thinking it may be best to. Im glad you reminded me actually. I am planning not to run a chiller if I dont have to. I am however going to run a well designed fan cooling system. I dont think that 750w of light will cause too much heat on about 230g of total volume......well see.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15560960#post15560960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jgoal55
I should have mentioned at the beginning that I am extremely indecisive and I change my mind many times before I ever make a decision when it comes to my reef tanks
Click to expand...

yeah so like I said....one more little change to the above post about my lighting decision (haha):

I was misunderstanding the functionality of dimmable ballasts. I thought that you could
control/dim them through an aquarium controller but apparently each dimmable ballast has a manual knob.

The only reason I wanted dimmable ballasts to begin with was because I really like the "actinic"/ "blacklight" look I get in my tank 2hrs a day (1hr before the main lights turn on and 1hr after they shut off) with my T5's. Supposedly, the dimmability of these ballasts can give you that "actinic" look with the MH bulbs. However, Im way too lazy to turn the knob on all 3 ballasts at the same time when I want a certain look. That and supposedly it can seriously hurt the life of the bulb if you dim them often.

So, the change is that I am going to go with regular, non-dimmable ballasts and add 2x54w T5's Blue+ bulbs to give me my actinic/blacklight look 2hrs a day.

Tanks is being picked up on Sunday. Cant wait!!!
 
almost too excited to go to sleep!! Picking up the tank later this evening!! Cant wait!

I feel like a kid on christmas! Sucks too though, cuz as a kid I fell asleep easier and tomorrow would get here faster (at least thats what my parents convinced me of, lol).
 
I think you will be happy with your lighting decision, and I fully agree with the whole dimmable ballast thing, that whole concept seems kinda dumb to me.

The 2x54 blue plus will do a lot for you. I actually doing the same thing on my build, 3x250s with either two or four 39 watt watt T5s, since its a six footer.
 
thanks for the reinforcement there Tony. I hope Ill like it. Luckily, lighting is one of those decisions that if you dont like it, its fairly easy to change. Still, I hate starting off on the wrong foot. But yeah, I really think ill like it from what everyone has said and from the pics Ive seen.

As for the T5s, like i said, I really only want them for that actinic/blacklight look. I think youll be able to get that from 2x 54w bulbs but since its a 6ft tank there will be some uncovered spots. I would go with 4 39w and run them side by side. You cover the whole tank, still use one ballast and only use about 50 more watts.
 
Completed Tank Pics

Completed Tank Pics

Alright everyone,

Here are a couple of shots of the completed tank. I cant begin to describe how incredible this thing looks. Felix did a kick *** job!

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and had to settle for some iphone shots but Ill get some better pics up tomorrow with more detail of the external overflow.

Getting it through my door at the apartment was awesome. It took us about 1/2hr to finally get it in the house. I ended up having to unmount the door from its hinges. Basically we couldn't bring the tank in on it's side because since there were only two of us (my cousin and I) and since it's so wide, we didnt have enough leverage to turn it sideways.

Next steps are to go get all the plumbing parts, and the start staining the stand once the canopy is ready which should be Wed or Thursday.

Jgoal55


Felix on the left, me on the right
Jgoal55
 
Last edited:
Sorry Joe. You're not allow to love my tank. No Jets fans allowed. ;)

PS - I just changed my avatar just for you!!
 
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haha.....get one. Just do it. Dude, btw, I feel so bad about your 55.....I might as well pay you for it by now.....better yet, Ill give you some sweet frags when I move.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15623376#post15623376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jgoal55
Sorry Joe. You're not allow to love my tank. No Jets fans allowed. ;)

PS - I just changed my avatar just for you!!
Click to expand...


lol alright.... i hate your tank! we can add you to the list of about 5 or 6 dolphin avatars in the FMAS forums!:lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Lol. Looking forward to it salman.

Joe, that's 5 or 6 really smart FMASers. Actually, I'm looking forward to the match ups this season
 
and a few more shots

and a few more shots

a few more shots with a little more detail.....

3-1.jpg


IMG_0458-1.jpg


Overflow Detail:
IMG_0459.jpg


Perspective w/ stand:
IMG_0457.jpg


Props!!:
IMG_0460.jpg


One of these almost fits in the tank (yes, this is a shameless plug :) )
GoogleImageResultforhttp___themocko.jpg
 
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