drummereef's 180g in-wall build
- Thread starter drummereef
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drummereef
Team RC
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15467240#post15467240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
You're just too myopic, worrying about that little tiny drip under your shiny new pump. Time to get back to the job of reading all these cool threads again.
I think you might be right! :lol:
It's looking good for the ol' Dart. Came home tonight after being away for 9 hours and only one tiny drip. That's a HUGE improvement over what I was seeing before. Starting to get excited again...
drummereef
Team RC
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15467531#post15467531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H.Veras
this tank is taking too long to get going OMO hahaha
:lol: I wish...
drummereef
Team RC
UPDATE:
Good news guys... My Dart pump is running PERFECT! :dance: Tested it using different configurations over the last week and it is bone dry under all configurations.
Moving on the bigger and better things - lighting. I read through Melev's writeup for ballast/reflector combinations and Sanjay's write-up HERE. Knowing my tank is only 24" deep and 24" wide I've been looking into getting the (3) Lumenmax Elite reflectors with (3) 250 watt Galaxy Ballasts. I'll be running 250 Radiums on this setup. Again, it will an SPS dominant tank.
Thoughts?
Good news guys... My Dart pump is running PERFECT! :dance: Tested it using different configurations over the last week and it is bone dry under all configurations.
Moving on the bigger and better things - lighting. I read through Melev's writeup for ballast/reflector combinations and Sanjay's write-up HERE. Knowing my tank is only 24" deep and 24" wide I've been looking into getting the (3) Lumenmax Elite reflectors with (3) 250 watt Galaxy Ballasts. I'll be running 250 Radiums on this setup. Again, it will an SPS dominant tank.
Thoughts?
melev
Well-known member
I need to definitely update that page on my site. It doesn't even mention my pendants. 
I would think you will want 400w Radiums rather than 250w. It isn't that the tank is short, but that the PAR is weaker because the bulbs are 20,000K. If you keep the lighting in the 10,000K to 14,000K spectrum, 250w is fine.
It will still look nice with 250w bulbs, but growth will be very slow. It will still be slow with 400w bulbs, as it just isn't the spectrum for growth - after all, there's a reason why some guys used to use Iwasaki bulbs (6500K) in the past to get rapid growth, then they'd fling Radiums over their tank to get the color they wanted.
I would think you will want 400w Radiums rather than 250w. It isn't that the tank is short, but that the PAR is weaker because the bulbs are 20,000K. If you keep the lighting in the 10,000K to 14,000K spectrum, 250w is fine.
It will still look nice with 250w bulbs, but growth will be very slow. It will still be slow with 400w bulbs, as it just isn't the spectrum for growth - after all, there's a reason why some guys used to use Iwasaki bulbs (6500K) in the past to get rapid growth, then they'd fling Radiums over their tank to get the color they wanted.
drummereef
Team RC
Marc, I was thinking of the fairly recent lighting tests you did in your thread. I'm not so worried about fast growth, as you know I like to take my time with things... I am wanting more color than growth for the most part. Do you think those reflectors do a good job of lighting a 2x2 (LxW) area evenly?
I'm not so worried about fast growth, as you know I like to take my time with things... I am wanting more color than growth for the most part. Do you think those reflectors do a good job of lighting a 2x2 (LxW) area evenly?
scaryperson27
New member
The only thing that I don't like about the Lumenmax Elite reflector is the way the metal is bumpy like that. I have never had luck with that type of reflector putting all of the light into the tank.
Why don't you try a lumenbright? It would focus the light more within the 2x2 area that you desire?
http://www.aquacave.com/lumen-bright-3-se-br-mogul-base-pendant-br-by-coralvue-2254.html
I have heard really good things about the Galexy Electronic ballast. Are they digital?
http://www.marinedepot.com/Lumatek_..._Ballasts-Lumatek-LK1233-FILTACBAMHFH-vi.html
If I were going to go with anything, I would go with ATI T5 lighting. The results that I have seen from the people that are using them is amazing. Not only that but you can make a very interesting spectrum. Also, a tank will run cooler with T5 lighting.
Why don't you try a lumenbright? It would focus the light more within the 2x2 area that you desire?
http://www.aquacave.com/lumen-bright-3-se-br-mogul-base-pendant-br-by-coralvue-2254.html
I have heard really good things about the Galexy Electronic ballast. Are they digital?
http://www.marinedepot.com/Lumatek_..._Ballasts-Lumatek-LK1233-FILTACBAMHFH-vi.html
If I were going to go with anything, I would go with ATI T5 lighting. The results that I have seen from the people that are using them is amazing. Not only that but you can make a very interesting spectrum. Also, a tank will run cooler with T5 lighting.
drummereef
Team RC
I'm slightly concerned that I don't have enough vertical space above the tank for the Lumenbrights. How much space from the water surface to the bottom of the Lumenbright (glass) do you run yours?
Do you think I could get away with the Mini's and get the same coverage? I think they are 15x15x7 vs 20x20x9 for the large ones.
Do you think I could get away with the Mini's and get the same coverage? I think they are 15x15x7 vs 20x20x9 for the large ones.
fishuntbike
Member
very interesting...tagging along
melev
Well-known member
Here are the reflectors in a line up.
The Lumenbright Mini is 6" tall, but you need 7" with the eyelets on top, unless you come up with a better way to secure them. You could drill matching holes in the top of the canopy and screw a large-headed machine screw through the 3/4" wood into the reflectors threaded holes, or make a tray that the reflector sits in that you pull out like a drawer when you have to access them.
I think the Elite was 4" tall, but I don't remember. BigJay has them so you could ask him to measure his.
The Lumenbright Mini is 6" tall, but you need 7" with the eyelets on top, unless you come up with a better way to secure them. You could drill matching holes in the top of the canopy and screw a large-headed machine screw through the 3/4" wood into the reflectors threaded holes, or make a tray that the reflector sits in that you pull out like a drawer when you have to access them.
I think the Elite was 4" tall, but I don't remember. BigJay has them so you could ask him to measure his.
tangtang clown
New member
Taggin along also. I am thinking about lighting for my 125, 24" deep. I hope an Odyessea 3x250watts MHs + 4xPC will be enough.
Drum, are you using just the MH's, or are you adding T-5/PC>?
Drum, are you using just the MH's, or are you adding T-5/PC>?
Tswifty
New member
Personally, I like the Lumenarc Mini Reflectors better than the Lumen Max Elite's. Nice choice on the Radiums. You won't be disappointed.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510991#post15510991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
UPDATE:
Good news guys... My Dart pump is running PERFECT! :dance: Tested it using different configurations over the last week and it is bone dry under all configurations.
Moving on the bigger and better things - lighting. I read through Melev's writeup for ballast/reflector combinations and Sanjay's write-up HERE. Knowing my tank is only 24" deep and 24" wide I've been looking into getting the (3) Lumenmax Elite reflectors with (3) 250 watt Galaxy Ballasts. I'll be running 250 Radiums on this setup. Again, it will an SPS dominant tank.
Thoughts?
When it comes to Lumenarc vs Lumenbrite... I've seen impressive results with both. However the Lumenarc seems to spread the light a little more due to the design, whereas the Lumenbrite sees to channel it a bit more. With running 3 though... I don't know if there would be a noticeable difference between the two.
drummereef
Team RC
Thanks for that pic Marc, really puts the height into perspective. Still wondering about the spread of the mini's in a 2x2 area though....
TangTang, my original plan was to just use the halides and do a dawn/dusk effect by switching on/off the bulbs one at a time. I might add some supplemental T5's as time goes on.
Tswifty, the Lumenarc Mini was the original reflector I was thinking about before the Lumenmax Elite's came out. Do you know the par differences between the Lumenmax Elite and Lumenarc Mini?
Thanks Hop! Slowly but surely...
TangTang, my original plan was to just use the halides and do a dawn/dusk effect by switching on/off the bulbs one at a time. I might add some supplemental T5's as time goes on.
Tswifty, the Lumenarc Mini was the original reflector I was thinking about before the Lumenmax Elite's came out. Do you know the par differences between the Lumenmax Elite and Lumenarc Mini?
Thanks Hop! Slowly but surely...
melev
Well-known member
This might help, as I did some PAR measurements last month. The test was a 24" x 24" grid using the LumenMax Elite (three times) and finally the Lumenbright Mini Wide.
Keep in mind that the socket was at the top of all four graphics, like the orientation of those bulbs, and the last test was 2" further away from the target area.
Keep in mind that the socket was at the top of all four graphics, like the orientation of those bulbs, and the last test was 2" further away from the target area.
drummereef
Team RC
Marc why do I have the song running though my head, "somebody's watching me". :lol:
Thanks for the chart! That really puts in into perspective. Obviously more par dead center from the Mini Wide but the spread might be slightly better with the Elite? Definitely looks like more consistent spread from the Mini for sure.
Do you have a comparison chart for the Lumenbright Large vs Lumenbright Mini?
Thanks for the chart! That really puts in into perspective. Obviously more par dead center from the Mini Wide but the spread might be slightly better with the Elite? Definitely looks like more consistent spread from the Mini for sure.
Do you have a comparison chart for the Lumenbright Large vs Lumenbright Mini?
