finally something New!

[x2uranium]

In the process of setting this up!

Just picked up today, actually alot heavier than I though I needed another hand with this.
Not as big as I intended but I didnt have enough funds right now to go bigger.


Also in the process of making Lumenarc minis out of Miro-4 and adding superactinic vhos to my canopy that I am in the process of designing.


75 Gal Mega flow Corner overflow.

and In the process of making this stand, my first time making one and its coming out ok.

Needs a few more coats of poly on the top and I will be taking it tomorrow hopefully to my other shop to get painted and doors/molding put on.

 

[cccapt]

Also in the process of making Lumenarc minis out of Miro-4

I'de be interested in seeing how they turn out. I'm right down the road in Nanticoke. Maybe you can help me make some if they turn out good.

 

[x2uranium]

Sure, I have an extra copy of the plans if you want them, they are blown up to scale. Today is the design of the canopy just went to lowes in this crap weather. Miro-4 is getting shipped by fed ex tomorrow in the am it should arrive.

By the way if you take the 8.5 x 11 to Staples, their copier is a Kyoceria tell them to blow it up to 348% It will save you the trouble of trying to battle with them.

Dan and I had discussed that I should go barebottom to start with in the new tank. I am going to try it and see how it goes.

I will post more pics when I get a chance.

Right now I am in the process of final sanding the top. 220 grit then 1 more sanding with 320 and 1 more coat of poly

 

[cccapt]

Where did you order the Miro 4? That stuff isn't cheap. Being I have 0 experience working with sheet metal, I would be afriad to ruin it...lol.

 

[x2uranium]

I have maybe 1% exp with sheetmetal too lol, although it doesnt seem hard plans are straight forward. I ordered the miro4 from naturallighting.com 1 sheet will do 2 reflectors for $50

 

[x2uranium]

Ok, Here is the weekend update.

Just finished both reflectors.


Took about total time 3 hours. Once you make one the second one takes 30 minutes. Very easy if you take your time.

This is what you form first. held together with 1 rivet in each corner

Then you add form the pieces around this and rivet.
Like this

and this is what you end up with..

Bling bling anyone??

 

[bmac]

Looks Good! you got pm

 

[cccapt]

That looks like it came out nice. How do you attached the socket? Are you going to use SE or DE bulbs?

 

[x2uranium]

watch your hands when you make them I didnt wear gloves when cutting the metal and my hands are all cut up

 

[rigleautomotive]

nice!!! I love diy stuff

 

[x2uranium]

I didnt make the bracket yet. That will be tomorrow or tuesday. Got the back of the tank painted black, finished the doors and going to paint stand tomorrow, while finishing up on the canopy and I am running SE 175w 20k xm's on new icecaps

 

[x2uranium]

Ok, Update for this morning. Just ordered the super actinic bulbs and endcaps/standoffs should be here tuesday. Started painting some of the stand I will post pics later tonight, Made the doors up and getting the hinges on and doors hung later tonight.
These reflectors are amazing!!! 100x brighter/better light spread than my PFO Pendants

 

[cccapt]

I am running SE 175w 20k xm's on new icecaps

Did you check Sanjays site for the performance on those bulbs? Not too impressive.

 

[stargazer=2]

(jme) i use 175 mh on our 75gai mixed reef the xm bulbs were the first bulbs i used,they were very dark and i had to change one of them out after 6 months the other one at 8 months, nothing wanted to grow at the bottom of the tank.i am useing 175w hamilton 14k now much better color and they reach the bottom of the tank.

 

[x2uranium]

These reflectors will make it go nicely, I have sps on the bottom of my 50g long and the bulbs are now aprox 17" above the water line on an 18" Deep tank. Also I run the new Icecaps which I hear overdrive the MH bulbs (+/-) 10% Also, take a look at nwrogers tank in the southern tier forum he ran 3x 175 on his 150

 

[x2uranium]

.....accidentally hit post message....... to finish that, His corals are AMAZING. On the new tank I plan on lowering the lights roughly 6" lower than they are now, and I do have Ushio 14k's for backup that I used for 1 day but didnt like the color. On my old tank i run PFO reflectors right now, and they SUCK compared to the new reflectors. The new ones BLIND me from any angle of the reflector. The PFO are not even Polished aluminum!!!


I got a few things done last night but didnt have time to post pictures. Was busy assembling my new table saw that I picked up for christmas. I will update later on tonight though.

 

[x2uranium]

ccapt, I dont think that they will be too bad. My corals right now are colorfull as can be. I dont see the new icecap ballast on sanjays site as well. Plus I will be adding 2 46.5" Uri super actinics

 

[cccapt]

take a look at nwrogers tank in the southern tier forum he ran 3x 175 on his 150

I was at Nate's house. I got a bunch of frags from him. He was running 4x175's with parallel reflectors on his 150 before he took it down. He definitely wasn't running 20K's when I was there. I'm pretty sure he said he was using Reeflux 10k.

I run 3x175 Iwasaki 15K's on my 125. Great bulbs, but not if you like the blue look of 20k's. They are very white.

 

[rigleautomotive]

sounds like a good plan Jon,I think it will look great.

 

[x2uranium]

Thanks Dan, Me too!

I think my lighting will be suffice though. Heck, dan runs 250w 20ks on his 180 gal! with lumenarc 3's