hatfielj's AGE Build

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14742255#post14742255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by juniormc8704
when you get it all setup, make sure you make the trip north. Ill hook you up with some frags and such...im running out of room...

Well, you definitely don't have to twist my arm for an offer like that! Thanks Paul!

Update on the build...The tank is currently filling with water, I'm probably about a third of the way there and I hope to have it ready for transferring everything back over tomorrow night sometime.
I'll post some more pics soon.
 
Great looking build, coming together very nicely. I'm glad to see you got the light hung safely as well, its nerve wracking hanging that thing up there.

I read about your ballast issues, i'm so sorry that happened! It wasnt a problem in my apartment, but the high pitched noise was. I confirmed the noise with a few others who own the same light and they got the noise using the g'man ballasts as well. Glad you took care of it :) Must be some issue with the german electronics I suppose.
Best
Josh
 
Josh, yeah it was simply a matter of electrical interference with the smoke detectors. Luckily I had two Icecap ballasts from my old set up on hand so I just swapped them out. No big deal.
I LOVE the new light. It looks great above the tank and I am already seeing that I won't have as much trouble with heat build up now that I'm running an open top tank.
I'm going to be updating this thread with pics and progress notes soon. The transfer went well with no casualties and everything is looking great already.
 
Well, its time for an update I suppose. I've been waiting until I got everything laid out into about the position I want it. However, I'm still making adjustments to the aquascaping. I'm going to be adding a few more pieces of live rock soon also to finish things out. So, what you see in these pics is not quite the finished product, but you get the idea.

I've finally started placing corals in their final resting places too. I have TONS of room for more stuff though! I can't wait until the next frag swap!

I have the entire system just about dialed in now. I installed a new reefkeeper elite and I absolutely love it. I got my calcium reactor back on line finally today and I'm going to be tweaking that over the next week or so.

Overall everything survived the move very well. The corals seem to be much happier in this new tank then my old one. I'm not sure why, but they are all looking better than ever. I'm very happy about that! Hopefully things will continue in the right direction.

I'm waiting on the new skimmer to arrive this week (Vertex/Royal-Exclusive Cone). I'll post pics when I get it up and running. I'm also waiting for a shipment of bulk carbon for the phos-ban/carbon reactor which I haven't hooked up yet.

Finally, I'm going to be starting to make plans for the stand skin. I'm going to be doing some sort of nice wood panel for it with large double doors on the front and on one side. I have no idea how I'm going to accomplish this yet, so if anyone has any ideas to help me along I'd really appreciate it! Thanks for looking!

Here's the first FTS immediately after the move, all the corals are just randomly thrown in there and the rock is not yet organized.
Texas2009NewTank088.jpg

Texas2009NewTank092.jpg

Top View
Texas2009NewTank093.jpg

Fish Loving their new home
Texas2009NewTank094.jpg


Here are some actinic shots from tonight, sorry I didn't get the tripod out so they are a bit blurry
Texas2009NewTank070.jpg

Texas2009NewTank073.jpg

Texas2009NewTank074.jpg

Texas2009NewTank075.jpg

Texas2009NewTank078.jpg
 
lol, I can pic out the Satans Breath Acans easily with those giant feeders...

Looking great Jason.

Let me know when you are ready for some frags.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14861516#post14861516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by juniormc8704
lol, I can pic out the Satans Breath Acans easily with those giant feeders...

Looking great Jason.

Let me know when you are ready for some frags.

Yep, that's the one! I love that coral! One of my all time favorites for sure. It eats like a monster.

I'm hoping to make a trip up north soon. I've managed to get my brother in law addicted to this hobby too, so we'll need to head up to Michigan for some frag shopping soon anyway:) I'll be sure to give you some notice before I come up. Thanks again!
 
Love it! Its a really well made piece of equipment and it fits the tank perfectly. I love having an open top with a hanging light like that.
 
Just found your thread, LOVE the tank!!! I wish I had another foot of length to my tank but my room didn't have the room:lol:

Oh well, very very nice~! Subscribed and tagging along.

By the way, do you have any sump shots with your new Alpha? I just got mine day before yesterday, it's a BEAST:smokin:
 
Looking sharp! 250w Radiums look great! I am going to run that in my new set up.

And I have to agree the rimless open top with suspended light is awesome! Not to mention you have an age tank :D

Rob
 
Here are some updated tank shots finally. Everything is starting to look good, but nothing has really taken off yet in terms of growth. I'm hoping that starts soon:)

DSC_0019.jpg

DSC_0020.jpg

DSC_0021.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15024620#post15024620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hatfielj
I'm running Ice-Cap E-Ballasts and yes the bulbs are standard 250 watt SE Radiums.
Looks good. Can you take a pic of just the Radiums on with no T5's. Do you find the IceCaps underdrive the Radiums?

Thanks
 
I really loved the Radiums with the Ice cap ballast. I run the 400w version on my cube, and the color was great. I know many like to use the galaxy ballast with the radiums, but I prefer the ice cap, personally. They look just as white, but the ice cap doesnt overdrive them like the galaxy, IIRC. Id imagine you get at least an extra month on the radium with an ice cap.
 
Galaxy don't over drive Radium. The 400w galaxy only drive the radium to 360w and thus' prolong the life of the radium
 
Back
Top