I finished one...

[mflamb]

As far as DIY, I didn't build the 390 display, the 125 I converted to a sump/fuge, or the pumps. Everything else is DIY.

 

[guntercb]

Mike,

I see six sockets in the bottom picture!!!! Looks like the reflector part is working....

I vote with Bryan bring that to this Saturday's meeting. I want to see it too!!!

Looking great.... Get the bulb now... (-: OK I guess I can wait till after Saturday.

How much time would you say you have in that reflector? How much money? I want to do a mental ROI on building one.

You might make me take the MH plunge, but I am still not sure if I can get it in my canopy and the other logistics like heat. Much harder to retro something than to start with it in the beginning.


Thanks,
Chris

 

[mflamb]

I built a test one, which will go over my QT when I start loading up with SPS frags. It's not very pretty!! It was the first and it took 2 hours and 50 minutes, without an adjustable socket assembly. I already had about 1.5 hours in the pattern. The second reflector took less than 2 hours, plus 45 minutes for the adjustable socket assembly. I believe that the 3rd one will take about 2 hours for the whole thing.
The metal was $17.00 per reflector plus $5.00 for the socket.

 

[poknsnok]

what kind of bulb do you need Mike... I have several..

 

[boydx6]

I think you need to bring it to the meeting as well just for a look.

 

[mflamb]

I'm going to use 250/10k/XM.

 

[WarDaddy]

When I do mine I am going Hamilton 14K... and then only using atinic for sunrise/sunset effects.

 

[mflamb]

I'm going with the XM 10K due to the PAR and Spectrum. Since I have a 31" tank with 5" of sand, and I want to keep clams on the sand, I needed the increased light penetration. I love the "look" of the Hamilton 14K, just not what I need. If I used 400 watt, I would use the H 10K.

 

[adnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9898853#post9898853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
plus $5.00 for the socket.

Where did you get the socket?

 

[mflamb]

Marine Deopt.

 

[adnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9899374#post9899374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Marine Deopt.

Is there any local place to get these? I looked HD and Lowes, they didnt have them....

 

[poknsnok]

FAOIS should have them

 

[mflamb]

I know John has them. If I don't need something right now, or have another reason to go, for the small stuff it's easier to order.
Round trip is 2 hours and $8.00 in gas. (The Mustang is not real efficient.)

 

[ReefArtist]

adnup - FAOIS definitely has them and John will help you get the right materials, if you're not sure. The stuff local home improvement stores carry is not what you want - they do not carry the MH sockets for aquariums.

OK Mike - I guess you can bring it and let everyone drool ALL over it. Don't blame me if it takes you 3 hours it get the shine back .

 

[guntercb]

Mike,

Thanks for sharing the time to build and the material cost. I am surprised you are not going with 400 watters on a 31" tank. I guess someone out there is keeping clams at 26" deep under 250 watt MH XM bulbs?

Cheers,
Chris

 

[mflamb]

Just to get some folks stirred up, I tell you what I do.
Use low dose ozone for water clarity, and a "quality" reflector for light enhancement, and clams will do just fine if everything else is OK.

 

[guntercb]

Mike,

Well I know your reflectors are quality. (-: So the clams should be loving light. (I mean life). (-:

Cheers,
Chris

 

[boydx6]

If I remember correct, Mike is going to have a 6" sandbed so he will only need to light 24" of water.

 

[mflamb]

Bingo!!!
That's 24" of clear water!!!

 

[WarDaddy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9900347#post9900347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Bingo!!!
That's 24" of clear water!!!

Listen to him... he has not even added salt yet, have you?