JCole's big ol empty box(at the moment)

[JCOLE]

Cut, screw, cut, screw, drop screw in tank, cuss, cut, screw, cut, screw...... that is how my whole day went yesterday. It is safe to say I underestimated the amount of work involved with the canopy.

I finished the framing and put two halides up until I called it quits around 11:30 last night.

 

[JohnL]

drop screw in tank, cuss

Oops

 

[JCOLE]

Oops

It only happened a couple of times, and then I left 20 of them sitting in there until I was done with everything.

 

[JCOLE]

I went a different route with my lights this time. My plan was to add 3-4 T5's on each side of the Halides. However, I would have to buy another 4-5 LET retrofit kits and then we are looking at 16 replacement T5 bulbs every year.

This morning I ordered the SBReeflight's PCB replacement board for my black box LED's. I already have (8) of them, so I figured that would be the best $$ option. I have 6 of the 60" LET bulbs and will probably still add three on each side for actinics.

The black boxes on the top right are old boards that I changed the diodes on. The UV diodes are burned out, and the spectrum looks very purple. The black box on the left is an SBReeflight board, and the spectrum is similar to the 20K Radium already. My plan is to remove the diode lens and adjust the straps so that the black box tilts more toward the center. It will lower PAR, but this should eliminate the hot spots and help with the spread.

What do you guys think?

Note - The black boxes on the right will be lowered and on straps once the replacement boards come in.

 

[JCOLE]

All 4 halides installed and there is a chance I won't need any LEDs or supplemental lighting. Spread seems really good. I will run some PAR measurements tomorrow.

 

[JohnL]

Looks good

 

[mellotang]

When are you installing the solar panels?

 

[mellotang]

Maybe try to put the balllasts in the basement?

They create a decent amount of heat which will be trapped in canopy, they will also rust up there

 

[JCOLE]

Maybe try to put the balllasts in the basement?

They create a decent amount of heat which will be trapped in canopy, they will also rust up there

I wish. I don't have a basement, and I originally wanted to mount them in the closet of that room, but Radium and Hamilton said I could not go longer than the 12' length from the ballast to the bulb. It is what it is. The canopy will be open top and I am installing a mini split/air exchanger in that room anyway, so I am not concerned with heat.

 

[JCOLE]

Busy day today!!

I sold my old tank. Sad to see if go but glad it's going to a good home.

Annnnd.... I moved everything from the sump to the tank. I just through everything in there without a plan. I think it didnt turn out all that bad. I wanted an old school rock wall look and with the halides it is so good to see this again! This is just with the 4 halides on.

It is very hazy/cloudy from moving the rocks to the tank.

 

[Jsarrow]

Whoa! Amazing build and love the use of MH's.

When are you adding the substrate?

 

[JCOLE]

Whoa! Amazing build and love the use of MH's.

When are you adding the substrate?

Thank you. I am going barebottom for now. I might add substrate the future. I originally was going to use sand but flow in the peninsula is already hard enough. Sand would be a nightmare.

 

[Reefing102]

It looks fantastic. Very natural

 

[robs.mark]

I didn’t realise how much I miss halides until I found your thread! I have fond memories of 20k Radions - awesome light. Did your fixtures come with ballasts? Are they magnetic or electronic? Great tank too mate, incredible dimensions.

 

[kharmaguru]

Busy day today!!

I sold my old tank. Sad to see if go but glad it's going to a good home.

Annnnd.... I moved everything from the sump to the tank. I just through everything in there without a plan. I think it didnt turn out all that bad. I wanted an old school rock wall look and with the halides it is so good to see this again! This is just with the 4 halides on.

It is very hazy/cloudy from moving the rocks to the tank.

View attachment 32375305View attachment 32375306View attachment 32375307View attachment 32375308View attachment 32375309View attachment 32375310

That flow just from the returns?

 

[JCOLE]

I didn’t realise how much I miss halides until I found your thread! I have fond memories of 20k Radions - awesome light. Did your fixtures come with ballasts? Are they magnetic or electronic? Great tank too mate, incredible dimensions.

Thank you. Yes, they did come with ballasts and they are magnetic M135 ballasts. I love the MHs!

 

[JCOLE]

That flow just from the returns?

No. In that video I had the returns and also have MP60s in both back corners pushing flow from the bottom back to the front. I have since added a gyre at the top middle of the front of the tank to help push water from the top front to the back.

Flow is really good this way.

 

[robs.mark]

Thank you. Yes, they did come with ballasts and they are magnetic M135 ballasts. I love the MHs!

Very cool, I’ll be watching this one with great interest.

 

[JCOLE]

Let there be light!!

I replaced the old black box PCB boards with new SBREEF boards. I removed all lens from the diodes to help with spread and remove the disco effect. I was able to get by with only 3 boxes on each side by removing the lens. PAR is lower, but that's okay. The halides are doing the heavy lifting. I will be building the canopy cover, hopefully, this weekend.

Now the fun part. Filling the tank up with corals!

 

[Reefing102]

That’s an awesome looking set up