Kasey's 60g
- Thread starter kaserpick
- Start date
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Well, the end plates didn't work out like I would've hoped, so I'm being forced to regroup on that front. I'm waiting for materials to arrive before I tackle that.
While I'm waiting for the needed end plate items, I decided to finish drilling the mounting and cable holes. The ballasts will be remote to help keep the fixture thin and the heat low. That explains the two (and only) cables; all wiring will be routed through those. Once the holes were finished, I skinned it with carbon fibre vinyl. Here it is so far!
Sorry for the iPhone pic! Besides the end plates, I still need to install the inner workings. I've finished the inner framework for socket and reflector mounting purposes. Pics on that later!
While I'm waiting for the needed end plate items, I decided to finish drilling the mounting and cable holes. The ballasts will be remote to help keep the fixture thin and the heat low. That explains the two (and only) cables; all wiring will be routed through those. Once the holes were finished, I skinned it with carbon fibre vinyl. Here it is so far!
Sorry for the iPhone pic! Besides the end plates, I still need to install the inner workings. I've finished the inner framework for socket and reflector mounting purposes. Pics on that later!
Chris Lakies
Active member
Dang that looks sweet!!
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Is that for Batmans fishtank? Light looks AWESOME Kasey! :thumbsup: I mean it, that looks super! Yeah, Batman would be happy with that light!
Thanks you two! To be honest, I'm pretty happy with it as well. I'm getting anxious about finishing it and installing it over the tank. I'm definitely learning quite a bit from this project, mainly what not to do next time! :lmao:
Again, thank you for the very kind words!
....maybe I'll give Batman a call.
jackson6745
Yeah Yeah
Nice Job on the light Kasey. That thing looks sweet!
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thanks again, Sahin! I'll probably stick with bare bottom, due to the ease. That shot is under a 250w Radium. It'll probably a month before the new fixture is done.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
No apologies necessary! I do love my Radium, but I don't love the heat issues. And, while the color is great under a Radium, I like having the ability to tweak my lighting color temp. Both T5's and LED's allow me that ability. Lastly, I love challenges, so when I had a plan for a new T5/LED hybrid fixture, I had to do it.
On a more cheerful note, I woke up this morning to find that my sump will filled much higher than normal. I estimate about 3 gallons higher. My trusty ATO is no longer trusty!
I'm off to check my salinity and manage the damage. :debi:
echopiece
Member
Arghhhh, sorry to hear about the ATO. My tunze osmolator decided to do the same thing a few months back. Found out the power supply connection to the controller was all corroded and wouldn't shut the pump off. A new power supply fixed that problem. I never look forward to those "oh crap" moments in reefing lol.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Yeah, my heart sank when I saw what was happening. Besides all the extra RO/DI, my skimmer overflowed, and I hadn't emptied it for a few days. Anyway, the shift in salinity was only about .001 (from 1.0255 to 1.0245). The next days will tell what the real damage is. I have high hopes; my ATO pump is very slow so I'm thinking the change was somewhat gradual.
Anyway, the shift in salinity was only about .001 (from 1.0255 to 1.0245). The next days will tell what the real damage is. I have high hopes; my ATO pump is very slow so I'm thinking the change was somewhat gradual.
biggles
Premium Member
Well that sucks about the stupid ATO Kasey, how did everything pull up mate. I'd be surprised if the salinity change caused any issues and the skimmer overflowing probably gave the acros a big feed before the skimmer ripped the excess back out.
How's that light unit coming along mate, have you done any more work on it since the last update.
How's that light unit coming along mate, have you done any more work on it since the last update.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thanks for the concern guys! Sorry for the lack of an update. Things have been going well with the tank. Nothing took much of a hit from the shift in salinity. I have a couple of 'canary' corals that lost a touch of color, but no tissue issues, so I'm pleased. I disassembled the float switch and found that there was some sponge build up around it, causing the issue. Once it was thoroughly cleaned, it operated like normal. I'll have to pay closer attention to that in the future. I did a barrage of tests a couple of nights ago. Most everything was great, except my Nitrates were a touch high (a bit above 5 ppm). The two corals' slight color loss could possibly be from that, as well. My hair algae is nonexistent! I'm thinking I may dose a little carbon source to help with the Nitrates; it's either that, or I just keep at the 20% weekly WC's and see what that yields.
Now, onto the light! I have no new pictures. But, I have made a rough cut shape of one end cap and am pretty pleased with it. I'm not 100% excited about the end cap though, so I'm taking my time, thinking of better options. I also finished cutting the center plate for the LED's. Once the aluminum rod it cut and tapped on both sides, I'll be able to install them into the housing. After that and the end caps, I have to wire everything together.
Things have been hectic; my wife and I are hopefully moving to a bigger place in the next month, which makes me anxious concerning the tank. It's never fun to move livestock, but it's not my first time either. If we get into the bigger place, I'll have my own room dedicated to a workshop space. I'm hoping it will be home to a 3D printer and small CNC Mill. With these new toys, I'll be able to redesign the housing and cut out some prototype PCB's for the LED cluster. I am incredibly excited about this possibility!
Thanks again for stopping by!
I'm thinking I may dose a little carbon source to help with the Nitrates; it's either that, or I just keep at the 20% weekly WC's and see what that yields.Now, onto the light! I have no new pictures. But, I have made a rough cut shape of one end cap and am pretty pleased with it. I'm not 100% excited about the end cap though, so I'm taking my time, thinking of better options. I also finished cutting the center plate for the LED's. Once the aluminum rod it cut and tapped on both sides, I'll be able to install them into the housing. After that and the end caps, I have to wire everything together.
Things have been hectic; my wife and I are hopefully moving to a bigger place in the next month, which makes me anxious concerning the tank. It's never fun to move livestock, but it's not my first time either. If we get into the bigger place, I'll have my own room dedicated to a workshop space. I'm hoping it will be home to a 3D printer and small CNC Mill. With these new toys, I'll be able to redesign the housing and cut out some prototype PCB's for the LED cluster. I am incredibly excited about this possibility!
Thanks again for stopping by!
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Hey again, everyone! I side tracked this thread by starting a separate thread after the move, but I thought it would be nice to come back to this thread, since it's history of progress is found here.
If you haven't seen the previous thread, I moved the tank this past February to our new place. I also modified it by making it an All-In-One; I like the simplicity and functionality of it. It's no longer a peninsula.
Here's some updated pics:
(Be kind; they're with my iPhone.)
Love my brown Millepora that hates me.
New frags:
Pardon the bubble algae and detritus!
If you haven't seen the previous thread, I moved the tank this past February to our new place. I also modified it by making it an All-In-One; I like the simplicity and functionality of it. It's no longer a peninsula.
Here's some updated pics:
(Be kind; they're with my iPhone.)
Love my brown Millepora that hates me.
New frags:
Pardon the bubble algae and detritus!
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Also, the progress on the light continues:
I finished one of the LED boards; their DIY, including the board etching and reflow soldering. 2 will be installed in the hybrid, along with 2 Vero10's (Cool White). Here's some pics:
I'm awaiting the arrival of the T5 end caps. After that, I have to put it together. My Radium bulb is 15 months old!!
Note: AlienTeq is a name I thought would be cool for a company, if I ever started one. BUT, I am not a company and not selling these. I want that clear. I just thought it would be a fun way to make it mine. This board is my Chameleon.
I finished one of the LED boards; their DIY, including the board etching and reflow soldering. 2 will be installed in the hybrid, along with 2 Vero10's (Cool White). Here's some pics:
I'm awaiting the arrival of the T5 end caps. After that, I have to put it together. My Radium bulb is 15 months old!!
Note: AlienTeq is a name I thought would be cool for a company, if I ever started one. BUT, I am not a company and not selling these. I want that clear. I just thought it would be a fun way to make it mine. This board is my Chameleon.
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