lighting a lg tank, LED's ??

[Elliott]

steve the plumb:

3/4" starphire is only available in 130" lengths and "regular" 3/4" glass is available in 144" lengths. So I must use acrylic if I want the tank to be seamless across the front panel. Tenecor, located here in Phoenix, is planning to use 1 1/4" acrylic.

 

[steve the plumb]

I would ask them about the heat issue just to be safe.1 1/4" is thick but just to be on the safe side what are the long term effects of MH on that thickness of acrylic.You are spending a ton of money and it would be very disappointing if this happend to your tank.Thats very thick so I don't think it will happen but I think the heat also effects the seems.I think the heat causes minor fractures in the acrylic itself.I myself am worried on my tank because the last thing I want is to have to get another one.My wife isn't to happy about this tank so God forbid I would need another 6 or 7 years down the line.Your tank should be a beast.I would like to see that tank when its finished.With acrylic you can drill it yourself so I don't know if you are going to do that or you are just going to buy the tank drilled.I have the OM 8 way on a dart pump.I would use the same on your tank.I would go with a stronger pump but I think in your case I would go with 3 x OM 8 way and use the hammerhead pump on all 3 Ocean Motions 8 way.I will take a video when mine is up and running.I say go with 3 of them only because your tank is wide aswell.I think you can get great flow with that type of setup.It won't be cheap but you can hide everything.

 

[Elliott]

yeah, I currently have an OM 4 way on a Barracuda CL, on my 300g. I use eductors at the ends which really helps with the flow. I like the sequence pumps due to their efficiency but have found the Pan World pressure pumps better with the eductors, since they require so much pressure to push the water through. I plan to have the tank pre drilled. I drilled my current tank but would rather leave that to someone else, if you know what I mean! would love to see your video

 

[steve the plumb]

Yes no one loves to do this type of work.It all depends on your time and what you do for a living.I can do it(I am a plumber) plus I don't have the money to pay someone else do it.Every penny counts.It all adds up.I am already over my budget but it always goes that way.

 

[Elliott]

I prefer to do most things myself, but somethings like electrical and drilling tanks make me a little nervous. My goal with this next tank will be setting it up as green as possible with natural lighting, gravity flow from overhead surge tanks, underground temperature control and the like.

 

[Von_Rahvin]

for a tank that big if you have any DIY skills a LED array becomes cost effective. a little bit of searching should provide you with some places you can buy 5watt 10 k LEDS, that as long as you are buying them in batches over 1000 they aren't that expensive.

 

[Elliott]

hmm, that's an idea, thanks, I'll look into that

 

[crazzy]

So where does one buy the Array's etc. etc. that one needs to construct ones own with the ver y latest LED's??

 

[Von_Rahvin]

you can't buy an array you have to build it yourself. (edit : and keep it cheap) the tricky part is the heat sinks and the lenses.

 

[crazzy]

I can find places to buy LED's, where are other parts available? At ORCA it was mentioned that even Solaris donot make their own (true or not that is what was said) so where do I find suppliers for parts?

 

[nyvp]

just do a google search under 5 watt led 10k

 

[Von_Rahvin]

Solaris's are made in china.

as for the part's they are easy to find you just have to purchase everything in bulk.