Mark's 180 Starfire upgrade

[mpoletti]

You don't need "all" that space in your bedroom...Just knock a hole in the wall and build through it I'm sure the wife wouldn't even notice... :beer:

Now now Mr. 70 gallon... :lol:

I finally took the 30 gallon breeder ofline in the garage and ditched a whole bunch of corals I didn't like. I'm still debating taking the shallow tank down as well. Slowly, but surely...

 

[jtarmitage]

Now now Mr. 70 gallon... :lol:

I finally took the 30 gallon breeder ofline in the garage and ditched a whole bunch of corals I didn't like. I'm still debating taking the shallow tank down as well. Slowly, but surely...

:dance:

It would be bigger already, but for that darned $ thing, and I know I'll be moving 1 or 2 more times before settling down for a long stretch.

On a more serious note, in looking at your system, I can see 1 change I'd make. It could be handled a couple of ways, either making your canopy a couple of inches higher, or mounting the front VHO to the front panel so it'd swing up out of the way when you get into the tank. That option doesn't work as well for you though, as you tend to leave the front open during the summer. So, a couple of inches to the canopy just to make access a little easier....
Oh, and an outlet that wasn't completely behind your tank would be nice
The only other thing I'd do would be to have an emergency overflow drain, as you, and I, tend to push the limits of a single drain.

 

[mpoletti]

On a more serious note, in looking at your system, I can see 1 change I'd make. It could be handled a couple of ways, either making your canopy a couple of inches higher, or mounting the front VHO to the front panel so it'd swing up out of the way when you get into the tank. That option doesn't work as well for you though, as you tend to leave the front open during the summer. So, a couple of inches to the canopy just to make access a little easier....
Oh, and an outlet that wasn't completely behind your tank would be nice
The only other thing I'd do would be to have an emergency overflow drain, as you, and I, tend to push the limits of a single drain.

I actually had my canaopy two inches taller when I made it then due the way it looked, it cout it down to 15". Thats still plenty of room for me to work in the tank as long as I'm not moving large rocks in and out of the tank. In that case, it takes less than 60 seconds to remove the front VHO.

As for the drain thing, I have three drilled holes in my overflow. If I had known how useless wavy seas are back then, I would probably used a back up drain and only had one return line.

As for the tank itself, I would not of changed a thing with designs of where it had to be in my house. Jeremy can attest to how it fits along a wall in my front room.

Saying that... taking what I know now and if I had unlimited time, space, money and motivation, I'm sure I might take a different route on a hypothetical dream tank. :thumbsup:

 

[ZR1001]

Mark,

Quick question regarding your lights. Which reflectors are you using and how high above the water level do you have them mounted?

Thanks

 

[jtarmitage]

I actually had my canaopy two inches taller when I made it then due the way it looked, it cout it down to 15". Thats still plenty of room for me to work in the tank as long as I'm not moving large rocks in and out of the tank. In that case, it takes less than 60 seconds to remove the front VHO.

As for the drain thing, I have three drilled holes in my overflow. If I had known how useless wavy seas are back then, I would probably used a back up drain and only had one return line.

As for the tank itself, I would not of changed a thing with designs of where it had to be in my house. Jeremy can attest to how it fits along a wall in my front room.

Saying that... taking what I know now and if I had unlimited time, space, money and motivation, I'm sure I might take a different route on a hypothetical dream tank. :thumbsup:

That is true about the height. I don't like the look, but do like the ease of access. I still want to build a system using actuators to lift the canopy...
The tank and setup is perfect, but yes, the only use I can see of wavyseas is on a smaller tank where you want to add chaotic flow, but adding addional pumps is just too much.

Now, the hypothetical dream tank is one conversation I'd love to have with you at some point over an Incredible (or 2)

 

[mpoletti]

Mark,

Quick question regarding your lights. Which reflectors are you using and how high above the water level do you have them mounted?

Thanks

The reflectors are lumenarc minis and the bottom of the bulbs are 9" off the top of the rippling water.

 

[mpoletti]

That is true about the height. I don't like the look, but do like the ease of access. I still want to build a system using actuators to lift the canopy...
The tank and setup is perfect, but yes, the only use I can see of wavyseas is on a smaller tank where you want to add chaotic flow, but adding addional pumps is just too much.

Now, the hypothetical dream tank is one conversation I'd love to have with you at some point over an Incredible (or 2)

The wavy seas are useless and they take up to much space :lol:

As for the "hypothetical" conversation, my opinions are probably nothing new that you have not already heard from me :beer:

 

[jtarmitage]

The wavy seas are useless and they take up to much space :lol:

As for the "hypothetical" conversation, my opinions are probably nothing new that you have not already heard from me :beer:

:lmao: Must have been a random excuse for Mikuni's then

 

[mpoletti]

:lmao: Must have been a random excuse for Mikuni's then

As long as there is not reefing talk, I'm game :beachbum:

 

[jtarmitage]

As long as there is not reefing talk, I'm game :beachbum:

:fish2: :spin2:

 

[bagz727]

hi mark, may i know what type of bulbs & ballasts you use for lighting? thanks

 

[mpoletti]

hi mark, may i know what type of bulbs & ballasts you use for lighting? thanks

Radium 250 watt bulbs on SLS blue wave (HQI) ballast.

 

[SaraB]

How is the system coming along Mark after the changes? Hope your SPS is growing like weeds again for you!

 

[mpoletti]

How is the system coming along Mark after the changes? Hope your SPS is growing like weeds again for you!

Th tank is fine, but this hobby has fallen even further down my list of priorities.

I even turned in my badge because I felt it was the right thing to do.

<---------



Congrats on getting the cube set up :beer:

 

[SaraB]

Th tank is fine, but this hobby has fallen even further down my list of priorities.

I even turned in my badge because I felt it was the right thing to do.

<---------



Congrats on getting the cube set up :beer:

I understand where you are coming from, but it's nice to see you still around :wave:

Thanks on the cube. I do need to post some new pics, but I guess I should first start a new thread since that big tank was an epic fail for me I did learn lots from it though :uzi:

 

[mpoletti]

Yep, life has come full circle for me in some ways. I got heavily into reefing when I "retired" from playing. Ever since I started playing again last year, I've been watching more and more and reefing less and less.
There was just too much for me to "worry" about. Now, I forget to top off, I have CO2 bottles drain for days, I leave the lights off, I've learned to appreciate Coraline on the glass...

 

[pookstreet]

Who's the new sheriff??? I wished I had time to play and watch, whatever that might be :fun4:

 

[bagz727]

Radium 250 watt bulbs on SLS blue wave (HQI) ballast.

do you think radiums will work w/ icecap ballast or will they be too blue? thanks

 

[mpoletti]

Who's the new sheriff??? I wished I had time to play and watch, whatever that might be :fun4:

Hello Kenny :wavehand:

 

[mpoletti]

do you think radiums will work w/ icecap ballast or will they be too blue? thanks

I would think so, but you might ask in the equipment forum. I've never used ice cap ballast for MH.