Mark's 180 Starfire upgrade

[rutz81]

Does Miracles do their tanks like this? I have a 48 x 30 x 20 external overflow tank being made right now, just wondering...

-Thanks

If you go with an external overflow, IMO, you need to do a full acrylic insert for the entire back of the tank. Reefbum did this with his newest tank. I hate it when you can see the out line of the overflow from inside the tank.

 

[Dejavu]

Does Miracles do their tanks like this? I have a 48 x 30 x 20 external overflow tank being made right now, just wondering...

-Thanks

Are you talking about the insert? If you you need to ask for it. It's not a standard feature.

 

[mpoletti]

Personally, I think the internal overflow is not bad looking. I think most people go with an external overflow so they could have more room in the tank. However, with the potential tank being 36" wide, I still have plenty of space to do my aquascaping. What do you guys think?

The internal overflow is a lot easier. The down side to them is the space in the tank and also the plumbing is coming down through the stand so it sometimes makes the space/plumbing hard to work in.

 

[Maximus]

Ok, I think I'm just about convinced to go with the internal overflow once again. What size bulkhead would you go with? I'm thinking 1.5 inches on the drain and a single 3/4 inch return nozzle (most likely lockline).

 

[mpoletti]

Ok, I think I'm just about convinced to go with the internal overflow once again. What size bulkhead would you go with? I'm thinking 1.5 inches on the drain and a single 3/4 inch return nozzle (most likely lockline).

Yep, 1.5 should be fine for the atb flowstar 1500 return. I'd go 1" return lines, but I don't think that really matters that much.

 

[Maximus]

I think the flowstar might be too much for this tank. I may look into those new Tunze pumps. I only need around 700-900 gph imo.

 

[mpoletti]

Good point :thumbsup:

 

[Maximus]

What about lighting? I definitely want to go with a 400 watt halide with some sort of nice reflector in a hanging canopy. Any suggestions?

 

[mpoletti]

You'll get the best spread from a full sized Lumenarc. I run Blue Waves (SLS HQI) on my display and SLS galaxy's on my shallow tank. They are both very reliable, but the galaxy is a more effcient ballast of the two. I have also heard a few people running the lumatek's as well.

 

[Maximus]

How do you mount the lumenarcs in the canopy? Do you hang them or can you bolt them in?

 

[mpoletti]

I just screwed them in. I know some people mount them inside the canopy using hooks. I thin Brian might even have his on a sliding rail; or maybe that was SaraB.

 

[SaraB]

I just screwed them in. I know some people mount them inside the canopy using hooks. I thin Brian might even have his on a sliding rail; or maybe that was SaraB.

Mine are mounted in the canopy on light movers and the light mover rails. I pulled the guts out of the light movers and connected my Lumenarc III's to them and they hang and slide on the rails.

 

[mpoletti]

You photo's are really good lately Mark. Do you have some more staghorn closeups?

Leonardo

Just for you Leonardo

 

[DanW]

:inlove: Me like! Which piece is that one Mark? I really like the color combo, need to get me some of that for sure.

 

[mpoletti]

:inlove: Me like! Which piece is that one Mark? I really like the color combo, need to get me some of that for sure.

Thanks Dan. Thats Clint red stag that originally came from Aquascene. Its basically the same piece as the Red Robin and Red Liquorice. I have grown them all together before just to play around when I got bored

 

[Leonardo_]

Just for you Leonardo

You have no idea how long I've been (and still) searching for a red/pink staghorn. Or maybe you do.... and posted this picture because of that :lol:
Very hard to find here in Europe...

Leonardo

 

[Dejavu]

How do you mount the lumenarcs in the canopy? Do you hang them or can you bolt them in?

I just screwed them in. I know some people mount them inside the canopy using hooks. I thin Brian might even have his on a sliding rail; or maybe that was SaraB.

Yep have one too and love it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1645876&page=3

 

[stunreefer]

Its ok Austin. You can always buy another :thumbsup:

LOL, that's probably the plan (eventually). I happened to see that Premium was running a deal on the SWC cones when I was thinking of setting back up the AGE and picked one up for $300 ($600 retail) off of eBay... couldn't pass on that and it's running like a champ!

I only need around 700-900 gph imo.

You could look at the Eheim 1260 (602 gph) or 1262 (898 gph). I use the 1262 on my 48" x 36" x 24.5" and it's perfect - even feeds my chiller prior to going into the display.

My tank has an internal overflow as well and I don't mind it at all, just a couple extra corners to clean

 

[cinserrajr]

My first attempt at a reef video. I will try another one soon It was a week or so ago and since it was at the end of the day, only the center two halides are one. I promise I will get better

<object width="873" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6k25xqLmE68&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6k25xqLmE68&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="873" height="525"></embed></object>

Wow - This is simply stunning. I will be following this thread for sure! :dance:

-Carl

 

[mpoletti]

You have no idea how long I've been (and still) searching for a red/pink staghorn. Or maybe you do.... and posted this picture because of that :lol:
Very hard to find here in Europe...

Leonardo

Too bad you weren't closer, as I have two :lmao: