mnml's rimless
- Thread starter mnml
- Start date
ryanjiang
New member
My personal preference was the Aqualine I thought it was the best looking 20K, I personally didnt like the evc at all, it seemed wayyyy too blue, where as the aqualine seemed perfect.(personal prefernce of coarse, but I actually do like a blue look) I also really really liked to phoenix 14K for a slightly whiter look. But comparing it to another 14K bulb I tried, I would almost say the Phoenix 14K should be called a 17.5K!
-Mike
What ballast do you used? The EVC 20K I have seen in person is not that blue at all.
mikedege
You kidding me or what?
mnml
New member
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the positive feedback. I thought about getting a LED strip but didn't want to modify the PM. It would be cool if they add some LEDs to it in the future.
Another goodie arrived yesterday. It's a Teco Sea Chill 1/5, 350w power consumption. I got one rated higher than my tank in hope that it wouldn't have to work as hard to keep the tank cool. I hope to have it plumbed tomorrow.
Thanks for the positive feedback. I thought about getting a LED strip but didn't want to modify the PM. It would be cool if they add some LEDs to it in the future.
Another goodie arrived yesterday. It's a Teco Sea Chill 1/5, 350w power consumption. I got one rated higher than my tank in hope that it wouldn't have to work as hard to keep the tank cool. I hope to have it plumbed tomorrow.
mnml
New member
Thanks Toan, it reminds me of a rice cooker. :lol:
I'm able to keep the temp at 80 with fans for the T5s but I don't think they'll be able to keep up once I get the MH installed. I don't run my AC while I'm at work so the chiller gives me assurance that my tank will not overheat. I have a feeling its going to get super hot where I live come September. At 350w and 1/5 HP, I don't think it'll be running that often which should keep my electrical bill reasonable.
I'm able to keep the temp at 80 with fans for the T5s but I don't think they'll be able to keep up once I get the MH installed. I don't run my AC while I'm at work so the chiller gives me assurance that my tank will not overheat. I have a feeling its going to get super hot where I live come September. At 350w and 1/5 HP, I don't think it'll be running that often which should keep my electrical bill reasonable.
mnml
New member
A few reasons. 1. Shimmer 2. Deeper colors for my SPS
I'm getting decent color on the SPS but it's not the same deep rich colors I've seen before in my previous tank. They're of a pastel color. I'm sure it's something I'm screwing up with the T5 but I wanted to go back to MH since I had better luck with it in the past.
I'm going to hang onto the PM for a few months to see how the MH work out. That way, I can always switch back if necessary.
I'm getting decent color on the SPS but it's not the same deep rich colors I've seen before in my previous tank. They're of a pastel color. I'm sure it's something I'm screwing up with the T5 but I wanted to go back to MH since I had better luck with it in the past.
I'm going to hang onto the PM for a few months to see how the MH work out. That way, I can always switch back if necessary.
ryanjiang
New member
Nice chiller, very efficient as well! Even I switched to T5 I still keep my 1/5 ABJ chiller just as insurance.
If your hit 80 with T5, I bet you chiller will be on most of time when MH is on, if you hang the infinity as low as the PM. (That's part of the reason I recommend 10K + 4 blue plus, because you have enough PAR to hang it much higher, it helps a lot in terms of heat) The part I hate the most when I run MH is: I have to use heater even in summer because if not my tank 24H temp swing will be 7 to 8 degree, even many claim it is fine but I try not to have swing that big.
mnml
New member
I have the PM 10" above the water at the moment which is how high I'm going to hang the MH fixture (to start at least). I just got a par meter so I'm going to see what the values look like with the 20K bulb. The 10K sounds like it might work better for me.
Do you know what is a good range for par readings for SPS? 600s at the waterline and 200s on the sand?
Do you know what is a good range for par readings for SPS? 600s at the waterline and 200s on the sand?
ryanjiang
New member
That should work IMO, that is also most people get from good T5 or high K 250W MH. I have been running 250W Radium and T5, never get chance to try higher lighting such as 400W 20K or 250W 10K, I mean that type of 1200+ at surface, from what I see the growth rate is amazing. Since you have many frags why not try 10K at 1st year and fill your tank as fast as you can and try to figure out the best combo for color from there.
I did not realize you hang your PM at 10", I somehow get wrong impression that it is as low as 5 - 6". I think it will work well, my bad.
ryanjiang
New member
No problem Tran, my next tank is also a rimless exactly same size as yours, and other similarities such as vortechs, apex, cisco bridge... the tank is sitting in my bro's place just need to convince wife to move it it and set it up, which is most difficult part. I am debating on lighting for that tank, T5 or MH? Infinity or PM, even a Spectra so I can run Radium? What combo? So your thread is of great help to me.
I wanted to ask how could you keep your tank so clean? How often do you clean back glass and use what? Thanks!
I wanted to ask how could you keep your tank so clean? How often do you clean back glass and use what? Thanks!
mnml
New member
Oh man, I would be very envious if you get a Spectra! You'll have to let me know when you get the new tank set up.
I clean all the glass once a week, sometimes twice if I feed heavily. I use a Kent Pro Scraper with an extension handle to get the entire length of the backside. I try not to let any coraline build up anywhere besides the rocks. IMO, it gives the tank a clean and open look. The bio-pellets has helped with preventing algae growth as well. I use to have to clean the glass every other day. Other maintenance is vacuuming the sand once a month.
I clean all the glass once a week, sometimes twice if I feed heavily. I use a Kent Pro Scraper with an extension handle to get the entire length of the backside. I try not to let any coraline build up anywhere besides the rocks. IMO, it gives the tank a clean and open look. The bio-pellets has helped with preventing algae growth as well. I use to have to clean the glass every other day. Other maintenance is vacuuming the sand once a month.
mnml
New member
Thanks a bunch, Chris. My water line is about 19".
Heat was a concern with the MH but the chiller should take care of that. It can get quite warm in my home during the summer months so I think I would of needed a few big fans or a chiller even with the T5s. Since the wife didn't want a bunch of fans mounted around the tank, I would of gotten a chiller regardless. So making the switch to MH wasn't a big deal, plus I got a sweet deal on the Giesemann which was a huge motivator to switch.
I'll let ya know how it goes.
Heat was a concern with the MH but the chiller should take care of that. It can get quite warm in my home during the summer months so I think I would of needed a few big fans or a chiller even with the T5s. Since the wife didn't want a bunch of fans mounted around the tank, I would of gotten a chiller regardless. So making the switch to MH wasn't a big deal, plus I got a sweet deal on the Giesemann which was a huge motivator to switch.
I'll let ya know how it goes.
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