my 240

[milsaltnewbie07]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10397548#post10397548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hobogato
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What is the name of this monti , i have one just like it. Mine had a blue base then it just changed colors when i moved the tank because of my move, and then i just changed to colors to just like that. In know that pic doesn't do it justice but sorry no professional camera with macro lens here. Thank you
here is a pic of mine before and after

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[milsaltnewbie07]

BTW I love your tank

 

[hobogato]

thanks for the comments, it was sold to me as a rainbow monti.

 

[hobogato]

well, the tank has really stabilized and the corals are getting good coloration again and starting to show some growth as well.

here are some quick pics i took yesterday

front

back

i have als decided to keep cuttlefish in the clam tank since we moved those fish out to the 180 lps system.

here it is rearranged and waiting for the cuttles - they should be here tomorrow

 

[espocrespo]

whats ur total stocklist???

 

[hobogato]

hmm.... ok, ill give it my best from memory since i am at work..

total water volume of about 400 gallons

lots of acros and a few other sps, and a couple of chalices.

yellow tangs (2), vlamingi, tusk, royal gramma, gsm clown, hippo tang, spotted hawk, zebra moray, some black stripe damsels, pj cards (3), algae blennie, mandarin, lunare wrasse, six line (in fuge ), big pistol shrimp

in clam tank:

the fish that used to be here are now in a separate system and the lionfish is in my display tank in my classroom.

clams and soon to be S. bandensis cuttles (2)

 

[hobogato]

we are back down to one tank because we got rid of the 180 and put all the LPS back into the 240.

also, we have decided to replace the metal halide lights on the tank with solar tubes. the problem with that decision is that our house is a two story house and the tank is downstairs. luckily, our master closet is directly over the tank and somewhat oversized.

the first thing to do was cut out part of the floor in the closet to look at the floor/ceiling joists (i did this a couple of days ago)

uncut

wood laminant removed

floor decking removed

it turns out, the joists are situated so i will be relocating the tubes about 3" to from centered.

the next thing to do was clear out all of the lighting above the tank (did this yesterday)

before

after

all the stuff i took out

the solar tubes arrived today, so the goal is to install the "inside the house" parts today and go up on the roof tomorrow morning before it gets hot. ill post pics of what i get done in a while.

 

[hobogato]

got the tubes installed over the tank and the floor board back in place in the closet. once the foam hardens, i will trim it and reinstall the flooring.

now back to finishing the new aluminum light rack for the t5 actinics.....

 

[ozfish]

Good luck with the solar tube installation. A great move.
One of our local reefers here in Australia has had great success with his solar tube reef:
Here it is when he first set it up

And now

I'll be following along to see how it all turns out.

Also I noticed in the opening pics that you have quite a guitar collection! Would love to know what you've got.
I currently have a Martin D28, '52 re-issue Tele, '78 ash Tele, '56 re-issue Les Paul (P90's rock!), custom made Donmo resonator, 1974 Maton acoustic and Guild F50 12 string.

 

[hobogato]

thanks for the pics of encouragement oz


ok, so the t5 light rack is finished and hung, so i thought i would snap a few pics....

just the frame

with all the stuff

here it is installed, notice the solar tubes look a little different. the diffusers cut out too much light and without them, the light spread too much. so, i added a 12" extension to focus the light into the tank more. these pics were taken around 5:30, and you can see there is still a considerable amount of light coming in.

light rack in place

light rack raised - can pick up one end or the other or the whole thing.

also planning to line the entire inside of the "canopy" with mylar once i find a suitable adhesive. this should direct any stray sun rays into the water as well.

 

[Bax]

Very nice project! Solar tubes are very cool!!

 

[EBOLII]

Interesting.....can you post a daylight full tank picture?

 

[ROB712]

you have such an amazing tank...my 240G should be here in about a 3 weeks i cant wait to start building up the coral like yours!

 

[hobogato]

thanks rob

decided to document the sunrise this morning. i will also take a new picture every hour to show how the light changes thru the day.

all of these pics are solar tubes only, no actinics. all are taken at with the aperture at 5 and the exposure time for each is noted.

7:00 - 1.6sec (no visible sun outside, just atmospheric light)

7:10 - 1.3sec (no visible sun outside, just atmospheric light)

7:20 - 0.8sec (sun peaking over trees and houses)

7:30 - 0.6sec

7:40 - 0.5sec

7:50 - 0.4sec

8:00 - 1/3sec

 

[hobogato]

ill take hourly shots with and without actinics and post em later.

8:00 am with actinics

 

[hobogato]

ok, i will update these pics throughout the day

solar tubes only

solar tubes with actinics

 

[Purple Haze]

Looks good with the actinics.

Let us know if you happen to notice any nuisance algae over the next few months. I have heard, but have no evidence at this point, that solar tube tanks tend to have more problems with it. As I said, that's just something i've heard.

Lastly, in case I missed it, are those 10" or 14" tubes? I noticed the local HD carries both sizes.

Thanks

 

[hobogato]

they are 14" (actually 13" tubes with a 14" dome and diffuser).

 

[EBOLII]

Thank you....I think it looks great
was there a location that "sold" you on the suntube theory? link to a build or tank you witnessed? What are some disadvantages vs cons? so many questions for you.....what is the total length in tube from your roof? I think you said the tank is 1st floor of a 2 story home right? Is the domes vertical or do you have bends?

 

[hobogato]

thanks E,

the ones i installed are straight and the longest one is 16'

made a smaller version of the picture chart so the color changes are more apparent

no actinics left, actinics right