My new 450 Gal "pail"

[fote03]

Very nice FULL tank!

 

[Gogandantess]

Wow! Absolutely amazing and beautiful aquarium! Easily one of the best I've ever seen! What more can be said?!

 

[bmco]

Thanks Guys.

I have an update.

I'm considering changing the lights to led fixtures as a replacement for the MH and T5 light system I had.
I hanged 1X120 watts led fixture (left side) instead of my 400 watts metal halide - Giesmann fixture. The light is surprisingly intense, penetrating easily the 35 inch deep tank (Even better than my 400 watts MH). One issue is eliminated. I was worried about light penetration of led.

My plan is to use 6 led fixtures for the whole tank and get a higher intensity in the future.

 

[Elliott]

how long do you plan to test the LED fixture to see how your corals respond with regards to color and growth? have you compared PAR values?

 

[bmco]

how long do you plan to test the LED fixture to see how your corals respond with regards to color and growth? have you compared PAR values?

I don't have a time frame for the testing but my guess is that it won't be too long(weeks I guess).
I didn't check PAR values but I don't have a doubt that the led is much more brighter and penetrates deeper. MH light spread is wider, no doubt about it, so more fixtures are needed for the same area.

 

[BHHOWARD]

Can you take a picture of how your front returns are connected?

Thanks

 

[laf-reef]

awesome tank!

 

[bmco]

Thanks LAF-REEF.

BHHOWARD here you can see on a pic' from the first days how the return pipes are placed (everything else changed since).
Today the are covered with mushrooms and zoantids.

 

[BHHOWARD]

BHHOWARD here you can see on a pic' from the first days how the return pipes are placed (everything else changed since).
Today the are covered with mushrooms and zoantids.

Those original pictures are great for the pipes in the front of the tank. I would like to see how they connect to the outside of the tank. A bulkhead through the bottom, over the top, etc.

Thanks

 

[bmco]

Look here.
It's not connected through the bottom with bulkhead.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1436135

 

[beex215]

this is an amazing tank. its pack shoulder to shoulder with color. great selection

 

[gimmito]

Sweet 450... Very nice colors.

 

[rnscross]

this is the second time ive read through this. i hope you dont mind me stealing some ideas for my new build.

did you have problems with your old sohal and aggression? or was it just preference for smaller fish.

 

[bmco]

this is the second time ive read through this. i hope you dont mind me stealing some ideas for my new build.

did you have problems with your old sohal and aggression? or was it just preference for smaller fish.

No problem at all :beer:
My old Sohal was not aggressive at all. The reason for replacing him was his size. I try to keep smaller fish and bigger variety.

 

[Lt.Shineysides]

wow absolutely beautiful tank. i love how packed it is and u have a nice collection of fish. just an overall nice looking tank

 

[gmigmi]

Looks great!!!

 

[bmco]

Ok I hanged 3 fixture in the left side.

Left side:

Color is more natural and less blue. Led light is much more intense than 400 w metal halide + 6 X T5 (54 w).

 

[Kipps]

Awesome tank - congratulations. Love the tangs - do you have a current fish list?

Thanks.

 

[Phishguy]

what are those led units? What are your observations so far?

What an amazing, enviable tank. Truly something that makes people drool.. I can't even imagine how to squeeze so much into my tank.

 

[nanobee]

ohoho!!..simply Stunning..can't collect the words to describe the beauty of your tank..
Gorgeous!!..i really admire your passion and dedication!!