Naka's 180 Starphire tank!!!

[ekovalsky]

Tank is looking great James.

For my 76Lx28Wx27T with starphire front, Jaime gave me the option of 1/2" glass with 3/4" acrylic perimeter bracing, or 3/4" glass braceless. The 3/4" glass option was about $500 more, most of which is probably related to the starphire. Since I'm doing an in-wall installation, there is really no reason to go open top. But I may end up going with the 3/4" glass anyway, along with the 3/4" acrylic perimeter brace, just to overbuild the tank as the space will not accomodate anything larger. As there will be no future upgrades, I need it to last a very long time.

I expect to be ordering the tank this week after months of design planning.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8837028#post8837028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by naka
Thanks Steve. I don't have any bowing in my tank. I've seen them make 72 x 40 x 24 in 3/4" Starphire w/ no bowing at all. It's the way Tommy glues the glasses together plus the pvc bottom has 2 sides of contact that holds all 4 sides together.

Steve, when you go no bracing, you never go back to bracing! he he

James

 

[Ginzo]

Hey Naka,

On the top right corner of your tank, is that a MaxiJet 1200 ?

Thanks

 

[melev]

James, I was hoping I could see your tank after the meeting on Saturday. Will that work for you?

 

[naka]

That would be great. You got PM.

James

 

[MGB]

James,
Can you give me some feedback as to your lighting fixture, model, reasons for choice over competitors.
I'm trying to figure out which way to go with a HQI/t5 fixture, and its really hard to get practicle reviews of the european stuff, since so few guys are usinf it over here, thanks.

 

[naka]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8891070#post8891070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MGB
James,
Can you give me some feedback as to your lighting fixture, model, reasons for choice over competitors.
I'm trying to figure out which way to go with a HQI/t5 fixture, and its really hard to get practicle reviews of the european stuff, since so few guys are usinf it over here, thanks.

It's Sifiligoi Infinity HQI 2 x 250w (10k Ushio/BLV) with 2 x 54w T5. I went w/ this 48" fixture b/c I wanted the sunrise/sunset effect plus the fixture looked really cool in the pictures.

I would have gone w/ Giesemann or Elos, but Will Aquarium Obsessed) gave me an offer that was too good to turn down. I know some people who had problems w/ this fixture, but I couldn't be happier w/ mine.

Thanks,

James

 

[dark8nge1]

James, Would you mind if I tagged along after the meeting on saturday as well to check out your tank?

 

[melev]

James showed me his stunning tank on Saturday afternoon. I took a few pictures. It was worth the visit.

I love how his fish were out and about all the time, and how clean everything was. All his little coral frags look like the rarest stuff rather than the regular pieces we tend to see.

If he stays on track, this tank will be amazing in 9 more months.

 

[invincible569]

Melev, I love the full tank shot!! I think you got James beat on this one! Your going to have to come take pics of mine later! Did you use Flash on that pic?

 

[dark8nge1]

:eek1:

 

[fload]

amazing tank i want almost the same exact setup however finding a reasonably priced tank in CA with starfire has been tough unless its joe shmoes causin who built it... keep up the good work~

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8940146#post8940146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
Melev, I love the full tank shot!! I think you got James beat on this one! Your going to have to come take pics of mine later! Did you use Flash on that pic?

Yes, I did. James' close up pictures are amazing though, easily better than my shots.

 

[i2ik]

James, how do you clean your back glass so well? I dont see any space between the wall and the tank for a magnet... how do you do it!? Amaze me everything i look at your tank!

 

[fishcraze2002]

I got a chance to see James' tank in person this past weekend.. It's just stunning how he keep everything (the tank, rocks, corals, cabinets) so neat and clean! Cant wait to see all those rare frags to grow into colonies so i can get some frags of

 

[naka]

Fload, I know couple of people out of state ordering tanks from AE. You should give them a call or email.

Richard, I just use the kent scrapper once a week. It's really not that hard b/c of the open top. I just got to make sure that I do it every week.

Marc, you definitely beat me on the fts! Thanks for stopping by my place. Hopefully in 9 months, you can stop for few frags. Fishcraze, I owe you big time for you Purple Slimer frag. It's freaking glowing purple in my tank.

Marc, isn't this what my orange danae look a like in person?

Thanks,

James

 

[melev]

Well, you have to remember your shot is from above while mine was from the side. And your lighting might have been on "cloudy day" or "looming tornado" or "virtual katrina" that day. :lol:

I think either shot is pretty accurate. As you can see, I shot mine from the front, while you took yours from above and behind. Note the reddish algae in the corner of the coral.

 

[naka]

You got me Marc. I forgot that I took that shot using your topdown box. I'll see you in February. Fishgallery just got in their monster freshwater tank 20' x 7' x 4' The acrylic is 2.5" thick.

James

 

[Quatro]

I can attest to the color of that m. danae James. I've got one as well, and they are UNREAL! Fabulous tank !!!

 

[melev]

I finished editing my pictures of your tank James. I'll add them here just for the sake of documentation.

He made the cardinal mistake of feeding the tank right before I took pictures. so you may see specks floating around in these images. I removed what I could.

 

[melev]