New "Lagoon" Tank Build

[tbar]

The CF side is yellowish compared to the MH side as I suspected it would be and of course there is no shimmer either. I will try to post some pics later as I'm still pumping fresh SW into the tank. I think I will be able to handle the light difference knowing I am saving over 200 watts. I can always put the MH back if I want and may do so next fall when the AC will not be used.

 

[black_majik]

I think that would be a great idea to have a tank with only a few small rock islands, possibly maybe a one large island and have a lagoon-biotope. Some natural sand-loving anenomes as well as some fungia and other sand dwellers. Again its up to you.

 

[kar93]

Looks Great! I think I see a potential mermaid in one of those pics.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12524791#post12524791 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by black_majik
I think that would be a great idea to have a tank with only a few small rock islands, possibly maybe a one large island and have a lagoon-biotope. Some natural sand-loving anenomes as well as some fungia and other sand dwellers. Again its up to you.

You just described my ideal tank! Problem is, I have puffers already who would never allow it. They attack anenomes. They would eat all the cool little critters I add. I want a tank like what you described one day though!

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12524631#post12524631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbar
The CF side is yellowish compared to the MH side as I suspected it would be and of course there is no shimmer either. I will try to post some pics later as I'm still pumping fresh SW into the tank. I think I will be able to handle the light difference knowing I am saving over 200 watts. I can always put the MH back if I want and may do so next fall when the AC will not be used.

What bulbs are you using? Mine do not seem yellow at all. They are actually very white. I was surprised. I fired up my old MH beside them to see the difference and there is not much except intensity of course. Who knows, I may end up changing back to my single halide but for now I hope this works! Loosing the shimmer will be a big problem though...I love the shimmer.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12524839#post12524839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Looks Great! I think I see a potential mermaid in one of those pics.

Yeah but I started filling the tank already. I guess I could get her just infront of the tank but that kind of defeats the purpose. Darn, I totally forgot about the mermaid pic!

 

[jmpearso]

Beautiful tank, house and wife...haha.
I wanna see close ups of the tank when its all done. I like the rock work. looks neat. And do you only light up one side of the tank??

 

[kar93]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12524878#post12524878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinpsmith
Yeah but I started filling the tank already. I guess I could get her just infront of the tank but that kind of defeats the purpose. Darn, I totally forgot about the mermaid pic!

Snorkle?

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12524976#post12524976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Snorkle?

Well we have SCUBA gear...I guess I could get her to put it on and jump in. I will see what kind of mood shes in when she gets home from work.

 

[kar93]

Is this tank going to have various coloured stand options like the old one?

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12524970#post12524970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmpearso
Beautiful tank, house and wife...haha.
I wanna see close ups of the tank when its all done. I like the rock work. looks neat. And do you only light up one side of the tank??

Thanks for the compliments! The place is quite small but we live in such an expensive city that this is all we could afford if we wanted an industrial style loft.

Yes there is only light from one side, like my last tank. I like the look it gives the tank. If you look at the first few pics of my old tank, you can see the light only from one side of the tank. Im not sure how well this one will work though because without halides, it may not be enough. We will see though.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12525108#post12525108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Is this tank going to have various coloured stand options like the old one?

You know it was suppose to be black and white but for some reason I went all black. The cube on the right was suppose to be white. Someone has suggested red and I kind of like that idea but Im scared to go red. Im not sure yet but it will be hard to paint over the black. Maybe I would need to do some kind of veneer. That would be cool.

 

[kar93]

I know what you mean about the red, On some things it can look great but on others it can look very distasteful.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12525164#post12525164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
I know what you mean about the red, On some things it can look great but on others it can look very distasteful.

And maybe over powering in this case. Im not sure though. I think for now I will stick with black and incorporate red into the room in other ways that can be removed easily or changed. Not so permanent.

 

[JustinReef]

So I have added water finally! Im a little nervous still with just the one brace but I spoke to a builder yesterday who thought it would be no problem. I guess the water height will only end up being about 15" because of the overflow height.

I have the lights on and they look really nice. Not yellow at all but also not as strong as I thought. Actually if this was to be strictly a FOWLR tank, they would be perfect. They look really cool, they cast great shadows and create a great shimmer. Theres actually lots of shimmer because I have my powerheads near the surface creating lots of ripples. Im just not too sure about how many corals I could add with these lights. The problem is that there is only a couple spots that seem to have enough light. So maybe this will be a very small reef. Im pretty set on still using them and keeping this a low wattage set up. I really do not want to go over 400 watts.

 

[tbar]

I'm using these
<img src=http://www1.thedwebsite.net:8080/reef/lightpackage.JPG width=700 height=500>
Are you using ones without the built in reflector and using your own reflector?
Here is a shot of the tank and the lights in the hood. I kind of like the CF's even though yellowish seems sort of brighter in a way
<img src=http://www1.thedwebsite.net:8080/reef/diffdays.JPG width=700 height=500>
<img src=http://www1.thedwebsite.net:8080/reef/3lights.JPG width=700 height=500>

 

[tbar]

You don't see that shadow from the center brace in person that you see in the photo. if it was an AGA instead of a Perfecto there would be two braces and I could have the MH in the middle which would be better probably. I am under 400 watts now too.

 

[JustinReef]

Those are not the right bulbs. CF bulbs or compact fluorescent are the spiral looking bulbs people are starting to use as a "green" option. They are actual fluorescent bulbs. The ones you have are very yellow. Look for the right ones and you will be much happier.

Nice tank!

 

[JustinReef]

These are the ones but in a blue package labeled daylight bulbs. It says right on the pack that they are 6500 K.

 

[tbar]

It is a 6500k daylight bulb, if you look on the package on the top right it says daylight just under n:vision. It states it;s 6500k on the back. If you look closely at the bottom of the package you can sort of see that there is a spiral bulb inside the glass which is it's own reflector. They had some like your showing at HD that where 27w that were = to 100 watt. Are you using a reflector with yours? would like to see a pic if you can thanks.