Pete's 210 build

[P.Kelly]

June 17, 2008

June 17, 2008

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12761124#post12761124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
Very cool project!

Good luck with it!

Thanks Bax!


June 17, 2008 - Bored at work, so I spent some money

I placed an order with Phishybusiness today for a LiterMiter III. Man, these things are hard to come by; everyone is backordered, but per an email I got back from them today, they had stock on the meter and pumps, so they got some tag-on business.

1 x SpectraPure LiterMeter III Water Exchange Module
1 x Spectapure LiterMeter 3
1 x SpectraPure Remote Pump Module for LiterMeter III
5 x 20 Reef Plugs
5 x 15 Reef Disks
1 x Flatworm eXit
1 x RED SEA AIPTASIA-X 2.02 OZ
1 x Air Dryer
1 x Coralife Ozone Resistant Tubing 3 feet
1 x Elos AquaTest Mg
1 x Elos AquaTest PO4

I'm guessing it will ship-out FedEx tomorrow from Ohio, and get here mid-next week.

I'm waiting to hear back on a vortech group buy about a pump and battery backup, and should be ordering that today or tomorrow. That will make 3 vortechs on the 210, one on each end and one in the middle back.

Stand and Canopy

I'm hoping to get started moving the chiller on the 92g tonight, so I can test fit the stand in place.

I laid out some 36" T5 bulbs, reflectors and end caps in the AGA Mission Style canopy last night. I confirmed that I will be able to fit at least 16 36" units in there; 4 in the front area tha opens and 12 in a fixed mounting position under the back section. I'm thinking that this will give me plenty of light.

Stay tuned.

 

[Jim_S]

Why did you decide to go with T5's over MH's?

Sorry if I missed it somewhere back in your thread

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767142#post12767142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Why did you decide to go with T5's over MH's?

Sorry if I missed it somewhere back in your thread

Jim, I actually haven't posted a section about lighting yet, so I figured this might cause a little "controversy." I've seen a number of tanks with both and have run MH myself on all my tanks. I like the broad, but targeted spectrum that you can get with T5 bulbs. I prefer the more consitent lighting, rather than the point-source of MH, and I'm looking forward to a little less radiation (heat) in my tank with the T5s. I'm still running about the same number of watts as a 3x250w MH system.

I plan on getting my hands on a Apogee PAR meter after the install to document PAR levels in the tank.

Oh, and I like being different!

 

[Jim_S]

Thats cool. To each their own

I hope they work out great for you!

Cheers,

Jim

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767320#post12767320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Thats cool. To each their own

I hope they work out great for you!

Cheers,

Jim

And the controversy begins...

Out of curiosity, have you run a full tank of T5s or had a bad experience? I'm basing my decision on 2 tanks that I loved, Brian (Napa) and Howie. I've been amazed with the results.

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767341#post12767341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
And the controversy begins...

Out of curiosity, have you run a full tank of T5s or had a bad experience? I'm basing my decision on 2 tanks that I loved, Brian (Napa) and Howie. I've been amazed with the results.

FWIW, Brian is switching back to halides on his new elos

I think that if you are going to keep the AGA canopy, you need a low profile lighting set up as there is minimal room as is. I raised min up an inch when I had my maristar on my 90.

 

[Jim_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767341#post12767341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
And the controversy begins...

Out of curiosity, have you run a full tank of T5s or had a bad experience? I'm basing my decision on 2 tanks that I loved, Brian (Napa) and Howie. I've been amazed with the results.

Actually, I ran two sets of TEK T5's (48") over a 50 gallon reef I had a while back. I didn't like what they did for me, so I switched them out for some MH's.

But just because they didn't work for me doesn't mean they're not any good

I've seen EXCELLENT results with T5's on other hobbyist's tank.

The only reason I ask is that with tanks as large as ours, MH's with nice reflectors seem to be the more popular route. I was wondering if you were trying something different, or just didn't like MH's

Go with what works best for you! Thats what this hobby is all about. So many different ways to reach a common goal

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767359#post12767359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
FWIW, Brian is switching back to halides on his new elos

I heard, but didn't get a chance to ask for his reasoning. You guys know?

As for MH. I'm torn on the issue. With good reflectors (i.e. Lumenarcs or lumenbrights) I agree. Not enough room in my canopy for either at this time. The pointsource of lighting from the MH can be a neat effect, but I prefer the lighting pattern of the T5 refector, when used with as many as I will have.

Who knows, in a year I may decide I don't like it. But you're right, experimentation is part of the game.

 

[mpoletti]

There are certain corals and colors that do much better under halides because the T5's are basically too much for them. I believe he is getting a Spectra, which is a super sexy fixture that will allow for more flexability in his reefkeeping.

That is just what he told me when we were discussing it awhile back.

I believe you can you achieve great colors and great growth with T5's, but its just not my boat; as I am a VHO guy. I have ran T5s and was dissapointed everyime I came home from a vho tank.

 

[kdblove_99]

You should be good with T5's. i have seen the 2 tanks also and both are very nice and get great growth. Believe Howies is a 180 also? His corals look super nice last time i was over there.

You could ask hahnmeister also, he seems to know quite a bit about T5's and a ton about lighting overall, One of the few people i would trust about lighting.

I would say start a thread but you are right you will either get the hard core MH users that think that is the only way to go or the opposite. I love to experiment also. that way you know for sure what is best for you! Good work on you tank! looks like you are buying some very nice equiptment for it. I would love to get a LM3 also heard nothing but good things about them!

 

[reefer334]

Pete
I hope you get the tank ok.

As for lighting I have tried everything and I like MH with VHO's the best for sure!!!!!


If I had to all over again I would get good lumenarc reflectors with se raidium bulbs on a m80 ballast with UVL VHO's for actnics .

Just my 2 cents


I have 2x250 wat de phoenix 14 ks and 2x 36inch UVL acntic and love that combo,
my corals are really coloring up and groeing really fast now!!1


TTYL

Chris

 

[kdblove_99]

I have a full size lumenarc but i am going to try the lumenmax Elite these look very cool and have heard great things about thema nd they tested out very nicely, better than the lumenarcs.

I do agree Radiums on M80 ballast is my favorite!

 

[jthao]

waiting on another picture.....................
good job so far pete...... man you move fast!!! You're already almost passing me up. I guess I need to get my butt up and start working on my tank.
I also need to run a couple of breakers and such, but I'm low on cash right now, the Nikon D80 emptied out my wallet.:sad2:

 

[D&KSac]

Pete did you check the LAN yet? Glad to hear you got the LM3 I love mine makes things so much more easy and consistant.

 

[P.Kelly]

I picked up my new QT tank from Chris tonight. Thank you very much! I'm still not sure how I got it into the back of Darcy's Tahoe by myself, but here it is in all of its dirty 125 gallons of splendor. Couple of chips in the glass, but nothing I would be worried about for a garage quarantine system. Here come the Tangs!

Stopped by both big box home improvement stores on the way home to get 3/4" ID black tubing so that I could relocate my chiller, so I can get the new stand in place. While I had the chiller out, I figure it is due for a backflush (hot water and vinegar). Man the water coming out of this thing is dirty!

As for the LM3, it's all your fault David. Yours, and the guy who said his ReefDoser was all loud and janky. What's an extra $100 or so for piece and quiet? Oh, and I didn't get the LAN tested, but it is installed.

Josh, you better get moving, or I'll have my reef done before you.

Stand Update

Some pictures of the painted reinforcement installed upside down from Sunday night.

Schedule

So on the whole things are moving along about as planned. I'll be ahead of schedule tonight once I get the chiller moved.

 

[D&KSac]

Hurray for tangs! lol Did you go get that Sohal? You better hurry up or someone else is gonna take that fish home. Its to nice to be there for long.

Alright i was the first post on page 3 and page 4... Lol

 

[mikid]

sohal tang!

sohal tang!

i think i got it on fathers day,there were 2 small(3inch) one perfect one with a couple of minor fin/tail inperfection,i got the one out of the purple tang tank,spotless and heathly,sorry pete!mikid i think beat you to it,

 

[P.Kelly]

No worries. I'm sure they will get more in again soon.

 

[P.Kelly]

June 18, 2008

June 18, 2008

Make some money, spend some money

The inevitable wallet drain continues. I firmed up my order for:

• a third Ecotech Marine VorTech MP40W (gen2)
• a VorTech battery backup
• a third Neptune Systems DC8

Hopefully this stuff will arrive early next week, if not Friday of this week.

So, this leaves a few major items to acquire:

• Skimmer (leaning towards the SWC/MSX/Octo Extreme 250 or 300)
• Sump
• A second return pump (think about another Ocean Runner 3500)
• Heaters (I only have 30 at home)
• Moonlights (considering the Neptune Lunar Sim)
• Lighting (T5s)

I'll get a post soon with a list of all my mechanicals and maybe even a diagram of a proposed sump layout. Still trying to decide between building my own or having someone build it for me.

 

[jthao]

I'm jealous......... I wanted a vortech too!!!
how big of a sump you going to do?? a separate sump and fuge, or combined?