melev
Well-known member
Try taking a couple of pictures in Auto mode, and then send them over to me and I'll run them through Photoshop for you. melev@swbell.net
Pete's 280 log
- Thread starter psteeleb
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Aquarist007
New member
thanks I will tomorrow when the attinics go on again. Really great of you to offer
Scott
psteeleb
Team RC
Yes there are 5 MH fixtures. Three of them are 250watters that are on 8 hours a day. The other two are 400watt and right now are only sporadically used. Once I get my SPS resituated, I’ll start running the 400watt ones and hour or so a day to keep the high intensity light they need 24†below the water surface.
My original set up had a terrible reflector, but it was fine for the SPS in the top 12†or so of the tank, but with wanting to increase SPS space and depth I needed to increase the light penetration and the width of coverage. I probably could get by fine with just the 3 250s, but, I already had the 400s, so decided to use them to provide intense light for just an hour or so a day.
Total wattage
3 X 250 = 750w
2 X 400 = 800w
2 X 165 = 230w (atinics)
Total = 1,780w
psteeleb
Team RC
I bought a couple of those 4X flow accelerators with intentions of just putting them on the returns that point toward the front of the tank. FYI, currently my returns split as they enter the main with a "Y" fitting for flow front and back.
When I first added the accelerator to the front, I was unimpressed, but then noticed my rear return was pumping out more then normal. This soon made me remember the accelerator restricts the flow to accelerate velocity through a Venturi that sucks in more water. So, to equalize the split flow from front to back I put both of the accelerators on one side of the tank and man o man does it move some water. Instant sand bed cleanup and water movement every where
I ordered another pair for the left side last night.
Old flow / turnover
- Main return rated @ 3600 GPH, less pipe and head loss - 2400
- Closed loop rated @ 950 GPH, less pipe, X5 for penductors - 3700
- 2 Koralia #4 (have 2 on at a time) 2 X 1200GPH = 2400
Total 8,500GPH turnover, or about 30 turnovers per hour
New
- Main 2,400 X 4 = 9,600
- CL 3,700
- Koralias 2,400
New Total = 15,700GPH, or about 54 turnovers per hour.
(probably a little over rated on the X 4, so realistically probably in the upper 40's)
When I first added the accelerator to the front, I was unimpressed, but then noticed my rear return was pumping out more then normal. This soon made me remember the accelerator restricts the flow to accelerate velocity through a Venturi that sucks in more water. So, to equalize the split flow from front to back I put both of the accelerators on one side of the tank and man o man does it move some water. Instant sand bed cleanup and water movement every where
I ordered another pair for the left side last night.
Old flow / turnover
- Main return rated @ 3600 GPH, less pipe and head loss - 2400
- Closed loop rated @ 950 GPH, less pipe, X5 for penductors - 3700
- 2 Koralia #4 (have 2 on at a time) 2 X 1200GPH = 2400
Total 8,500GPH turnover, or about 30 turnovers per hour
New
- Main 2,400 X 4 = 9,600
- CL 3,700
- Koralias 2,400
New Total = 15,700GPH, or about 54 turnovers per hour.
(probably a little over rated on the X 4, so realistically probably in the upper 40's)
Aquarist007
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12764613#post12764613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psteeleb
I bought a couple of those 4X flow accelerators with intentions of just putting them on the returns that point toward the front of the tank. FYI, currently my returns split as they enter the main with a "Y" fitting for flow front and back.
When I first added the accelerator to the front, I was unimpressed, but then noticed my rear return was pumping out more then normal. This soon made me remember the accelerator restricts the flow to accelerate velocity through a Venturi that sucks in more water. So, to equalize the split flow from front to back I put both of the accelerators on one side of the tank and man o man does it move some water. Instant sand bed cleanup and water movement every where
I ordered another pair for the left side last night.
Old flow / turnover
- Main return rated @ 3600 GPH, less pipe and head loss - 2400
- Closed loop rated @ 950 GPH, less pipe, X5 for penductors - 3700
- 2 Koralia #4 (have 2 on at a time) 2 X 1200GPH = 2400
Total 8,500GPH turnover, or about 30 turnovers per hour
New
- Main 2,400 X 4 = 9,600
- CL 3,700
- Koralias 2,400
New Total = 15,700GPH, or about 54 turnovers per hour.
(probably a little over rated on the X 4, so realistically probably in the upper 40's)
I am taking note of this--its exactly what I want for my 280gal upgrade.
What are the deminsions of your tank and what protein skimmer are you running?
psteeleb
Team RC
84X24X36 (yes it's tall and skinny)
The bottom CL for a tank that tall is almost a must IMO
I was okay with the water flow before but I'm really liking this easy and inexpensive change.
My tank is visible from front and back so I split my returns to allow for flow behind the rock piles. This may be a good idea regardless of the back being viewable.
I run a Precision Marine Bullet 2 with a Mag24 and I'm perfectly okay with it. The bullet 3 is higher rated but the only difference is a longer neck, I may one day upgrade the neck but it's keeping up just fine with my moderate to heavy bioload.
Aquarist007
New member
thanks and I think I better read your whole thread later for fear of asking you redundant questions
psteeleb
Team RC
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12764936#post12764936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
thanks and I think I better read your whole thread later for fear of asking you redundant questions
not a problem - I don't even know if I mentioned the type of skimmer I have. And I know the pipe sketch I have shows it hooked up to my main but I later added the dedicated Mag 24 to get more out of it. When it was hooked up to my main it was getting around 1000 gph, it worked but I always had to tweak and clean it to get good skimate. Now, with the extra flow, it's not as sensitive and can go a week without cleaning and I don't need to tweak it. By tweaking what I do now is just slightly increase the air flow when it gets dirty and I'm too lazy to clean it. Or if I want to run it wet for a few hours.
psteeleb
Team RC
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767482#post12767482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
some of us need the redundancy to get things through our thick skulls!
hey Chris, have you thought about heading this way on Sat for the Ft Worth tank tour?
psteeleb
Team RC
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12774509#post12774509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
no can do boss. im taking my little girl to shlitterbahn for her birthday on saturday. thanks for the heads up though. i appreciate it!
I'll say this; you got your priorities in the right order - have fun
psteeleb
Team RC
Other Side
Other Side
I finally got around to cleaning up the fish rooms and getting the back side of the tank built in. I still have to hinge the top and paint. I'll tie the paint in with the dinning room colors. It will be nice sitting down for dinner and not having 1500w of metal halides glaring in your eyes.
The top will fold up out of the way and the panels on either side open up to get access around the ends of the tank. The whole thing and space worked out pretty well.
this back side looks kind of barren: maybe some nice acans or other brightly colored LPS on this side, but I'll have to convince the wife "I need them"
Other Side
I finally got around to cleaning up the fish rooms and getting the back side of the tank built in. I still have to hinge the top and paint. I'll tie the paint in with the dinning room colors. It will be nice sitting down for dinner and not having 1500w of metal halides glaring in your eyes.
The top will fold up out of the way and the panels on either side open up to get access around the ends of the tank. The whole thing and space worked out pretty well.
this back side looks kind of barren: maybe some nice acans or other brightly colored LPS on this side, but I'll have to convince the wife "I need them"
Aquarist007
New member
Re: Other Side
Re: Other Side
very nice setup:smokin:
Re: Other Side
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12790090#post12790090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psteeleb
I finally got around to cleaning up the fish rooms and getting the back side of the tank built in. I still have to hinge the top and paint. I'll tie the paint in with the dinning room colors. It will be nice sitting down for dinner and not having 1500w of metal halides glaring in your eyes.
The top will fold up out of the way and the panels on either side open up to get access around the ends of the tank. The whole thing and space worked out pretty well.
this back side looks kind of barren: maybe some nice acans or other brightly colored LPS on this side, but I'll have to convince the wife "I need them"
very nice setup:smokin:
psteeleb
Team RC
sure - here's a 360 degree tour - well a walk around the tank counterclockwise
(this was built into what was a open hallway)
front closed doors
front with doors open
Right side room
Back side closed doors
Back side open doors
back side looking left (right side room)
Back side looking right (left side room)
Left side room
and back to the front
Next is paint
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