Pheonix 185 Build Thread

[orthokardia]

left side aquascape in and frags glued. they look poor after the time on the sandbed with the red slime , but i like comebacks
<a href="http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/?action=view&current=219.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/?action=view&current=136-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/136-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/?action=view&current=222.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/222.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[josh_tn]

Looking good Bart

 

[orthokardia]

lighting question... 6x60" T5 overdriven with icecap 660 or 2x400W MH with radium?

what says the???

 

[NeveSSL]

Nice, Bart!

And for lighting, do 200 LEDs with 60 degree optics instead.

Brandon

 

[orthokardia]

thx brandon. i am hoping to buy a yr of price drop and technology increase by using one of the solutions i already have on hand. then i will go leds at bulb replacement time. i will most likely sell the setup i do not use if that influences the decision.

 

[ZachB]

Yea, I'd have to say LED's as well. I really like the look of Bill's tank with the LED's and the corals are looking great. Some I think have even more color. Maybe a few with a bit less but that's expected at first.

Now that LED lighting is affordable and effective I really see no reason not to go that direction on a new build.

 

[NeveSSL]

Oh, ok, gotcha. That makes perfect sense.

I would think you might have a hard time getting good coverage with the 2 400x bulbs on this tank without going really high, but then you lose par. I'm not much of a MH guy, though, so someone else may be better suited to answer.

Brandon

 

[josh_tn]

I think the MH would depend on the reflectors you use. Didn't you mention you had or were getting some lumenbrights? The lumenbright large reflectors would give enough coverage on that tank I believe. The mini's are good for about 2' x 2' spread and the large's work for about 2.5' x 2.5' just from what I've seen online. I have 3 of the mini's on my 6' tank. I do love my radiums but I only have 250W's FWIW.

 

[orthokardia]

the guy never shipped the lumenbrights and now will not return calls or emails

 

[ZachB]

the guy never shipped the lumenbrights and now will not return calls or emails

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

If you paid by PayPal or otherwise used a credit card you may have recourse there as well.

 

[orthokardia]

Thx Zach..I have already initiated the dispute process with paypal.

 

[Pickupman66]

Looks good Buddy! im liking the Arch! as for the lighting, I would go with teh 400's hung a little high off the surface and if you dont get a wide enough spread, supplement it with some of hte t-5's. While my tank isnt as front to back wide as yours, I get great coverage with my lumenarcs!

 

[poolkeeper1]

Bart, If you use those reflectors with 2 x 400W m/h and keep them up at least 12" from the water surface you will get good coverage. As I had the large reflectors on that tank with 250W m/h when i first set it up I eventually went with 3 m/h but only 2 reflectors would fit in my canopy so the center had a different one. When it had two it was OK but the center was lacking as much light as the rest of the tank FYI
Bill

 

[orthokardia]

Thanks for the inputs. I am going for a spotlight look over two islands with a lower intensity overlap in the middle for the cap garden. I want the sides and back intensity to taper to almost nothing as it approached the glass. I am hoping for more of an infinity effect with the addd benny of less algae growth on the walls. I am thinking 4-6" on the sides and back with little light. that should be like lighting a 48"x24" tank with two fixtures.

I do plan to set the fixtures high off the water for both astetics and easy assess.

 

[poolkeeper1]

I doubt you will get that effect with 400W bulbs, They are just too bright for no light to reach the back wall. JMO
Bill

 

[orthokardia]

Would shutters on the pendant work?? Leslie will not alow light spillage in the family room.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Not sure what you mean? And with 400W Bulbs they will light most of your house from spillage, At least if they are not covered in a canopy.
Bill

 

[zef004]

Bart looking good man.

 

[orthokardia]

Thx Zef

aquascape almost complete
<a href="http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/?action=view&current=205.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/205.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/?action=view&current=203-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/203-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[orthokardia]

Two of Brandon's Children....the second has his hair
<a href="http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/?action=view&current=089-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/089-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/?action=view&current=086-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/orthokardia/086-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>