Idk if your on there already but your local to the www.bostonreefers.org , If not Im sure some of the guys will lend a hand if you need help or anything.
Phuzzykins' 300 gallon AGE Build Extravaganza
- Thread starter phuzzykins
- Start date
phuzzykins
New member
The short answer is "no."
I anticipate having to vent the top of the canopy once it's enclosed, but I don't expect that the proximity of the reflectors to the ceiling tiles will be a significant problem.
If necessary, I can move the reflectors down a couple of inches, at the expense of light spread. The Lumen Bright reflectors really couldn't be any lower than that and still provide adequate coverage.
phuzzykins
New member
Hehe... they are pretty hot to work under, for sure!
phuzzykins
New member
Well, the tank is wet now!
Unfortunately I forgot to reset my camera's color balance for these shots, which was still set up for the 10k halides.
I put down the first 200lbs of rock while the tank was dry, along with 120lbs of sand. I'm using Marco Rocks Deco Rock / Key Largo rock and CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand.
I also completed the return plumbing today, which has been the most annoying aspect of the build so far. There's a union above and behind the tank that I can just barely reach, and at least a dozen slip joints that had to be perfectly aligned.
Finally, I whipped out the Krylon Fusion and gave the return nozzles a couple of coats of satin black paint to make them disappear into the background.
I have 42 gallons in the tank, 42 more mixing up, and the RO/DI is filling up another Brute trash can. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend...
Unfortunately I forgot to reset my camera's color balance for these shots, which was still set up for the 10k halides.
I put down the first 200lbs of rock while the tank was dry, along with 120lbs of sand. I'm using Marco Rocks Deco Rock / Key Largo rock and CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand.
I also completed the return plumbing today, which has been the most annoying aspect of the build so far. There's a union above and behind the tank that I can just barely reach, and at least a dozen slip joints that had to be perfectly aligned.
Finally, I whipped out the Krylon Fusion and gave the return nozzles a couple of coats of satin black paint to make them disappear into the background.
I have 42 gallons in the tank, 42 more mixing up, and the RO/DI is filling up another Brute trash can. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend...
Last edited:
ctmgardea
New member
Krylon Fusion? is this safe? I have the same problem beautiful tank, black backround and an eyesore of a white return pipe right in center of tank! would really like to hear more on this paint, is it salt water safe? will it leach toxins into tank? anyone else use this in there setups? how long will it last?
thank you, great build!!!
thank you, great build!!!
phuzzykins
New member
It's reef safe... I've seen MANY other projects using it, and it was discussed on ReefCast. If you do a search, you should find lots of information.
I don't know what sort of longevity to expect, but it's easy enough to just repaint.
Cheers,
-Matt
It's reef safe... I've seen MANY other projects using it, and it was discussed on ReefCast. If you do a search, you should find lots of information.
I don't know what sort of longevity to expect, but it's easy enough to just repaint.
Cheers,
-Matt
how long do you have to wait to cure? i want to paint my return now too:bounce1:
phuzzykins
New member
Fusion cures really quickly... I'd give it an hour or two. My returns aren't under water yet, but I used them to pump some water into the tank about an hour after the last coat of paint.
If building a new return is an option, that might work out better for you. Otherwise, you'll have to be very thorough in cleaning the surface before you paint it. Some of the little crevices in PVC joints can be very annoying to clean.
phuzzykins
New member
The tank is now between 1/2 and 2/3 full of salt water, and the left and right Vortech pumps are running to keep things circulating. The center Vortech isn't under water yet.
Things are clearing up enough that you can begin to see the rockscape.
Here's a webcam shot...
Things are clearing up enough that you can begin to see the rockscape.
Here's a webcam shot...
paulmartin
Member
Looking good! I will be watching this one.
I like this design, it looks like it is removable. I use to have an issue with bubble algae growing within the teeth, would been nice to remove it when needed to clean it up.
Rickyrooz1
Acropora Nut
Are you going to supplement the metal halides with VHO's or T5's? Do the three Lumen Bright's cover the entire tank effectively or are there dark spots?
phuzzykins
New member
I can't fully evaluate the coverage of the Lumen Brights until the tank is full. There is plenty of coverage side to side, but the 36" front to back distance may be tough. I've mounted the reflectors as high as possible (bulbs about 20" off the surface) to maximize the spread.
I'll be supplementing with 8 x 39-watt T5 actinics powered by a pair of IceCap 660 ballasts.
phuzzykins
New member
I like this design, it looks like it is removable. I use to have an issue with bubble algae growing within the teeth, would been nice to remove it when needed to clean it up.
The teeth themselves aren't removable - what's removable / adjustable is a plate behind the overflow teeth that's used to adjust the height.
Rickyrooz1
Acropora Nut
Are you using 400 or 250 watt bulbs?
phuzzykins
New member
These are 250 watt Ushio 10k bulbs.
phuzzykins
New member
I metered the temperature of the ceiling directly above one of the halides... nothing at all to worry about.
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