SPS Shallow Reef Tank Build Thread

[SERVO]

I have mine 3-4 inches off the water. The closer the bulbs are, the better my coloration is. The problem is, I use a Reeflux/Luminarc set up and the bulbs are very intense out of the box, while they dull out really quick after about 4 months. Thats when the lights get closer to the water.

I measured the Quantum Flux and out of the box the readings are in the 800's at the surface of the water and 8 months later they are 400

 

[ZooZ]

what K were the bulbs...20K's lose their PAR faster ive heard compared to a lower K

 

[ClownReef®]

Reeflux 12K...

 

[suppressivefire]

de bulbs right? nice setup!
also i would get a check valve above the pump.

 

[makoJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11452823#post11452823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by suppressivefire
de bulbs right? nice setup!
also i would get a check valve above the pump.

I would second that I forgot to tell you to get one of those this is the one I use:

more info here

 

[ClownReef®]

Thanks guys!

Already has one..just a different one

Im just waiting to go back into town to leak test it..

 

[sin05_omar]

Very detailed Planning.! Great Thread

 

[Corndork2]

Lookin great so far! Great choice on the lighting. I definatley support the Reeflux 12k's, they should look amazing. Are you going to use any supplimental lighting with your MH? Sorry you probabaly already answered the question. Best wishes!

 

[ClownReef®]

Thanks guys!

Corndork2,

Well, its kinda tough to add any suppl. lighting since they are pendants..i wish i could

Sorry i havent updated. Im out of town due to the holidays and family. Once i get back into town ill wrap it up..

Thanks!

 

[trueblackpercula]

You should coat the inside of the cabinet with a sealer to prevent the wood from swelling from all the moister.

Michael

 

[ClownReef®]

uh oh..too late..ill buy the spray version

 

[ClownReef®]

I should be back into town tomorrow the 1st (Happy New Year Everybody!). I just picked up a Tunze 6025 for extra flow!

Next thing to do as soon as i get back is water test it and hang the lights. If everything runs smoothly (crossing fingers) it will be ready to filled up with salt water..

 

[ClownReef®]

UPDATE: Ive decided to go with Helios bulbs instead..gonna give them a try.

Does anybody have an opinion on them?

 

[ClownReef®]

UPDATE: Minor set back.. Did leak test...and i have 3 small leaks.. I emptied the tank..and gonna silicone the joins where it leaks from.. VERY minor leaks, i should be able to fix them. Here are a few pics of the water test.

 

[Jason McK]

Oh man, that's too bad. just read the whole thread. Good luck sealing it up.

WOW the water level is scary, or is that just tricking my eyes

J

 

[melev]

That water level is VERY high - it won't take much of anything to splash over the rim. And that includes flow, a fish swimming too quickly near the surface, or even using a cleaning magnet.

Where were the leaks specifically?

It looks like there are slits in the overflow, but the water flow was greater than what they could handle. Is that correct?

 

[rutz81]

I am gonna be joing your shallow reef club today.... I am picking my tank up from some Repltile show in White PLains,NY from Glasscages. It is a 24x24x16 Starphire Rimless. Your tank looks great, I can't wait to get mine started.

 

[jay24k]

I'm thinking he had the drain closed to find any leaks so it filled all the way up. Either way that over flow is really high. If hair algae or anything stops them up, what a mess.

 

[ClownReef®]

Hey guys..

Well, that was before i closed a valve to cut down on the pump (Sequence Snapper). Then, by doing that the water level came down to where i was comfortable. Those pics were taken when the pump was working on full blast..

The leaks are VEEEERY minimal. like a drop every 10 seconds. Two are in the Y where the return separates and another one on one of the elbows of a returning bulkhead. So im gonna use PVC cement and silicone to fix them. Going to probably do it on all of the unions just to be safe. Everything else is in perfect condition.

I will post some pics of the next water testing...

 

[melev]

Thank goodness. I thought you meant the tank had some minor leaks. Plumbing is always easy to fix.