Tank of the Month - March 2005

[copps]

Congratulations Dan! How appropriate for Easter with those beautiful pastel colors!

It's been years since we teamed up at nano-reef to show people what fluorescents were capable of, and it's nice to see how you've carried the science on to larger and deeper systems.

Two very important quotes from your article showing the keys to success with fluorescents are... "The T5 bulbs are no more than three inches from the water surface," and... "Aside from quality T5 tubes, equally important are the mirror finish ATI parabolic reflectors that rest directly on the tubes for maximum reflectivity." Mistakes are made when people suspend fluorescents where halides should be...

I've had success with PCs, a friend with VHOs, and you with the T5s... the common denominator was the two points listed above.

Keep on pioneering!

Copps "aka Brooklyn Johnny"

 

[onthefly]

All I have to say is "ABOUT DAMN TIME!"

Great Job Dan, All of your tanks (your 10, your 30, and now you 110) are amazing. Your tank is my bench mark for my larger projects......I'm think about a 40 BDR with the 8x 39W T5 fixture, what do you think?

BTW Steve Wiest live down the road from me and if you're planning something like that, you should charge admission, I'd pay to see it

Nice to see you to Johnny, been a awhile!

 

[quik]

Congrats Dan! I've seen your tank on Nano-ref and Now TOTM! Your work and dedication simply amazes me......

Your tank on nano-ref has inspired me to hopefully attain a level yours was in, BUT once again you gone and raised the bar.

Once I've settled in I WILL begin a 30-40g tank.

Also there's a online fish/equipment store called Aquatraders very close to my house in the Bay Area, they have some T-5's from Asia. Would you recommed them?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[fuzz1974]

AWESOME!!!!!

Looks real good Dan!! Seems like a happy family over there.

 

[danano]

John, thanks bro! I feel as if we've grown up together in this hobby. Have you started on your new tank project?

otf, the 39w T5s will work well but the 54w T5s provide more punch. If you can, go for a slightly larger tank. Do you know Steve W. personally? I've never been to Oregon but maybe now there's a reason to...

Mike, thanks. I've never used T5s from Asia so can't really comment on the quality. I have seen some new "local" brands in the market and they go for cheap. What I can say is that the German T5s are tried, tested and proven. If you are into sps, then your corals deserve only the very best! (and no, ATI does not sponsor my lights, well, not yet at least )

Thanks fuzz!!

 

[quik]

Thanks for the advice. ATI bulbs are the proven, with that, does how important would the ballast be if I were to just change bulbs?

Mike

 

[Michael7979]

Simply awesome!!!!!!!!

 

[Scleractinian]

I've been telling ya'll for over a year that Dan deserved TOTM!

Congrats Danano!

 

[onthefly]

Sadly I don't know him personally ......wish I did!

But I really like his design, carpentry, and reefing philosophy

 

[yaktop]

<As an added precaution, I also have a Fox Controller that I plan to install that will automatically switch the lights off in the event the temperature goes above 84Ã"šÃ‚º F>

where do you get this Fox Controller? thanks, I like the idea. Nice set up, some day...............

 

[Project Reef]

Dan the man! You are the man, Dan!!

 

[mike9515756]

Hi Daniel, stunning tank!!!! Does the fixture come with the ballast or is it seperate? Keep up the amazing work.

 

[Cesar357]

Amazing tank. Beautiful.

 

[danano]

Quik/Mike951, I have never overdriven my T5 bulbs. There's never been a need to. I'm using the standard ATI Powerbalken fixtures from Germany. The T5 ballasts are built-in.

Thanks Michael, Scleractinian, Project Reer, Mike951, Cesar.


yaktop, the auto shut-off Temperature Controller came as a DIY kit with sensor, electronics and digital display. It's available at specialised electronic stores locally.

Dan

 

[yaktop]

is there a way you could enlighten us with part numbers or possibly a contact with one of these stores. I think this device has a high demand and it would be a home run on the DIY section if more information was available.

thanks for your reply.

 

[Skipper]

Yaktop: be sure to note that danano is located in Singapore.

 

[yaktop]

I know but hoping we can stil get something started.

 

[yamaha racer]

hey danano i was wondering if my light can do what u are doing in your tank
i have5 t-5s and 4 pc's
* 3 28w true actinic 03
* 2 28w daylighy uv
* 4 20w 50/50 power compact
will that be enough?

 

[yamaha racer]

its a 55g

 

[danano]

yaktop, I do not have the part numbers/store name. You may want to do a search or look up your local specialised electronic stores, they may be able to direct you to the relevant suppliers. I'll drop you a PM if I am able to find out more info on the parts.

Yamaha, I replied to your PM. In a nutshell, your existing lighting is inadequate (for sps). From your description, your T5s do not appear to be the standard high-output. They will probably work for LPS but not SPS.

Dan