The Reef Central Corner Club Thread
- Thread starter Michael
- Start date
im at 2.2 mls per day at present, still got phos, its not major but its there, im going to keep going till i hit 4 ml, and see how its going then, could be a few more weeks before i hit 4 mil though, just tested ph today actually, it was 8.1 thats quite good for me its been under 8 for a while now, except when dosing kalk, ive had to stop doing that as calcium levels were getting high, im thinking of changing salts to a lower calcium salt then i can dose kalk to aid the ph, i know when the springs here the windows will be open and more oxygen in the house and the ph will be at 8.2-8.3 again, theres too much carbon dioxide in the house due to the heating on at the moment
Hookup
New member
As promised here are some photos of how I did my lighting.
I have built a third T5 pair, exactly the same as you see in the photos, that will be mounted to the front of the tank on the doors. The doors that I have not built yet, but will be attempting today... LOL.
Anyhow, these are the shots, hope it helps people.
I have built a third T5 pair, exactly the same as you see in the photos, that will be mounted to the front of the tank on the doors. The doors that I have not built yet, but will be attempting today... LOL.
Anyhow, these are the shots, hope it helps people.
Hookup
New member
Thanks Michael, I really worked at it a long time and am quite proud of it. This is the second build and I'm pretty happy with it. As I said I'll be working on the doors today, so I can re-wire and get the last 2 T5's into the system. I cannot wait for that additional color and light boost from the front two bulbs, which will be 75/25's I think.
Also, I am waiting on 3 more bulb-mounted reflectors to come in at my LFS. That will help direct the light into the tank a bit better and stop the over-spill.
Also, I am waiting on 3 more bulb-mounted reflectors to come in at my LFS. That will help direct the light into the tank a bit better and stop the over-spill.
Hookup
New member
Took some close-up shots of some of my corals today... I've modified the photos in Adobe Lightroom, which is to say that I have adjusted exposure, fill-lights and shadows. I have also, in some cases, increased contrast and in a few I actually decreased the blues because there was some actinic glare (from camera shake).
Oh, I also had to adjust the color-temp (White Balance) of the photos, which for these shots I simply guessed and increased the temp, which got me closer to white where required... However, in the near future I'm going to put a white-card in the tank under the lights and shoot-it to get a proper WB adjustment... Wife's going to love me putting our white-card in the tank...lol.
So no, these are not scientific documentary style photos, they are simply snaps. But do not think they are heavily modified, saturated, adjusted.
Hope you enjoy.
Oh, I also had to adjust the color-temp (White Balance) of the photos, which for these shots I simply guessed and increased the temp, which got me closer to white where required... However, in the near future I'm going to put a white-card in the tank under the lights and shoot-it to get a proper WB adjustment... Wife's going to love me putting our white-card in the tank...lol.
So no, these are not scientific documentary style photos, they are simply snaps. But do not think they are heavily modified, saturated, adjusted.
Hope you enjoy.
thats a great light, it fits just perfectly, i wish i had a light above the tank to aid co2 removal sometimes, everynight i lift my hood before i go to bed to let some air get in, its fine in the day, but your light allows for that and looks neat sat on the sides as well
Hookup
New member
Hey Phish Guy,
What kind of light is that? Brand, lights, etc? Nice and simple...
I've been working in the basement for the past few hrs on the doors for my DIY... Should have one door up tonight.. maybe... I hope... my god it's been a long road... and to think, I have to take it all apart to paint it before it's done... will this ever end?? hahaha.. been a fun learning experience for sure.
What kind of light is that? Brand, lights, etc? Nice and simple...
I've been working in the basement for the past few hrs on the doors for my DIY... Should have one door up tonight.. maybe... I hope... my god it's been a long road... and to think, I have to take it all apart to paint it before it's done... will this ever end?? hahaha.. been a fun learning experience for sure.
Ok, a couple pics. First Hookup nice pics!!!! I like your choice for reflector. Here's mine!!!
Next, I have 3 powerheads going in the tank for flow, but wanted something for alternating current. The squid will sit next to the overflow and a pump will sit behind the rock wall to power it.
Next, I have 3 powerheads going in the tank for flow, but wanted something for alternating current. The squid will sit next to the overflow and a pump will sit behind the rock wall to power it.
To explain, this is a scwd or pronunced squid.
It's a mechanical device that alternates the flow between two outlets. It uses the flow of a powerhead or pump to do this.
Next you see there are two outlets with two outputs on each. If you look in the second pic, you can see where I left space for the pump where the scwd and pump will go.
The scwd sits to the right of the overflow box and will be wiretied in. Here's what the first version looked like before painting. I'll drill a hole in the lip of the top of the tank and wire tie it.
It's a mechanical device that alternates the flow between two outlets. It uses the flow of a powerhead or pump to do this.
Next you see there are two outlets with two outputs on each. If you look in the second pic, you can see where I left space for the pump where the scwd and pump will go.
The scwd sits to the right of the overflow box and will be wiretied in. Here's what the first version looked like before painting. I'll drill a hole in the lip of the top of the tank and wire tie it.
Last edited:
kelso1980
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14048286#post14048286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
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Hey Michael, thanks for putting the beer down long enough to take a picture for us. :lol:
ps great looking tank!
I'm toying witht he idea of drilling a hole in my livingroom floor and making a fish room in my basement. I have the perfect setup for it, but it's gonna take a lot of planning.
I pretty much want to do it so I can have an ATO. No room in the cabinet under my 54G.
I'd also like to increase the gallonage, who wouldnt.
So far my main concern (so far) is a protein skimmer and I think i'm going to need a more powerful return pump to make it up from the basement. I've got a little guy. but I think i'm going to have to upgrade.
I might have to start asking you guys a lot of questions when I get back from vacation (chicago - definetly going to the shedd aquarium!)
I'm lovin this thread and the pics!
