Yoccm's 300G DD In Wall Build

[cubsare1]

Tank has been ordered today how tall is the bottom trim. Need to start on the stand and would like to cover that will molding. Thanks as always

 

[yoccm]

Tank has been ordered today how tall is the bottom trim. Need to start on the stand and would like to cover that will molding. Thanks as always

Congratulations!!! :beer:
I will take some detailed measurements and some pix when I get home from work tonight and post them for you.

 

[yoccm]

Tank has been ordered today how tall is the bottom trim. Need to start on the stand and would like to cover that will molding. Thanks as always

The bottom trim is 2 inches tall. the tank is still wrapped up so kinda hard to get a pic but if you need me to I can try to get a few shots. Let me know.

 

[cubsare1]

No pic. Needed, thank you

 

[yoccm]

No pic. Needed, thank you

No problem. Did you order one of the standard tanks with starphire front or go custom?

 

[cubsare1]

Just went with a regular one

 

[bankerboy350]

FWIW, I have 4 AI blues on my 250 DD. Ordered them in November, got them in mid January. Love the coverage. They are about 10" off the water. SPS is growing in bottom 1/3 of the tank.

Biggest drawback is the sharp change in PAR within a few inches. I max out at about 75% intensity.

I had t-5's on my 90 and I'm not disappointed so far with the switch to the LED's.

Sticker shock wears off pretty quick.

 

[yoccm]

FWIW, I have 4 AI blues on my 250 DD. Ordered them in November, got them in mid January. Love the coverage. They are about 10" off the water. SPS is growing in bottom 1/3 of the tank.

Biggest drawback is the sharp change in PAR within a few inches. I max out at about 75% intensity.

I had t-5's on my 90 and I'm not disappointed so far with the switch to the LED's.

Sticker shock wears off pretty quick.

Glad to hear you are liking the AIs so much. Did you notice a big change in the visible coloration of the tank? I have heard people say that you can get a pretty close match to how T5s look by dialing the white and blues in differently. Also, did you switch the 40 optics out for 70s or is the good spread you are getting with the standard optics set up?

 

[yoccm]

Just went with a regular one

I thought the price on "the regular one" was great. I know a lot of people have gone custom to change out the corner overflows or go with a eurobraced option but I think the standard model is going to work well for me. Hope you have the same experience. Are you going to start a build thread? Let me know so I can follow along - if not keep me updated here as I am interested in your progress.

 

[cubsare1]

Have not started a build thread yet, the only thing you would see is me crying when I handed over the money :lolspin: I think I will start one next week when I get to work on it (the stand and bracing the floor)

 

[yoccm]

Have not started a build thread yet, the only thing you would see is me crying when I handed over the money :lolspin: I think I will start one next week when I get to work on it (the stand and bracing the floor)

Oh man you are in trouble - if you cry every time you hand over money in this hobby you will cry yourself dry!! :sad2:

Can't wait to see the build - you doing an in wall?

 

[bankerboy350]

Glad to hear you are liking the AIs so much. Did you notice a big change in the visible coloration of the tank? I have heard people say that you can get a pretty close match to how T5s look by dialing the white and blues in differently. Also, did you switch the 40 optics out for 70s or is the good spread you are getting with the standard optics set up?

I was running ATI Blue+ and Aquablue Special on my 90. I would say that I haven't seen a noticeable change in coloration. Corals look great under the LED's (as well as under the T-5's) and I have seen noticeable growth since moving my corals at the end of January.

The dimming feature is awesome. I am using the AI controller which has 14 timers. Each timer has the ability to set the dimming time. With the white, blue, and royal blue being independently controlled , you can get about any look you want.

I scrape the glass about twice a week vs. almost daily under the T-5's and there are no fans other than the extremely quiet fans on the units.

I am using the 40 and 70 degree pucks that came with the units. Depending on your rock work, you may have a "œspot light" look in the top of the tank under the 40 degree optics. I only have one spot but it isn't real noticeable. The measured PAR in that spot was over 600 with 100% intensity.

With the frequent expense of salt, supplements, food, fish and corals, it's nice to not have to factor in $50 here and there for bulbs.

Good luck with your build.

 

[yoccm]

I was running ATI Blue+ and Aquablue Special on my 90. I would say that I haven't seen a noticeable change in coloration. Corals look great under the LED's (as well as under the T-5's) and I have seen noticeable growth since moving my corals at the end of January.

The dimming feature is awesome. I am using the AI controller which has 14 timers. Each timer has the ability to set the dimming time. With the white, blue, and royal blue being independently controlled , you can get about any look you want.

I scrape the glass about twice a week vs. almost daily under the T-5's and there are no fans other than the extremely quiet fans on the units.

I am using the 40 and 70 degree pucks that came with the units. Depending on your rock work, you may have a "œspot light" look in the top of the tank under the 40 degree optics. I only have one spot but it isn't real noticeable. The measured PAR in that spot was over 600 with 100% intensity.

With the frequent expense of salt, supplements, food, fish and corals, it's nice to not have to factor in $50 here and there for bulbs.

Good luck with your build.

Bankerboy - thanks for the info. Great feedback on the AIs. I was really attracted to them for the dimmable feature and their efficiency. Glad that has lived up to your expectations. And really great to hear the color is as good as the T5s but most important is the fact that you have seen such good growth since the switch. You make a compelling case for going LED!!

 

[cubsare1]

I actually have most things already for the tank, just need to build a stand and brace the floor. I have an atb skimmer, triple dosing pump, geo cal reactor when the dosing can't keep up. Just may get lights and a different return pump if i go with a basement sump.

 

[yoccm]

I actually have most things already for the tank, just need to build a stand and brace the floor. I have an atb skimmer, triple dosing pump, geo cal reactor when the dosing can't keep up. Just may get lights and a different return pump if i go with a basement sump.

Sounds like a great equipment list ..... Any decision on lighting?

 

[cubsare1]

Still trying to talk myself into spending money on 3 a.i. for across the front then use t5 for the back. Probably wait and see how the rock work is first.

 

[cubsare1]

Could you do me a favor and see how thick the glass is? I have 2 mp10's and I'm not sure if I could use them or not.

 

[yoccm]

Could you do me a favor and see how thick the glass is? I have 2 mp10's and I'm not sure if I could use them or not.

Sides are 5/8" and bottom is 3/4"

 

[yoccm]

Update:

Went out of town for a week ... Cruise in the Western Caribbean with the family. Got to admire some awesome reefs up close and personal. Definitely gave me new inspiration on the tank. While we were away the contractor has been busy. Drywall is done and cabinets and trim are going in this week. I am having the tank moved into the basement and put on the stand this Friday so they can do the finish trim and get the granite counter installed underneath. I will try to post some pix tonight of the progress. Can't wait to get it in place so I can get going on plumbing and leak testing!!

 

[prop-frags]

PICS!!
Give them to us NOW!