Another Finnex

[FireWater]

I finally did it....
I am purchasing a new Finnex 30g glass.
I went back and forth between the CADLights tanks and the Finnex. The CAD 22g did not have the dimensions that I wanted and the CAD 39g was too big and too painful in the wallet for now. So, I went with the Finnex 30g.
The tank will be in my new office at work so I am going to keep it simple for now until I find out how maintenance and stability goes. I ordered a MP10 and a reefkeeper lite - they should be here Thursday or Friday. I will also look into a deltec skimmer if I fight with the stock one too much. My last plan will be to run some LED's sooner or later.
It will be a slow process, but I can't wait to see it come together.

Pictures will come at a later date. My fingers are hurting after grabbing my melted and smoking debit card so I can't use my camera anyway.

[cpreefguy]

Sweet, good choice! Can't wait to see the progress. :D

[cbianco]

Glad to see that you made your desicion! You definately got some goodies...

-Finnex 30 gallon M-tank
-RKL
-MP10

and for the future

-Deltec, let me know how it fits if you get one
-LEDs

Did you buy just the tank or a package?
Which lighting canopy did you get?
Did you go through OR.com to get the stuff?

Christopher

[FireWater]

Did you buy just the tank or a package?
Which lighting canopy did you get?
Did you go through OR.com to get the stuff?

Christopher

Yes.




I bought the package, minus the "free" stand for $35, with the 4 t-5 fixture. I got to see one in pictures after you and I talked and it does appear to have individual reflectors and looks to be decent quality - we will see. OR was great to deal with, cut me a smoking deal, and was straight forward. They really pushed the CAD tanks though. It was a hard decision. From what I have read the Deltec is a good fit and vast improvement.

[cbianco]

Yes.




I bought the package, minus the "free" stand for $35,

Good call on the stand. What is the plan for the Stand?

with the 4 t-5 fixture. I got to see one in pictures after you and I talked and it does appear to have individual reflectors and looks to be decent quality - we will see.

Let me know about the light fixture...Heck call me when the box arrives, I'll try and come over. :)

OR was great to deal with, cut me a smoking deal, and was straight forward. They really pushed the CAD tanks though.

Possibly a higher profit on the CAD tanks, who knows... CAD are nice too but they seem to fill the niche sizes not covered by Finnex thus creating their own market.

It was a hard decision. From what I have read the Deltec is a good fit and vast improvement.

Did you order the Deltec too?



Christopher

[tony]

nice pickup john

who is OR?

[FireWater]

You have to be in the club and know the secret handshake Tony.

[FireWater]

Christopher


The stand will be built by myself and one other talented member/friend on the board. Simple design - if you have seen the stand canopy on my 90 at the house - it will be similar to that one. I like simple, but I might do a canopy of some sort over the tank. Not sure yet
I am not sure about the light, but we will see when it gets here. If you want to come see it that is fine, but I will more than likely put you to work.:bigsmile:

[cbianco]

nice pickup john

who is OR?

OceanReeflections


You have to be in the club and know the secret handshake Tony.

Believe it or not, Tony used to be the president of the secret handshake club. Seriously.


The stand will be built by myself and one other talented member/friend on the board. Simple design - if you have seen the stand canopy on my 90 at the house - it will be similar to that one. I like simple, but I might do a canopy of some sort over the tank. Not sure yet
I am not sure about the light, but we will see when it gets here. If you want to come see it that is fine, but I will more than likely put you to work.:bigsmile:

I'll consider it! :)

Christopher

[Texreefer]

Man! did somebunny get a raise?

[FireWater]

No, I just quit eating at overpriced chain restaurants.:bigsmile:

When are you getting your new project done?

[FireWater]

OK, so my son calls me after school to tell me a package just came for me. I run home real quick because the anticipation is killing me. I get there and find a small box that looks like it was drug from the airport to my house behind the Fed-Ex truck. Inside it I find my new Tunze 9002 skimmer --- broken!. What a let down. Now I get to fight with Fed-Ex and possibly the dealer during the busiest shipping time of the year. I love it.

[hobogato]

when ever he can get together with his friend and build a stand :lauging:


....When are you getting your new project done?

[FireWater]

Sounds like me!

[cbianco]

OK, so my son calls me after school to tell me a package just came for me. I run home real quick because the anticipation is killing me. I get there and find a small box that looks like it was drug from the airport to my house behind the Fed-Ex truck. Inside it I find my new Tunze 9002 skimmer --- broken!. What a let down. Now I get to fight with Fed-Ex and possibly the dealer during the busiest shipping time of the year. I love it.

Ouch. As much as I hate to admit, the USPS has the best package (in one piece) record for me. My mother won't ship any other way.

Christopher

[FireWater]

Over 2 hrs of phone time and still spinning in circles. I got my teeth in someone's hind-end and I ain't going to let go.

[FireWater]

I have not updated in a while.... so here goes.

I had a tremendous amount of help and talked someone into building the stand for me. I finished the stand this evening and will hopefully move it to my office tomorrow evening.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01784.jpg

Unfinished

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01786.jpg

Front off

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01785.jpg

First coat of poly stain

I am still waiting on word about my delivered broken skimmer.
I did receive my MP10 and some new T5 bulbs over the Holidays.
Tank is sitting on the floor of my office waiting.

Hoping to have water in it this weekend.

[cbianco]

The stand is coming along nicely!

How long until it's finished?

Christopher

[FireWater]

I put the 2nd coat on tonight. I will check it tomorrow and hopefully carry it up to work tomorrow night. I will probably put a small half shelf in the bottom to hold the timers and controller for the MP10.

The stand is 24" (side to side) X 18" (front to back) and is 36" tall

[Goofball310]

stand is looking great! tagging along for the updates.

[FireWater]

I had a chance to mess with the tank a little today at lunch. I finally opened up all the packaging and put the light together.

I went the 4X24W t-5 fixture w/ 9 - 1W LED lights. I am for the most part impressed with the fixture. It seems to be well put together and the brightness of the LED's was under estimated. They actually have 2 settings - Moonlight and high intensity. The only drawback to this is there is no way to switch between the 2 settings w/out manually switching them.
The fixture has individual reflectors and has active cooling built in. We will see how well it holds up.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0001.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0003.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0004.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0005.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0006.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0007.jpg

[FireWater]

I am overall impressed with the set-up. There are some "iffy" things like the pumps and trim on the tank, but the quality is on par and above other all-in-ones that are out there.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0009.jpg

So, what do ya'll think of the scaping? Plenty of caves and frag spots I think

[cbianco]

:photo:

Fan-tas-titcle!

Stand is swoot dood! Lights looks nice too, can't wait to see them in action. Ditch the skimmer.

Christopher

EDIT: Since you have the light apart, can you measure from the center of one end cap to the next for me. :) Thanks.

[FireWater]

From end cap across fixture to the other end cap or from end cap to end cap next to it?

This light is far better than I was picturing

[cbianco]

From end cap across fixture to the other end cap or from end cap to end cap next to it?

This light is far better than I was picturing

And while your at it, can you measure the width of the reflector.

I'm trying to determine if I have enough room (between bulbs) to put clamp on reflectors on my lights and I wanted to compare my fixture to your fixture.

My thoughts...It looks as if the housing for our lights are the same. Due to better reflectors less light bulbs were needed in your fixture. It looks as if, your bulbs are more spaced apart.

Christopher

[FireWater]

I will measure it tomorrow. On your fixture do you have anything running down the middle like the LEDs on mine?

[cbianco]

I will measure it tomorrow. On your fixture do you have anything running down the middle like the LEDs on mine?

I don't have anything running down the middle, the 6 bulbs "float" over the mirror reflector, only held in place by the end caps.

Christopher

[FireWater]

Well I finally got around to adding water and sand to the tank. I will add more rock and change the layout this coming weekend. The Vortech is fairly impressive for flow and need to see what it can do when I get more stuff in there. Along with changing the rock-scape I will change out the bulb combo - the LED's add a bunch of blue to the tank right now.

Here is the mess in my office
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01787.jpg

Here is the final for today
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01794.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01794.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01790.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01793.jpg

View from my desk
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/DSC01795.jpg

Everything is a little cloudy obviously, but should clear up. I am still overall very impressed with the Finnex. Time will tell.

[cbianco]

Looking sweet, good work!

What kind of sand/substrate do you have in the tank?

Christopher

[hobogato]

very nice john, gonna look great with a bunch of acans ;)

[Europhyllia]

That's beautiful. The light fixture looks great and the stand looks fantastic. Must feel great to have built that yourself. Very classy looking!

[FireWater]

I do like the stand, but unfortunately I cannot take the credit for it. All I did was hold up one side of the table saw while it was being built. I did do the finish though. I still find it hard that I dropped that kind of change for a tank at my office.

[FireWater]

Looking sweet, good work!

What kind of sand/substrate do you have in the tank?

Christopher


It is this stuff - http://www.caribsea.com/pages/buy_it/aragalive/buy_indopacificblack.html

I wanted black, but not all black. Plus it has different coarseness to it (the black is bigger grain than the sand). I am going to foam some of the space between the rock and when I do that I am going to use black sand to coat it so everything will tie in together.

[FireWater]

very nice john, gonna look great with a bunch of acans ;)


Dude, you're scaring me - it's like you are reading my mind. Or at least pushing me in that direction. I only plan on putting a couple of high end sps in and the rest will be lps (chalice, acan, and micro)

[FireWater]

OK, I redidthe rock work to add some more heighth. I like it better. All rock is off the back wall for better flow. Let me now what you think - I appreciate feedback.

View from my desk
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0011.jpg

A little closer
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0012.jpg

And from slightly above
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0015.jpg

[FireWater]

I am still going to use foam, sand, and crushed coral to fill in the areas you see epoxy and putty.

[aquasport24]

Nice "ARTWORK" John, can't wait to see you add livestock in it. Good job.

[FireWater]

Thanks Giau, I tried to use your tank for inspiration, but I could not fit that big of rocks in this one.


I have ordered some LED parts and will try to first replace the pC lighting over the fuge to get the hang of DIY LED's. That is the game plan anyway.

Anyone else have feedback. This is the 1st time, out of 4 tanks and 6 rockscapes that I did the whole thing by myself.

On a side note - I have diatoms and a pretty good algae outbreak. The cycle appears to be moving along.

[FireWater]

I added some of the corals from my 90 that I want to keep and they appear to be doing well. Still cycling through a little, but paramters are staying constant.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0018.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0019.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0020.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0021.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0023.jpg

[FireWater]

I added my 1st fish this past weekend
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0006-2.jpg

Also added a frag of my RedPlanet. It has been in there for a couple of days and is already changing colors. In my 90- anyone who saw the original colony can attest to how red it was. It is starting to lighten up on the red and show more green in the Finnex
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0008-1.jpg

[txmaverickmh]

I love the shelves my man! You are going to have plenty of room for frags to thrive!

[FireWater]

I tried to have a method to the madness

[FireWater]

Ok, I can no longer say I am happy with my Finnex. Also, customer service is nonexistent

1. I was going to take some update pics and decided to clean the glass. Bad mistake! I used the same scraper that I used on my 90 glass tank for years. I now have several beautiful scratches across the front pane and one side. It took me that long to figure out what was happening. As far as I am concerned the tank is ruined.
2. The filter area is great as long as you clean at least every other day. If not it backs up. Which then causes the tank to get really close to overflowing.
3. I took the pump out one time - one time! - to clean it. It broke. Super glue and a prayer is holding it together until I find a replacement pump of the appropriate size and replumb.
4. The fuge light is faulty. Won't come on with the timer and goes off when it wants to.
5. Don't even get me started about the horribly ineffective skimmer.
6, The plumbing for the fuge gets air in it which then creates microbubbles throughout the tank.
7. The plumbing is push on in style and loves to come apart anytime you get near it. Which then sprays water everywhere.

At first I loved this tank. The idea of it I still like. In my opinion though it is horribly put together and uses inferior quality parts.

[aquasport24]

WOW that's sucks, you don't even have time to enjoy it yet and already having problems. Hope all problems solved John.

[RayAllen]

Man that blows John. Man im the same way about scratches. If they are minor and you cant really see them without getting super close thats one thing but when they stick out it bus the heck out of me. Good luck on whatever you choose to do from this point.

[StevenSeas]

I think you should chose to pick up a biocube, least with them they are cheaper and sounds like better made. your light would even fit on one. Hmmm i might know where u could get one ;)

[FireWater]

Here is my war coral when I first put in the tank...
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0021.jpg

Here it is today...
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0011-1.jpg


And some random shots - Luckily you can't see the scratches.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0013-1.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0015-2.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0014-1.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0020-1.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/perry4083/IMG_0022.jpg

[FireWater]

I got a reply from Finnex today in regards to how easily the glass scratched. Once I was able to decipher the grammar/spelling, the jest of it was - "sorry, we use tempered glass and it scratches easy. We recomend using cleaners designed for acrylic." That's it! I even went back through the manual (if you can call it that) to see if there were any warnings or recomendations for cleaning and there was nothing. I'm done with it, I am so disgusted. I went through heck with the break down of the 90g which I still regret and lost several precious to me frags and found a little happiness in this tank. I thought $700 for an all-in-one was going to be worth while and easy. WRONG! So far the only quality thing I have invested in the tank is my fish, corals, and the upgraded parts I put on it. I'm done.

[justahobby]

John, I can 100% empathize w/ having to look through scratches to see your tank. If want to feel better about your Finnex scratches just come look at my tank. It's old as dirt and has a million scratches. I can understand being furious w/ the quality and lost money, but don't blame the hobby for it.... Blame Finnex!

[FireWater]

Thanks Justin. I have written off the Finnex. I was happy with it at first, but that quickly went away as more issues arose. I am planning on replacing the tank itself with either a 30 glass cube or, more than likely an acrylic cube that is a little larger in size. That will have to wait a while so I can save up. Especially since I ordered some LED parts today. More on that later.

[txg8gxp]

Especially since I ordered some LED parts today. More on that later.
:thumbs_up:

[Europhyllia]

Wow John, since I don't 'do nanos' anymore I really didn't see the updates after the original set up bliss. That stinks.
I hate it when I spend more and get less.
Terrible!
How soon are you going to resurrect the 90 gal? Will it be tough top rip out the not so great stuff foam?

[justahobby]

Dude, you sure you want acrylic after scratching up your gla ss tank??

[FireWater]

Karin, I should be resetting up the 90 in a few short weeks. There was a delay in the rock and I am contemplating changing a few things such as lighting. The foam came out relatively easy - I was surprised.

Justin, I am still throwing around ideas. Acrylic will be easier to build an all-in-one out of so that is why I was leaning that direction. If I am prepared to deal with the acrylic that is one thing. I know the risk of scratches. What got me on the Finnex was by surprise - I don't know if I can really relate as to how "soft" the glass is. I used the same technique and scraper that I have used on my 90, my 90 has no scratches. Just as a test I ran my mag float back and forth over the same area about 10 times and noticed some fine scratches. Since I know now the conditions of the glass and other items I am having problems with, if I ever get another Finnex I will be prepared to deal with it. Adapt and overcome

[FireWater]

I'm done again. I finally got over the scratches and almost quit staring at them. I have been saving up to get my 90g running again - finally ordered everything I needed. Well, today I come into work and decide to feed the acans. I pick up the light on my Finnex move it 4" back and set it back down on the tank. As I turn around to pick up my bulb syringe and the mysis I here a splash followed by the sound and smell of burning electrical. One of the plastic legs holding the t-5 fixture snapped and the whole light fixture fell in the tank. Not thinking I grabbed the light and got shocked myself.


So far everything in the tank is still swimming and no corals looked harmed.

[Europhyllia]

Oh wow. I am thinking
John + Finnex = not meant to be
Had no idea so much could go wrong with the technical components of a set up. It's usually the biological balances that seem the tricky part...

[StevenSeas]

wow so sorry to hear. Atleast it doesnt seem like any of the fish or corals were harmed, just a crappy situation

[FireWater]

Thanks. It sucks that you work so hard to have your livestock succeed and thrive only to be let down by low bid tank components. I currently have the whole light in pieces trying to dry it out and hoping for the best. My fish savings are tapped out right now so I am not looking forward to having to purchase parts or a new light fixture.

[kkiel02]

I did the same thing on my parents 55 gallon with a pc setup. It zapped me good, and everything made it btw. I have a 36 inch t5 fixture Im not using right now if you want to use it until you can get yours running again? Call me if you want to its in Seguin but I could go grab it if you are interested.

[hobogato]

yikes! at least there were plenty of people around there that could give you emergency medical care :)

glad all the living critters (you included) are ok

[FireWater]

yikes! at least there were plenty of people around there that could give you emergency medical care :)

glad all the living critters (you included) are ok

Sad part was the Engine Company was out on a call and I was here by myself. That would have been a great headline in the news. Luckily it didn't get me that bad. I still have tingling in my right hand and sensitivity to my middle finger - kind of like my hand is asleep.

All the critters are alive and well today, although they won't go near the top of the tank. LOL

I took apart the light fixture and dried it out. After putting it all back together it works still. I do need to replace 2 sets of end caps and 2 bulbs. That is better than a whole new light though.

[FireWater]

Everything with the tank was actually going very well for a while..... after I replaced everything except the glass itself. I took off the cover to clean it this morning and got busy with work. I cam back into the office to find my teardrop clown on the floor this afternoon. Poor guy. He was so awesome to watch and had a great personality. Now I need to come up with another addition to the tank. I currently have a tail spot blenny and a pink streaked wrasse in it. Any non jumper ideas that will swim in the open?

[Europhyllia]

:( oh no

[cbianco]

I like PJ Cardinals. You could get 2-3 of them and just watch them chill/hang out in the water column.

Christopher :)

[FireWater]

I am really not sure what I am going to get yet. Still bummed that Spaz jumped. Off to do some research.....

[Mr Cob]

that stinks~! Got any pics for us so we can boost your spirits about how awesome the tank looks>?

[FireWater]

I will see what I can do later today.