Wet bar to 120g in wall build - first tank

[Sierra_Bravo]

I actually have started a build thread on another forum but I wanted to duplicate it here as well, since the folks at MAAST are my neighbors and I could use all the help I can get!

A little bit about me to start: I'm 49 years old and have been living in San Antonio for about 4.5 years now. We're from South Florida and what I miss the most living here is the access to clear water of the Keys and Biscayne Bay. We spent a lot of time on the water and I miss snorkeling and fishing the patch reefs. For some time I've been considering setting up a marine tank in order to bring a little of the ocean to me, but until now it hasn't been a pressing goal.

We had a wet bar that was not being used for much except storage. My wife wanted to convert the opening to display shelves and keep the remainder as a closet. It suddenly occurred to me that the room had a water supply and drain...I could do a built in aquarium and, if planned properly, I could do a small fish room with a mixing station. How hard could it be to do? It's just a fish tank...

Only one problem: I am brand new to the hobby...and by brand new I mean a complete noob. New enough that I didn't have a clue what I didn't know. But I've been reading and absorbing an awful lot of material on line and in the forums, as well as picking the brains of LFS here in town like Elegant Reef and Texas Tropical. I have a much better grasp on the basics now but am a LONG way from feeling like I know what I'm about to get myself into.

Enough of all that - let's get some pictures up so you can see where I'm at:

Here's the room:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170108_120925.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170108_121007.jpg


Wifey was open to the idea with one condition: She still wanted to put lighted display shelves so I had to incorporate them into the plan.

The kids and I did a little blue tape designing complete with fish :) to get an idea of what we could do with the space:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170108_130407.jpg

I figured I could do a 90 gallon mixed reef with two display shelves below and one above. I also wanted to build a small salt water mixing station in the room behind. As I started putting together a budget one thing became very clear...this sh*t was NOT going to be cheap! My wife is great: when I mentioned that I thought this was too much money to spend she said "You never spend money on yourself - splurge for a change and do what you want to do". I, of course, immediately replied "Side chick?" but evidently she was just talking about the aquarium.

Alright - I had a green light and a bank account...just need planning, time, and sweat. I ripped the countertop and front drywall out the very first day to ensure I wouldn't have a change of heart. Demo was not too bad:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170109_064334.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170114_190259.jpg


http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170122_093257_1.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170122_093248_1.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170122_145606_1.jpg

Next I relocated and added receptacles, capped off the hot water supply and used PEX to relocate my cold water supply a bit higher for the RO/DI. I reinstalled the drywall, taped and mudded the room (hate taping and sanding with a passion...) and painted. I put FRP up on the walls near the tank for easy cleaning and water protection.



http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170126_014410.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170126_004951.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170212_214549.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170212_214558.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170212_214615.jpg

The vent fan is a Panasonic (http://www2.panasonic.com) Whisperwall that I'm hooking up to the Duostat control below. It is extremely quiet - you can stand next to it and hardly hear it. This will allow the fan to come on anytime the sensor detects higher temps or humidity levels in the fish room than what I set.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/index.jpg

There are two potential issues with this, though: The first is that the exhaust dumps into the adjacent hallway; I don't have a way to vent to the outside from that room. This isn't all bad because my A/C return is positioned in the same hallway and that should help.

The second is that the vent that comes with the Whisperwall is...a little large. I installed it and to be honest it doesn't look too bad, but it is an entrance hall.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170125_233850.jpg


I'm a little bit bit further along than where I was when I took these photos, so I'll have to catch up with the rest as I have time to post.

I'm looking forward to being a part of your community and appreciate the interaction I've seen between the members. I also had the pleasure to meet Alton, briefly and mostly between grunts, as we helped Dkray944 move his "ginormous" 330g glass tank to his garage. Thanks for having me!

[alton]

Very nice and welcome to MAAST. I look forward to the continuing build and more pictures. But If my wife had a wet bar and I turned into a aquarium/fish room, I would have to find a new home.

[SABOB]

@ Alton......or a new wife😎


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sierra_Bravo]

The display shelf requirement wifey put on me really made the design difficult. I've decided against putting a display shelf above because A) I think it's going to take away from the tank, and B) there is a support joist running across the top that prevents me from gaining the height I need. On top of that I need to maintain space above the tank for maintenance and lighting.

I played around and made a few drawings trying to visualize what I'm going for and settled on this:
http://i.imgur.com/j9KqdW8.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/INIE59K.jpg

Placing display shelves built into the wall under the tank presents another problem - the depth of the shelves plus the framing for the stand is severely encroaching into the space I have for a sump. Because of this I need 30" total depth for the stand. Well, it seems kinda silly to just do an 18" deep 90 gallon on a 30" deep stand...so before building the first thing I've already managed my first upgrade! Going with a 120 gallon...woo hoo! I laid out the dimensions of a 90 gallon and 120 gallon side by side on the floor in masking tape and that 6" really makes a big difference in usable space.

http://i.imgur.com/INIE59K.jpg



My intention from the beginning was to utilize the wet bar's drain and water supply to create a saltwater mixing station. Reality is that the available space is minimal...there's not even enough room to put a brute can because the diameter is too large. With a 120g tank I felt I needed containers that hold 20 - 25 gallons and were no more than 18" wide. I found these online at National Tank Outlet on sale for $70:

http://i.imgur.com/JOAlavQ.jpg

Here is the stand build:

http://i.imgur.com/zGeeKyT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ibjwkJJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/llnvsw9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OAWn4Zy.jpg

Because of the lack of space I had to use pocket screws to keep the width down. With the addition of the cross member right under the top shelf and on three sides the stand ended up being very sturdy.

[Sierra_Bravo]

http://i.imgur.com/Xn7IgoR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3wSR8mn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4DG22yY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MXjJKFD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aErAA4d.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9rfu6L4.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0lN6zwh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yH66dml.jpg


I still have to put a sheet of 3/4 ply on top.

I know this looks heavily compartmentalized, but there were reasons. The 1x6 panels are removable. This is because the shelf display side will have two led lights installed at the top and I will eventually need to access them. I also wanted to prevent as much air movement into display shelf area as possible so the lights don't rust and the drywall is protected. I ran a piece of vertical plywood across the back for the same purpose. Everything is caulked and sealed. Because my space is so limited I may need to run some of the plumbing here as well.

Because the depth of the stand is greater than the tank and my overflo will be mounted center back (I'm using a Synergy Reef Shadow) I needed to create an access area that I can eventually run my drains through.

[FarmerTy]

This is awesome by the way! Thanks for sharing! I just drilled and installed a Reef Synergy Ghost Overflow on my new tank and it was pretty straightforward. I'm sure you won't have any problems with it seeing as how handy you are.

[Sierra_Bravo]

I'm sure you won't have any problems with it seeing as how handy you are.

Thanks for the comment - I must have you fooled along with my wife. Caulking and paint hide a lot of mistakes! :bigsmile:

[FarmerTy]

If you got your own wood lathe, something tells me you know what you're doing. Haha.

[Sierra_Bravo]

http://i.imgur.com/2ohXCZ7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BCXjELD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5PIhm7D.jpg


I installed the standpipe drain, then plumbed the end of the line that will eventually expel the water from my water changes. I also connected the inlet and waste lines for my RO/DI and leak tested it. I bought the 150 GPD version to lower waste. Luckily we have decent pressure here at about 65psi. I was getting very good flow. The TDS meter only read 6 on the supply line, which seems too good to be true. Once I hook up the fresh water storage tank and run the system a bit we'll see where it ends up.

I also put the 3/4" plywood top in, screwed it down countersinking the heads, then painted over the screws to protect them from any rusting. Painted the top black along with the wall ends that will be covered up by the tank (I'm planning a black background or paint on the tank). Started to tape and mud the stand in (I hate this part).

But then I checked the mail and these came in:

http://i.imgur.com/Wd9weoq.jpg

The dang LED lights for the shelving side. I forgot all about them and really need the top off to drill out the chase under the tank to connect them. I guess I'll be taking the top off again...

[Sierra_Bravo]

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170308_232051.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170308_232548.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/s_bouwens/Tank%20build/20170308_232601.jpg

[SoLiD]

Very nice. Can't wait to see more.

[Sierra_Bravo]

Finally received something that looks like a fish tank...sump came in! I went with the Trigger Ruby 36.


http://i.imgur.com/LmSALMU.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/t8wk6yW.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/KopMKVU.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/eyKHYix.jpg?1

[FarmerTy]

That looks sharp in there!

[Troy Valentine]

Classy setup!! Great wood working skills.

[Sierra_Bravo]

http://i.imgur.com/gTZvejH.jpg

[leliataylor]

This is going to be a awesome setup and very well thought out. You just need to get the PVC to go with all the fittings. LOL. Great job. Looking forward to seeing it wet.

[Sierra_Bravo]

I finally had time to plumb the mixing station and parts of the sump. The design, while looking as my 12 year old described as "a place where Super Mario would get lost", allows the single pump to mix within the salt water tank, remove water from the sump and send to drain, and then add water from the mixing tank to the sump. It all worked as planned.

http://i.imgur.com/V2lvHkZ.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/k1zqdTI.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/IDqxU1q.jpg?1



The fresh water tank is plumbed to the ro/di with a float valve and has two valves for controlling flow. I can send the water via gravity to either the mixing tank or to the top off tank. I really pondered whether I wanted to automate the filling of the top off tank or even eliminate it and just bring fresh water directly from the ro/di into the sump. In the end I decided that I'd rather just fill the top off tank manually for a couple of reasons: First, I just wasn't comfortable doing ro/di direct to sump, even if I used multiple fail safes. I also didn't want to have my ATO force the ro/di unit work inefficiently filtering water intermittently as the ATO pulled it to the sump and the top off tank had to be refilled. I wanted to remove water from the fresh water tank in one large volume and let it replace it all at once. Lastly this forces me to actually view the system and make sure everything is operating correctly.

The fresh water tank is filled through a float valve and I plumbed in a safety overflow drain just in case it decides to fail.


http://i.imgur.com/ksTlO8X.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/cqG6ILH.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/macRIbn.jpg?1


On the mixing tank I drilled 3/16" holes along the width of a piece of 1/2" pvc and mounted it vertically within the tank. This provided very good circulation throughout the entire water column of the tank.

http://i.imgur.com/JJdy4dm.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/FXYepm5.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/kmwDqwr.jpg?1



If you do not want to have the purple primer showing on everything, they do make a clear pvc primer that you can find at a real plumbing supply warehouse or online.

http://i.imgur.com/nXtyH8Z.jpg?1

[Sierra_Bravo]

I did have one big problem though. I'm using the Current USA Eflux DC pump. I bought two; one for my display tank return and one for the mixing station . I did this thinking that I'd have redundancy in case my primary went out - I'd have my backup readily available.



When I put the union fitting on and started to tighten it, the thread on the pump housing broke off. This isn't good. The yellow you see in the pick is Rectorseal #5 pipe thread sealant, so I don't think that had anything to do with it. I was able to remove the broken piece and still thread the union on to the remainder of the male threads but I'll send in a letter to Current USA so they are aware. Anyone have any idea what I may have done to cause this?





http://i.imgur.com/4WjfJa0.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/XsQOqMB.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/3N37xsC.jpg?1

[glarior]

Wow, the plumbing looks amazing. I always said I will do it that way but over time never have lol.

[Sierra_Bravo]

Current USA replied to me within a few hours on the issue with the pump. Great customer service on their part!



Current USA - Support, Mar 15, 13:15 PDT:


Hi Scott,

Thanks for purchasing our eFlux DC pumps - we sincerely apologize for the one pump end breaking off. We've honestly not seen this before.

I looked at your thread, the build looks really nice! I've not used the sealant your using before, but I've never heard of a sealant like this causing an issue breaking the threads. The only time I have seen threads snap before was from too much teflon tape.

Absolutely we can take care of you on this.

Two options:
1. We can send you a new pump volute
2. We can replace the entire pump

From your thread on Reef2reef, it looks like the pump is already installed into the system, so please let us know what works best for you.

Again, sorry for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,
Ike

[Justin]

Nice customer service! Plumbing is looking pimp man. Can't wait for you to get that bad boy wet and aquascaping!!!

[Sierra_Bravo]

Thanks - I appreciate it! For not having ever done anything like this before I wasn't sure what to expect. But there are enough people out there that have done a great job documenting their builds that I've been able to steal an idea or two.

As for getting it wet, I need to switch gears and get the remainder of the wall finish completed on the outside with texture and paint before picking up the tank. When I do I've decided to go ahead and go with live rock and sand from Tampa Bay Saltwater. http://tampabaysaltwater.com/ It's expensive, but I really like what he sends you.

[SoLiD]

Can't wait to see more. Don't forget to ask as many questions as you can. We are all here to help you be successful. Good Luck!

[Sierra_Bravo]

We have a tank in place! It's an empty tank, but by God it's a tank! I picked it up from Elegant Reef today. I also finally met Louis Bueno. Man, that guy is busy. I've been visiting that shop for two months without being able to connect in person. I told him he was like Sasquatch: There are rumors he exists but I had never seen hard evidence!

http://i.imgur.com/Ezh5qv2.jpg?1

I'll need to trim out around the tank and install a door panel above. I'm headed to Las Vegas next week so it will have to wait.

Also: Touching base on the Current USA pump. It's designed to be plumbed with barbed connections. No way around it. No matter what I did with the union fittings I could not get a proper seal. With the hose fittings it works great with no leaks. I didn't see any reduction in the pump flow vs hard PVC.

http://i.imgur.com/7HLSpqX.jpg?1


Last but not least, I also installed a manifold for future media reactor use.

http://i.imgur.com/OMUxip6.jpg?1

[Sierra_Bravo]

I've been gone on business so I had a bit of a break. Since I've been back I built a quarantine tank stand and set up a 20 gallon fish and 10 gallon coral tank ready for our first fishy inhabitants, which we've decided will be a pair of black and white occelaris.

http://i.imgur.com/v3v7Mdf.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/DoG015z.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/TJrbNWK.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/0ESAeF3.jpg?1

[dwest]

It's looking good. Look forward to seeing seeing the rest

[Sierra_Bravo]

A few more updates:

I used 1/4 PVC foam board to create a very effective way to block out the sides and rear of the tank while allowing me the ability to easily remove it for maintenance or even to change out the color. This was very easy to work with and I was very pleased with the results. If you want additional details, let me know.

http://i.imgur.com/GCxjxIc.jpg?1

I also mounted two Maxspect Ethereal LED's, but put them on tv/monitor articulated arms so I could easily move them out of the way for cleaning.

http://i.imgur.com/dOTgL29.jpg?1


I'm using Maxspect Gyres, the XF-250's, for circulation.


http://i.imgur.com/sPKRwYd.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/dJe1w2q.jpg?1


I even put in my refugium light:
http://i.imgur.com/kUGiE1U.jpg?1

Sooo close to adding water I can taste the salt. I just need to trim out the outside of the tank and complete my wire management and it's ready to get wet.

[FarmerTy]

Great work! I'm doing a very similar build and would be interested in the details of the 1/4" pvc foam board and where you got it.

[Sierra_Bravo]

Great work! I'm doing a very similar build and would be interested in the details of the 1/4" pvc foam board and where you got it.

Absolutely. The material is called PVC Foam Board (Brand name "Sintra") and there are several sources; I bought mine at eplastics.com: http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic?search=+Black+Sintra+Celtec+PVC+Foam+Sheet +

http://i.imgur.com/iOMGnTW.png (http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic?search=+Black+Sintra+Celtec+PVC+Foam+Sheet +)

It comes in a variety of colors, lightweight but stiff, and easy to cut with a table or circular saw. It can be painted as well, so you could make it whatever color you want. The foam board is the same thickness as the plastic rim so it looks flush. I cut it to fit snugly between the upper and lower rim of the tank so I didn't even need to add anything to keep it in place. If I were using it for a rimless tank I'd use a plastic J-channel on the top and bottom to secure it. http://outwater.com/lg_display.cfm/page/A-27/catalog/2016_Master_Catalog

It cost about $51 for two pieces of 1/4 x 24 x 48 and shipping was around $30. They have different sizes available and I've seen online suppliers that will custom cut to size. I weighed the price against the permanency of paint and the fact that I wanted to be able to see through my tank from the rear when I was in the fish room performing maintenance.

I had a little light leakage at certain angles around my overflow which I fixed by putting a strip of black electrical tape on the outside glass near the edge of the overflow box. I made sure that the edges of two pieces that butt together around the overflow box were the factory cut edge so it looks absolutely seamless. The magnets for the pumps still hold through the foam board. Came out better than I had hoped. I don't have too many pictures but I'll post those that I do have:

http://i.imgur.com/pUJ5vUn.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/GT3J28E.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/peigC9y.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/PF6RrOz.jpg?1

[FarmerTy]

Awesome! That is literally my same setup since I have the ghost overflow as well. How did you cut around the overflow to make sure it fit snug and didn't bleed light? Did you cover the exact areas of the inner box and the ridge on the outer box just sat on the pvc Foam board? So there is a seam down the middle of your back glass?

[Sierra_Bravo]

It wasn't that hard to cut the angle of the Overflow into the foam board by using a table saw. There were some slight gaps when you looked at it from an angle but that was rectified by adding a sigle strip of black electrical tape around the outline of the box on the outside. As to the seam, there is a seam that allows me to get it behind the pipes. The trick here is once you cut the 2x4 board in half, turn it around so that the factory edges butt up one another before cutting out the shape for the Overflow.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170410/3b47149f884c28ed61a38e2013cf0179.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170410/ff067b98f7da7689431d81ebe3dc40bf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170410/626191fe6b03cde874965d6953fe450a.jpg

1st is the vertical seam behind the drain pipes.
2nd is an unfocused picture of the electrical tape I used around the Shadow.
3rd is the PVC foam board tight against the Shadow


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[Sierra_Bravo]

Wow...note to self: Resize the photos before you post. :bigsmile:

[FarmerTy]

Thank you so much for showing me the additional pictures and describing what you did. You literally figured out the whole exposed background situation for me with a back fish room and the Shadow Overflow.

Now I'll be able to easily remove the background and work on the tank but have that closed in look for front viewing.

[Sierra_Bravo]

It's finally salty!!! Finished up the trim work and all the equipment. Officially calling the build "done"!

http://i.imgur.com/NuluonU.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/UOn9Cph.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/eo4o0G6.jpg

Before thru planning to after - I think we hit it on the screws!

[Sierra_Bravo]

Have not updated this in a long time. I'm mostly waiting on frags to grow out now.

Tubbs Stellata
https://i.imgur.com/rlyRScOh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/rlyRScOh.jpg)

WWC All-In monti
https://i.imgur.com/abxMa0Hh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/abxMa0Hh.jpg)

JF Fox Flame
https://i.imgur.com/dkoaleVh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/dkoaleVh.jpg)

Farmer Ty Bottle Brush
https://i.imgur.com/w59j8gEh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/w59j8gEh.jpg)

YG Yellow
https://i.imgur.com/XlcTxROh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/XlcTxROh.jpg)

Needle in a Haystack & Tyree Undata
https://i.imgur.com/QhThJtxh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/QhThJtxh.jpg)

WWC Grafted Starfire https://i.imgur.com/fjXR3Xth.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/fjXR3Xth.jpg)

Red Monti Cap
https://i.imgur.com/lJs4AK6h.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/lJs4AK6h.jpg)

War Coral
https://i.imgur.com/0dTKpgbh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/0dTKpgbh.jpg)

Jedi Mind Trick
https://i.imgur.com/AlXOTW2h.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/AlXOTW2h.jpg)

Red Setosa
https://i.imgur.com/ErrcMpeh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/ErrcMpeh.jpg)

Rainbow Stylo
https://i.imgur.com/uue7YkCh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/uue7YkCh.jpg)

WWC Juicy Fruit
https://i.imgur.com/arsxvrvh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/arsxvrvh.jpg)

ORA Borealis
https://i.imgur.com/hzwScRwh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/hzwScRwh.jpg)

Sarmentosa
https://i.imgur.com/XZNnayIh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/XZNnayIh.jpg)

Green Slimer
https://i.imgur.com/k9xoDQZh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/k9xoDQZh.jpg)

UC SSC OG
https://i.imgur.com/JWuLG0yh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/JWuLG0yh.jpg)

POTO Tweedy Bird
https://i.imgur.com/A5gOR2Kh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/A5gOR2Kh.jpg)

BC Grape Juice
https://i.imgur.com/QKlBbMlh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/QKlBbMlh.jpg)

FHC Red Rage
https://i.imgur.com/Nxjby1Oh.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/Nxjby1Oh.jpg)



(https://i.imgur.com/Ak3Hg4gh.jpg)

[Sierra_Bravo]

BC "I love my Monster" tort
https://i.imgur.com/9oz8QZKh.jpg

Needle in a Haystack
https://i.imgur.com/Tkw3ZA9h.jpg

Mint Green Cap
https://i.imgur.com/dV5AUw0h.jpg

Palmer's Blue Millie
https://i.imgur.com/oYfx2cRh.jpg

M. Spongodes
https://i.imgur.com/bW4ZhrJh.jpg

Purple Scroll
https://i.imgur.com/Ak3Hg4gh.jpg

Red Monti Cap
https://i.imgur.com/lJs4AK6h.jpg


Left and right side islands - just a bunch of little frags everywhere.

https://i.imgur.com/XVhkgo5h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cJ5RSUqh.jpg

[TexasTodd]

Great thread. Last set of photos not showing for me.

What lights? How high above water? If LED what intensity, color setting, run time etc.?

Todd

[Sierra_Bravo]

Thanks Todd. I fixed the links.

I run a hybrid fixture of my own making consisting of two Maxspect Ethereal and two T5 bulbs. 8 hr photoperiod wit an hour ramp up and down. T5's are on for 4 hours mid day. I get about 230-260 par mid tank during that time. The LED's have 5 channels, but basically I'm running blues at 95% and whites around 7o%. They are about 10" above the water. T5's are a coral plus and a blue plus.

[TexasTodd]

Nice, how long have those frags been in?

I saw where someone built their own LED and were saying it had the same parts as a Radion somehow. I really like the combo of both LED / T5.

[Sierra_Bravo]

Most I've had for four months or less; a good portion for less than two. I just glued them up a month ago. here's a link to the lights I put together:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/creating-a-hybrid-led-t5-light-hanger-using-extruded-aluminum.351777/