JCOLE's ACRO Dominant Build

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JCOLE

JCOLE

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I went a different route with my lights this time. My plan was to add 3-4 T5's on each side of the Halides. However, I would have to buy another 4-5 LET retrofit kits and then we are looking at 16 replacement T5 bulbs every year.

This morning I ordered the SBReeflight's PCB replacement board for my black box LED's. I already have (8) of them, so I figured that would be the best $$ option. I have 6 of the 60" LET bulbs and will probably still add three on each side for actinics.

The black boxes on the top right are old boards that I changed the diodes on. The UV diodes are burned out, and the spectrum looks very purple. The black box on the left is an SBReeflight board, and the spectrum is similar to the 20K Radium already. My plan is to remove the diode lens and adjust the straps so that the black box tilts more toward the center. It will lower PAR, but this should eliminate the hot spots and help with the spread.

What do you guys think?

Note - The black boxes on the right will be lowered and on straps once the replacement boards come in.


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Great work on that canopy.
MH supplemented by LED has been my favorite combo to date. If you toss in t5s it's going to bend it all together very nice. Not sure if they'll be necessary or not, hows the coverage looking?
 
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JCOLE

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Great work on that canopy.
MH supplemented by LED has been my favorite combo to date. If you toss in t5s it's going to bend it all together very nice. Not sure if they'll be necessary or not, hows the coverage looking?

Thanks! Almost done with the canopy.

I removed the lens from the SBREEF board and the blend is much better. Weird disco effect is almost gone. Instead of a bright 1.5'x1.5' spot I now have light spread around 3'x3' from one box. I am confident that when 4 halides and 8 blackboxes are all on then I will have good coverage.

I will take some PAR readings this week. Hopefully, it is enough
 
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All 4 halides installed and there is a chance I won't need any LEDs or supplemental lighting. Spread seems really good. I will run some PAR measurements tomorrow.

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That's such a nice canopy build! Strong work on that. Can you send some close up images of how the halides are connecting to the T slot frame? I've been looking around to find someone that has put halides on theirs. Looking to adopt a similar method to hang two cozumel sun pendants and 2 orphek LED bars. Really like the idea that you placed the ballasts on the rack, too. Any concern having them close'ish to the water?
 
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That's such a nice canopy build! Strong work on that. Can you send some close up images of how the halides are connecting to the T slot frame? I've been looking around to find someone that has put halides on theirs. Looking to adopt a similar method to hang two cozumel sun pendants and 2 orphek LED bars. Really like the idea that you placed the ballasts on the rack, too. Any concern having them close'ish to the water?

Thank you. Absolutely! I will take some pictures when I get home today. I just used the 90 degree brackets and adjustable rope hangers to move them up and down.

10PCS 2 Hole 2020 Series 90 Degree Inside Corner Bracket Set, Black L Corner Bracket, 20pcs T-Slot Nuts and Hex Screw Bolt and 1pcs Wrench for 6mm Slot Aluminum Profile Accessories(Silver) https://a.co/d/c3cMWBQ

Apollo Horticulture Pair of 1/8" Adjustable Grow Light Rope Hanger w/ Improved Metal Internal Gears https://a.co/d/3runagX

The canopy is almost 2' tall so hopefully there isn't an issue with the ballast. I didn't want to put them there but Hamilton and Radium both said I couldn't go over the 12' distance from ballast to bulb. I will need to get used to the sound of a swarm of bees again. 1600w of ballasts really put off a nice buzz. Oddly enough, I like it. :)
 

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Looks great. Thanks for the photos of the lights on canopy and the links. Agree that MH buzz is different than running LED or T5 for that matter, but it sure is good to be back.
 
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Looks great. Thanks for the photos of the lights on canopy and the links. Agree that MH buzz is different than running LED or T5 for that matter, but it sure is good to be back.

I don't know if this helps but let me know if you want me to snap any more pictures. 90 degree brackets and the adjustable ropes hook to those and eye hooks in the pendants.

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Busy day today!!

I sold my old tank. Sad to see if go but glad it's going to a good home.

Annnnd.... I moved everything from the sump to the tank. I just through everything in there without a plan. I think it didnt turn out all that bad. I wanted an old school rock wall look and with the halides it is so good to see this again! This is just with the 4 halides on.

It is very hazy/cloudy from moving the rocks to the tank.

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Let there be light!!

I replaced the old black box PCB boards with new SBREEF boards. I removed all lens from the diodes to help with spread and remove the disco effect. I was able to get by with only 3 boxes on each side by removing the lens. PAR is lower, but that's okay. The halides are doing the heavy lifting. I will be building the canopy cover, hopefully, this weekend.

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Now the fun part. Filling the tank up with corals!

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Busy day today!!

I sold my old tank. Sad to see if go but glad it's going to a good home.

Annnnd.... I moved everything from the sump to the tank. I just through everything in there without a plan. I think it didnt turn out all that bad. I wanted an old school rock wall look and with the halides it is so good to see this again! This is just with the 4 halides on.

It is very hazy/cloudy from moving the rocks to the tank.

20221023_210648.jpg
20221023_210716.jpg
20221023_210756.jpg
20221023_210747.jpg
20221023_210658.jpg
20221023_210824.jpg



We need a "drool" button hahah. That is impressive coverage with what looks like just the pendants on. You're getting that MH to everything and the LEDS look like they fill in the rest perfectly. Nice work

Not sure if most reefers appreciate a good surface agitation/refraction shot but I was glad to see it in that video, nice flow!
 
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We need a "drool" button hahah. That is impressive coverage with what looks like just the pendants on. You're getting that MH to everything and the LEDS look like they fill in the rest perfectly. Nice work

Not sure if most reefers appreciate a good surface agitation/refraction shot but I was glad to see it in that video, nice flow!

Thanks! I could say the same thing about your posts on your build thread! :D

Yes! One of my favorite things about the tank is the shimmer. Something I have missed with running only T5's(which I loved by the way). With MH, I am seeing shimmer underneath the corals and rock. It is defying the laws of physics. :D
 
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Thanks! I could say the same thing about your posts on your build thread! :D

Yes! One of my favorite things about the tank is the shimmer. Something I have missed with running only T5's(which I loved by the way). With MH, I am seeing shimmer underneath the corals and rock. It is defying the laws of physics. :D
I think that's one of the perks of a fresh barebottom tank :) You got that light bouncing off everything! I scraped the front bottom eurobracing on my tank and it looked noticeable brighter throughout
 
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I think that's one of the perks of a fresh barebottom tank :) You got that light bouncing off everything! I scraped the front bottom eurobracing on my tank and it looked noticeable brighter throughout

I better enjoy it while I can then. I am starting to see coralline on the bottom. Maybe I can use a plastic scraper on the bottom without it scratching the acrylic too much.
 

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Let there be light!!

I replaced the old black box PCB boards with new SBREEF boards. I removed all lens from the diodes to help with spread and remove the disco effect. I was able to get by with only 3 boxes on each side by removing the lens. PAR is lower, but that's okay. The halides are doing the heavy lifting. I will be building the canopy cover, hopefully, this weekend.

20221029_214827.jpg


Now the fun part. Filling the tank up with corals!

20221030_162544.jpg

20221030_162638.jpg

20221030_162831.jpg

20221030_162757.jpg

20221030_162854.jpg

20221030_162924.jpg

20221030_162952.jpg
Holy smokes Josh!
I absolutely love it, man that scape, tank, lighting, just looks amazing brother! Haha, see some SBREEF Rolan V22 's, lol, awesome stuff, dream come true my friend :)
 
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Holy smokes Josh!
I absolutely love it, man that scape, tank, lighting, just looks amazing brother! Haha, see some SBREEF Rolan V22 's, lol, awesome stuff, dream come true my friend :)

Thanks Perry! It is definitely my favorite tank by far! Since the crash in April it is so nice to finally see things back on track. I am noticing growth everyday. The halides are amazing!
 
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How are you liking a bare bottom tank?

So far I really like it. It is my first time running a barebottom and it is so nice to be able to crank the flow up. Clearing out detritus is nice. I also like the mirror effect I get with the lighting.
 
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