Mike&Terry
Wrasses, Angels, & Tangs, Oh My!
Wow! Amazing build so far! Looking forward to seeing more updates as your build progresses.
Maroun.c 400 G build thread
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maroun.c
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Build is now on the fast track afterI gave my self a deadline to have it running by end of year...
Many expressed concerns about tank bracing which they thought wasn't enough and thought the tank would surely bow in months years... This was counterfaced by the over trusting builder who I still trust a lot especially that he's had many larger running tanks built the same with no bowing or leaks ... So after consulting with 3 professional tank builders I decided to add the following:
-a 3 part double bottom that would act as bottom bracing as well as make the bottom of the tank more powerfull in case there is any twisting of the steel stand below it. it also offers added protection in case of rocks falling...
-a 2nd layer of top bracing that goes below the eurobracing and attaches on the front and back pannels from the inside to basically a stronger support if what I was told is true and both way I now have a sort of a clamp of braces one from above and one on the inside of the upper part of the glass so much stronger than a single brace be it a top or inside one...
Made the below brace an inch wider than the top one which will make it easier to add a screen in case needed in the future, as well as allow addition of front to back braces in case I notice any bowing in the future...
Many expressed concerns about tank bracing which they thought wasn't enough and thought the tank would surely bow in months years... This was counterfaced by the over trusting builder who I still trust a lot especially that he's had many larger running tanks built the same with no bowing or leaks ... So after consulting with 3 professional tank builders I decided to add the following:
-a 3 part double bottom that would act as bottom bracing as well as make the bottom of the tank more powerfull in case there is any twisting of the steel stand below it. it also offers added protection in case of rocks falling...
-a 2nd layer of top bracing that goes below the eurobracing and attaches on the front and back pannels from the inside to basically a stronger support if what I was told is true and both way I now have a sort of a clamp of braces one from above and one on the inside of the upper part of the glass so much stronger than a single brace be it a top or inside one...
Made the below brace an inch wider than the top one which will make it easier to add a screen in case needed in the future, as well as allow addition of front to back braces in case I notice any bowing in the future...
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maroun.c
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Finished pumps external returns to the tank.
2x1" tubes with locline for easier flow direction.
Had them parallel to each other so their less cvisible when looking at the tank from the front.
2x1" tubes with locline for easier flow direction.
Had them parallel to each other so their less cvisible when looking at the tank from the front.
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maroun.c
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Electrical contorl board and outlets finished as well.
This was more complex than usual as I'll have 4 electrical supply lines to the tank
-2 Mains +B/U generator
-1 Mains only
- 1 Mains +B/U Generator + Tank dedicated UPS
Supply lines:
Beginning stage of 3 painfull days of electrical work:
And the final product
Still have to add a couple of timers when I finalize the Suppemental T5 lights and how they'll run... as well as some voltage and Amps tracking boards...
This was more complex than usual as I'll have 4 electrical supply lines to the tank
-2 Mains +B/U generator
-1 Mains only
- 1 Mains +B/U Generator + Tank dedicated UPS
Supply lines:
Beginning stage of 3 painfull days of electrical work:
And the final product
Still have to add a couple of timers when I finalize the Suppemental T5 lights and how they'll run... as well as some voltage and Amps tracking boards...
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maroun.c
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Always wanted a neat electrical setup. Especially after the electrical mess I had on my old tank. Will make it easier to guide my wife on the phone when I'm away and need her to stop a pump that failed or start a backup one... Have it setup to be able to control lighting filtration, flow, communication to fishroom... Individually. Will make it easier when I want to feed fish, spot feed corals, do skimmer or reactors maintenance...
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Thanks
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maroun.c
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Thank you. Glass is 15 mm and bracing is 12mm
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maroun.c
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More progress on lighting.
Got those blue LEDs (430nm I believe) and thought I try them to see if I get some nice corals phosphorescence all over the tank for a couple of hours after the actinic go off… Must admit that soldering is not my thing and it gave me a total new understanding of what kind of undertaking people take when they decide to DIY LED fixtures all over their tanks.
Also installed endcaps for T5s. will have 4 rows of T5s 2 in the front and two in the back. Each row will take 2x54W T5s except Row 3 which will take 1x80W.
Also added this small support in the middle of the fixture where Iw as getting some bowing which solved it.
Peeled the Blue covers from the Lumenbrights and the reflectivity of the material used is amazing.
Installed 3 250W 20K Used Arcadia bulbs which will make it easier to light acclimate my corals which are used to much less lighting and will switch to new Bulbs in a couple of months.
Installed the light rack again, Lights are with the bulb at 21†above water level which is the recommended height
Finally got light!!!
Very impressed by the new reflectors and the coverage I’m getting. I was worried that the coverage will be too narrow and that I would struggle with shadows but I’m getting very good coverage that I’m considering experimenting with lowering the lights for higher PAR
Must admit that I’m liking the looks of 20K bulbs, been using 10K the last couple of years for more growth…
Currently finalizing choice of T5s most probably it’ll be Gieseman as it’s locally available, was advised to use from front to back
Actinics pure
Actinic +
Aquablue +
Actinic +
But then I wasn’t aware that aquapink is available so might switch to
Actinics Pure 2x54W
Actinics Plus 2x54W
Aquapink 1x80W
Aquablue+ 2x54W
Still open to suggestions before I order.
Got those blue LEDs (430nm I believe) and thought I try them to see if I get some nice corals phosphorescence all over the tank for a couple of hours after the actinic go off… Must admit that soldering is not my thing and it gave me a total new understanding of what kind of undertaking people take when they decide to DIY LED fixtures all over their tanks.
Also installed endcaps for T5s. will have 4 rows of T5s 2 in the front and two in the back. Each row will take 2x54W T5s except Row 3 which will take 1x80W.
Also added this small support in the middle of the fixture where Iw as getting some bowing which solved it.
Peeled the Blue covers from the Lumenbrights and the reflectivity of the material used is amazing.
Installed 3 250W 20K Used Arcadia bulbs which will make it easier to light acclimate my corals which are used to much less lighting and will switch to new Bulbs in a couple of months.
Installed the light rack again, Lights are with the bulb at 21†above water level which is the recommended height
Finally got light!!!
Very impressed by the new reflectors and the coverage I’m getting. I was worried that the coverage will be too narrow and that I would struggle with shadows but I’m getting very good coverage that I’m considering experimenting with lowering the lights for higher PAR
Must admit that I’m liking the looks of 20K bulbs, been using 10K the last couple of years for more growth…
Currently finalizing choice of T5s most probably it’ll be Gieseman as it’s locally available, was advised to use from front to back
Actinics pure
Actinic +
Aquablue +
Actinic +
But then I wasn’t aware that aquapink is available so might switch to
Actinics Pure 2x54W
Actinics Plus 2x54W
Aquapink 1x80W
Aquablue+ 2x54W
Still open to suggestions before I order.
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m and m
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I hate the color of attinic t5's. Doesn't do anything for me just a ugly purple. I personally woul do two Fiji purple and to blue plus. Blue plus adds that color pop and Fiji to help with your reds/pinks.
Maroun, your new setup looks amazing! Love it. Looks like you went all out on the equipment. Really like the electrical work. I am impressed with the lights too! Cant wait to see this with all the corals in. Good luck with this build.
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Noted,
Still I always love an actinic phase before and after main lights on. Do you think the Blue + gives you the same for a dusck and dawn period.
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Time for Sand and Rock Scape.
The most important part of a tank setup IMHO and one I hate the most usually.
Was Lucky to have Pierre and Youssef assisting with Scape, Made it a fun process.
Session 1 :
Started with some plans outside the tank.
Having the largest island made of ceramics made things very easy (on the left side that is!!!)
Then we came up with some modifications on the preplaned Ceramics disposition as we thought this display added more 3D effect.
Master Minds in action:
Session 1 results:
So far I’m liking the Ceramics a lot. Far easier to scape to to get the wanted shape without having to stack rocks. Also the combination of them with Dry LR is not as weird as I thought it would be. Must admit that if I knew I would lose my LR and have to bleach it I would have gone 100% Ceramics.
Oblique Side view from second seating area and a very nice perspective where I get to see the left island from below the bridge
The most important part of a tank setup IMHO and one I hate the most usually.
Was Lucky to have Pierre and Youssef assisting with Scape, Made it a fun process.
Session 1 :
Started with some plans outside the tank.
Having the largest island made of ceramics made things very easy (on the left side that is!!!)
Then we came up with some modifications on the preplaned Ceramics disposition as we thought this display added more 3D effect.
Master Minds in action:
Session 1 results:
So far I’m liking the Ceramics a lot. Far easier to scape to to get the wanted shape without having to stack rocks. Also the combination of them with Dry LR is not as weird as I thought it would be. Must admit that if I knew I would lose my LR and have to bleach it I would have gone 100% Ceramics.
Oblique Side view from second seating area and a very nice perspective where I get to see the left island from below the bridge
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maroun.c
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Session 2
no sure if I might add some ledges to Rt island or rely on corals for that effect.
View from RT:
Full view
no sure if I might add some ledges to Rt island or rely on corals for that effect.
View from RT:
Full view
As I read through this thread I tried to come up with appropriate adjectives to describe your build. I couldn't really narrow the list down! I will just say it is amazing and stunning. I absolutly love the FTS and it doesn't even have water in it yet! You have done an incredible job!
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maroun.c
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Thanks for your kind words
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What kind of backup batter or UPS do I buy?- Latest: VintageReefer
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