Megabite's 180 Reef - Round 2

[MegabiteOG]

You are using the BOT mounts from RB, right?

Correct. I guess I should have listed them in equipment.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Correct. I guess I should have listed them in equipment.

No, not at all. I was asking because I am deciding if I want to use their BOT mounts or go in a different direction.

 

[MegabiteOG]

No, not at all. I was asking because I am deciding if I want to use their BOT mounts or go in a different direction.

They are very robust and well made. Lots of adjustability. The mounts are a bit bulky because they are designed to work on either rimless or braced tanks. But, you can use the mounts to mount things. I have the AFS mounted to it.

I have zero issues with them and would recommend.

 

[tharbin]

They are very robust and well made. Lots of adjustability. The mounts are a bit bulky because they are designed to work on either rimless or braced tanks. But, you can use the mounts to mount things. I have the AFS mounted to it.

I have zero issues with them and would recommend.

I agree with everything you said.

I have the BOT mount on the frag tank with a Meridian 11 and it is very bulky. I found the cable run a bit difficult just because of the size and shape of the connector at the light. I had to remove the upright adjusting screw to thread the cable into the channel.

I have the light mounted to the front of the frag tank because I need to pull the tank out another inch from the wall to clear the screw for the upright on the back of the bracket. It is very robust and looks good also but even on a rimmed tank the glass mount is bulky and the screws protrude fairly far out. It is well thought out and works on rimmed, rimless and Euro-braced tanks.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I agree with everything you said.

I have the BOT mount on the frag tank with a Meridian 11 and it is very bulky. I found the cable run a bit difficult just because of the size and shape of the connector at the light. I had to remove the upright adjusting screw to thread the cable into the channel.

I have the light mounted to the front of the frag tank because I need to pull the tank out another inch from the wall to clear the screw for the upright on the back of the bracket. It is very robust and looks good also but even on a rimmed tank the glass mount is bulky and the screws protrude fairly far out. It is well thought out and works on rimmed, rimless and Euro-braced tanks.

Good assessment @tharbin .

Chris, here's a visual of back and front mounted and some older pictures of when I installed the AFS to get an idea of aesthetics on the tank.

 

[tharbin]

Good assessment @tharbin .

Chris, here's a visual of back and front mounted and some older pictures of when I installed the AFS to get an idea of aesthetics on the tank.

I really like the way you mounted the AFS to it. Looks like it was all designed as a system.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I really like the way you mounted the AFS to it. Looks like it was all designed as a system.

Thanks! Custom print for it. Bolts right into the BOT mount.

Here's some pics (I know, I have pics for everything).

 

[MegabiteOG]

Weekly Aquadelight update.

The AD just started outgrowing my camera frame left to right from where I take the pic. Next week I will have to start shooting from further back to capture the whole coral.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Recent top down of the AD (5/19/26).

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Looks like we have something in common;-)

What is it?

What do you use the FX4 for? Biological filtration?

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I agree with everything you said.

I have the BOT mount on the frag tank with a Meridian 11 and it is very bulky. I found the cable run a bit difficult just because of the size and shape of the connector at the light. I had to remove the upright adjusting screw to thread the cable into the channel.

I have the light mounted to the front of the frag tank because I need to pull the tank out another inch from the wall to clear the screw for the upright on the back of the bracket. It is very robust and looks good also but even on a rimmed tank the glass mount is bulky and the screws protrude fairly far out. It is well thought out and works on rimmed, rimless and Euro-braced tanks.

If I had it to do again...and my Frag system was in a permanent location, I would hang my RB fixture. When I am working in the tank and bump the light, the amount of flex/torque on the back rim/glass makes my butt pucker!

 

[tharbin]

If I had it to do again...and my Frag system was in a permanent location, I would hang my RB fixture. When I am working in the tank and bump the light, the amount of flex/torque on the back rim/glass makes my butt pucker!

Good point. I need to get it on the back of the tank but yes, it and the light, are heavy enough to give you the heebie jeebies when you bump it. If I wasn't so lazy, I'd mount some T-Slot to the back of the stand and hang it and the Primes like I did on the lagoon tank.

 

[MegabiteOG]

If my glass wasn't 3/4" and installed with 4 brackets, I'd have the same concern. For that matter, any bracket that hangs on a rimless tank with heavy lights.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Good point. I need to get it on the back of the tank but yes, it and the light, are heavy enough to give you the heebie jeebies when you bump it. If I wasn't so lazy, I'd mount some T-Slot to the back of the stand and hang it and the Primes like I did on the lagoon tank.

I also considered this while talking with @matthol98 today. Wouldn't be to difficult to build a Tslot bracket off the back of my stand (3030 aluminum) to hang it from! It would also make building a screen cover for it less complicated as there would be fewer cutouts to have to work around!

 

[Reefering1]

What do you use the FX4 for? Biological filtration?

The fx4 is on my 180g "let nature take its coarse" tank. Its just to clean the water feeding the chiller.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I also considered this while talking with @matthol98 today. Wouldn't be to difficult to build a Tslot bracket off the back of my stand (3030 aluminum) to hang it from! It would also make building a screen cover for it less complicated as there would be fewer cutouts to have to work around!

That's a really good option especially if your concerned with any extra stress on the tank itself.

 

[MegabiteOG]

The fx4 is on my 180g "let nature take its course" tank. Its just to clean the water feeding the chiller.

I love it, "let nature take its course" tank!

This would be my tank if I did that.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I love it, "let nature take its course" tank!

This would be my tank if I did that.

Had one of those before! Circa 2011!

 

[MegabiteOG]

Had one of those before! Circa 2011!

Love it! Are those Korilla Koralia powerheads? I think I still have on stored away.

 

[tharbin]

I also considered this while talking with @matthol98 today. Wouldn't be to difficult to build a Tslot bracket off the back of my stand (3030 aluminum) to hang it from! It would also make building a screen cover for it less complicated as there would be fewer cutouts to have to work around!

One of the best things I did with the lagoon is the T-Slot for the lights. Not only is there zero worry about flexing the tank panels, It keeps the lights out of the way and no worries about cutouts, etc. plus T-Slot is just plain useful. It ended up being the mount for my UV as well.