My First Saltwater Adventure - 120 Gallon Peninsula

[KJ]

Looking great David

 

[dbl]

Looking great David

Thanks KJ.

 

[dbl]

I said yesterday I added three Ignitus Anthias but only showed one. In the spirit of the old adage of "It didn't happen without pictures", I was able to grab a picture of all three hanging out together. It's a terrible picture so you'll just have to take my word for it...these things are beautiful.

 

[SPR1968]

That’s a beautiful tank you have there David. I’ve just caught up and now following along!

 

[dbl]

That’s a beautiful tank you have there David. I’ve just caught up and now following along!

Thank you Shaun.

 

[Bronc]

Looks great!

 

[dbl]

Figured I would do a quick update. Had my first experience changing the bulbs in the light fixture this weekend. The unfortunate thing is I have to remove the entire fixture out of the canopy to do so. I'm getting older and it's getting heavier!

I actually had two bulbs that stopped working and assumed it was the ballast. Turns out it was just a bulb issue which was a good thing. I've never replaced a ballast and turns out I still haven't had to. I guess sooner or later my time will come.

Ended up installing all six new T5 bulbs. Went with the Geisemann bulbs. Here's the ending configuration:

Actinic Blue
Super Purple
Aquablue Coral
- RB XHO Strip
- RB XHO Strip
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Actinic Blue

Would love any feedback if someone sees a glaring error in my judgement.

 

[Mark Gray]

Figured I would do a quick update. Had my first experience changing the bulbs in the light fixture this weekend. The unfortunate thing is I have to remove the entire fixture out of the canopy to do so. I'm getting older and it's getting heavier!

I actually had two bulbs that stopped working and assumed it was the ballast. Turns out it was just a bulb issue which was a good thing. I've never replaced a ballast and turns out I still haven't had to. I guess sooner or later my time will come.

Ended up installing all six new T5 bulbs. Went with the Geisemann bulbs. Here's the ending configuration:

Actinic Blue
Super Purple
Aquablue Coral
RB XHO Strip
RB XHO Strip
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Actinic Blue

Would love any feedback if someone sees a glaring error in my judgement.

I feel your pain things just aren't as easy as they were a few decades ago

 

[Janci]

Figured I would do a quick update. Had my first experience changing the bulbs in the light fixture this weekend. The unfortunate thing is I have to remove the entire fixture out of the canopy to do so. I'm getting older and it's getting heavier!

I actually had two bulbs that stopped working and assumed it was the ballast. Turns out it was just a bulb issue which was a good thing. I've never replaced a ballast and turns out I still haven't had to. I guess sooner or later my time will come.

Ended up installing all six new T5 bulbs. Went with the Geisemann bulbs. Here's the ending configuration:

Actinic Blue
Super Purple
Aquablue Coral
RB XHO Strip
RB XHO Strip
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Actinic Blue

Would love any feedback if someone sees a glaring error in my judgement.

Looks good. Seems to me a more kind of blue light, but the corals will like it for sure.
Do you have access to a PAR meter? Would be interesting to see the results.

 

[dbl]

Looks good. Seems to me a more kind of blue light, but the corals will like it for sure.
Do you have access to a PAR meter? Would be interesting to see the results.

I do have a PAR meter but didn't get a chance to do any testing. That is next on the list!

 

[dbl]

Well I was going to get the PAR meter out today, but instead, I turned the lights completely off. Woke up this morning to a warmish house and quickly discovered the A/C, which had just had its bi-annual check up Monday, had decided it was taking the day off. By time the service guy showed up (turns out they're busy this time of year) the house was at 85 and the tank was at 81.5.

I had some bottled water frozen and ready to deploy when he arrived. The good news is everything is now functioning, the house is just about cooled down and the tank, albeit dark, is cooling down as well.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get a chance to do some measurements.

 

[Janci]

Great save.
I cannot imagine the disaster to have this happening during summer here.

 

[AnakinReefWalker]

Beauitiful system you have there, love your sump set up very clean install.

 

[s2nhle]

Great save. don't panic much. my tank's temp range is 78-83 during the day.

 

[GoVols]

David,
Are you pushing any full daylight t5's?

 

[dbl]

David,
Are you pushing any full daylight t5's?

No Freddie, I'm not. The current bulb line up is below. Remember, I'm still relatively new to the T5 world, so I'm open to suggestions for sure. Eight bulb fixture retrofitted with two RB strips in the center two slots:

Actinic Blue
Super Purple
Aquablue Coral
- RB XHO Strip
- RB XHO Strip
Aquablue Azure
Super Actinic
Actinic Blue

 

[GoVols]

It looks great!!

If you ever want to try an full daylight bulb. Buy the KZ Genii.

But... I'd hate to mess up your reef

 

[dbl]

If you ever want to try an full daylight bulb. Buy the KZ Genii.

Will do...thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to let these run for a while and see how everything does.

But... I'd hate to mess up your reef

Thanks for that as well - I don't need anyone helping me mess up my reef - I'm pretty sure that is something I can do on my own...lol.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Well I was going to get the PAR meter out today, but instead, I turned the lights completely off. Woke up this morning to a warmish house and quickly discovered the A/C, which had just had its bi-annual check up Monday, had decided it was taking the day off. By time the service guy showed up (turns out they're busy this time of year) the house was at 85 and the tank was at 81.5.

I had some bottled water frozen and ready to deploy when he arrived. The good news is everything is now functioning, the house is just about cooled down and the tank, albeit dark, is cooling down as well.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get a chance to do some measurements.

Oh no! Well at least you caught it in time. Tanks looking great btw david those anthias are beautiful ;Shamefullyembarrased

 

[dbl]

Oh no! Well at least you caught it in time. Tanks looking great btw david those anthias are beautiful ;Shamefullyembarrased

Thanks Zach. I'm hoping at some point to get a good picture of the Anthias and the Pintail. They are all just beautiful new additions and are doing great, along with the CBB.