One thing I would like to change is to go with gray plumbing instead. The white is glaring. I have a mixed fuge, xenia and chaeto. So I find it quite nice to look at when the light is on and the DT is sleeping.
How thick is the acrylic? Only asking cause I have the same dimensions tank and wanted to buy MP 40s but didn’t know if they stay put. Mine is 3/4 thickThe maintenance on the 15 year old 150 (well delayed maintenance) has become monumental. l needed to replace the return pump the skimmer pump all bulkheads and re plumb the entire system. Not excited about what was ahead for me, I put it off for months (several {eyeroll} too many).
The tank was running on autopilot for many years and I had slipped away from the reefing community and the trends. I was way behind the technology curve, so I called an old reefing buddy for some advice on new DC pumps. He reminded me that that tank was 20 years old and why wasn't I starting over? I wanted to shoot myself..... he was right!
At first i made excuses that have you seen the prices and no one has the deep dimension I'm looking for. He laughs and says our old friend Kubi has a custom 5 x 3 x 2 acrylic tank with a ghost overflow FS that he never got around to installing. Well I call Kubi and here we are ( eyeroll and ***)
The new tank is 5/8 thick and once you get the MP 40 with only the pad in the right position you can’t move it. It should work with 3/4 but your results may vary!
first thing I did was grab a few scraps and some Oatey PVC cement and clamped it up. Made. Breakfast and checked it...... Solid weld! This meant if I was going to finish this section I would have to make a few changes, every part would have to fit tight and hold another part into position and I’d have to do some creative clamping when able!
I hate that but they will be here today! Finished the metal work on the supports for the VHOs but they are only halfway secure, close enough for me to work on the end caps.
Love the old school vho lighting...Big Tank = Big Stand, Big Sump, Big Lighting and the fish room remains the same ;Facepalm Work space is at a premium around here and the dining room table is officially off limits!
I ran out of T nuts and screws so I had to toss some more cash at Bezos
working on the floor trying to get under a 4.5” light fixture just wasn’t working! I gotta get this up so I can hang some end caps! Lamps in and getting ready to do some wiring!
I thought I was good but my memory sucks I have done this dozens of times and always have to check the diagram!
Yup I crossed the red and yellow
Success, halfway there!
I grew up on T5s and double ended HQI in Germany in the early 90s. I came back to the States and it was only VHOs. Then when T5 hit here (about 15 years ago) At great expense I switched and never could find the combination that could compare in color and growth so I went back! I’ll give up the Halides but not my VHOs! Anyone interested I have lots of Halides for sale
these actually have new 14k bulbs!
Very nice sir...Success, now to work on the harness extension!
Looks like you will be able to blend the spectrum well.Extension harness working great I’ll be able to have the ballasts 6 feet away in an obscure location that I haven’t figured out yet!
Not happy with the layout so I’m going to swap the Red Yellow side with the Blue Orange side so I have an Actinic and a 454 (I think that’s a Blue Plus in T5 speak) on the outside. I was prepared to swap out bulbs anyway and while I have the bulbs out I’ll swap and reconnect the wiring.
was great news the Sump was finally ready
