Zoo Med "Low Boy"/Deep Blue -160 gallon frag tank system

Razorp · Aug 13, 2021

tippin.turtle said:
Didn't like the commercial options currently available. Most I felt were overpriced and some did not have a round or cone shaped bottom. Obviously, having a round bottom isn't required to culture phytoplankton but having never cultured it before I wanted the most optimum conditions for success.
This is what I was able to piece together and I must say I like it better than what was offered by the retailers. Guess you could say its a "lava lamp" design. I like it!
Cost me $150.00 to construct with the 2L boiling flask comprising the bulk of the expense.
It's my "fish room" so I wanted something that was easy to clean, out of the way, and looked ok; not sketchy or weird.
This is day 4 of my first culture.

That looks amazing! Great job! Quick question on your lighting if you don't mind. Are you still running the same "cheap" led strips that you started with? Do they do a pretty good job waking your corals up before the t5s kick on? Im going to go with t5s as well and cant decide if i want to drop the money on a legit reef light bar supplementation or go with an off brand.

tippin.turtle · Aug 13, 2021

Razorp said:
That looks amazing! Great job! Quick question on your lighting if you don't mind. Are you still running the same "cheap" led strips that you started with? Do they do a pretty good job waking your corals up before the t5s kick on? Im going to go with t5s as well and cant decide if i want to drop the money on a legit reef light bar supplementation or go with an off brand.

tippin.turtle · Aug 13, 2021

I do still have and run them. They do "wake" the corals and act as a great "moonlight". In retrospect I would have just spent the extra money and purchased the knock-off version of Orphek style led light bars. Mainly for the increased light output as my cheap leds are 13.5 inches from the water surface. I'm sure they add some color while the T5's are running but nothing really noticeable to any great extent.
They do what I had initially intended so I can't really complain and I'm glad I have them vs nothing at all.

tippin.turtle · Aug 13, 2021

Somehow I messed this reply thing up. Just to add to my last post; I run the cheap leds for two hours before and after the T5's.

Razorp · Aug 16, 2021

tippin.turtle said:
Somehow I messed this reply thing up. Just to add to my last post; I run the cheap leds for two hours before and after the T5's.

Awesome, thank yuh sir!

The0wn4g3 · Aug 16, 2021

I have two 50 low boys that I am planning to set up very similar to this. Sorry if you already said, but what overflows and lights are you using?

Edit: I missed where you posted the lights the first time. How are you liking those fixtures?

tippin.turtle · Aug 18, 2021

The0wn4g3 said:
I have two 50 low boys that I am planning to set up very similar to this. Sorry if you already said, but what overflows and lights are you using?

Edit: I missed where you posted the lights the first time. How are you liking those fixtures?

Hey there!
My overflows are Eshopps "eclipse" medium sized overflow. I really like them and they were super simple to install. As for my fixtures; I really like them too and they haven't given me any issues. I keep them at 13.5 inches off the water surface. I'm not sure of my "PAR" value at that height but seems to sustain a mixed reef.
Hope this helps and good luck with your build!