i would give my left arm for a good light

[killingseed]

not realy but i need a good light i have a couple in mind that i am intrested in. my wife said i could get one for my birthday in like 15 days but i hate to ask her for the amount that some of these light cost, so i thought i would ask the locals. i would trade most or all my zoo's for a good light or cash. most of them can be replaced over time. if i could come up with even 50% of the money for the lights i want or get something better thought a coral to light trade would save me the trouble of telling her how much the light would cost. so if anyone has anything thing to offer i would be willing to hear them out. i do have other things other then zoo's like a large green ORG green polyp leather (soft ball size), sea fan's but zoo's i have the most off about 25 to 30 differnt types and colors.

flat out i woudl be will to give away around 10 frags/or coverd rocks for like 150 if i had to give a price. out right i would be will to let you pick them out right from the tank.

just a thought, as i do need a better light. my other option might be to post them in the selling section but thought maybe some locals would help me out first.

[chuy marquez]

I'm willing to buy sme of your zoo's, the orange ones you gave me on the first meeting were very nice but since have melted away. Reason unknown. I'll be out of town tomorrow but will call you on thursday.

[killingseed]

chuy i liked those orange ones myself i grow them out double the size that i gave you from only 5 polyps , but my Anemones desided that sitting on them was a spot he liked too them out and like 5 other colors i had grrr...... not again thats for sure hehehe. he has a new home.

i'd be willing to sale or trade most or all my zoo's. starting my collection over will not bother me to much for a good light.

[bpatrol]

sam had a 48 corallife mh light for about $250 i believe....cant get much cheaper then that..good luck..bpatrol

[killingseed]

ya i know its one of the ones i have in mind. was it yours?

[zed915]

i have a Coralife HQI - Metal Halide
10,000K Super Daylight 150W bulb anyone looking for one? Its brandnew in packaging..

[reeftexas]

killingseed how big are your zoas more or less,i talked to sam he told me about you.maybe i can get your # from sam.I'll se him tomorrow to check out his stock.Thanks

[killingseed]

the best i can do is post some pictures in the moring.
trying to think with out running down and looking.
large rock of some nice yellow poylps, i looked through zoaid.com and found these to match or some what match what i have.

3 frags on one rock with

1.Raspberry Redd
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=3963

2. some basic brown

3.Green Implosion
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=980
mixed with some brown shirt and whiteish center

<hr>
3 frags on a rock with
1. Copper
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=1007

2. green PE's

3.Green Implosion
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=980
mixed with some brown shirt and whiteish center
<hr>

2 frags on a rock
1. Sweet Pink
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=568
2. mellow yellow somewhere on that list
<hr>
rock Fire And Ice mother
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=276
<hr>
3 frags on a rock
1. Fire And Ice
2. Fire And Ice
3. Pink Panther
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=2298
mixes with some brown skirts and whishcenter
<hr>
4 frags on a rock
1. Fire And Ice or morph differnt vender
2.greenish yellow
3. brown white and yellow
4.Wham'n Watermelon
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=1365

<hr>
rock of Olaudah Equiano
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=2023
<hr>
rock of Pirate's Booty
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=616

<hr>
rock of Radioactive Dragon Eye
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=270

[killingseed]

the only things i am trying to do is get me a better light , currently i have a 4 x 65 PC and 4 normal flourancent 40W , the watts is round 420 but i am sure my 40w really dont put out what i a t5 or mh will do and my PC is an oddessy got me this far but its got to go.

if i could sale my dirt bike right now i wouldnt sale any of my zoa's or corals. that list is most my zoa's not to list leathers , shroom some not for sale sea, fans not for sale and some green button polyps which i would let go.

[killingseed]

its a great camcorder bad camrea :<


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/4.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/full.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/firandpink.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/fireice.jpg

[killingseed]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/greenpolyp.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/group1.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/IMGA0470.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/IMGA0479.jpg

[killingseed]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/pink.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/red.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/redshrooms-1.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/tonga.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/blues.jpg

[Salty Sam]

What kind of Dirt Bike?

[killingseed]

suzuki RM 250 , redone forks, back shock, retrimed front wheel, new muffer FM many other things done to it. i was rebuilding it and have i taken it out. it had a lot of bad things wrong with it when i got its a lot better now i have a lot of spare part for it. like a couple etra heads that could be rebuilt.

[killingseed]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/rm250.jpg

[reeftexas]

Sammy thats all you need is another toy to play with. jeff

[reeftexas]

killingseed-Sam got me the current T5 4/54 watt.Wow my tank glows at night and my zoas are going crazy.I like your stuff.Nice pics.

[killingseed]

not to make it sound rude but that’s only 216 watts, I have more then 400 watts now if at the most I an missing color and growth , most likely from light spectrum from old bulds or lack of power from the type of lights I have.

Over all I’d like to use a 6 X 54, I have seen zoo growth in an 8x54 I gave my brother some frags from my collection, maybe 5 polyps now they are like 200 polyp and the colors of the polyp are much stronger in color where my zoo’s may have faded in coloration a little. With my current light I get growth just I don’t think I get the growth I could get with the right lights. And I am missing out on coloration of corals and fish.

[TangLover73]

how much for the dirt bike ???

[killingseed]

hehe at this point i would trade a light for it, for the time and money i have put into it for restoring it i would like 1000 but sense all i want it a light i would take 500.

[killingseed]

oh was just think i do get a great growth of corline alge, if i had add new rock in my tank it's covered in no time. ever thing is covered the whole back glass was covered with it in 3 colors till i moved the tank but it will be back. its already started covering back up. so thats a plus and only plug for my current lights, but the water changes help with that as well.

[Salty Sam]

I would like to see the bike John.....we can probably work out some kind of deal...what year is it, any problems?

[killingseed]

I believe its an 89 but like I said I have been rebuilding or restoring. It’s had a lot of work put into it and yes I have ridden it out on a fitness trail one of the main things still needing to be replaced it is the kicking. The spring and lock bearing that hold the kicker in place up against bike when riding. it never bothered me but one of the things left to replace. I have 2 extra heads that could be rebuilt as replacements. The engine head piston and rings are new, new fmf muffler, back wheel completely rebuilt (new spokes, Barings, tire, new chain, sprocket, chain track), rebuilt back shock , rebuilt front (new fork springs, oil, seals) barings.

It should start, I would think the tank needs to be drained and fresh fuel added to it and should start right up. Even for my weight that bike can get going zooming around red sands.

[scoutmaniak]

John, what do you want for those red shrooms??

And by the way, that BTA is doing great!!! Belive it or not, it hasnt moved!! All the t-5 light has turned him dark green. Well anyway, just let me know what you want for either the whole rock or per head.

Michael

[SOULEMAN]

did u sell that bike for the lights or whats the verdict on the light situation. let me know if u still have the bike...

[killingseed]

right now i still have it

[killingseed]

scoutmaniak, chuy marquez. senes you thought about helping me out i will get you some thing nice from my tank. shrooms or zoa's. you two are more then welcome to come by and chat over a selection that if i have will frag and put on a plug or i could bring something by on the next meeting.

[mitchellmoto]

Killing don't just go off watts per gallon it is not the best measurement of lighting it is just general. If you go 2x150w mh's over your tank, the 300 watts of MH would be far brighter to your 420w of PC even the t5's will be far brighter than you current setup. If you haven't already go watch the Anthony Calfo video on reef videos dot com. He talks about lighting a bit. it is llike 2 hours long . Also with MH or t5 your lighitng will penetrate much deeper. You will recieve bright light even at the bottom. And Zoos love t5 and MH lighting. You could go retro kits if you want to go cheap. You just need basic elctrical and the ability to build a hood. Or go with a hanging reflector. I'm more than happy to help you with the lighting or the hood if need be.

[killingseed]

ya i can agree on the brightness per depth and is one reason my current lights will be going out the door the soon as possible. looking forward to better growth and brighting looking zoa's. osmeof mine have morphed or lessened in color. thats due mostly because of light not being able to push enought power though the water.

right now the lights i am looking at it the tek 6x54 or the
Reefsun System: 2-250W Metal Halide. i am leaning for the tek light, being the tek come with individual reflectors . i think the tek 6x54 would out do the nova 8x54 which doesnt have the individual reflectors. the nova 8x54 was another option i was looking at. i have some of my zoa's in a tank the is the same as min.

with the mh i dont want to take on extra heat or extra electric bill right now.

as for retro that may be a last aption but by some of the retro kits i have seen are not that much less then the full hood with retro over all i would get what i wanted.

[killingseed]

well just to update , i went ahead and bought another ballast to match the other one i have, some quick disconnects and a coralife digital light timer. down to reflectors and maybe some supplement lights. :bounce2: :bum:

[killingseed]

well got my other ballast in the other day. i was surpose to get a another light from one of the top salers on RC and another zoa fortum i hop he pulls though, i wanted the get the Lumenarc mini's around 89 to 150 each, i cant do it. i did order what i'm hoping is the next best thing from this link below ; 2x pfo parallel 24in. for my two 175w 15k bulbs

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/feature.htm

[Salty Sam]

Damn John....you did your homework on those reflectors.....nobody better than Sanjay for knowledge on lighting.

[killingseed]

i cant wait till you get them in so i can touch them and stare at them for hours on end. was just at "lowe's blow's" looking for polished aluminum to use in a DIY canopy. that fall short no luck. thing about using some Aluminum flashing and polish it my self. i dont want to use Aluminum foil. may just paint high gloss white.

[strayvoltage]

John, get yourself some aluminum from a welding shop. Then you can either polish it yourself or you can take it to one of the truck stops, there are always guys there that polish truck wheels and tanks. If they polish it they can make it shine like chrome, after they polish it you can spray it with some clear coat paint and that will seal it pretty good.

[killingseed]

Well was looking around something that I could put both my ballasts in. found some nice electrical boxes at HD. I wanted to add some out lets and switches didn’t want to mod a box like that and have it look totally DIY. Found some nice PFO empty ballast cases real nice, maybe next time. What I ended up using was a couple computer power supply cases. All ready wired with switches and an outlet to plug into the wall.

I am still waiting to get things so I can finish up with the light and see the action. Which make this waiting time good for checking, testing and getting other things ready to complete this goal.

I have wired and tested both boxes using the 120vac switch and power inlet from the old power supply and all seems to work well. There maybe be a little hum, which I think I can fix later. I have some 18 gage wire for the runs from the boxes to the light with some quick disconnects, which are in the picture.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P1010489.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P1010490.jpg

[zed915]

Houston we have a problem...

My Nova Current T5 fixure is not working right

I just swapped the bulbs and it still flashes the lights any info?

[reeftexas]

zed 915-just saw you at Sams shop.Were those the bulbs you put in?

[zed915]

Unfortunately, yes. Dont get me wrong the lights look awesome, but when a pair begins to flash... Well Im out of suggestions.

[killingseed]

you need to get a price on a replacement ballast or replace with an OEM. that is if its not a loose wire or a bad endcap

[killingseed]

oh ya , get your own thread, you thread hijacker. hehehe j/k

[strayvoltage]

Well let me see now, I think I am totally lost here on this, put the ballasts in a box thing. Maybe you could tell all of us or at least me, what the reason or idea is behind this. It seems to me like the ballasts should be left out in the open so it can let as much heat get away from it as possible. I can only imagine that maybe you plan on mounting a fan on the box where there is a place to do so already.

But please do tell what the idea is with this. Why do you need a power switch on the box? Do the ballasts not have a switch on them already?

If you plan on using the switch in the box, check the amp rating on it and make sure the ballast isn't going to pull to many amps.

[zed915]

Sam,

Please check on a ballast for a Nova Extreme T5.

[killingseed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10463037#post10463037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by strayvoltage


But please do tell what the idea is with this. Why do you need a power switch on the box? Do the ballasts not have a switch on them already?


ya there are no switches, when you get an advance ballast you get just the transformer and the cap, you have to wire it yourself, and yes its best to put them in some thing. "hint i have kids under 10"

http://www.hellolights.com/ProductImages/metalhalideballasts/M57.jpg


the switch will allow me to kill the power to the ballast if i need to.
fans in or around the ballast may not be needed and yes if i do i have a spot for then. i am more concered about the heat from the lamps more then the ballast. and i and not sure if i will be using 120VAC fans or some 12VDC. probly be some 140mm 12vdc computer fans ran from another 12v power supply.

[killingseed]

just to add, reading some in the DIY section some people oddly enough have used tool boxes and 50cal ammo boxes for putting the parts in.

link to a complete ballast switches cords and no fans.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~PF1212.html

[strayvoltage]

ok it all comes together for me now.
I didn't know they were like that, couldn't see them.

[strayvoltage]

What are the deminsions of the ballast? what size box do you need to house them?

I have an old inverter box, that is just like the one in the link you posted. You could gut it and use it. It has a switch but you would have to add a cord and wire it all up. The box is made with vents in one end and on the top and it has the ribs for the heat sink.

I also have another box that is an old converter. It also has the heat sink construction. This one also has the place in the end of it for the fan. These are parts that I have replaced in trailers. I bring them home all the time and gut them for the fans and whatever else I can save for later use.

I prob even have two of the ones with the place for the fan and they do have a pretty big heat sink built into them.

You are welcome to them if you think they might work.

[jmait769]

John – Looks good. I have no knowledge on MH's for any help but following along as I will probably upgrade to a larger tank and may go the MH route. Are you planning on using an enclosed canopy? Just wondering how you will mount the lights.

zed915 – I had the same problem with mine when one of the bulbs died. If one goes out both will flash after a few seconds. If you want, move the two working bulbs to the ones that are flashing and see if that works.

Jay

[killingseed]

the transformer measures at 5 1/4 x 3 x 3 1/4 give or take. the cap is about 2 x 4 1/2. the transformer is light it has some weight. I ended up using ¼ in nuts and bolts to fasten it to the inside of the box and added some rubber legs which I found at home depot for a couple dollars. I think I am lucky that the just barly fit in the boxes I have now. Would be nice to have only 1 box for both but I wasn’t looking to use a tool box or a 50 cal ammo box.

[Salty Sam]

zed915.....Current # 01919..........$59.00 inc. shipping...........2 weeks out.

Let know if you want me to order.

[zed915]

Sam:

do you think the symtoms are in reference to the ballast?

[Salty Sam]

Did you swap the lamps? I was curious why your old lamps were giving you problems as they last quite long.

[killingseed]

well i got my reflectors in. 2x 24in pfo parallels.

jay: i am not sure yet about the canopy kind of still in the works sense i dont have all the parts and i dont own a table saw so it might be hard.

was just checking to see it my socket mount was going to fit and it doesnt. one reason i only ordered one mount till i desided on the reflectors i was going to get.

[killingseed]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P1010481.jpg

[Salty Sam]

Nemo likes em'.

[zed915]

Sam:

Yes, I swapped bulbs and it just flash the bulbs about 95% of the time...

[killingseed]

well i have found some nice fans to add to these light hopping they will keep the cool. they are new in technology computer case fans. these fans are about 9.8 in.

just thought i would share and a good place to keep track of the stuff i need or will be using.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5451/fan-279/250mm_Silent_Case_Fan.html?tl=g36c15s566

[Salty Sam]

I would say ballast is bad but not for sure.

[zed915]

Sam:

Please order me a ballast then...

[strayvoltage]

Hey zed, try the bulbs you thought were bad in the other part with the other ballast. I would say the ballast is bad also

[zed915]

I did and they did the same thing... Thanks ya'll for your help!

[Salty Sam]

Will get it ordered Monday or Tuesday.

[zed915]

Awesome, thanks!

[strayvoltage]

hey wait a minute
if you have more than one ballast and the bulbs from one to the other do it on both but not the bulbs on the one that wasnt doing it then something dont jive here.

might want to check things out again and more to it

[killingseed]

well current support info says "if the bulb NOT light then replace" it doesnt say anything about if they flash. i would look at the wiring and the end cap's before you go and spend money on a ballast. the ballast is probly bad, but there is allows that chance. my stupid pc light when i got it had a loose connection which i had to fix. go figure and it was new.

[killingseed]

Working on what the hood might look like and measure out some of the specs.
The black circle is the size and where the 9in fans might go. Still playing.


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/canopy.jpg

[jmait769]

Looks good John!:) What program are you using to render the drawings?

Jay

[killingseed]

Google sketch up , the 1x2 are measured to the right lengths as well as the tiles which are like 3" the reflector may not look the same but measure the same and give me an idea. Nice ruler tool in sketch up as well. Some what easy to use and free.

http://sketchup.google.com/index.html

[jmait769]

That is one thing I have not tackled yet. A canopy! Maybe I’ll get one put together before the meeting. Give me some motivation!! I’m going to give that sketchup a try!

Jay

[killingseed]

well for the most part its simple but if you have any question just ask you can even have a copy of what i am working
there is a copy tricks to learn and then its easy.

grouping is very important to learn, making , exploding them once you learn to group the parts then its just tweeking here and there.

[strayvoltage]

Looking good so far John. Don't forget that you are going to have extreme heat from them bulbs. You should plan in vents or fans above the reflector. I read some where that every bulb has to have the proper heat to run at it's best.

I don't think you are going to want to have the fans blow in the bulb compartment of the canopy. The biggest part of the heat is going to be above the reflector after it heats up and continues to generate heat off of the top of it.

If you look at all the manufactured lights on the market, I think you will find that most if not all blow the fans across the top of the reflector and not directly across the bulbs.

You may want to do both, but I think you will find it best if you pull all the heat out above the reflector.

I could be totally wrong on all of this. Just wanted to throw it in so you can think about it and or do some research on it.

[strayvoltage]

One other thing you might want to think about in having the fan in the compartment with the bulbs would be this. If you have it there all the dust in the air is going to be pulled into that area. You won't like this, because you will always have to pull your splash guard ( I do hope you plan on using one) out to clean the dust and also all of the bugs that will end up in there causing your light to be cut down the more dust that builds up in there.

Also if you use a fan in each end you are not moving any more air than if you use one fan to either pull air out or blow air in. The end result is only as much as whatever the CFM rating for one fan is. No matter how much air you push in the other fan will only take out as much as it's rating. If you are thinking one fan each end pulling out, that wont do any better either. It will really cut down on the air removed. The two fans will be fighting each other to pull the air and you will prob end up with less air moved.

If you want to greatest air removal then mount both fans on one eand and make them pull out, as long as you have enough intake opening for them to both pull to their CFM rating or close.

If you pull the air from the same compartment as the bulbs, be sure you cut some vents in the top to let the heat above the reflector to escape. Or make the fan pull half and half. That may be your best bet. I know you are in the early plan stage.

Just a few things to think about before you build. Again I could be all full of it about all of this.

[jmait769]

AZDesertRat has a pretty neat setup he posted on yesterday. I like the way he built his. Click the picture for the thread!

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/lightassembly.jpg (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1179884)

Jay

[killingseed]

The hood that have them on top are mostly DE style bulb and have space between the DE reflectors to help pull the heat out and are 140 mm fans which are around 3.5" ,4 something tops.

Most of the SE style bulbs have one long reflector unless you using spiders. Hamilton hood and reflectors, for example, are like that and many others. End result of putting a fan above a reflector like that would require putting holes in the reflector. not a good idea can be done but light will be lost at a cost.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/shop/index.php?task=show&cat=Metal+Halide+Only

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_OuterOrbit3.htm

I do want to keep it tight and at a min, if anything these reflector already take up most the space and will cover the hole top and most the inside. only leaves a couple places left to work with sides front and back.

now the fans i am getting around 9" or 250mm that’s way bigger then any size of fan you can get from any light right now. They will pull of a lot of air.

I could have them blow in, both out or even one in and one out. i think both out will be my best option and I will be adding two 140mm to the back to pull air out of just the canopy. Sense I am adding a computer power supply I figure I might as well use up some more of the connections for fans.

[killingseed]

thread i started was looking to see other pfo DIY
this one will have a 36" pfo
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1176794

AZDesertRat is using 2 ,12 " ones,has lots of room there but the reflector doesnt cover the whole way for the t5 and cant tell if he added another set of reflectors for the t5.

[killingseed]

oh no I’m not using 1 fan there will be a min of 2 not sure about a max other then 4. so far was looking on a couple sites for a more powerful fan or venting fan from some industrial fan site. Get a head ack looking and reviewing spec’s . but couple more time and I may find something better for the right price.

[killingseed]

wish i could see more pfo dit canopy. over all so far hllywd is very nice.

[killingseed]

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1163749

[killingseed]

I did a sketch of the reflector it's self to get a better look at it while i am messing around with mesurements

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/canopy2.jpg

[killingseed]

sorry re note , most hoods come with 80mm think i said 140mm, and the smaller hoods come with 40mm fans.

[mitchellmoto]

Remember when you are installing the fan that it is easier to pull out the hot air than it is to force cool air in

[killingseed]

ya i have been looking at fans all day , i think i need to get my fans before i build so i can play with sizes and placement.
computer fans are nice cheep and easy but there is still other options as well dust fans ventalation fans. here is a list i have looked as as well as some of the specs

Computer fans
250mm(9in) The fan kicks out 105 CFM while making only 19 dBA 19.95
140mm 19.6 dB and still pulls 54.7 CFM
120mm 19.66 dBA with a 37.44 CFM air flow
80mm 32.1 CFM 28dba
40mm 6.6 cmf 24.5 dBA

Other fans

http://www.air-n-water.com/product/DA-C650.html
Dayton 7'' Exhaust Fan 230 CFM 109.95

Nice!
Air King 9145 6" 566 CFM Portable Electric Clip On Fan $18.95
http://www.air-n-water.com/product/9145.html


120 VAC 120 MM 54 CFM
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/CF-275/220200/120_VAC_120_MM_COOLING_FAN,_BALL-BEARINGS_.html

Aloha Conversion Table/ Clip Fan - White (6")
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-9/qid=1186686565/ref=sr_1_9/602-3555413-1184608?ie=UTF8&asin=B000HWNTWC


duct fans
6-In 110VAC 250CFM In-Line Duct Fan
http://www.smarthome.com/3011.html

[mitchellmoto]

I have several computer fans running off a computer power supply. Has worked great from me and I got all the parts for next to nothing at a thrift store in town. % fans and supply I think I might have paid 10 bucks including the wire I purchased from Hoe depot.

[killingseed]

seems i can get a 4x8 sheet of 16g sheet metal for like 40 to 50 dollars. price depands on if i have the sheet pre cut up or not.

debating metal of wood somewhat?

price it right and i can revite it together. i was working on the bends and messurements in google sketch.

[killingseed]

well i going to do in wood which i picked some already, i think sheet metal would be give it an awsome look ,maybe next time.

i got the other bulb on a trade out i did. and i did another trade out for a buddy. he got back on vacation and order my t5 retro kit.

48" 2 x 54w T5 HO Retrofit Kit
Parabolic clip on reflectors
Advance T5 HO ballast
IP67 Moisture Resistant German End-caps
48 inch 54W Super Actinic R- UV Lighitng
48 inch 54W Reef Blue Actinic- Aqua Medic


hopping to have it all working this weekend

[killingseed]

well i started to take picture while i was working on it in differrent phases but the camera was was using wasnt working as i found out.

but where are some finshed pictures. i'll take some before and after shots of the tank.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P1010444.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P1010441.jpg


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P1010440.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P1010438.jpg

[killingseed]

before
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/ldlights.jpg


after actinics only
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/newactonly2.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/newactonly.jpg

[killingseed]

MH and t5's
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/newal2l.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/newall.jpg

[killingseed]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P8260365.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P8260366.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P8260373.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/P8260379.jpg

[killingseed]

i have been looking at it all day. the colors are great. colors that were not there are there now. the t5's do a great job at that. good mix. the heat get up there. dont have the fans yet. they are on the way.

i dont plan on running the two MH the whole time was think about running them at differnt times.

MH 1 on for 2 to 3 hours before MH 2. then run borh for like 4 to 6 hours. then turn off MH 1 and only run MH 2 for the rest of the time. run my actinic for hour or 2 longer then the MH's for dawn dust effect.

AWSOME!

[zed915]

The colors are intense. I couldn't believe the upgrade that took place. Light truly makes the difference. The design is slick with matching colors.

Good work Killingseed

[strayvoltage]

Looking good John. I have to ask a few questions. Is there a splash shield and i just can't see it? If you don't have one and don't plan on one I think all your hard work and $$$$$ won't be long before down the drain. Are you going to put a UV shield on the MH?

I don't see any reason to run one half the tank with the MH on and not the other half. If you run one then both then the corals on one side are going to get that much more time with light. I just don't understand why or how this could help, unless you had a bunch of sps on that side. Are you going to acclimate your tank and corals into this new light or just go for it? If you want to see a big algae bloom just go for it. But then again with no uv shield you are going to kill off every little bit of algae anyhow, not to mention give your corals hell.

[killingseed]

quoted from a bunch of different web site's when i was looking up info about uv shielding. dont need one for a SE style bulb.

"The single ended metal halide lamps have an outer jacket which eliminates most of the UV."

i have a spot where i left so i can install a sheet of glass or acylic for a spash guard.

i had played a lot with it while building. the reflector isnt really made for t5 mounts i have . the spot in the reflector is 2" and the mounts are 2.5" i did not want to mod the reflector or the t5 mounts. the width was long enough to fit the t5 on one side or the other or one on each side. the way it came out was just easyer at the time.
mh are more in the back but doesnt seem to matter much there is light all over even with only one of the mh's lit.

it may take a week or two before i have the lights running my normal time. i dont plan on running the MH for very long to try to acclimate everthing to the new lights. then i will reset all 3 timers.

these lights are for my zoa's no sps are in my tank nor do i have plans on adding any sps. maybe a couple lps. just zoa's

[strayvoltage]

I had no idea that the SE's had that on them, thats cool.

[reeftexas]

killingseed-your light is awesome.Those MH bulbs are massive.I think you did a good job putting everything together.Your corals will love you for it.

[killingseed]

Well i wanted to share some more. i have only had the lights for a week or so. i have only been running the MH's for about 4 hours a day give or take. a small brown algae bloom start nothing major given time it should go away and it was expected. a lot of coralline as bleached or died, but I expect that to regrow. Just another thing to expect when you change lights like that.

Now for the good stuff, i had some loose zoa's fall and end up somewhere i left then to see how they reacted. Most the time zoa's at the bottom of my tank die unless i take the time to gather and glue to a frag or rock. Couple of the polyps where closed and looked like toast, which like i said seemed normal not that i want that to be normal. they are all open and already reproducing. a couple other colonies are starting pop heads and i mean a lot at one time. one colony i thought might never reproduce as more the 10 babies in a week and some of the other colony have produce more babies polyps then in my normal weeks in the past. which is a good thing because i like to share with the local reefers.

i am quite impressed with my light over all at this point. the ballast do get hotter then i expected and need to look into cool or different boxes. my fans come in this week that’s a plus and should help out a lot. was looking on newegg for fan and noticed they have a search on CFM and i bought some that are like 100 cfm for the hood and a couple 80 cfm for the ballasts.

[SOULEMAN]

thats awesome killingseed, im glad to see your happy with ur lights. Good Job....

[strayvoltage]

hey thats cool killingseed. It is always nice when things wor out well. I hope you get so much growth you dn;t know what to do with it.

[zed915]

The colors are awesome in person.

[killingseed]

a good link with images with someone that had some UV exposure. so ya i posted this link with in my thread as stayvoltage bought up about UV.

and is a reminder to other that might make a DIY hood or any hood that uses DE style bulb and is something to avoid at all cost.


http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1201363

[strayvoltage]

killingseed, good find.