Saltn00b's Multi-Phase Upgrade Diary!
- Thread starter saltn00b
- Start date
saltn00b
Active Member
shawn, i had the constellation fixture delivered to my brother's business. he is coming down this weekend with it to help me build the new canopy around it. i am vaguely planning on a frame w/ swivel joints so the whole top with fixture can be moved up out of the way for tank maintenance. the actual plans have not been drawn yet, as we were waiting to get a hold of the unit. according to aquactinics there also needs to be unobstructed screens for air flow on the sides and top, for the unit to breathe.
today, i am looking into marine paints to see what it would run me to get some white inside for additional reflection, but more so to prevent new wood from warping in the humidity. I am not yet in possession of the bulbs, as i am on a budget nowadays, and dont need them until this unit is built and ready to replace my existing canopy.
some reasons i have to go with canopy with this unit:
a) my hands are in the tank way too often, and i need to top off from the top of the tank right now, so the unit needs to be out of the way.
b) t-5 are super bright and i dont want the light escaping the top of the tank.
c) my tank is a custom acrylic and has 3" euro brace type lip around the top. this design does not lend itself towards canopy-less system, as it is aesthetically unpleasing.
today, i am looking into marine paints to see what it would run me to get some white inside for additional reflection, but more so to prevent new wood from warping in the humidity. I am not yet in possession of the bulbs, as i am on a budget nowadays, and dont need them until this unit is built and ready to replace my existing canopy.
some reasons i have to go with canopy with this unit:
a) my hands are in the tank way too often, and i need to top off from the top of the tank right now, so the unit needs to be out of the way.
b) t-5 are super bright and i dont want the light escaping the top of the tank.
c) my tank is a custom acrylic and has 3" euro brace type lip around the top. this design does not lend itself towards canopy-less system, as it is aesthetically unpleasing.
saltn00b
Active Member
early day at work, so i will take some pics for ya right now ^^
more to come this weekend when we start work on the canopy...
also, for anybody that has painted the inside of their canopy with marine paint, where did you get it, how much did you need, and how much was it ?
more to come this weekend when we start work on the canopy...
also, for anybody that has painted the inside of their canopy with marine paint, where did you get it, how much did you need, and how much was it ?
saltn00b
Active Member
haha i suck on the pics i know!
i have the aquactinics Constellation in my possession! however , i noticed that the aluminum reflectors are a dinged up a bit, so i am in talks with the guys over at aquactinics about what can be done.
2 pics of that already taken, will post up tonight.
The 'Cheato' mix macro ball is still goin strong, so far.
also broke down an old tank at another location, scored about 30 cerith and turbo snails, 3 emerald crabs and blue neon gobies that are going through a little hazing by the old crew.
pics of everything will be taken tonight i am hoping!
also, while i am at work today i am working on drawing plans out for the canopy. its going to be a bit tougher to build than originally figured, and my brother is in talks with enlisting the help of a cabinet maker to aid with his knowledge.
i have the aquactinics Constellation in my possession! however , i noticed that the aluminum reflectors are a dinged up a bit, so i am in talks with the guys over at aquactinics about what can be done.
2 pics of that already taken, will post up tonight.
The 'Cheato' mix macro ball is still goin strong, so far.
also broke down an old tank at another location, scored about 30 cerith and turbo snails, 3 emerald crabs and blue neon gobies that are going through a little hazing by the old crew.
pics of everything will be taken tonight i am hoping!
also, while i am at work today i am working on drawing plans out for the canopy. its going to be a bit tougher to build than originally figured, and my brother is in talks with enlisting the help of a cabinet maker to aid with his knowledge.
saltn00b
Active Member
ok here are some new pics!
the Aquactinics 72" Constellation
the new cheato / other macro algae ball, so far surviving in the fuge!
i realized i never showed the screen device to keep the macro in the fuge section of the sump, so here it is, a plastic screen rubber banded to 2 parts of egg crate, zip tied together
the Aquactinics 72" Constellation
the new cheato / other macro algae ball, so far surviving in the fuge!
i realized i never showed the screen device to keep the macro in the fuge section of the sump, so here it is, a plastic screen rubber banded to 2 parts of egg crate, zip tied together
saltn00b
Active Member
ok now some purdy pics of the tank and the new and old inhabitants:
super tongan nassarius, some turbos, and my porcelain
reunited. this was the first coral i ever purchased, it was moved to a hex tank which has since been dissasembled recently. I was not the caretaker of it, and it was on the verge of crash. so here it is, looking very different from the old days.
the prized fast growing (even in my lights) Nepthia, some green stripes, purple zoas, xenia...
rhodactis colony
BTA and GSM 1
2
super tongan nassarius, some turbos, and my porcelain
reunited. this was the first coral i ever purchased, it was moved to a hex tank which has since been dissasembled recently. I was not the caretaker of it, and it was on the verge of crash. so here it is, looking very different from the old days.
the prized fast growing (even in my lights) Nepthia, some green stripes, purple zoas, xenia...
rhodactis colony
BTA and GSM 1
2
