Snake's 75g build thread

[snakeblitz33]

Technically, i did a 100% water change on an existing reef. Lol. Thr live rock was just transfered over to a new tank. Lol. Ive done this a hundred or more times already. But, i know your kidding.
All kidding aside, i am adding three more fish to the new tank over the next two days. I need to take my 20g down soon. Im anxious to get it set up for my daughter.
My next purchase will be lights. I am really liking the maxspect razor because of the price and because i feel like it will actually keep sps corals compared to other cheaper units. I am interested in the radions, but at $750 a pop, its hard to pull the trigger on that purchase. I like the vegas, but no one has tested it in their home reef yet and i am a little worried that i wont be happy about that purchase.
My little heater for my 20g cant keep up even on the 20g tank, so im goin this afternoon to purchase a heater.

 

[mr. limpid]

Did some checking not much out there on the Vega's because they are so new. But the the ones that have the green and red led's are getting some stripping, but one guy said that the maxspect had the same issue (may want to look into that some more). What I read about the maxspect is that everyone liked them but the power consumption was high, I believe it is 160 watts. vs 95 watts on the Vega's. All these LED's are so new in the technology that it is changing fast. Good luck deciding, my friend.

 

[siptang]

Looks good and i didn't know that this was a divider tank but it's looking good.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/180#post_3494300
Did some checking not much out there on the Vega's because they are so new. But the the ones that have the green and red led's are getting some stripping, but one guy said that the maxspect had the same issue (may want to look into that some more). What I read about the maxspect is that everyone liked them but the power consumption was high, I believe it is 160 watts. vs 95 watts on the Vega's. All these LED's are so new in the technology that it is changing fast. Good luck deciding, my friend.
Hmm. The more I look at spending $1000 on lights, I think I might decide to build my own like Siptang. For about $200 plus little extras, I could have a fully upgradable, custom built unit. My wife is going to love me for using the coffee table as a building station. LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/180#post_3494308
Looks good and i didn't know that this was a divider tank but it's looking good.
Yup! Peninsula style. My first peninsula. It's quickly becoming a popular style. It's basically like getting two aquariums in one - because you can stock both sides. lol Thanks buddy. It's going to look REALLY good once I start working again. XD

 

[siptang]

Seth, I'm more then happy to help you out buddy.
Also yes, peninsula is becoming really popular.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/160#post_3494278
I don't pass up anything free!!! You already know my address, I hope. PM me the details.
An in-line heater might be a small problem for my PVC plumbing - but I KNOW that I can use it on my 20g freshwater planted tank that I'm working on getting done here in a week or two. So, I'd be happy to take it off your hands. XD
LOL...I have to dig it out of the garage box....I'll send it straight away....I have your address I think in the messages, if not I know your e-mail to get it again.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/180#post_3494350
Seth, I'm more then happy to help you out buddy.
Also yes, peninsula is becoming really popular.
Thank you for the help - I really will need it. From what I have read, I think it is entirely possible for me to make my own LED Unit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/180#post_3494351
LOL...I have to dig it out of the garage box....I'll send it straight away....I have your address I think in the messages, if not I know your e-mail to get it again.
WOW! Thanks Flower, I really appreciate it. I'll think of some way to give back soon.

 

[siptang]

Honestly, at first I was bit bombarded but now I realize it wasn't so bad. Just have to read a bit lol. Like shawn mentioned in my thread, rapudled website gives you thorough instructions on how to do this yourself.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Cool, thanks for the direction.
I wish I had a friend close enough to me to help me out. lol

 

[siptang]

lol, you got my number. I will walk you through step by step but honestly you are a very handy guy seth. I don't think you will need my help.
Remember to get lens or it will be dark!

 

[acrylic51]

Lenses don't make it brighter.....A lot will depend on how high the fixture is above the tank concerning light spread and coverage

 

[siptang]

I know that the lens itself will not make lights brighter however in my case it will.
Hear me out. I currently have 120 degree lens and my lights seem dark to me when it's on because it will spread more instead of penetrating.
It will cover more area this way but I don't have a peninsula tank and I want to focus more on the front and the center not really on the back so if I redirect that light
using different optic lens, it will be brighter in the front and towards the middle.

 

[snakeblitz33]

You're both right, lol.
So, I have been designing a DIY LED lighting system in my head, and I can't really figure out a good way to mount it over the top of the tank. Then, there is the dilemma of where to put the drivers... I'm sure all of this can be solved rather easily, but it's late and I guess I am too tired to think of a solution.
Sip, How high did you end up mounting your lights over the top of the water?

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/180#post_3494378
I know that the lens itself will not make lights brighter however in my case it will.
Hear me out. I currently have 120 degree lens and my lights seem dark to me when it's on because it will spread more instead of penetrating.
It will cover more area this way but I don't have a peninsula tank and I want to focus more on the front and the center not really on the back so if I redirect that light
using different optic lens, it will be brighter in the front and towards the middle.
Following you....Makes sense

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/180#post_3494381
You're both right, lol.
So, I have been designing a DIY LED lighting system in my head, and I can't really figure out a good way to mount it over the top of the tank. Then, there is the dilemma of where to put the drivers... I'm sure all of this can be solved rather easily, but it's late and I guess I am too tired to think of a solution.
Sip, How high did you end up mounting your lights over the top of the water?
Mount the drivers away from the tank or maybe what I'm suggesting not to the lighting rig itself.....

 

[siptang]

If you look at my pictures, I went ahead with 3 lines instead of 4 for heat issues. Further apart they are better cooling they will have and I have zip tied the drivers on top of the fixture so that there will be no chance in hell that it will reach water.
You can use led, pcb boards, u shape aluminum and mount it on top of canopy if you prefer that way or if your tank will allow it just rest it on top of it. I had to put some wood in my canopy to make it fit but then again I had to fortify my canopy from years of neglect and damage so all in all, it was two birds with one stone.
Send me some pictures of inside your canopy and top of the canopy and I will shoot some ideas towards your way maybe we can work something out for you.
It's approximately 9-10 inches away from the water surface btw.

 

[2quills]

I think lenses would help brighten the tank a bit. Since you're focusing the light it becomes a little more intense. Less, loss of light spilling out of the tank. I believe anything getting up over 8" above the tank and that's generally when you see guys start adding lenses. The 80 degree ones might be a good bet for you, Sip.

 

[snakeblitz33]

You know, these kits from Rapid LED aren't too bad. They contain practically everything you need to get started - minus the dimmers and a few tools. lol. For the price of just one Radion or one Vega, I could do a DIY Unit and cover my entire tank. I'd have to do some creative woodwork, but I think I can manage that. lol

 

[snakeblitz33]

My dad has a TIG welder - which can weld aluminum together. I might get the kit and buy some aluminum bars from the hardware store and weld the heat sinks in the right spot together into a more solid fixture... and place it on top of a canopy that it is screwed into. I might could make a light rack too. Kinda debating on this. I think, though, that I have made up my mind to do a DIY LED unit. I believe it shouldn't be a problem to control it with my Profilux 2 controller.

 

[siptang]

Rapids are awesome but it still came to a price that I didn't want to pay. But they are proven and great if you want to take that route. I think 10% off cpupon might be floatinf in the web if you look for it. Also I have 10% cpupon from the Chinese people from eBay as well.