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eric b 125
Guest
Thats great man. Can you believe how dead it is around here? Was it this bad over the winter? Even the few threads that are going are only going because of the OP and a few other people that post occasionally.
Snake's 75g build thread
- Thread starter snakeblitz33
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Yeah. Really dead around here. I think what killed these forums is not allowing links ... And a fee othrr minor details. It has been pretty slow and has gotten worse every year since ive known about these forums. Its sad really. We have a great community here but it seems like everyone is finding better forums to suit their tastes, rather than waiting on a businessnowner to decide if a forum is considered an asset. In any case, i am happy to be here and will try to continue to support swf when i can.
Ive actually been perusing the big forums lately. I have found many helpful new friends on there who are knowledgeable and willing to help. The vender forums also help a great deal when i have a question about a specific product. In any case, these forums are dying.
Ive actually been perusing the big forums lately. I have found many helpful new friends on there who are knowledgeable and willing to help. The vender forums also help a great deal when i have a question about a specific product. In any case, these forums are dying.
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siptang
Guest
tell me about it.
I post 100 pictures and I get 1 comment lol.
I post 100 pictures and I get 1 comment lol.
S
smallreef
Guest
I still stop by on occasion to read how everyone's tanks are going .....
Persoannly, my local group has a great board...go there everyday... Check RC once a month....here about the same....
Glad to hear the tank is getting back on track...
Persoannly, my local group has a great board...go there everyday... Check RC once a month....here about the same....
Glad to hear the tank is getting back on track...
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eric b 125
Guest
I just really feel like RC is so big and so busy that threads can get buried and forgotten quickly. I also really like how personal this forum is and the sense of community that we have here.
HEY MAN, it's Thursday! Whats the word?
HEY MAN, it's Thursday! Whats the word?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524146
tell me about it.
I post 100 pictures and I get 1 comment lol.
lol. Don't feel bad. We are all going through it right now. I figure there's a lot more readers then there are posters.
Quote:
Originally Posted by smallreef http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524219
I still stop by on occasion to read how everyone's tanks are going .....
Persoannly, my local group has a great board...go there everyday... Check RC once a month....here about the same....
Glad to hear the tank is getting back on track...
Yeah, local forums are where it's at. I've been reading on some of mine. Though, there's not a really big following in my neck of the woods.
I'm glad it's getting on track too. And...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric B 125 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524224
I just really feel like RC is so big and so busy that threads can get buried and forgotten quickly. I also really like how personal this forum is and the sense of community that we have here.
HEY MAN, it's Thursday! Whats the word?
I got my LED lights today! Woot Woot!
I took some pictures of everything and I will upload them later tonight. I am still in the process of programming it and using Sweater vest's excel form as a template schedule for mine.
So far, the controller is pretty straight forward. I like the color temp that they adjusted it to. It is really making the colors stand out. I can't really tell a whole lot of "disco" or anything like that, which is great. And, I can't really tell a noticeable dim spot, especially when the lights are raised to the proper level. Right now the unit is sitting on some red oak boards just until I can figure out how to permanently install it over the tank. The hangers are only 2ft hangers and unfortunately, my ceiling is too tall to hang them from.
As far as any heat issue - my tank is running at 78*F right now and the leds have been on all afternoon. The top of the unit is actually cool to the touch and when I put my hand under the lights, I can't really tell a whole lot of heat coming from them. So, I'm happy about the heat regard.
I can say that it has made my nepthea go from a yellowish color to a neon green color. It's also made my yellow tang's yellow stick out more. The blue tips of my blue tip torch coral are starting to show some. I have an orange monti cap that still looks orange. The six line wrasse still has some distinct colors.
I have temporarily put them on cloudy and at 30% on both channels... dude, this thing is freakin' bright! And my corals have "fluffed up" since this afternoon and all polyps are open. Good signs, in my opinion, since the stronger lights aren't "burning" the corals at 30% so far.
I tried to take some pictures of the color of the tank, but it's freakin' difficult to get a pic of the color that it actually is. All in all, I like it and I am impressed with it.
THE ONLY THING that I don't like is that I was unaware that neutral white meant it had a lot of red/yellow/orange in it. I asked of white moonlights and they replaced it with neutral whites instead of cool whites. It looks pretty cool, but almost like the "seas" are under a "blood moon." lol I think I will grow to like them though. I haven't had moonlights on a tank in a long, long time.
Anyways, on to programming it before bed and then I'll try to post some pictures of the unwrapping.
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524146
tell me about it.
I post 100 pictures and I get 1 comment lol.
lol. Don't feel bad. We are all going through it right now. I figure there's a lot more readers then there are posters.
Quote:
Originally Posted by smallreef http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524219
I still stop by on occasion to read how everyone's tanks are going .....
Persoannly, my local group has a great board...go there everyday... Check RC once a month....here about the same....
Glad to hear the tank is getting back on track...
Yeah, local forums are where it's at. I've been reading on some of mine. Though, there's not a really big following in my neck of the woods.
I'm glad it's getting on track too. And...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric B 125 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524224
I just really feel like RC is so big and so busy that threads can get buried and forgotten quickly. I also really like how personal this forum is and the sense of community that we have here.
HEY MAN, it's Thursday! Whats the word?
I got my LED lights today! Woot Woot!
I took some pictures of everything and I will upload them later tonight. I am still in the process of programming it and using Sweater vest's excel form as a template schedule for mine.
So far, the controller is pretty straight forward. I like the color temp that they adjusted it to. It is really making the colors stand out. I can't really tell a whole lot of "disco" or anything like that, which is great. And, I can't really tell a noticeable dim spot, especially when the lights are raised to the proper level. Right now the unit is sitting on some red oak boards just until I can figure out how to permanently install it over the tank. The hangers are only 2ft hangers and unfortunately, my ceiling is too tall to hang them from.
As far as any heat issue - my tank is running at 78*F right now and the leds have been on all afternoon. The top of the unit is actually cool to the touch and when I put my hand under the lights, I can't really tell a whole lot of heat coming from them. So, I'm happy about the heat regard.
I can say that it has made my nepthea go from a yellowish color to a neon green color. It's also made my yellow tang's yellow stick out more. The blue tips of my blue tip torch coral are starting to show some. I have an orange monti cap that still looks orange. The six line wrasse still has some distinct colors.
I have temporarily put them on cloudy and at 30% on both channels... dude, this thing is freakin' bright! And my corals have "fluffed up" since this afternoon and all polyps are open. Good signs, in my opinion, since the stronger lights aren't "burning" the corals at 30% so far.
I tried to take some pictures of the color of the tank, but it's freakin' difficult to get a pic of the color that it actually is. All in all, I like it and I am impressed with it.
THE ONLY THING that I don't like is that I was unaware that neutral white meant it had a lot of red/yellow/orange in it. I asked of white moonlights and they replaced it with neutral whites instead of cool whites. It looks pretty cool, but almost like the "seas" are under a "blood moon." lol I think I will grow to like them though. I haven't had moonlights on a tank in a long, long time.
Anyways, on to programming it before bed and then I'll try to post some pictures of the unwrapping.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
And it's programmed. It didn't take long, maybe 30 minutes. It's 6/20/13 today, so I'm going to wait 30 days before increasing it up another 20% on both channels. I don't want to adversely effect the corals.
Man, this deep royal blue look in the evening is kicker! I love it. My yellow tang though looks like it's an adult chocolate tang though. I guess that my color blindness effects it. I'm not sure. I'll have to ask the wife. On an up note, that nepthea is freakin florescent green to the max! Love it.
The packaging was built like a tank! I'm very impressed at how good it was packaged.
The unusable hanging kit, the power cord which is only like 6ft, but it works for me. And a remote control! Yes, I can remote control it from the couch. woot woot!
Man, this deep royal blue look in the evening is kicker! I love it. My yellow tang though looks like it's an adult chocolate tang though. I guess that my color blindness effects it. I'm not sure. I'll have to ask the wife. On an up note, that nepthea is freakin florescent green to the max! Love it.
The packaging was built like a tank! I'm very impressed at how good it was packaged.
The unusable hanging kit, the power cord which is only like 6ft, but it works for me. And a remote control! Yes, I can remote control it from the couch. woot woot!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I'm also surprised that there was even a plastic film over the controller. The controller is not hard to use. I wish that it had a center push button for the "ok" but, other then that, I couldn't find any fault. After messing with it for about an hour overall today, I figured it all out and it's a lot easier to program then some people made it out to be.
I also took a quick pic of it with the actinics on full blast. As you can see.... it's very, very difficult to take photos of. But, you get the jist of how it is set up over the top of the tank at the moment. I'm either going to have to build a canopy to fit it on top of, or I am going to have to figure out some way to make legs for it. The return pump is in the way and I can't just use the standard leg mounts from ReefBreeders.
By the way, I looked at the montipora before and after I got the new light on there ... and I swear, I can see a new ring of white around the rim of it this evening.
I also took a quick pic of it with the actinics on full blast. As you can see.... it's very, very difficult to take photos of. But, you get the jist of how it is set up over the top of the tank at the moment. I'm either going to have to build a canopy to fit it on top of, or I am going to have to figure out some way to make legs for it. The return pump is in the way and I can't just use the standard leg mounts from ReefBreeders.
By the way, I looked at the montipora before and after I got the new light on there ... and I swear, I can see a new ring of white around the rim of it this evening.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
So much chromatic aberration and ... ICK! I can't get a good pic of it with only the actinics on, even with my DSLR camera. I guess I'll be taking all my pics with the white channel on full and blues dialed down to zero, and then go back and modify the image in some photo program. Ah the things we do to share....
sweatervest13
Active Member
Looks real good man. Great call starting at 30%. That unit can fry corals. I am glad you found it easy to program. Not hard at all but it does take some time. Did you go every hour or half hour?
Great review on the unit so far. I liked the way you took pics of the packaging and documented the process.
Great review on the unit so far. I liked the way you took pics of the packaging and documented the process.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tthemadd1 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524237
Remote control? No IPhone app? What has this world come too.
I know, right?! I wish! LOL Once it's programmed, it's pretty much set and forget at the moment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524240
Looks real good man. Great call starting at 30%. That unit can fry corals. I am glad you found it easy to program. Not hard at all but it does take some time. Did you go every hour or half hour?
Great review on the unit so far. I liked the way you took pics of the packaging and documented the process.
I actually ended up starting on 35%... but it's very close to where you started. The interesting thing is that channel 2 is the blue channel and the moonlights. It has to go up to 10 before the actinics will kick on. If it's 9 or below, the moonlights are lit. I added 10 to the overall actinic channel to make up for it. It looks good with the whites on at 35%.
The moonlights being warm whites is something I have to get used to.
Thanks - I wanted to "do it right" so to speak. I've seen plenty of pics of these units, but nothing that has ever showed the packaging. I was surprised to see how well packed it was, and I am thankful that it was too. There was a little shipping damage, but ONLY to the outside of the box. Fedex, if you're listening in - be more careful!
Originally Posted by tthemadd1 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524237
Remote control? No IPhone app? What has this world come too.
I know, right?! I wish! LOL Once it's programmed, it's pretty much set and forget at the moment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524240
Looks real good man. Great call starting at 30%. That unit can fry corals. I am glad you found it easy to program. Not hard at all but it does take some time. Did you go every hour or half hour?
Great review on the unit so far. I liked the way you took pics of the packaging and documented the process.
I actually ended up starting on 35%... but it's very close to where you started. The interesting thing is that channel 2 is the blue channel and the moonlights. It has to go up to 10 before the actinics will kick on. If it's 9 or below, the moonlights are lit. I added 10 to the overall actinic channel to make up for it. It looks good with the whites on at 35%.
The moonlights being warm whites is something I have to get used to.
Thanks - I wanted to "do it right" so to speak. I've seen plenty of pics of these units, but nothing that has ever showed the packaging. I was surprised to see how well packed it was, and I am thankful that it was too. There was a little shipping damage, but ONLY to the outside of the box. Fedex, if you're listening in - be more careful!
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eric b 125
Guest
Sweet. They look good. It's nice that you don't have any shadow from the cross brace. I am interested to see how SPS do under these lights.
S
siptang
Guest
looking good seth!!! Welcome to the fun world of LEDs!!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Eric, im glad too. No, im probably going to build a specialized canopy for the fixture. It wont be that way permanently.
Sip, i was programming the comtroller last night and i finally felt like i had somethig really good going. It was really fun - and is gettinh more and more fun as i watch the lights cycle and me tweak them a little at a time.
I noticed that even with the actinics on at 10% the encrusting gorg i have didnt close up shop. There might be something about this new led technology. Im really starting to become a believer. Now if i can see some coralline growth in the next few weeks.
Sip, i was programming the comtroller last night and i finally felt like i had somethig really good going. It was really fun - and is gettinh more and more fun as i watch the lights cycle and me tweak them a little at a time.
I noticed that even with the actinics on at 10% the encrusting gorg i have didnt close up shop. There might be something about this new led technology. Im really starting to become a believer. Now if i can see some coralline growth in the next few weeks.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I like em' a lot! The colors have really come out in some of the softies i have. That orange montipora is pretty sweet looking. Looking forward to getting the tank on track over the coming month or so. I hope that i can trade in some softies and lps for some fuzzy sticks pretty soon.
I found my salinity dropped to 1.021 since i had a drip leak. I fixed the leak and i will be getting it back up to 1.026 over the next few weeks.
I have $50 to spend right now on the tank. I cant decide if i want to build the side cabinet or canopy or buy a heater.
In any case, its looking up. We just booked our hotel for macna. Next is tickets. Plane tickets are $800 now, so we are driving. Estimated fuel cost is $300 for a round trip in my wifes car. All in all, we will make it down there by hell or high water. Lol.
I found my salinity dropped to 1.021 since i had a drip leak. I fixed the leak and i will be getting it back up to 1.026 over the next few weeks.
I have $50 to spend right now on the tank. I cant decide if i want to build the side cabinet or canopy or buy a heater.
In any case, its looking up. We just booked our hotel for macna. Next is tickets. Plane tickets are $800 now, so we are driving. Estimated fuel cost is $300 for a round trip in my wifes car. All in all, we will make it down there by hell or high water. Lol.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Oh yeah, i forgot to say anything about the photos. Lol. Yes, i am fining it hard to photograph. I am looking for tips online of how to photograph led lights yo no avail. If someone can find a decent guide, pm me.
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eric b 125
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lubeck http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524331
Seth if it was me , I would go buy a frag with that $50. Like the lights
+1. You have to reward your equipment purchases with coral purchases!
Originally Posted by Lubeck http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/860#post_3524331
Seth if it was me , I would go buy a frag with that $50. Like the lights
+1. You have to reward your equipment purchases with coral purchases!