I would go at least 12" from water surface, 1- less shock to current inhabitants and 2- better spread. Mine is 8" and I think that is too low, if I had the space I would go 14-16" If you need a hand when you are ready to hoist it into position give me a call.

OK I'll try it at 16". I can always lower it more later if the corals need it.

I was a very busy boy yesterday. I finally got around to hanging the new light fixture, but had to make a few changes first.
I ran a new 15 Amp circuit from the basement. I already had three circuits for the tank but the air conditioner/dehumidifier was on one and didn't leave a whole lot of juice for much of anything else. So now I've got three dedicated circuits for the tank.
With the added flexibility of another circuit I made some other changes: The two MP 40's and two powerheads are now on separate circuits from each other, so if one of the GFCI trips I still have the other two PH's running, as well as the big return pump which is on a third circuit.
I used to run the old lights through the controller but the new light draws too much juice for the controller to handle. The light is on three timers: one for the MH's, one for the T5"S and one for the LED's. The controller runs the two heaters in the sump, the sump light, the ATO system, dosing system and the tank and sump fans.
I was a little concerned that the new lights would overheat the tank and I would have to run the air conditioner more often. Yesterday was a warm day and I watched the tank temperature closely. No problem. The controller kicks the fans on at 81 degrees and they only ran for about an hour at mid-afternoon. Tank temp. only reached 81.2 without the air conditioner being on, so all is well.
As for the new light: Whooooaaa! 1512 watts is a lot of light! (the old fixture was 942 watts) I hung the fixture 16" above the tank and ran the lights on a two-hour on/two-hour off schedule. As the animals acclimate I will lower the light another 2" and work up to a 7 to 8 hour schedule for the MH's and 12 hours for the T5's.

With that much light in the room, you are going to have a hard time watching TV lol

No pics? You are not allowed to do a bunch of work and not provide any pictures...

I can't begin to understand what you said without pics Lance. You have until tonight.

Oops looks like Brad has that covered.

or else!

The photo should look something like this at 1512 watts

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/pic...pictureid=3114

It's not that bad Marie. The fixture is made so the light shines straight downwards.

I was too busy for pics yesterday Brad, but will try to take some later.

Ok, here are some pics of the new light, etc.


The new circuit I ran into the sump room.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/IMG_1950.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/IMG_1951.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/IMG_1952.jpg



The Beast
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_1719.jpg

The entertainment center that I made for the wifey and had to match colour to the tank stand. The room looks so small in this pic but it is 12' wide. A door with a grill will cover the air conditioner. I've made the door and will hang it as soon as the grill I ordered comes in. I can't make up my mind whether to build another canopy for the tank or leave it as it is. Please disregard the ghetto hanging system for the light. It's just temporary until the light is lowered to its final height after the animals are acclimated. I've got some nice cable for hanging it permanently.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/IMG_1953.jpg


T5's only:
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/IMG_1955.jpg

MH's and T5's
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/IMG_1959.jpg

Lance's 225 tank build
 

Just awesome lance. Don't forget your sunscreen.


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The new light looks great. I know you'll be more than impressed with the light output from that Sfiligoi, plus the fixture itself is pretty easy on the eyes:biggrin:

Thanks guys. I think what I like most about this fixture is how quiet it is. Absolutely silent.

Looks great Lance. Putting a canopy on that would be like never driving a Ferrari!

That light is awesome. Now you have an excuse to wear your sunglasses at night.

This video shows what can happen when your stomach overrules your brain: Bubba Gump, my not-too-smart Trigger will do this time after time. Once out of curiosity I even lifted him out of the water with the glass. When I put him back I figured he'd take off and hide. Hah! His little adventure didn't perturb him in the least. He went right back to filling his face.


http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_MVI_1968.jpg

LOL! Go Bubba! :razz:

Wow Lance. Now thats a light. :lol: What do the corals thing of it so far.

Doug, I haven't seen any bleaching and they all seem fine. Mind you I'm still acclimating them to the light. I haven't lowered it yet to its final height. I started with a 2 hours on and 2 hours off schedule and am now up to 4 hours on and 2 hours off. A couple more weeks I think until the final height and 8 hours of MH and 12 hours of T5's.

Next time you are playing with your trigger, (the fish...not what you are thinking...) try just gently pressing him up against the glass. My old Blue Throat used to just freeze and you could hold him there for 20 seconds or so.

I dug up this old video of my trigger's trick. I bet this response is common to all triggers.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...h_100E0502.jpg

Brad, I tried playing with my trigger, (the fish... not what you are thinking...) and it works! He's a little flighty of it but he did freeze up for a second. I'll keep practicing. :lol:

And just what is it I'm supposed to be thinking??? :lol: :razz:

It's ok Laurie. I don't fool with the trigger. I prefer the loaded gun! :mrgreen:

geez.......and they talk about my tank journal:mrgreen:

:lol:

Lance's 225
 

Sorry Doug, but your tank journal requires an "R" rating. :mrgreen: Mine's just "PG 13"

says the guy with "nog facial" under his name:wink:

I thought I would get even for what happens on my tank journal!

Lance the idea is not to put them in your mouth though even if you're just fooling around!

Those videos are awesome. And cool trick with the glass. If I ever have a tank big enough to fit a glass in again i'll do it!

:redface:

Touche! :lol:

The lights have been up for a little over 3 weeks now and I've lowered the fixture every week. It is now 15" above the surface and just about where I want to leave it. I really like this fixture. It has no noisy fans yet does not heat the water much. Most of the heat is directed upwards through the top of the fixture. I've replaced all the bulbs that came with it: I'm now running 3x 400W Geisemann Megachrome 13000K MH's, 4x 10000K T5's and 4x Super Actinic T5's. I'm pleased with the colour and the amount of light. Corals are looking good so far and I have not noticed any bleaching. T5s are on for 12 hours and MH's for 8 hours. I will take some pics and post them up in the next little while.

The Zoas floresce much more under this light than the old one.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_2007.jpg

This guy seems to be doing nicely as well.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_2009.jpg

I'd swear the old Fox Face is more yellow.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_2013.jpg

Some more:
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_2008.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_2012.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...s/IMG_2010.jpg

so even with 1200W of mh you dedicated 4 bulbs to 10k? What made you go that route rather than more blue/actinic or some reds? Photos look great btw.

beautiful tank.. just set up my 90g recently and now your thread has made me wish i went bigger lol.

Congratulations on the tank though. Very beautiful

Well, the MH's are 13K and have a blue tinge to them and the 4x Super Actinic really throw the blue. Also, the T5's are on for 4 hours a day without the MH's and if I only had T5 actinics the tank would be too blue.

Thank You :biggrin:

Great job Lance, for sure one of the nicest FOWLR tanks out there :rolleyes:

sound like a serious amount of light!......any before and after type pics?