Um .. I think andresont just quoted the article, ie isn't the actual author. ;)

oops! now I'm embarassed :redface:

Well I'm sort of intruigued by this idea now. What timer do you suppose you could use on a set of alternating pumps?

Also, in answer to an earlier question you had .. I dunno, 150W over 12" depth might actually be enough, espescially since it's really <12" due to the rockwork involved. Maybe it's worth a shot? If all you need is a pendent, run over to HD and get a 500W halogen floodlamp, they are like $15 and should fit the bulb. Only problem is you'll need to replace the sockets as they don't fit the 150W'ers, only the 70W'ers.

The timer, I'm starting to think, will probably have to be some DIY kinda job using a 555 timer or the likes. I think i'd try to design it so that one timer mechanism switches between the two pumps at a variable interval (like from 5 seconds to 15 minutes), and another timer can be run at the press of a button, switching off the pumps for a set time period for feeding.

I found a good write-up on how a 555 timer works here. Quite an involved reading, but I like learning ;).

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/555/555.html

As for the lighting, I think I agree. I actually have a 500W halogen fixture I've already modded to take the bulb. I was worried about using it because it wouldn't fit the bulb "nipple up", but I cut some more out of it last night, and now it goes in properly. Fires up quite bright. I have a thread on the MH fixture mod somewhere in the DIY, just gotta do a search.

It's a giesseman 13k, which is an absolute PAR monster, so I think it should be fine for SPS at the depth. Only thing is, the water's so shalow that the shimmer shadows are EXTREMELY pronounced. It's like shimmers of bright white and dark black. Very deep shadows amongst the rockwork, too, because the light's so close to the rocks.

Think it'll still be brightly lit enough if the fixture was 12" from the water surface?

i apologize i should have noted that it is a quote

Tried reading the link on the 555 timer - :eek: Definitely way beyond me. If you end up attempting something like that please keep us apprised of the steps you take and what not..

I found the right timer :D

A Chauvet light timer.

http://www.chauvetlighting.com/fixtu...es/sf-4005.jpg

http://www.chauvetlighting.com/fixtu...imer_fix.shtml

You can set it from 1 second to 60 seconds, or 1 minute to 15 minutes. It can alternate between the two pumps. Goes for 'bout $30 on ebay. It's used for theatrical lighting applications. I'm going to call around the city tomorrow looking for one. Can't see it being more than $50 canadian. none of the e-bayers ship to canada, it seems :sad:

I'm going to play with a 555 timer simultaneously. I work at the source, and I'll just pick up a 555 from my store and play with it for learning's sake.

Dumb question maybe - what about something like this? Says it's adjustable from 20 seconds to 3 minutes and has alternating outputs..
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...duct_ID=wm-nwt

dang it. I'm $10 short to order J&L's package that includes 3 MJ 1200's. stupid student credit card with stupid $500 limit... Looks like I gotta do another bill payment of like $20 lol.

Would you need the extra powerheads though? Surely there are some lying around town someone would sell ya for cheap if you needed some more.

I found the info about it being adjustable from 20sec to 3min on a different page, I just linked to the J&L page for simplicity. If you go to aquariumsystems.com and click Saltwater and then Accessories there's a blurb where it's mentioned in passing about the adjustability. (I'd just link the URL but the webpage is this primitive frame based thing and the URL doesn't show up properly).