First water entered the tank Dec 18......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0087.jpg

It took almost 2 weeks to make up the water. My 100 GPD ro/di puts out about 30 GPD. I need one of those booster pumps. Between water changes and top off it didn't seem like I was gaining much. But 140 Lbs of sand went in Dec 31.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0169.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0174.jpg

While the sand was settling I was busy on the plumbing again. The small wall is in and here is more plumbing.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0095.jpg

Here is the wife letting me know she is done waiting for me.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/CSC_0023.jpg

Water is clear again.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a.../DSC_00213.jpg

and here is the first rock.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC_0077-1.jpg

I had to set up a temp light to keep the everyone happy.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0094.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a.../DSC_00872.jpg

what happened to the updates buddy.

Been busy Colin...lol. But here we go....the problem I am having is too many projects going on at once. When I first got into this hobby everything had to done right away. Now I just cant get in a hurry.

What I am going to add now is my major experiment. Lights.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC_0132-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0133.jpg

This is a 6ft Solaris I4. It requires 3 power supply's that look a lot like PC power supply's. If one ever dies you can bet I will be opening it up.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC_0138-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC_0143-1.jpg

Its not easy taking a pic of a light that is on......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0112.jpg

Here is the tank as it is today.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0412.jpg

And a crappy pic of the atinics......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC_0420.jpg


Scott

What you can do for setting your lights up with this very nice. Not real difficult to sort out but you need to be ready to do a little math. I think they got in a hurry to get this model out. In less than 10 days I had 5 light strips burn out. I called them and was told I would get replacements right away. 4 weeks later(still waiting) I called again letting them know I had 2 more lights out and I wasn't happy having 2/3s of a light. Replacements arrived about 5 days later. Holidays was probably the reason but I don't want to hear right away and wait 6 weeks. I'm over it.

I'm still not sure about the light. Its not in its final position and is temporally hanging over the tank. Right now I am getting a lot of shadowing but a few things are liking that. Rics, most softies and the LPS are hiding in the shadows. The LPS seem to want to mid tank or lower. The Candy Cane I have isn't happy anywhere in the tank. I have 2 10 inch yellow Fiji....one likes being at the surface and the other wants to be at the bottom. The clams.....one seems happy(enough to spawn and turn 600g so cloudy you couldn't see the back of the display) and the other is wondering all over the place. LPS is confusing so far. I have a purple bottle brush that is growing like a weed with nice color and a couple of other acros that are showing nice color. Had a couple of acro frags die within 2 days. I have bleached some cap (green and purple) and killed a red in about 2 days.

I have the lights turned down to about 75% to prevent bleaching.

I like the way the light looks. I like the way it works. I think I have a lot to learn about the thing and what the corals really want and like.

My biggest concern so far is the heat or lack of heat. The light produces no heat for the tank. I am running 1100 watts of heaters to keep the tank at 77.

The saga continues.....

Scott

Tank looks great Scott. Hope you figure out the light. Must be frustrating to get the new light up and it doesn't completely work?
Chris

It was irritating for sure. Not a huge deal but I think as a group WE tend to expect more out of some company's than others. PFO is one of those companies.

Scott

I'm sure all will work out with the lights just frustrating. I really like the look of your system . It has that stealth European/Japanese look . If I could afford those lights ,I'd buy them too.

The Euro look made me laugh......I have been trying to learn German so I can set up half of this equipment. My wife speaks Dutch so she can understand a few of the German works which helps a little. Thanks sebae.

Scott

Looking good Scott, keep up the good work.

I am glad I saw this thread. Scott, is it the DT that you are putting the lights on? If so, how do find the front to back coverage. You said your tank is 30" wide. I am currently setting up a system that will include a 180g display. I am giving serious thought to getting the 72" Solaris I4. My concern is the front to back coverage. I can see the long term savings and am in the fortunate position of being able to consider the Solaris.

My display system will be a 180 with 2 54g bow front corner units as bookends. I plan on mainly SPS in the 180, softies in 1 54 and don't yet know for the other 54. I will plumb to a 75g sump and 65g refugium that will be housed in the basement. Maybe I should start a build thread here. I, like you, am in no rush. I currently have a 90g set up.

Ward

Yes. Is the 180 your considering 72x24x24? If so you shouldnt have a problem. PFO recomends 2 fixtures for the size tank I have. Of course I didnt see a thing about that untill after my purchase. With a depth of 24 you can raise your lights a little higher and get good coverage. You may get some shading either front or back depending on what you want but I am finding some things are needing to have some shading.

Start a tank thread. Sounds like you will have a unique project and a new thread can help you alot. When you start banging your head against the wall there are a lot of people here willing to help you hit it harder.....errr work around the issue....lol

Scott

Thanks Scott. The 180 is the standard 72x24x24. I am really swaying towards the Solaris. I will admit, I am a little disappointed to hear about your problems with the light strips. My understanding (from RC) is that PFO was going to test every light they got in from China. PFO is under pressure to get the lights out, so some may have slipped through.

As you said, I figure I can hang them a little higher and this will provide a little more light spread.

I love the banging head against wall comment. I do a good job, which may explain why my wife keeps telling me I have a hard head. (Goes with selective listening too).

I think I was the exception. Most everything I have read PFO is right on top of things. I wasnt so upset that a few light strips had problems, but waiting 5 or 6 weeks for them to fix it was an issue.

Scott

scott whats goin on the tank these days

Yeah SCOTT....where's the eye candy????? Update !@#$%! :twised:

Ive been busy(OK....lazy) and havent done a lot. Just letting things settle in. I have done some elec stuff like adding some GFs and plugs but nothing exciting.

Scott

Do not try to sate us with your petty excuses, this is all about our needs not yours, now post more pics dammit! :mrgreen:

Saw the tank at the frag sale. Very nice and healthy fish and corals. My favorite was the beautiful Chocolate Tang.

great job on the system so far skylord!!
:biggrin:

Still no pics? :confused: :razz:

People should post pictures they took of Scott's tanks while at the auction. If he is too busy to update his thead then we'll have to do it for him!

How has this tank progressed in the passed couple months? :smile: