The fabled prop system

[AndyL]

Well quick update - Yep, been 3 weeks with little / no progress...

Been a busy couple of weeks...

Got glass ordered to fix the one tank (just going to patch over that cracked corner), a baffle and decided to redrill and add overflow boxes. Since it really wasn't much glass, price was ridiculously cheap if I was willing to be patient and wait for cut-offs.

Ran into some power issues... Having to rethink a lot of the system, as I found a power problem. The dedicated breaker/power I brought over for it, wasn't going to be enough... So I had my electrician friend come back - at which point I was told I've maxed out my 100amp service. Call to condo board & enmax - results in realization I better work within what I've got (10-20,000 is a bit much to power a prop system) as I don't feel like paying for new transformers and line upgrades.

So having to rethink everything now... Lighting and circulation being the big draws, pretty much decided on going with T5HOs - looking at workhorse ballasts, icecap reflectors. Been told I only need 4 39w per tank - however I think the 65 and one of the 50's will get 6 grand total of 20 lamps.

Return pumps and circulation become the headache - OR6500, and those hydor koralia 4's look reasonable - was going to buy some of the Tunze's - but after seeing/reading of many breakage problems... Turnover would be a little lower than I'd like but keeping the return pump below 150w is a bit more important, worst case I can throw a heater into each tank.