480 Gal Project

untamed · #1 05-09-2008, 06:09 AM

Here's a coincidence for you. I had some air conditioning guys over because I'm installing a heat pump on the house. One of the guys happens to be a "fish guy" and wanted a tank tour. When he looked at my ventilation, he says..."you should consider adding an HRV" because he was impressed by all the hot air I was blowing out of the house.

So...I'm going to talk with them about the idea.

chris c · #2 05-09-2008, 04:00 PM

You know one other good thing with the HRV that we have noticed is that the air in the house is much fresher and cleaner then before.

Chris

Jaws · #3 05-09-2008, 06:43 PM

Wow, that tank has so much potential. Can't wait to see it going. Just a note on the Vortechs: I had four vortechs in a 180G tank once and your flow would be amazing if you could evenly distribute them across the back wall. However, if you're considering a sand bottom then you'll find it won't be able to withstand the wicked flow the vortechs put out across thirty inches back to front. You may want to consider either a crushed coral/gravel bottom or bare bottom. I like the crushed coral bottom because it still looks natural and won't blow around like sand bottoms. One thing I loved about the vortechs isn't just the output but how much flow you noticed being sucked into the vortechs. If you had them mounted on the back wall pointing at the front wall you should get a really strong, constant, circular cycle. Your corals would love you. Good luck.

chris c · #4 05-09-2008, 10:17 PM

So i have some thoughts on lights but need some help. I was thinking of going with 5 lumen max 3 reflectors with 250w galaxy ballasts or 2 four foot 8 bulb tek lights 8x54watts. What do you guys think?

Chris

Delphinus · #5 05-09-2008, 10:30 PM

What are the dimensions of the lumenmax3 reflectors?

If it was me, I'd be doing a mixture of both halide and T5's. Go with 4 of 5 halides flanked with T5's on the side. I think the 80w T5's are 60" so you should be able to go with 2 80W per length, and at least one row on each side of the reflectors (depending on the dimensions of the reflector and how much space you have left over, maybe 2 rows of T5's on each side {so 4 rows in total}). Or with the 30" depth you could run 24" T5's, perpendicular, between the reflectors. And you could more or less run as many as you wanted that way..

chris c · #6 05-09-2008, 11:44 PM

The reflectors are 11''x11'' with 250w bulb. I was trying not to have to make a custom fixture for the lights. thats why i would like to use one or the other. Maybe i could find a good combo light for it that is what i have on my 280g.

Chris

Delphinus · #7 05-10-2008, 05:37 AM

Oh ... hmmm, OK then. Guess that changes the advice then!

Hard to say then. The T5s-only option will give you unparalled options for mixing and matching bulbs to your taste. I don't see why an 8 lamps fixture wouldn't be more than enough for 30" of tank height..

But halides do a bang up job too. 5 lumenmax reflectors over that tank would be incredibly sharp.

Flip a coin I guess. Sorry I'm not much help, I'd be agonizing over the choice as well.