Aquascaping

[Maxx]

I'm crying over that monti cap at the end of the tank.

Why do you think I asked JB to post that pic????????
Have you guys seen his site? its Cnidarian Reef go check it out...
Playa....would love to have much bigger set up. I've already decided that I want a cube or near cube tank when I upgrade. I was thinking of 48Lx48Wx18H or 48Lx 36Wx18H...comes out to 180 gallons or 135 gallons respectively. I would want it as a 3 sided room divider or as a 4 sided island in the center of a room.
The lights and the calcium reactor are being purchased w/ the intent of being able to be used in a larger set up (dual 250 w DE pendants, E-ballasts....Geo Reactor). Everything else I'm in the process of DIY-ing, so that will save money.... I also want to buy a Neptune controller, but I'm concerned now that X-10 declared bankruptcy. (X-10 is the company that made the actuator modules that neptune, octopus and alot of other controllers used for their systems....
Right now my girlfriend and I live in an apartment, so a tank larger than 58 gallons is really almost out of the question...well that and the fact that I'm still only a paramedic student who bartends to pay bills, as opposed to a full blown paramedic making decent money on a steady basis.
Some day....
Nick

[tankgirl]

one eye, that's a beautiful tank!! Welcome!

Maxx, yow! a cube would be incredible! When will you finish paramedic school?

Teri, Hi, we need a pic of your awesome tank for the thread!!! Could you post one for us?

[tankgirl]

I've been trying for two darn weeks to aquascape my tank and am so frustrated, getting nowhere. I'm thinking about upgrading to 400W MHs, so I won't need such tall structures, can take some LR out.

[Maxx]

Maxx, yow! a cube would be incredible! When will you finish paramedic school?

God willin an' the creek don't rise....September on next year. But the official liscense won't arrive until probably closer to December of next year...beaurocrats.....sigh....I'm not sure if you need the license in hand to get hired on somewhere or, if a confirmation letter is enough. Somehow I suspect that because it would be more inconvenient for me, that I will need license in hand.

I'm thinking about upgrading to 400W MHs, so I won't need such tall structures, can take some LR out.

What is the depth of your tank? Is there any chance you could get HQI/DE pendants/lighting to penetrate to the appropiate depth? I think I recall Sanjay Joshi doing tests to compare 250 w DE's against the 400 w mogul based bulbs and things came out pretty even....I could be wrong though...lemme look for the link.
Nick

[one eye]

Sanjay was just here in NH a couple months ago. He shared his findings with us and the difference in par between the 250 hqi and 400 mogul are nominal, while the energy saving is substantial. He said he is now using 250 hqi instead of the 400"s.

For those of you that like to use the 20,000k bulbs. Aqualine is now making a 20,000k in 150 hqi and 250 hqi. I plan on useing 2 250w 10,000k hqi's and 1 250w 20,000k hqi on my new tank.

[Maxx]

There you go TG! Saves me the trouble of looking up the link....you wouldnt be lying would you??????

Jk
Nick

[one eye]

You never know!

[gumhead]

I am currently running 250 HQIs and the growth grate of my corals is amazing!!!

Cross threading the cross threaded thread...
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...=4184#post4184

[Craig Manoukian]

You're too clever Dave. Come on folks we need more pictures!

[tankgirl]

Maxx, Cool about finishing the paramedic training in Sept. You're gonna need RS to unwind after all the horrors you'll see. I'm proud of you and think you're a hero!!

Also, Thanks for the info, Maxx and one eye!!!! Now I need it interpreted for me - (didn't get the "guy" training where they explain how stuff works). I have Iwasaki 250W MHs and Hamilton 165W UltraActinics. Are the MHs the HQI you're talking about?

Well, to keep some pics coming, here's my feeble efforts to re-scape the tank;

[tankgirl]

another;

[tankgirl]

The tank was still bubbly from changing out the filter pads and stuff hadn't opened yet from the nightmare;

[Maxx]

Are the MHs the HQI you're talking about?

Yes the HQI's are metal halides...
However, here in America we have gotten in the habit of refering to DE, (double ended bulbs) as HQI which is not the case.
HQI refers to the european ballasts or standard of ballast. I believe the wattage required to start european bulbs is higher, so the ballasts pump more juice. DE definately requires more wattage, but puts out a substantial amount of light. For a much better explanation read this
Its long and boring, but very informative. I can tell I need to re-read since I wasnt able to answer your question properly.

I'm proud of you and think you're a hero!!

Aww, shucks....
Nick

[Maxx]

pulse start will run the german/euro bulbs (ushio, AB, radium, etc.) these bulbs don't have built in ignitors, so the ballast has the ignitor wired into the circuit. the ignitor provides the high voltages needed to fire the bulb. you can run probe start bulbs on these ballasts, but the two ignitors may try to fight each other and possibly cause a fire.

HQI ballasts are similar to pulse starts in their wiring and ability to run bulbs. the output is a little higher which is meant to run the double-ended bulbs (commonly called HQI bulbs). people run mogul bulbs on these and they run a little hotter and brighter because they are being overdriven. this in turn shortens the life of the bulbs.

basically the synopsis of what you needed to know re: HQI....
Nick

[EdgeKrusher]

Looks cool TG! What angle of the tank is that pic taken from?


EDIT: NEver mind about the angle, had too much turkey and wine. LOL


Peace

EK