BigAl's slow chronicle . . .

[DrHank]

I really like the end cabinet Al. I'm trying to talk my wife into letting me build one but the wall the tank is on is too short. I guess that's what I get for buying an 8' long tank. Maybe I could put on a different wall. I really want a cabinet next to the tank.

[Frankie]

Maybe i need to come over and supervise this dig while sipping some coffee?

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by DrHank

I really like the end cabinet Al. I'm trying to talk my wife into letting me build one but the wall the tank is on is too short. I guess that's what I get for buying an 8' long tank. Maybe I could put on a different wall. I really want a cabinet next to the tank.

Thanks Doc. It was inspired by Frank's "L" design. I gave the idea and some pics to my cabinet guy and he ran with it. Came back to me in 2 days with all the conceptual drawings and ideas that FAR exceeded what I was expecting. He has taken such a PRIDE in this cabinet that just impresses me. Apparently he's walking around with pictures of it in his wallet because co-workers are coming up and telling me how NICE the cabinet is and hopefully the tank will not disgrace the cabinet His attention to detail and craftmanship is really second to none and I can't wait to get that baby home. I'm paying it off this afternoon and he's bringing it to my house Thursday evening. We're doing some trading of computer work for cabinet work and I'll probably have $220 in it when all is said and done. Is that a deal or what?

Originally Posted by FFrankie

Maybe i need to come over and supervise this dig while sipping some coffee?

Come on over Frank. I'll make a BIG pot of coffee (never made coffee before but I will for you buddy) and we can make this a GROUP effort The humor is that My large "frame" wont even be able to "fit" under the floor even with a large hole. My rib cage is just too large so I have to rely on GOOD friends and paid workers to do this work. Looks like I'll be supervising with you Frank The more the merrier!!

Allen

[BigAl07]

Stand/Canopy/Cabinet assembly is being delivered and installed on Thursday evening. The cabinet guy said he can't wait to get here and assemble it to be able to take pics for his portfolio. I think he's ALMOST as excited as I am. Stand/Canopy/Cabinet assembly are officially "Paid In Full" now. That's a SWEET feeling in itself. Now time for pumps, lights, heater, power heads, plumbing, sand, rock, and stuff I can't even think of.

Oh yeah I have a skimmer on the way I bought from a fellow RS member. SWEET!!

Allen

[AQTCJAK]

congrats cant wait to see it

[cioutlaw]

Oh I see if you call it a SLOW chronical you can take as long as you want? I should have called mine that too.. LOL

Stand is going to look great when all done, looks like everything is coming along nicely.

[GeeWizzItsMe]

Awesome slow thread Al! This is a 12 page thread and the tank doesn't even have water in it! good job!

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by cioutlaw

Oh I see if you call it a SLOW chronical you can take as long as you want? I should have called mine that too.. LOL

Stand is going to look great when all done, looks like everything is coming along nicely.

Thanks buddy. Yes if you call it slow and it comes together fast you're just really good. If you don't call it slow and it IS slow you're just SLOW! Yeah the slowness isn't the ONE thing I initially intended to copy you over but hey it's working so far!! Thanks for the compliments.

Originally Posted by GeeWizzItsMe

Awesome slow thread Al! This is a 12 page thread and the tank doesn't even have water in it! good job!

Thanks GeeWizzItsMe since I started in this hobby I have learned what real "patience" is really all about. A couple of years ago I would already rushed this project and it would be half-a$$ed and would probably re-do it 5 times in a year. This one's being planned, researched and replanned many times before I buy things for it. Right now it may be the 1st of the year before I have lights on it (yeah right).

Thanks everyone

Allen

[Dentoid]

[BigAl07]

It's officially THURSDAY and today is the day when my stand comes home and gets set up. SWEET! I can't wait (can you tell?).

Allen

[BigAl07]

Crazy question here (goes against what I preach to MANY new reefers here)!!

I talked with a LFS Owner (well not really LOCAL but he was the quest speaker at our local reef clubs meeting last night) who is VERY well "informed" in the industry and he said that Solaris and another company are coming out with majorly "simplified" versions of their LED lights in the next 3-6 months. That's exactly what I am looking for to go onto this new tank. I have an aqua-controller so I don't want or NEED the "programs" that come in the Solaris unit.

Here is the question.... what is a GOOD (read CHEAP) light system I can get now to go into my canopy so I can grow some nice corals (clam can wait and probably SHOULD wait for many reasons). I have the usual Euphies, mushrooms, zoas etc now but will be adding some more light loving dritters once the tank is up and running (stable).

So I am wanting an "Economically Feasible" light solution to get me through until something better comes along. I like the Current Outer Orbit Pro w/2x250MH and T5's but I don't want to spend $700+ and then try to justify spending another $2000 or so in 3 months. I would like some ideas for something in the HO-T5 area for maybe $00 or less. I know it's got to be possible but is it FEASIBLE?

Allen

[AQTCJAK]

Al,

I would go with straight T5's. I will also put a call in to my sources @ Solaris to see what, When & If that is the fact I do know they are planning a retrofit Kit maybe that is what the speaker was refering to. I will let you know as soon as I find out directly from the horses mouth so to speak.

[AQTCJAK]

Update on the LED's I just got off hte phone with them they are sending me the info on the I will post it in its' entirety that is if it is digital if not I will popst the short revised version with as much pertinant information as possible

[BigAl07]

You da man Jack!! I figured if ANYONE would "sense" this thread had anything to do with LED's you'd catch on. I almost PM'ed you about it but figured you have the LED senses and would just KNOW to come read it.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing back.

Allen

[Dentoid]

If Solaris were doing this I would think that they would try to keep it a secret, especially since they are now launching their new I-Series. No one would buy it if they knew a cheaper, simpler model was to be out in a few months.

I spoke at length with the Solaris Rep at MACNA. Apparently the parts are gathered from different places around the world and they are assembled in China (of all places). Then the final touches/programming are done in the US. FYI.

Al, I don't know of any inexpensive "good" lighting. With corals, if you want the growth and health, it requires good lighting and that comes with a price.