SKIMMER KING's 36x36x21 CUBE
 

Ok so after downgrading to my 65 gal RSM 250. I knew that I wasn't happy are we ever happy in the reefing hobby...... (NO):smile: However after my huge crash my tank went down hill loosing all my
acans
Ricordia's
scollies
and yes my fish I was stuff with a limited, limited few frags and reg turf Algae that I can not get away from.
So after scratching the heck out of my tank AKA star fire front CANT STAND THAT GLASS:twised: I w as secretly looking for another tank to add to the replacement of this tank. Hence then I saw the cube that I wanted himing and hawing about the tank I needed to get to Calgary to get this. What the heck am I going to do. When I want something I get it. :lol: Well I do look at all those skimmers for the love of god. So then I hear that Nanoreef is driving his misses to Calgary on a weekend and then AHHA that is my ticket.

SO you know the rest of the story. lol I have a tank now.

So here is the history on the tank and stand.

Marine land cube 36x36x24,all
black with stand and canopy.
So Carson who owned it the tank seams split so he got Dave to build him a new tank. 36x36x21 with external overflow.
euro braced 5/8's glass
standard glass not that Star- fire crap Sorry all I hate it with a passion far to easy to scratch.

or now what the heck am I going to do for lighting

LIGHTING -
as of now 2x4 bulbs 36" each for the lights.
Sump-
is a 30 gal with filter sock holders.
Top off
will be either straight from the RO/DI unit or a 5 gall res im not sure.
SKIMMER
ALpha Cone Vertex 170 mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm skimmer.
RETURN
return pump will be a Ehiem 1260
Circulation
2x Korlia 4's

What I want to do is lighting like the LED's but lord knows what I want to do.
NOVA A 8
SOls
Vega's
Reefbright s
Vertex Illumina 260 36"

SO what would take care of a 36x36x21 cube any idea's and yes I know pictures this thread is useless with out pictures.......

Greg has a vertex 260 for sale......

Hard to believe someone would build a tank that small from 5/8" glass, I never understand why people sacrifice clarify for no reason :lol: I also never understand how people scratch straphire so easy, did you use sandpaper to clean it?

Any who... have you considered the GHL Mitras? One fixture would light the tank and while it's not the cheapest neither is the Vertex which is on your list.

sounds like a good build mikey buddy:)

def do one mitras, a bit expensive but worth every penny, im going 2 mitras on my sps tank;)

now wheres the pictures hehe:P

Ya but i dont have the money now for it and i think its pending.

Sorry its not 5/8 its a little bigger then 1/2" and mo steve i didnt use sand paper ha ha uou are so funny actually my site was t good after getting jumped by 5 guys who pretty much left me for dead when i first got in so my clarity is pretty much out the door. So starfire and standard glass is pretty much even to me. Anywho lol the mitras is alot of money bit i dont know if tjat would cover my tank. Steve what is the spread on thise lights from uour tank.

They cover a 40x40 spread Mike.

Looking forward to seeing this tank grow!

I really have no idea what you're saying most of the time :surprise: but don't worry I still like you. I went with three fixtures on my tank, it's 64" x 32" footprint. Would have used two but decided since it's full SPS and 32" tall, three would be better. One fixture will cover 36"x36" easily but for full SPS, two would be better. I only suggested it because you had the vertex 260 on your list which is close to $1900 while one mitra is $1100 so it seemed like another option worth considering, not quite as much power but better spread and color which I think is worth some sacrifice.

:pop2:

Your a jack kien and there wont be any wood biting here either

Sorry man i have been trying to type with my iphone and i have big fingers and thumbs lol

Ok i think i have it narrowed done to 2 lights when i start this cube up

The mitras x 1

Or

The vega's x 2

nice dimensions mike. not that i've seen either light but if the mitras has significantly less disco effect / colour banding i'd go that route personally.

This should make for a neat setup. I like those dimensions, should make for some really neat aquascaping options. Good luck with the build!

I have a Vega and I just don't see this disco effect that everyone seems to be fascinated with. I know there's drugs that give you the disco effect! Maybe these people need to lay off them lol.

I've seen this effect from every fixture I've seen in person other than my Kessil which so far which includes:

- maxspect razor
- ai sol
- radion

I think some (more cursed) people detect it better than others.

I don't think you will be adding the GHL Mitras to that list...lots of shimmer but no disco.

lol

What are your thoughts about using the PAR 38 bulbs would 6 of them being a waste of time.

My experience is the color kind of sucks being that it's not adjustable and most people have different tastes. Plus they disco.

As for the Vegas if you can't see the disco then you are the one that should lay off the drugs :mrgreen: Some people don't mind it which is obviously fine, personally it makes my eyes hurt and it's next to impossible to get decent pics under them.

Cool thanks Steve, with regards to the disco effect what is this suppose to look like. Do you have a pic? So that i can see it.

It's basically a lack of color blending which results in colored spotlights throughout the tank. This combined with an intense shimmer effect resembles the effect of a disco ball spinning around with multicolored spotlights applied to it.

I'm going to use rstar's pic, hope he doesn't mind. It shows the effect quite well.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8...8b1a6221_c.jpg

this..

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8...s6o1_cover.png

@ss

The best thing to do is to check out tanks with various LED lights. It really is a matter of personal preference, just like any other light. There are lots of people who do not see or notice or mind the disco effect in the various LED lights (AI, Radions, maspect, Mitras). Just because someone doesn't like a particular light doesn't mean you won't like it. There are so many options out there. If you are on a budget I would personally do a couple of Kessil's 350Ws over that tank myself. They are inexpensive and get the job done. You don't get all the wiz bang features like programmability (dimming, colour blending, cloud cover, lightening effect, etc), but then not everyone needs or wants all of those things from their light and you don't get any of that with MH or T5s either. If you've got the money then go big or go home and get the Mitras :biggrin:

The key to the disco effect is almost entirely based on optics, the AI products are one of the worst due to the use of very narrow optics. Hanging the lights higher or using them on taller tanks may reduce the effect, switching out the optics for wider angles will also be beneficial. Personally I think the use of optics is old school thinking, today's LEDs are powerful enough and most tanks aren't taller than 24".

See I have around 8-9 " to play with when hanging the lights in the canopy. the Vertex illumina doesnt use Optics this give it a really good spread too.

The GHL will probably need 12" or more to cover the spread needed. Not sure about the vertex.

that is the problem there isn't anyone around to look at tanks. other then 1 sol.

Ok i bought the mitras yaaaaaaaa

Looking forward to hear what you think of the mitras on your setup.

WTH!! Page 4 and still not one pic of anything to do with the build, not even an empty tank. Come on jarhead get with the program here.....................................

WE NEED SOME PICTURES!!!!

:ranger: What ^^ he said..

Bite the tank!!!

Call me when this tank isn't imaginary... :)

Ass:lol:

You're going to have to clarify that statement. I do believe we have more than one "Ass" kickin' around.

well here is a few for now until i can figure out where to put the tank upstairs.

Fro the Record not one scratch in the tank on any of the 3 viewing panels thanks god. And i will be taking the magnet out after each cleaning, and inspect the magnet....
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...g?t=1360168310
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...g?t=1360168307

the paint touch ups looks great covered over well.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...g?t=1360168211

Sorry for the glare...
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...g?t=1360168200
cant wait to play with the external over flow.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps95e0683d.jpg
Need to repaint this and give it a good coat of sealant along with silicone the edges

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...g?t=1360168237

oh yes the power house it self will be the ALpha Cone 170 awaiting to skim.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...h_DSC04896.jpg

Got to love the red dragon pump on that vertex.