[reefburnaby]

Hi,

You mean 220V 3 phase ? I don't think they have 440V...they have 347V, 600V and 3KV...but I haven't heard of a 440V 3 phase. Must be a new electrical format on the island (just kidding !)

DIY...are we crazy ?

Well, I could buy several Icecaps...and I would not have any problems doing that. But I definitely would not have as much fun as I am having now [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] As Steve said, we are really running 50% to 60% of the ballast's maximum output. Fulham (workhorse) makes ballasts that are specifically design to run in this fashion...I get 5 years warranty and save money (and overdrive at the same time).

To be honest, I am more comformable with running a reef with fluorescent tubes than with HID (MV, MH, HQI and etc). HID dissipates a large amount of heat (so much that some may require fans), draws tremendous amount of power (250W MH draw 3A each), and they are extremely dangerous if you splash water on them or have them fail due to fractures in protective quartz. HIDs weren't quite design to operate in enclosed spaces like a reefs. That's just my personal opinion [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Jamie, 9 times out of 10 ... I have seen your tank and your DIY stand/hood - it looks really good. How about that DIY second stage for your calcium reactor ? All those look pretty good DIY to me.

DIY is not for everybody....we just want to tell people it is possible to get a nice reef running for less.

- Victor.