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pepper'scove

My new light!!

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pepper'scove
, 03-27-2012 at 11:20 AM (9584 Views)
Hey guys, just checking in to show the progress I've made. Over the past week I had a 90 gallon tank and stand listed on Craigslist. I didn't know how fast it would go, but I listed it on the high side of what I found in my area. By Thursday of last week the tank (shown below) sold!!

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Also listed on Craigslist was an AquaticLife 48in. 6x54W T5 light. By the end of Friday I had the light back to my house and running above the tank. Here's what it looks like (no water in the tank though because I just drained the whole thing the day before).

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With my new light above the tank I kept forgetting that the kitchen light wasn't on. The only down side that I can see about the light is that one section of lamps is a bit fickle and likes to flicker unless they're set just right. However, I think that may be due to some corrosion on the connections for those lamps. I'm on Spring Break right now (my last one ever!!) and I'm not at my rental place, but when I get back I plan to try out the other lamps that I got with the light just to see if they have the same problem in those sockets as the slightly corroded lamps or not. Either way I got the lamps to behave well despite bumping the stand and jumping around on the floor as well as hitting the light fixture so I'm pretty sure the problem isn't really all that bad. I should also mention that I have more than enough left over to purchase my return pump (I have decided to go with the Sicce Syncra 4.0 due to how quite it is supposed to be).

With this new acquisition that leaves:
1.) The VorTech's (I've decided on an MP10wES and MP40wES combo)
2.) The ATO
3.) The RO/DI
4.) The rockwork
5.) The sand
6.) The fish and coral!

So, not quite there yet, but getting closer!! I don't know how long it will be until I can acquire the rest of my equipment and the biologicals, but I've gotten farther along this semester than I'd been anticipating so I'm currently optimistic!! :P

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Categories
‎ Tank Entry , ‎ Lighting , ‎ DIY projects , ‎ Equipment

Comments

  1. Midnight's Avatar
    Cool man glad to hear the food news
  2. pepper'scove's Avatar
    Yeah, me too!! Oh, just thought I would mention that I found the Sicce Syncra 4.0 on Amazon for around $120. Considering that suggested retail is around $200 and comparable Eheims go for about $160-$170 I snatched it up. Its supposed to be SUPER quite, but after I get it I will do a review on it to see if it lives up to its claim. I guess that means I'll check back in a week!
  3. saxerphoner's Avatar
    Hey! Looking nice. I have the same unit (except it's the 72") I had a similar issue with it and I think it had something to do with the connection inside the unit. It has connections to make it simple to swipe out the ballasts later in life but I think this makes the connection prone to come loose as well... Not saying this is it but it gives you something else to check if need be.
  4. pepper'scove's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by saxerphoner
    Hey! Looking nice. I have the same unit (except it's the 72") I had a similar issue with it and I think it had something to do with the connection inside the unit. It has connections to make it simple to swipe out the ballasts later in life but I think this makes the connection prone to come loose as well... Not saying this is it but it gives you something else to check if need be.
    Hey thanks! I'll definitely look into that. With your unit did you manage to get it fixed? I don't think it's gonna be a huge issue, but if I can get it to be a none issue that would be even better. Again, thanks for the tip!
  5. saxerphoner's Avatar
    It actually resolved itself. I found the above information by talking to other people with the lights and doing some research. Good luck! I really like the light... it was recommended to me to switch out the stock bulbs with ATI bulbs. It's working out great so far!

    Good luck!
  6. pepper'scove's Avatar
    Cool! Glad to hear it self resolved. Also, what lights are you running in your unit. I was thinking of eventually selecting the ATI Aquablue Special (12,000 k), the ATI True Actinic, and the ATI Purple Plus, all in pairs of 2. Any suggestions on what worked best for you? I realize that some of it is personal taste and some of it is based on what kind of corals you have in your tank, but what do you use?
  7. saxerphoner's Avatar
    I would suggest the ATI Blue Plus. The majority of my bulbs are this. Let me think, I currently have front to back:

    blue+
    blue+
    10,000K
    Purple+
    Blue+
    Blue+

    But I think I'm going to change out the 10,000K for a GE 6500K very soon and also add one of the new ATI Coral plus bulbs.

    Hope this helps. I'm no expert so you may want to get someone to back this stuff up!
  8. pepper'scove's Avatar
    I'll have to do some looking. I think some of it is personal choice, but knowing what other's have in their lights is a good indicator of what works/looks good. Thanks for all your input. I'll have to put up a help post on lamp types when I get a chance. Probably sometime after I do the review on my new pump.