R2R - Bottyfish 60 gallon rimless
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Bottyfish
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Today I took apart the Ecotech MP controller and tuck the wiring so that it is on the face of my drawer.
I also reduced the three ball valves down to two. This will make it easier for me to remove my skimmer cap for cleaning.
I also reduced the three ball valves down to two. This will make it easier for me to remove my skimmer cap for cleaning.
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Bottyfish
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Aqua Illumination Hydra Twenty Six, Aqua Illumination Hydra Twenty Six!
I typed it twice because I received both!!!
The EXT Rail fit as planned. If you read my post where I shared how I planned to do the LED Mount you will recall I had to customize the rail system.
I typed it twice because I received both!!!
The EXT Rail fit as planned. If you read my post where I shared how I planned to do the LED Mount you will recall I had to customize the rail system.
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Bottyfish
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I'm already loving these lights and there aren't any livestock yet... ;Hilarious
Though there are many ways to light a reef tank and each method has its pros and cons, I'm sharing my thoughts and why I went with LED.
History...
When I started the hobby I used MHs... Those bulbs were crazy hot and used up tons of electricity. I have a scar on my right hand from accidentally touching one during a water change. Bulbs weren't cheap as well. But the shimmer effect was nice.
I switched over to T5 a few years later after seeing hobbyists on the other side of the world having so much success using lighting that was more efficient. (When I say efficient I mean T5s lose % of light as they age less than MH do, I read somewhere 5-6% compared to 35-40% even though they continue to use up the Watts)
When ATI came out with their blue+, specials and purple+ I spent a lot of time and money trying the different combos to get that perfect look. Bulbs weren't cheap and although didn't use nearly the Watts my MHs did, the bulbs changes added up even though my friends were able to lend me their apogee par meter all the time. Boxing day was stockup on salt and replace bulbs days... ;Wideyed.
LEDs entered the market and I was one of those that wanted to try it out. Forums were flooding with peoples experiences and questions and just the thought of a light that goes 40 000 hours + at 1/4 the watts of my T5 fixture had me sold. But the risk of something new not tried and tested was something I thought about for the price these units were.
After waiting a few months and seeing other hobbyists success I decided to go with Aqua Illumination because I really liked their form factor and materials used. Since I waited a bit AI had released the Vega color so I skipped the SOL era. I loved the LEDs and glad I made the jump.
Now...
This build I knew I was sticking with LEDs and considered Radions. Their software seemed better. I still ended up choosing AI because of the form factor a bit lower cost point. The software wasn't a huge deciding factor. I don't really like the shiny plastic look the Radions have and the mounting solutions were too bulky.
Of course I will repeat myself and say these are my opinions and thoughts. A few of my buddies use Radions and there is no doubt they are good lights. Its like Canon and Nikon... ;Snaphappy
Though there are many ways to light a reef tank and each method has its pros and cons, I'm sharing my thoughts and why I went with LED.
History...
When I started the hobby I used MHs... Those bulbs were crazy hot and used up tons of electricity. I have a scar on my right hand from accidentally touching one during a water change. Bulbs weren't cheap as well. But the shimmer effect was nice.
I switched over to T5 a few years later after seeing hobbyists on the other side of the world having so much success using lighting that was more efficient. (When I say efficient I mean T5s lose % of light as they age less than MH do, I read somewhere 5-6% compared to 35-40% even though they continue to use up the Watts)
When ATI came out with their blue+, specials and purple+ I spent a lot of time and money trying the different combos to get that perfect look. Bulbs weren't cheap and although didn't use nearly the Watts my MHs did, the bulbs changes added up even though my friends were able to lend me their apogee par meter all the time. Boxing day was stockup on salt and replace bulbs days... ;Wideyed.
LEDs entered the market and I was one of those that wanted to try it out. Forums were flooding with peoples experiences and questions and just the thought of a light that goes 40 000 hours + at 1/4 the watts of my T5 fixture had me sold. But the risk of something new not tried and tested was something I thought about for the price these units were.
After waiting a few months and seeing other hobbyists success I decided to go with Aqua Illumination because I really liked their form factor and materials used. Since I waited a bit AI had released the Vega color so I skipped the SOL era. I loved the LEDs and glad I made the jump.
Now...
This build I knew I was sticking with LEDs and considered Radions. Their software seemed better. I still ended up choosing AI because of the form factor a bit lower cost point. The software wasn't a huge deciding factor. I don't really like the shiny plastic look the Radions have and the mounting solutions were too bulky.
Of course I will repeat myself and say these are my opinions and thoughts. A few of my buddies use Radions and there is no doubt they are good lights. Its like Canon and Nikon... ;Snaphappy
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Bottyfish
Active Member
Here is a video of my tank running with skimmer, pump (of course), and the overflow testing.
Before the adjustment of the valve where the main drain pipe leads to the sump...
Not super loud but you can hear a lot of trickling water sounds when you go close to the overflow box... ;Wideyed;Drowning
Before the adjustment of the valve where the main drain pipe leads to the sump...
Not super loud but you can hear a lot of trickling water sounds when you go close to the overflow box... ;Wideyed;Drowning
Last edited:
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Bottyfish
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Here is a video of the overflow adjusted.
The skimmer is still on.
The second drain pipe is running dry. The water level is just below the strainer.
Pretty quiet... you can hear me breathing at the end.
The skimmer is still on.
The second drain pipe is running dry. The water level is just below the strainer.
Pretty quiet... you can hear me breathing at the end.
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