560g reef build (800g system)

SB Reef Lights · Sep 18, 2015

Got the lights up finally. 6 are on the reef keeper already from the 265g. Converting the rest this weekend so the RKE will dim and change spectrum.

12 BlackBoxes. Going to replace all 12 with my private label lights in about a month.

Made the lighting rack by cutting a fiberglass ladder apart, ripping the legs in half. Makes strong, light sports.

And black paint

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Added lights and managed cables.

SB Reef Lights · Sep 21, 2015

Got all 12 lights tapped into the Reef Keeper Archon for dimming and spectrum. Should hold me over for a month or so, until I get my private label lights

Looked so full in the 265g, sooo empty in the 560g. Need more corals. And time to grow them out.

Justiful · Sep 21, 2015

Wow. WOW. Very artistic sump and build. Colored acrylic and tubing, wires, was a nice touch. VERY cool. Would look great in a sci-fi movie. amazing job.

Big Larr · Sep 21, 2015

Nice man looking awesome

Dtackett · Sep 21, 2015

Mike, I need a "test" set of your lights... ill review them on RS if you let me keep them lol but seriously whats the price looking like on your lights? and your tank is really coming along

happyhourhero · Sep 22, 2015

Great to see it up Mike! Can't wait to see it in person!

Purple Platapus · Sep 22, 2015

Looks awesome, Mike! Keep it up! Keep taking more pictures! Tell us how the corals are and how your new lights turn out. Can't wait to see what your new brand looks like.

SB Reef Lights · Sep 25, 2015

Skimmers dialed in, everything running smoothly. Time to buy more corals.

SB Reef Lights · Sep 25, 2015

Last thing to do this weekend is cable management. Got ReefKeeper? Everything up and running. Got 2 more ALC modules and 1 PC4 to squeeze in. Mock up in wood for now until I'm happy. Then black acrylic with a neon green door.

Angel Alcay · Sep 26, 2015

**** boxes hhahaha there's a new work in my Dictionary. Beautiful set up tho

markalan · Sep 26, 2015

Great build, are you going to make the black acrylic with a neon green door?

imustbenuts · Sep 26, 2015

Nice build!
Have you used the DCT12000 Jebao before? Considering Jebao on my tank. What has your experience been with them? I have the WP25 wave pumps and have been very happy with them.

SB Reef Lights · Sep 26, 2015

imustbenuts, I had a DC12000 on my 265g for about 18 months. Loved it. Went with 2 DCT12000s. So far they are working perfect.

One issue folks have with them though is the soft start. Since it has a soft start and an overload protection feature, if there is too much sludge on the magnet, or even calcium scale, it will not restart after hitting the feed button. You have to clean the pump every 3 to 4 months. Real easy to do, just run it in a bucket of vinegar for 15 minutes.

imustbenuts · Sep 26, 2015

SB Reef Lights said:
imustbenuts, I had a DC12000 on my 265g for about 18 months. Loved it. Went with 2 DCT12000s. So far they are working perfect.

One issue folks have with them though is the soft start. Since it has a soft start and an overload protection feature, if there is too much sludge on the magnet, or even calcium scale, it will not restart after hitting the feed button. You have to clean the pump every 3 to 4 months. Real easy to do, just run it in a bucket of vinegar for 15 minutes.

Thanks for the reply! I know many are not fond of using inexpensive Chinese made products but I like the wave pumps so I would consider their return. Glad to hear your thoughts on them.

SB Reef Lights · Oct 2, 2015

Time for some cable management behind the sumps. Then touch up the paint on the plywood bottom, it's not dark enough and looks dusty. I have an acrylic Skimate Locker coming to replace the DIY unit dead center. It has worked for almost 2 years flawlessly, but it used to be behind the old tank.