Borgie's 120 upgrade

[borgie]

So just purchased a 120 fat boy 48x24x24 pre drilled with plumbing from my lfs and should be here this weekend! I went ahead and started the stand build and organized my livestock I currently have a maxspect razor 160w 16k and don't like this light at all. I have a chance to pick up a 8 bulb tek t5ho for 125 with only two switches that turn the 4 outer and 4 inner off, I can get a 6 bulb tek fixture and has 3 switches to control 2 bulbs a piece I need help deciding what one?! Going to have alot of sps LPS and zoas in this tank. Was looking at the ai hydra 26 but don't want to really spend more then I already am lol. Anyways some stand pics enjoy!

 

[borgie]

Pics

 

[Fish76]

Let the build begin!! But where's the stand pics? I'm not seeing it....

Edit: Nevermind, guess we were posting at the same time, ha! Nice job!

 

[borgie]

Here is my new nem too

 

[borgie]

Haha thanks! Just need to figure out the lighting. Will be finishing the stand somewhat just so I can gt cycle done going to skin it later. Picking up the tank Monday hoping to be wet Friday!

 

[Dextereef]

I have this exact tank and run a 6-bulb T5 aquaticlife fixture. It has two channel control. I am getting good growth with ATI bulbs and good coloration but If I had to do it over I would go with an 8-bulb. It will just allow you to really pump out the par for the SPS. Like I said, doing just fine with the 6-bulb but an 8-bulb would be the prime choice if you can afford to get it. I am growing SPS all over the upper depths, zoas/palys at all depths in the tank and lps all over the place (euphyllias in the middle/bottom, Lobos, Trachys, Scolys, Wilsonis, Duncans, and Acans on the sand bed. Chalices, blastos, cyphastreas, and favias need a bit of shade or lowers depths under the 6-bulb.

Bulbs: 4-Blue Plus
1-Coral Plus
1-Purple Plus

 

[borgie]

Awesome I will go with the 8 bulb then! Just need to figure out what bulbs to go and what order, this comes with the legs don't know if should use these or hang it also what I should do for a light schedule

 

[Rhino]

Great start on the stand. I agree, do the 8 bulb.

 

[borgie]

Thanks going to start the shelves and electrical part tonight!

 

[Dextereef]

Awesome I will go with the 8 bulb then! Just need to figure out what bulbs to go and what order, this comes with the legs don't know if should use these or hang it also what I should do for a light schedule

MY 6-bulb is just using the legs, but with an 8-bulb I would look to hang it a bit higher off the water. You're looking at 108 more watts with the 8-bulb and with the legs you will be about 6-8 inches off the water if I remember correctly. You could use the legs just start stuff low and move up gradually.

For the light schedule, this is what works for me. You might have success with a different strategy but this has worked for me. I have the 1st channel(2 blues) come on for 2 hour sunrise, then all bulbs for 4 hour peak sun, then 2 blues for 2 hour sunset and then moonlights after that. 8 hr total photoperiod and Im getting great growth. I was doing 12 hr photoperiod and it was just too much for the corals. The ATI bulbs are pretty powerful and shouldnt be underestimated. I have accidentally burned several SPS colonies when I put in fresh bulbs. I shorten the peak by an hour when I put in new bulbs for a couple days to acclimate.

 

[borgie]

Just a few pics of the 40 breeder

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Awesome pics :bigsmile:

 

[borgie]

Thanks!

 

[borgie]

Sticks and stuff

 

[borgie]

More

 

[borgie]

Light

 

[danangelo]

Looks good keep update coming

 

[borgie]

Thanks I most certainly will!

 

[borgie]

So here is just a little update just waiting for some parts to arrive to get things rolling! stay tuned as far as refugium goes im making a new 40 breeder into my sump, im going to have it drain into a 7 inch sock also where my skimmer will be then 3 baffles, return, and the refugium will be on the right side with a waterlevel higher then the skimmer area to maximize the refugium

 

[borgie]

Few more excuse the mess