Cpllongjk's RedSea Reefer 170

[cameronh]

Awesome man!

 

[cpllongjk]

Awesome man!

Thanks!

 

[cpllongjk]

I decided to send in a triton test just to verify that my test kits are accurate.

Turns out my magnesium test kits (expired redsea kit and new elos kit) are both reading at 1200 when my magnesium from triton reads 1283.

My calcium test kits (expired red sea and new elos) are reading 440 and 460 while triton says 506.

While it seems my test kits are reading a tad lower than true value everything is doing ok. However, I will be sending triton bi-yearly samples just to verify my test kits and to make sure I have no contamination. I plan on going to a water changeless system so I just want to verify that no build up of contaminants occurs.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

This reefer looks really good. How are you liking the Deltec 1351? and also how are you liking the Spectra?

 

[cpllongjk]

This reefer looks really good. How are you liking the Deltec 1351? and also how are you liking the Spectra?

Thanks.

The 1351 has been great for my tank. I have a heavy bioload and feed a lot and it has kept nutrients in line. The only bad thing I have to say is that the Venturi gets clogged every 2 months or so. I now take it out and clean it monthly with vinegar and warm water. Not a big deal just was a shocker since I've never had one clog so fast before. The skimmer is a tad oversized and because of this after the first week or two the scum collects in the neck opposed to the cup. It still skims though and very well!

I "downgraded" if you would call it that to a 4 bulb ati hybrid. The spectra was cooking my tank and bleaching my corals. I couldn't hang higher than 12" without blinding viewers so that was partly to blame. Also I didn't like my viewing period due to the higher intensity. I was only getting 4-6 hours of peak viewing where I get 8-10 hours now.

Hope this helps.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Yes it does thank you you very much that helps me out in a great deal very very much. Thank I never would of thought of that with the Spectra light . How are you liking the ATI hybrid 4bulb? Or how is it treating you, that's another light I am considering as well ..

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Sorry another question how high did you have the Spectra above your aquarium ? Like 8 inches .?

 

[cpllongjk]

Yes it does thank you you very much that helps me out in a great deal very very much. Thank I never would of thought of that with the Spectra light . How are you liking the ATI hybrid 4bulb? Or how is it treating you, that's another light I am considering as well ..

I would say the 24" Spectra is perfect on a 93g cube or a 30x30x20"+ tank dimensions. I love the spectra but it is too much light for my tank.

The hybrid is perfect for the reefer 170. I really didn't know if the light the hybrid gave off would be enough that's why I held on to spectra to be sure. I still have the spectra and will be selling it as soon as someone meets my price. I'm not in a rush. I really love the 2 blue+ 2 coral+ combo and love how my hyrbid can fill in any color I want with the LEDs. The idea is that the t5s do the majority of the lighting to get the corals to grow where the LEDs allow you to shift your color spectrum to your viewing pleasure.

If you get a reefer 170 be sure to go with the 4 bulb ati hybrid, itll be worth it and you'll be happy. If I had a slightly larger tank like a 50g cube (24x24x20) I would have gone with the 8 bulb hybrid. However, the 24x24 footprint does not need an 8 bulb light it really needs a 6 bulb, but ati doesn't have a 6 bulb hybrid for sale yet. I saw one in an Interzoo video but haven't seen one for sale.

 

[cpllongjk]

Sorry another question how high did you have the Spectra above your aquarium ? Like 8 inches .?

When I had the spectra above my tank I had it from 8" all the way up to 14". I got a lot of flaq for the 14" above tank though so I had to put it back down to 12". My wife and anyone watching TV in our den was getting blinded by the spectra. I had to build a shield to reduce the spillage and no matter what I did it was bad.

The ati hybrid doesn't have that issue, since it is a smaller light, and I can remove the shield if I wish and still not blind viewers.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Ok then , I kinda have the same issue with my MH fixture as well. Thank you very much all that information is good to know . Your not the only one my wife is not a huge fan of my MH as well . But thank you Cpllongik.

 

[cpllongjk]

Ok then , I kinda have the same issue with my MH fixture as well. Thank you very much all that information is good to know . Your not the only one my wife is not a huge fan of my MH as well . But thank you Cpllongik.

Oh and as an added bonus I don't have any issues with heat now. My Spectra was heating my tank up to 83+ unless I turned the house AC down to 75ish. This was even with a fan blowing air across the top to help with cooling. With the hybrid I have no cooling issues at all. My tank is constant and the fan doesn't come on nearly as much. I can also leave the house AC at 78 ish without worry.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

The tank I have is a 30x18x18inch so it's just at about 40g .. so I was looking at the Spectra to make up for the spread in length due to my tank is longer then 24in . I am really even thinking a 93g cube might be my up grade or a 4ft 120g where the Spectra may be a good light for those tanks as well. So that's why I was looking at them. I am also considering the Giesemann Matrixx II 4bulb T5 light as well for my tank .. I have considered the ATI hybrid 4 bulb as well ..for this same tank.

 

[cpllongjk]

The tank I have is a 30x18x18inch so it's just at about 40g .. so I was looking at the Spectra to make up for the spread in length due to my tank is longer then 24in . I am really even thinking a 93g cube might be my up grade or a 4ft 120g where the Spectra may be a good light for those tanks as well. So that's why I was looking at them. I am also considering the Giesemann Matrixx II 4bulb T5 light as well for my tank .. I have considered the ATI hybrid 4 bulb as well ..for this same tank.

If I had the room I would go with a 93g cube. The overall dimensions of those tanks are amazing. The 4ft tanks are nice but I always miss having front to back room. On every tank I've ever made I always regret not going with a wider tank. Keep in mind that you don't want any rocks within 2-3" of all walls so you can have plenty of flow. That makes the prime area for corals, unless you do a rock wall, on a 93cube go from 30x30 to 24x24.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Ok then that's good to know thank you very much , for that input. With the tank size I have now what light would you recommend for my tank , spectra , Matrixx , or ATI Hybrid ?

 

[cpllongjk]

Ok then that's good to know thank you very much , for that input. With the tank size I have now what light would you recommend for my tank , spectra , Matrixx , or ATI Hybrid ?

If I had to pick it would be the 4 bulb hybrid or 6 bulb sunpower with reefbrite strips. But honestly by the time you add reefbrites you should've just bought the hybrid.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Very good to know thank you on all this input on my tank it really means a lot that you are willing to take the time to talk to me about this. Would you do the dimmable sun power or would you do the basic sun power? I have even considered the 8 lamp hybrid , just due to the fact that everything is dimmable on it. Makes me still consider it, as well its a light that would last me awhile , even more so if I go up to 93G cube as a upgrade.

 

[cpllongjk]

Very good to know thank you on all this input on my tank it really means a lot that you are willing to take the time to talk to me about this. Would you do the dimmable sun power or would you do the basic sun power? I have even considered the 8 lamp hybrid , just due to the fact that everything is dimmable on it. Makes me still consider it, as well its a light that would last me awhile , even more so if I go up to 93G cube as a upgrade.

It's no problem!

If you go with sunpower go regular one. I don't dim my t5s because it reduces lifespan of bulbs and it's not needed. Another thing to consider with the 4 bulb is t5 channels. The 4 bulb has a front and back channel. You would have to rewire to get inner bulbs and outer bulbs on different channels. On the 8 bulb inner and outer channels are standard.

If you plan on upgrading in 1-3 years get the 8 bulb it'll be worth it.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Thanks so much cpllongjk , I think that is a fair amount of time to upgrade the 1-3yr time frame. I know that the non dim are a lot cheaper so that's a plus on that note. I look into the reef brite option as well, but I see what you mean , where I should or if I can invest into a Hybrid. Shoot that was my original plan on my light was a ATI hybrid , I think they are very sexy lights. Do you have any pictures of the fixture on your tank, to see how the 4 bulb looks like over your tank?

 

[cpllongjk]

Thanks so much cpllongjk , I think that is a fair amount of time to upgrade the 1-3yr time frame. I know that the non dim are a lot cheaper so that's a plus on that note. I look into the reef brite option as well, but I see what you mean , where I should or if I can invest into a Hybrid. Shoot that was my original plan on my light was a ATI hybrid , I think they are very sexy lights. Do you have any pictures of the fixture on your tank, to see how the 4 bulb looks like over your tank?

I will post one for you tomorrow evening after work.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Alright sounds good cpllongjk , THANK YOU AGAIN for all the help.. on this subject of lighting.