Nano No More!

[Bronc]

Looks perfect!

 

[DracoKat]

@Bronc , thank you, and thank you for following my thread, gives me reason to keep posting

 

[DracoKat]

It's been a long time since I've posted here.

I've enlisted my dad's help to help me build a floating canopy to house my new lights (2 Mars Aqua 165W). The T5 fixture I had was hit with a surge during an electrical storm- I could not fix it and it gave me an opportunity to try LEDs.

We built the canopy from scratch, it was a fun and simple project and took us maybe about 5 hours from start to completion (and an hour at Lowes to figure out the best way to hang the lights)

Presently the lights are 12" from the surface. I am getting pretty good light spread, though I may raise it up another 2 inches.

The inside pre-painted. The long piece of wood is about quarter of an inch from the top to allow room for the wires of the light to hang from. Holes are for extra ventilation from the top

The top view- my dad took extra care to smooth the edges and used wood plastic to seal the corners to make itgap-free and smooth as possible.

 

[LBReefer]

The canopy looks great. How did you attach it to the wall?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It's been a long time since I've posted here.

I've enlisted my dad's help to help me build a floating canopy to house my new lights (2 Mars Aqua 165W). The T5 fixture I had was hit with a surge during an electrical storm- I could not fix it and it gave me an opportunity to try LEDs.

We built the canopy from scratch, it was a fun and simple project and took us maybe about 5 hours from start to completion (and an hour at Lowes to figure out the best way to hang the lights)

Presently the lights are 12" from the surface. I am getting pretty good light spread, though I may raise it up another 2 inches.

The inside pre-painted. The long piece of wood is about quarter of an inch from the top to allow room for the wires of the light to hang from. Holes are for extra ventilation from the top

The top view- my dad took extra care to smooth the edges and used wood plastic to seal the corners to make itgap-free and smooth as possible.

Nice!

 

[DracoKat]

The canopy looks great. How did you attach it to the wall?

lots of long screws into the studs. we made the canopy light as we can get it.. I wish we weighed it. Compared to the pressed particle board canopy I had, this is half the weight.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Did you get rid of your sBar when you upgraded too?

 

[DracoKat]

Did you get rid of your sBar when you upgraded too?

No, I kept it. It's a bit of extra light and gives more blue than the aqua mars themselves. I think it does help.

 

[ReeferReefer]

No, I kept it. It's a bit of extra light and gives more blue than the aqua mars themselves. I think it does help.

So would you recommend the product then? I am about to pick one up second hand for supplemental lighting on my 6 bulb Tek t5 fixture. I noticed your old set up is similar.

Did you get any shimmer from the leds with the T5s on? Or does it mostly just add pop?

 

[DracoKat]

So would you recommend the product then? I am about to pick one up second hand for supplemental lighting on my 6 bulb Tek t5 fixture. I noticed your old set up is similar.

Did you get any shimmer from the leds with the T5s on? Or does it mostly just add pop?

I'd say go for it! There was no shimmer with the Sbar- the T5s overpowered the bar. It mostly added the pop of color, I see the difference with and without the bar (T5s and current LEDs)

 

[ReeferReefer]

I'd say go for it! There was no shimmer with the Sbar- the T5s overpowered the bar. It mostly added the pop of color, I see the difference with and without the bar (T5s and current LEDs)

Thanks for the reply. I'll pick it up for sure. For some reason there just isn't a ton of info online about these lights in particular. Should be a good way to add some par either way. I really appreciate your reply!

While we are on the note of lighting, how do you like your new LED set up? I have been considering replacing my T5 setup with some black box leds like you have.

Would you do the upgrade again if your T5s didn't get fried?

 

[DracoKat]

Thanks for the reply. I'll pick it up for sure. For some reason there just isn't a ton of info online about these lights in particular. Should be a good way to add some par either way. I really appreciate your reply!

While we are on the note of lighting, how do you like your new LED set up? I have been considering replacing my T5 setup with some black box leds like you have.

Would you do the upgrade again if your T5s didn't get fried?

The corals has significantly grown and colored since I've added the Mars Aquas. They seem to really like it, especially the SPS and Acros, I was worried it wouldn't like it.

I like how I don't have to worry about changing bulbs anymore.

and yes, I'd change to LEDs even if my T5 fixture didn't die on me. I had been considering for a long time and when it died, it gave me the excuse to bite the bullet

 

[ReeferReefer]

The corals has significantly grown and colored since I've added the Mars Aquas. They seem to really like it, especially the SPS and Acros, I was worried it wouldn't like it.

I like how I don't have to worry about changing bulbs anymore.

and yes, I'd change to LEDs even if my T5 fixture didn't die on me. I had been considering for a long time and when it died, it gave me the excuse to bite the bullet

Great info! I was just replacing my bulbs (about $120) and thought that LEDs in the long run might save some cash. Good to know you are getting great results, even with a budget fixture.

Maybe I will upgrade to the ReefBreeders or SBReefLights I have been looking at, well once these bulbs are done lol.

 

[DracoKat]

Great info! I was just replacing my bulbs (about $120) and thought that LEDs in the long run might save some cash. Good to know you are getting great results, even with a budget fixture.

Maybe I will upgrade to the ReefBreeders or SBReefLights I have been looking at, well once these bulbs are done lol.

I am quite pleased with the LEDs considering they are budget fixtures. I honestly did not find a huge difference between more expensive LEDs vs the low-end chinese boxes to justify the costs. I spent days researching!

 

[ReeferReefer]

Well I am glad you are getting good results. I am looking forward to future updates and I will be following along.

 

[noobreefer2]

Do you have an update? It looks great!

 

[DracoKat]

Do you have an update? It looks great!

Thank you! I didn’t realize it’s been about 2 years since I last posted on this thread.

I haven’t really touched the tank much, I’ve been letting it do it’s own thing. Here’s a pic I snapped a few days ago. I’m torn if I want to trim back that pink softie (I forgot what it’s called if someone can tell me) or let it grow. My fish loves to hide in there which makes me not want to trim

 

[DracoKat]

A clearer pic

 

[count krunk]

frag that beast! I would take a piece if we were much much much closer.

 

[DracoKat]

Lets see..

Since the last update, all my SPS died, including that beautiful red monti. Since I haven't really been keeping up, I'm not sure what happened but when I tested months later, the Phosphate was up and I bet it was that. Did a hefty water change since then.

Decided to do softies to change it up, maybe one day I'll add a cheap SPS to see how it does, but right now my Phosphate is high and I'm working on getting it down and getting rid of turf algae. I'll post a pic soon

All fish is doing well! My female clown is rapidly approaching 7 years old, and she's been slowing down.
Phantom Clown, Flame Hawk, Bristletooth Tang, Starry Blenny and Foxface just hit their 5 years with me. I love these guys

My Rock Boring urchin is also approaching 7 years!

Current fish list:
2 clownfish
Flame Hawkfish
Starry Blenny
Magnificant Foxface
Red Coris Wrasse
2 PJ Cardinals
Black Clown Goby (moved from 20g tank)
fully grown Engineer Goby
Bristletooth Tang