Dawn On The Reef
- Thread starter BigC
- Start date
AndyS
Fish Fanatic
They are T5's. And yes, mine get super hot even with 2 fans, i have to use a room fan on hot days.
I know about the heat issue even with one 55w unit on a freshwater setup. There is a fan unit which has 4 fans in a specialist block anyone using these. http
/www.stm-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Whats_New.html
PC's or T5's, you know what I'm on about.
Thanks for the input guys
Regards
BigC
/www.stm-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Whats_New.htmlPC's or T5's, you know what I'm on about.
Thanks for the input guys
Regards
BigC
I cut the coverglasses today at work, 4mm Float, I rounded the checkouts for the incomming/outgoing pipework and wiring and milled 2x28mm finger holes with rubber grommets inserted. (see pic)
Onward to the next task. I must confess I'm still worried about the heat that's going to be generated from the lighting. (thinking cap on)
Regards
BigC
Onward to the next task. I must confess I'm still worried about the heat that's going to be generated from the lighting. (thinking cap on)
Regards
BigC
The fans will help a lot. Are you going open-top or with a canopy?
If we want to get technical they're T5 Power Compacts, commonly referred to as PC's amongst hobbiests
Colin, a few thoughts. I assume that because you're a UK resident, your tank has a plain glass bottom (not tempered). If this is the case i'd definitely reccomend using the egg crate to deflect the weight of the rocks off the glass. Non tempered glass is very vulnerable to pinpoint-stresses from rocks and if the glass is not supported from underneath with foam, or from inside with egg crate it can crack longterm.
As for the lights, TBH I'd switch to a polished aluminum reflector designed for PC lights. White works, but polished alum is much better. And a good 50% of the actual light delivered to the corals is a function of the efficiency (or lack their of) of its reflector.
And finally for the heat, use the 4-fan one and if possible point them towards your water surface... Increasing evap will help here
Colin, a few thoughts. I assume that because you're a UK resident, your tank has a plain glass bottom (not tempered). If this is the case i'd definitely reccomend using the egg crate to deflect the weight of the rocks off the glass. Non tempered glass is very vulnerable to pinpoint-stresses from rocks and if the glass is not supported from underneath with foam, or from inside with egg crate it can crack longterm.
As for the lights, TBH I'd switch to a polished aluminum reflector designed for PC lights. White works, but polished alum is much better. And a good 50% of the actual light delivered to the corals is a function of the efficiency (or lack their of) of its reflector.
And finally for the heat, use the 4-fan one and if possible point them towards your water surface... Increasing evap will help here
Many thanks again Fletch.
I have polystyrene ceiling tiles under the tank but could put eggcrate inside there as well.
The trouble with the reflectors over here is that there isn't any available for that type of tube, I did some research stateside and you have nice gull wing reflectors for those tubes. I understand you point about polished alu.though.
The four fan unit looks a good bet as soon as I get the dimensions back from the supplier.
Regards
BigC
I have polystyrene ceiling tiles under the tank but could put eggcrate inside there as well.
The trouble with the reflectors over here is that there isn't any available for that type of tube, I did some research stateside and you have nice gull wing reflectors for those tubes. I understand you point about polished alu.though.
The four fan unit looks a good bet as soon as I get the dimensions back from the supplier.
Regards
BigC
That stinks on the reflectors, especially when they're so important to the effectiveness of lighting. Might be worth an ask around for anyone on the forum that has an older PC fixture that's bit the dust and see if you can bother them to cannibalize the reflectors
Good call Fletch,
Yeah I cannot understand the reason why Interpet dont distribute proper reflectors for the tubes they sell. Another bummer was when they first appeared over here they didn't even have the metal clips for to hold the lighting in place.
Anyway we'll see what happens.
Regards
BigC
Yeah I cannot understand the reason why Interpet dont distribute proper reflectors for the tubes they sell. Another bummer was when they first appeared over here they didn't even have the metal clips for to hold the lighting in place.
Anyway we'll see what happens.
Regards
BigC
Well I have just finished the wiring/spaghetti. I've managed to keep it as tidy as humanly possible. About time some bright spark invented something to get rid of the miles of cable we use.
Anyway heres the pic.
The Eheim 2217 external filter will be used primarily for water circulation and the only contents within it will be two circular filter pads sandwiching a micron bag of Rowaphos for phosphate removal. Just need a small plastic cat litter tray for under the filter to catch any seepage at maintenance intervals.
Now lets see what else I can spend more money on If only she knew how much!!!! LOL
Regards
BigC
Anyway heres the pic.
The Eheim 2217 external filter will be used primarily for water circulation and the only contents within it will be two circular filter pads sandwiching a micron bag of Rowaphos for phosphate removal. Just need a small plastic cat litter tray for under the filter to catch any seepage at maintenance intervals.
Now lets see what else I can spend more money on
If only she knew how much!!!! LOLRegards
BigC
shibby
Fish Herder
looking good bigC ! alot more organised and neater then mine thats fo'sure!!
littleme1969
Fish Herder
Yup.. I'd put you in the neat freak cat mate
LOL I bet you make a great hubby
LOL I bet you make a great hubby
AndyS
Fish Fanatic
Ahh, good ol Argos timers, thats what i use! 
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