Tank build

[Cookie]

Sorry not that many photo's family were taking the piss and the fact i had glue and camera in close proximity roughly 34 metres of wood (38mm by 89mm)
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got to start somewhere
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basic supports in place
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main supports being glue'd n screwed
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all the corner supports in place
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tidy up for bed
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some close ups

[Tangman]

A nice strong stand there m8 what you putting on it as it is sure strong enough and by the time you get the ply screwed on it will certainly stiffen it up. I would only do half depth of the sheet on the back to let the sump breathe, plus it will stop it twisting and when the ends get screwed on it will be really stiff and strong. Twiggy

[Cookie]

Hi Twiggy

Tank is 58" by 24" by 24" once i get pipework sorted :) still got a couple of struts to add, have wood for 6 more :D and yup 20mm ply being done today, needed to measure up (just incase my design was out ;) ) and offering sump up.

Simon

[reefergeek]

Great start buddy good start on the stand, Looking forward to see this one, if you get stuck for any parts pm me sure i can point you in the right direction

kev

[Cookie]

Cheers Refergeek

Got the first of my leds coming in 7-14 days (20w 12k plus driver) so will certainly be harassing you with that ;) can't believe how difficult heatsinks are to aquire lol

Simon

[Cookie]

Sigh of relieve sump tank fitted now off to get ply and board to finish off.
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and front strutts think 2 should be okay :)
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[Cookie]

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marking and cutting for base top
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base in, cat happy!
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back on, gap in far right rear is because phone line comes in there.
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all done for now, as soon as pipe work is done i'll be able to do sides and front fascia, which will be mdf :)

[Cookie]

might have to sort a blind for front door looking at how those pics have come out, camera phone has no flash so pics a tad misleading.

[Cookie]

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The wife wanted some of the lounge back so had to put tank on stand, sticker on bottom of tank says seabray always put tank on polystyrene, here's hoping 12mm thick of the stuff is okay :D

[Tangman]

Yes 12mm is thick enough for the polystyrene some tanks that have floating bases dont use polystyrene as they are built different to ordinary tanks. Fit Filtration tanks have floating bases which is instead of the side panels sat on the base they go around the outside of the base so there is no pressure on the base sheet of glass. Twiggy

[haden]

Looks exactly like mine except yours is 10" longer. Will you be fixing a suppprt to the front?
I knocked a 'loose' one into mine before it was filled, and afterwards it was solid.

It is certainly self satisfying when you make something as good as that yourself.

Dennis

[Cookie]

Hi Dennis,

Your right there i was very chuffed with myself, it's also my first ever bit of woodwork :D excluding ikea type stuff and boxing stuff in to keep swmbo happy.
I have 3 floating supports to go in after i've made sump baffles and sorted pipework, but they are a nice tight fit with tank on, so will be really tight when full of water.

I'm just hoping my looks anywhere near as good as yours by the time i'm done.
Smon

[haden]

Do you not think that 3 floating supports is a bit of overkill? I would have thought that for a tank that size, probably 2 would be enough. That way you could have 3 reasonably sized doors.
Dennis

[Cookie]

I think the whole stand has overkill written all over it :D, but i'm putting a door either side at front and a window/porthole in the middle bit :)

[Cookie]

oooops need to engage brain, i am doing 2 supports lol

Simon

[haden]

I know the feeling. Mine are senior moments and plenty of them.
Dennis

[Cookie]

mine are just moments ;)

[Gal]

looking good m8 keep the pic's coming

[Cookie]

thank you, currently working on pipe work not happy with prices of tank connectors for the size wholes i have, but i've got a plan which i'm hoping to trying out this weekend, golf day saturday so just sunday to play :)

[haden]

Best of being retird, golf each morning through the week and messing with tank afternoons - sorted.

Dennis

[Cookie]

well not got very far today but have cut acrylic for weir
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and have almost managed to get the siliconed glass covering holes off :)

[Tangman]

Hi i think the slits on the weir comb are a bit small as mine are 6mm wide and still block up so i have taken every other tooth out and its about right so you may have to break some off to let the water through. Twiggy PS i like your DIY skills it can save you £s which can be spent on the stock.

[Cookie]

Cheers Twiggy i'm hoping one of my turbos will understand when i tell it to keep there nice n clean :) but just incase i'll have the snips ready :)

[Cookie]

Just a little update, RO running nicely down from 198-271 to 0-1ppm powered up 1 20w 12000k led and 9 3w blues, both look lovely, as you all like pics here's 2

[reefergeek]

Looking good so how many 20 watters will you be using ? Is the silicone on the tank clear ? looks blue maybe because of the blue leds

[Cookie]

Hi ya

yes silicone is clear, currently i have one 20w was going for three but looking at it at the moment i'm thinking two, one above each live rock tower (but scaping is wifes department). There are no blue's running in those pics as i've not got hold of heat sink for them yet, think the reason it looks blue is partly down to tank, as sat here looking at it with no lights it looks blue, the 20w will run for 3-4hours around midday with twelve 3w blues (awaiting driver, can run 7-10 off the driver for 20w 12000k) running 10-10 and twelve 3w 5-7000k whites 11-9 (currently on order with driver) all will be run along side four 39w T5's and as bulb's need replacing shall change to LED strip.

Subject to change without notification ;)
Si

[reefergeek]

I would scrap the t5s the leds have more punch, get four 20w leds and a large heatsink this is the guy i used

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160607019385

[Cookie]

I'm currently waiting on the order so can't change the 3w cree whites, i was going to ask you where you got your sink from, bloke has no items now listing :( and the downside to heatsink via ebay is P&P.

Just over half full now (rolls eyes) have SG @ 1.023 and temp @ 80 same as other tank so removing 15 litres every hour or so and dumping in new tank waiting 5 minutes and reversing procedure into old tank

Si

[reefergeek]

Send the bloke a message he normally sells out but soon gets them back in i got 5 or 6 from him, get the sg to 1026

[Cookie]

will do cheers :)

well everything transfered over, did hit a (hopefully) minor glitch, small leak hoping it's repaired, have a more pressing issue though in that both my blue T5's bulbs came away from there metal end on one side each, so currently only have whites, should i try to get blue led's rushed through/ don'tworry it will only be for 1 maybe 2 weeks tops /or get atleast 1 T5blue.

Thought i'd lost 1 chromis as only netted 2 but a few hours later it popped out from big bit of rock with holes (rock not fish) and 20 minutes ago saw my peppermint.

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It's not as dodgy as pic looks from a wiring point of view now :)

[Cookie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f--7U24CIjc

Almost full :o

[Marine Life Uk]

looking good mate nice start, id say that the rockwork needs more height once the tank is full

[Cookie]

Yup need lots more rock :) i have put smaller bits in sump, and won't be increasing bioload until atleast a month after i've added 25-50kg more LR, tis now all full and cycling through sump though.

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[Cookie]

added couple of bits added from those nice peeps at marinelife uk :)

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2nd pic is a bit dodgy, both were taken with phone camera but 1st is more representative of colour. Will get the 40d out and do some decent ones during the week, unless i blow myself up during the week :D gotta love gas training ;)

[Marine Life Uk]

torch is look good and happy mate, doesnt look to be anything to worry about. Nice big old lump of palys wasnt it.
Good to see oyu and hope to see you again soon, maybe have more time to answer all your questions next time as it got a bit manic today

[Cookie]

twas a steal :D should of come to you guys last though we went shoe shopping after, i'd of had loads to spend then ;)

Cheers
Simon
Ps one shoe = one frag, a pair = 2 frags, a matching pair 3 :D

[Cookie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSz1alAj54M

excuse the dogs tippy tapping

[Marine Life Uk]

Your welcome back anytime just give me a shout so I can make someones there

[Cookie]

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[Marine Life Uk]

nice mix of mushys matey

[Tangman]

You have some nice pieces there cookie you will soon be doing your own frags before long if they grow well. Twiggy

[Cookie]

Cheers Adrian and Twiggy,

The zenia and mushys are growing nicely, the zenia is self fragging i just move it to a spot i fancy some and 2 weeks later i have more :D mushys just keep popping up in various places, early days for the torch :)

Simon

[Cookie]

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taken from the width side :)

[Cookie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Tut4LenFo
12 Blue's on and 10 Whites all Cree 3 watters


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUBMhtBhfxg
12 Blues only

T5's have now gone will add another 10 whites.

Simon

[ray]

wow nice one simon come a long way aint it like your mushrooms to :)

[Mr Tang]

HI There Cookie

How much power do your LED DRIVERS pull ?. As I was looking in this way of lighting but the 30w drivers I was looking at (3w x10) used almost as much power as my
electronic ballasts on my 150 halides !!

[Cookie]

Hi these are my drivers
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-LED-Driver-Power-Supply-12-20-x-3W-LED-100-240V-/220816917972?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369b6c5d4 60w (12-20 by 3W)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36W-LED-Driver-Power-Supply-7-12-x-3W-LED-100-240V-/220816920926?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369b6d15e 36W (7-12 by 3W)

I currently have no means of measuring consumption other than saying 22 Leds by 3 watts is 66watts, light output is similar to my 4 by 39watt T5's although actinic is a much deeper blue, i will definately be putting atleast another 10 3watt whites on and 2 20watt 14000k's for midday light.

Simon

[Mr Tang]

Hi Simon
That's OK but its not the leds which use the power, unfortunately yours don't tell you the in-put (Amps) good or bad make of that what you will !.
But those that do, well some examples 7w=0.1A , 10w=0.25A , 12w=0.3A , 20w=0.45A , 25w=0.6A , 27w=0.5A , 36w=0.6A , 30-50w=0.4A , 80-100w=1.2A , & 100w+Dimmer=2.1A..
So take your Amps X by 230v =Watts.. 12w=0.3A x 230v = 69W. 25w=0.6A x 230v = 138W. & so on. My 150W halides aer using electronic ballasts at 0.7A x 230v = 161W,
so not to bad!. Shows some drivers are better than others, (80-100w=1.2A x 230v = 276W.) NOT GOOD. My self I'd want to know what power there pulling ?
And Just for information, Old magnetic ballast on halides suck loads of power (1.8A = 414W for a 150w Halide).. Regards Bry...

[Cookie]

Mr Tang

I had a feeling you were going to say drivers not leds :) at some stage during the week i'll be popping into maplins for one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/plug-in-mains-power-and-energy-monitor-38343 so hopefully will be able to better answer the question.

Simon

[reefergeek]

Thats if its an 100% efficient psu which i dont think has been made ever, add another 25% to that power rating more a more true reading budd

[reefergeek]

Never ever use halides with mag ballasts far to much to run !! as you have correctly found out

these energy monitors a few quid cheaper
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLUG-ENERGY-MONITOR-SAVING-ELECTRICITY-USAGE-METER-/280735158537?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement _Equipment_ET&hash=item415d1e9109



Hi Simon
That's OK but its not the leds which use the power, unfortunately yours don't tell you the in-put (Amps) good or bad make of that what you will !.
But those that do, well some examples 7w=0.1A , 10w=0.25A , 12w=0.3A , 20w=0.45A , 25w=0.6A , 27w=0.5A , 36w=0.6A , 30-50w=0.4A , 80-100w=1.2A , & 100w+Dimmer=2.1A..
So take your Amps X by 230v =Watts.. 12w=0.3A x 230v = 69W. 25w=0.6A x 230v = 138W. & so on. My 150W halides aer using electronic ballasts at 0.7A x 230v = 161W,
so not to bad!. Shows some drivers are better than others, (80-100w=1.2A x 230v = 276W.) NOT GOOD. My self I'd want to know what power there pulling ?
And Just for information, Old magnetic ballast on halides suck loads of power (1.8A = 414W for a 150w Halide).. Regards Bry...

[Cookie]

Hi folks the 12 3watt blues are pulling 27.7 +-2% yet to try whites.

Simon

[Marine Life Uk]

thats not to bad at all then

[Cookie]

Hi Folks done some tests now here's results and pics

First off 12 by 3watt blue on the 60watt driver capable of 12-20 3watt leds, it had only just been switched on but still showing 30.2watts if i'd left it to run for 10 minutes this would have dropped.
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Next up the 10 by 3watt whites, these are run by a 30watt driver capable of 7-10 3watt leds and again this reading would drop slightlyafter 10 minutes.

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Lastly i ran 1 white T5 tube and 1 blue both 39w on a GLO electronic twin ballast, results below

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Before fitting the leds i ran 4 by 39watt T5's and although i can only say for my eyesight they level of brightness seems similar if not brighter and nothing in the tank is complaining.

Cheers
Simon

Edit to say in each group of pictures first one is wattage, second is ampage

[reefergeek]

cheers for that so thats

12 x 3 w blues and 10 x 3w whites pulling a total of 53 watts and 2 x t5 39w tubes on a glo ballast pull 83 watts no brainer for me budd

i am dreading the pull on my led setup

[Cookie]

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[Marine Life Uk]

Nice looking fish there mate

[Cookie]

thank you, certainly the greedy ones in the tank, fox face comes a close third though doesn't stay still for the camera!

Simon

[Cookie]

refeer me too, wish i could do a light reading because i'm sure the 22 leds are brighter than the 4 t5's and a third of the draw, order in place for a atc1000 and some more white leds 10 for tank and a little strip for sisters tropical tank.

[Cookie]

New purchase, sorry Adrian we were over folkstone way, next trip is to you :)
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[Marine Life Uk]

very nice too mate be aware that your going to have to feed that gorg to keep it alive.

No probs at all mate you know where I am.

How much was it if you dont mind me asking

[Cookie]

Hi Adrian gorg was 17.99 also got a shaving brush algae 3.89 and a couple more hermits, i turn off my return pump every day for 30 minutes or so and put frozen mix in, also every 2-3 days put some liquifry coral snow in aswell and D and D reef paste every couple or so days, do you think it needs to be more targeted.

Ta
Simon
Oh and Nori sheet everyday, greedy fish lol

[Marine Life Uk]

That should be ok tbh but keep an eye on it. It looks like from the picture it has purple poylps. If it has cream then its not the type i was thinking of and will get most of what it needs from the water column and light.
You had a good buy there mate although hard to tell actual size

[Cookie]

Hi Adrian it has white polyps and is circa 12 inches in height 4 to 5 in width, seems happy closed up this morning but fully open when i got back from work :)

[Marine Life Uk]

Are through poylps fine like a fan worm?
See if you can get a pic showing them. Just trying to sort out what gorge you have and if it needs feeding

[Timo]

New purchase, sorry Adrian we were over folkstone way, next trip is to you :)
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There are a few of these in my LFS and one is a corkscrew shape and I nearly bought it for £25 but I didn't because I wasn't sure if my fish would batter it! Do your fish leave it alone?

I have 3 yellow tangs an Asfur Angel and couple of wrasses BTW do you think it would be ok?

[Cookie]

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hope that one is better, they are white, Timo so far it's been left alone was concerned picasso might harrass but recon the death stare i gave him when i put it in worked :D

Oh and Adrian Epo putty i got from you is great :D

[Cookie]

http://youtu.be/-sXIlmEC3KM

New tank vid

[Cookie]

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A little bit more painting left, not my department ;) and then finish LED build :)