JHiestand Posted September 7, 2012 Posted September 7, 2012 On my way home from work today I saw that my LFS was having a "gargae sale" so I pulled in of course and bought this 30gal breeder. I am going to take down my 110 that I am using for a frag tank and put it all into this. 2 150w halides and I'll get 2 36" VHOs. The tank had a hole drilled in bottom right so I got creative with an old overflow box. Current tank New tank I will be using my 29gal tank for the sump still. For now I will shorten the home made stand the 110 is on because this tank is the same width, just shorter. I ordered 2 20ft pieces of 2x2 .063 wall steel tubing to build a nice stand.
Blue Z Reef Posted September 7, 2012 Posted September 7, 2012 Good find, didn't even realize there was a 30b, that is gonna make a great frag tank! (although I was kinda hoping that you would keep the 110 and try cutting it in half for a 110b lol! but this is better)
JHiestand Posted September 7, 2012 Author Posted September 7, 2012 Good find, didn't even realize there was a 30b, that is gonna make a great frag tank! (although I was kinda hoping that you would keep the 110 and try cutting it in half for a 110b lol! but this is better) Yeah i am still thinking about making a "55" breeder lol.
pnkrcklives Posted September 7, 2012 Posted September 7, 2012 For that amount of weight it is fine. But why .063 wall tubing? I use all .120 wall for my stand builds cause the 20 foot sticks are cheaper because .120 wall is way more popular.
JHiestand Posted September 8, 2012 Author Posted September 8, 2012 For that amount of weight it is fine. But why .063 wall tubing? I use all .120 wall for my stand builds cause the 20 foot sticks are cheaper because .120 wall is way more popular. I work in a machine shop and for me the .063 is about $10 cheaper per stick, I got 2 2x2 .063 wall 20ft for $23 each the .120 would have been $31 ea. in all regards that's pennies but like you said for what I am doing it will be fine. By the way a 10ft 2x2 063 is rated at around 700 pounds from what I hear so if everything was braced right you could virtually use it on anything.
JHiestand Posted September 8, 2012 Author Posted September 8, 2012 I pulled the sump from under the 110 tonight to size it up under the 30. Looks like it will be a nice sump. Now I just need to order some acrylic and get the baffles made. The wife tonight was measuring out places in the house for this one because she thinks it's a cute little tank. So out of the garage it comes.
JHiestand Posted September 10, 2012 Author Posted September 10, 2012 Need a little help with lighting question and update. Got the plumbing done yesterday with all scrap pieces that I had, all I had to buy was a ball vlave for the return. Picked up some acrylic for the baffles, just going to have inlet, skimmer and return section. I don't think I need a fuge for a frag tank. Or do I?? Got 1 set of baffles in also, I will do the other 2 pieces today then get this sucker going. I will have 2 150 halides over it. Trying to determine if I used a 20,000k bulb if I could not use actinics?? What is a good bulb temp for frags and are actinics absolutely neccesary? Thanks for any input. A buddy gave me a free 40b with a wood stand, so I am just going to use this stand.
Derbird Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 You don't need actinic lighting to have corals grow. Think about in nature they have the sun, which if I remember right is around 6500 K, we use actinics because we like them and it makes the colors pop. I honestly don't think the coral cares one way or the other. On a side note why 2-150 watts. If its the standard 36 x 18 one should be just fine I would think. Or even some nice par 30 or par 56 bulbs would be sweet
JHiestand Posted September 11, 2012 Author Posted September 11, 2012 You don't need actinic lighting to have corals grow. Think about in nature they have the sun, which if I remember right is around 6500 K, we use actinics because we like them and it makes the colors pop. I honestly don't think the coral cares one way or the other. On a side note why 2-150 watts. If its the standard 36 x 18 one should be just fine I would think. Or even some nice par 30 or par 56 bulbs would be sweet I was thinking 2 150s just because I already have them and it is a dual ballast. I thought I read somewhere that they need the 420nm color spec for certain growth? Maybe I am wrong. Anyone else have any info? Thanks
Blue Z Reef Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 I was thinking 2 150s just because I already have them and it is a dual ballast. I thought I read somewhere that they need the 420nm color spec for certain growth? Maybe I am wrong. Anyone else have any info? Thanks I know lighting color changes corals corals, but growth should be the same without actinic. As Debrid said, actinic makes them pop and look better than they probably would in nature, but doesn't translate to more growth.
JHiestand Posted September 11, 2012 Author Posted September 11, 2012 Maybe a few supplemental blue leds or something just for the color then??
JHiestand Posted September 11, 2012 Author Posted September 11, 2012 So will 2 150's be too much, or is it just not really needed? I don't mind the power, it runs me about $4 a month to run 2.
Blue Z Reef Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 So will 2 150's be too much' date=' or is it just not really needed? I don't mind the power, it runs me about $4 a month to run 2.[/quote'] depends if you want to grow things edge to edge at full lighting power. Most people like having the SPS and higher light corals in the middle and lower light corals on the sides with a single bulb. I suppose it depends on what you want in your frag tank. I think 1 150w and 2 Par30/38 LED's would be cool. Or possibly 1 150w and some 36" T5's
Blue Z Reef Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Maybe even some cheap par38's like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/12X1W-4pcs-Cold-White-8pcs-Royal-Blue-Par38-12W-LED-Light-Lamp-Bulb-for-Aquarium-/110946533689?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d4edc139
JHiestand Posted September 12, 2012 Author Posted September 12, 2012 depends if you want to grow things edge to edge at full lighting power. Most people like having the SPS and higher light corals in the middle and lower light corals on the sides with a single bulb. I suppose it depends on what you want in your frag tank. I think 1 150w and 2 Par30/38 LED's would be cool. Or possibly 1 150w and some 36" T5's I was just trying to use what I have. This is a low-no budget build. So far I have $60 into and it is now done for the most part. I just set it all up last night.
JHiestand Posted September 12, 2012 Author Posted September 12, 2012 Running now Here is the sump, I was going to use a skimmer but the water level isn't high enough so I made a live rock chamber for pods and such. And all the frags in.... Only had 30min of light before I took the pictures, I'll take better one later today after they get some good light. i used a single 150 I had laying around that has a 20,000k Radium in it. I have to say I really like the look of the colors now. Here is my sixline and the cleaner shrimp, that is all that is in there beside 1 blue linkia star and 1 hermit crab I found in the other tank. I would say that in about a month or so I will be ready to start selling some of this. I will get pictures of it all then and figure out what it all is. I bought all the coral from a guy getting out of the hobby so I am not totally sure what I have, besides a few majanos I saw...(scratch)
Derbird Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Did you let that tank cycle? If not be sure to watch your parameters carfully and have some water ready for changes.
JHiestand Posted September 12, 2012 Author Posted September 12, 2012 Did you let that tank cycle? If not be sure to watch your parameters carfully and have some water ready for changes. Everything was in a 110, just moved to smaller tank. I used all the same rock, coral, fish and water. Nothing out of water longer than a few minutes.
Derbird Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Everything was in a 110' date=' just moved to smaller tank. I used all the same rock, coral, fish and water. Nothing out of water longer than a few minutes.[/quote'] You still may get a mini cycle. Just a heads up
JHiestand Posted September 13, 2012 Author Posted September 13, 2012 So far no sort of cycle. The only thing I see is the water isn't really clear like it normally is. Might need to throw in a few carbon packs.
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