Time for a new start

Just speaking from personal experience, I've never had a problem with my orphek, and I'd pit my PR156+UV against any other LED fixture out there, well, maybe not the new Radion :) , but if I get the new PR156XP, then I'd probably pit it against the radion. If I had the money, I would definitely buy the DIF pendant for that triangular tank, I think theyre awesome.
 
Thanks for the suggestions and guidance. I think for me I would want to make sure I can program the LEDs to simulate sunrise through sunset... along with all sorts of other stuff like moon cycles and the like. I have not done all of the research yet....but this will likely take the pendants out of the picture. Fortunately I have quite a bit of time to do the homework... get suggestions from folks on this board and elsewhere... and come up with a game plan. The time will also allow AI to bring their Phoenix out... I hope for consideration. Stay Tuned!
 
A little update on my tank build. This tank is starting to get EXPENSIVE....

I purchased:

-AquaC EV-180 Skimmer with Mag7 pump
-7" Filter Sock holder....with socks...
-Apex Controller ( I forgot to order the VDM Module.... Another $100)
-VDM Module to control the LEDs
- SolarBlast 15k Dimable Apollo LEDs
- I also ordered rock and a couple of other essentials

Of course... If I were to tell my wife... I spent just a couple hundred $$$s. In reality... Holy Crap... this tank will be totally decked out....but yikes!!!!

Hopefully this weekend all the parts will begin to arrive... and I will have some time to do some installs and mods...along the way. I have been watching the tank for the last few days with the test water in it and have been almost mesmorized by it. I cannot imagine what it will be like when I start adding the different components....

More to come!
 
OK... So I am goint a little nuts waiting for all of the equipment to show up. I am still waiting for stuff from AquaCave.... and I am also waiting for my rock from ReefRocks. Hopefully today!

My Apollo SolarBalst Dimables are shipping today. Joe sent me an email Yesterday saying they will ship today!!! Can't wait! So, I was on Facebook where I have liked ApolloLEDs and today they posted a very nice update. I thought I would share with you.



"Update on dimable PAR readings. Due to the original outrageously high PAr readings in our comparison to AI we decided prior to the final prod run to make some changes to benefit our customers better. We spread the LED out more, we built an entirely new circuit board to do this! We opened the front window of the light even more to accommodate this new spread. The end result was fantastic. While the PAR under the light was reduced, there was way more than needed there anyway, the spread now is fantastic! One Dimable can cover a 30" long tank beautifully with PAR to spare!
Here are our new numbers for our dimable

24″ 370 PAR 29″ 245 PAR 40″ 150 PAR

100 PAR is the industry accepted standard to grow any SPS or clam so that is the number we use to determine the real coverage of the fixture at different depths.

Our 100 PAR radius for our dimable now covers

30 x 28″ at 24″ Depth 32 x 29″ at 30″ Depth 31 x30 at 40″ Depth

Try that with an AI SOL, MaxSpect or Ecotech!"​

OK. So I am very happy with my decision to buy Apollo....particularly with this new coverage and PAR readings. When the lights come in and I get stuff setup.... I will have to have someone stop by with a light meter and check these out!!!!

More to come!
 
Of course... I work out of my home office...and I see the fed ex and UPS trucks drive up and stop...and then go to a neighbors house.... Snap!.... I feel like a kid waiting for Santa to come... Dang there goes the UPS guy driving by again.... They are Taunting Me!!!!!
 
So some stuff showed up today and my excitement is growing! Today I received my new 8 port Linksys Ethernet Switch... so I can Ethernet enable my new Apex Controller. Since I work out of my home office... all existing ports are used up with office equipment.... so... I needed a new set of ports to drive the Apex....and hopefully a webcam at some point.

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The next item that came today was my new SolarBlast 15k dimmable Apollo LEDs. I am really excited about these bad boys. The fixture is really nice and well built. Everything looks and appears first rate. The hanging kit and cords...everything looks great. Unfortunately...there is no documentation with the light. I am hoping that was an oversight. I have contacted Joe to see if there is something he can send me. The other problem is I am waiting for the VDM Module for the Apex that will allow me to control the panel. The thing cannot even be fired up without the controller. So.... until that little piece comes... I get to sit and look at it. Oh well...they say patience is a virtue... right?

Anyway….here are a couple of pictures of the fixture.

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More to come!
 
A webcam? So you can look at your tank when you run out for errands? You're nuts, LOL!! It would be pretty cool, though!!!
 
EricTheRed said:
A webcam? So you can look at your tank when you run out for errands? You're nuts, LOL!! It would be pretty cool, though!!!
Click to expand...

I was thinking of doing the same thing for a while now. You can pull up a visual of your tank while on vacation... nice peice of mind.
 
poidog said:
I was thinking of doing the same thing for a while now. You can pull up a visual of your tank while on vacation... nice peice of mind.
Click to expand...

That would be pretty sweet! I've always thought about doing that for the dogs to see what they do all day while we're gone. I'm sure it would involve a lot of zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......:a34:
 
When I am not traveling.... the camera might catch me doing a little Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz while I am on non-stop all day conference calls.....
 
Man I don't know...2 years ago I went to San Fran for a week and had a total wipeout when I was gone. I wouldn't want to ruin a vacation knowing that my tank exploded and there was nothing I could do about it.

(I'm actually trying to talk myself out of getting one too :) )
 
Yesterday afternoon the Fed Ex guy showed up with two 50 pound boxes of rock from ReefRocks. Though a little late in getting here... the rock is terrific! I also mixed my new water with salt... so from this point on.... the cycle is on...

I woke this morning and had to turn on the old light to see what the rock looks like. I could actually put more rock in.... But I think I am going to leave it at this level. I am still on the fence around substrate. Looking at the tank now... I think it would look so much better with a layer of sand...perhaps a little more coarse sand than the sugar fine I used in the other tank. I also do not like the Koralia pumps. They dont work worth a crap! They spin backwards... and are fairly noisey. So... I am thinking an MP40 would provide enough flow and turbulance. We will see.... It is only money... right? Yes... I know I keep telling myself that....

Well here is the first picture of the rockscape. Let me know what you think! I am sure it will evolve over time.

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Wow, you're right. It sucked up 100lbs but it looks good. Are you going to put a little ph blowing out from the back on the bottom?
 
That tank looks great Great job buffing out all the scratches. Can I make a suggestion for the power head? I hear Sicce Voyager works great with a wave maker.
 
for sand you probably want the Tropic Eden reef flakes. It is the best sand IMO... and the reef flakes seems to be the size you're looking for. It is what I have in my tank and they are perfect. even though I'd prefer a finer substrate these won't blow around and cloud up your water.

PA is the only importer of this sand and it's direct from Tonga.
 
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