KevinB

Each one makes 2400 lumens max, and draws up to 120w. The bright spot you see is just my phone freaking out...it doesn't actually exist in real life

Lol @ derrick...if only! Mike they are for color washes on walls, etc

Red green blue and amber, DMX color mixing. Retail price is $1200 per module.

Any luck catching the creature?

Me too please! I'd love one. If you have any left over

Oh yeah, pods are blind to red light, I would observe the tank at night and check on the trap with a red flashlight

Did you make a bottle trap with an inverted top?

Dude I don't know, I'm not sure about how strong a bite a wrasse has, but when I killed them I cut their heads off with a butter knife and those things are HARD. Actually maybe it's an urban legend, but I've read mention of them killing a fish that ate it whole. Ugh.

I caught two in my tank before I added any fish. Both I noticed when they were zipping around at night. I netted both but it wasn't easy. I killed them with great satisfaction.

They slowly drain a fish over a period of time. I would net it and manually remove it by sliding something thin like a credit card under the isopod to get it to detach. I would definately do it tonight, you want to have the smallest chance possible that it lays eggs in there if it hasn't already. They usually only feed at night and let go before daylight, so this could have been going on for a while. I would also set out a baited bottle trap tonight.

FYI, looks like a cirolanid isopod to be specific. Here's info: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/bp/index.php

It's a nasty booger that comes out mostly at night to attach to fish and feed. You should be able to trap it with bait and a bottle. They are very fast swimmers Did you add rock recently? Usually that's how it would come in. If you didn't add rock, then you may have more in there.

It's an isopod (parasitic)

Update! Update!

I'd go for it, but the timing's not right $$$ wise...good looking rock

Not sure of the height yet, I'm probably going with a retractable pendant style using grow yo-yos, so any height really. I'll probably test it with no cover and add frosted plexi if necessary. If not I'll go with clear

Thanks Tim, the aluminum is coming from my own stock, and is 1/8" tube that I will have cut in half.

Ok so I went back and looked at the RapidLED prices, and it's only going to be $30 more for the Cree setup...I know they are better LEDs, but after hearing what the guy on nano-reef experienced, maybe it's not worth it. I'm still very concerned about spotlighting, however...If I go with the cree kit, I will be able to afford around 42 LEDs (right around $300 with drivers). Now we are talking about a lot less number of LEDs, but they are brighter. Here's hoping my plexi and running with no lenses will diffuse it enough to make everything blend. Here's the updated layout using CREE LEDs. I tried to put the reds heavier toward the back of the tank, and the whites heavier toward the middle of the tank (to compensate for the glass brace), and showcase the most desired display areas. Renders also included just to see the aesthetics of it. What do you think?

Thanks for the info Jason, what do you guys think of the updated layout?

Here's an updated sketch. Aquastyle doesn't list a blue LED as an option, only Royal blue. I've got an email in asking about its availability. Let me know if you guys think this is a good spread and ratio. 3d model soon to come

That's not a bad idea...I'm just worried about the spotlight effect of one or two reds or violets, but maybe if I do one circuit in white an the other a mix of 18 blue, 9 royal blue, 5 cyan and 5 red. I'm really hoping the frosted plexiglas helps blend things. I'm also probably going to polish the underside of the aluminum so any light reflecting off the plexiglas is reflected back down.

I need to make the leap to LEDs by the summer, and here's my plan based mostly on doing it cheaply: I plan to order the 72 LED kit from Aquastyle (bridgelux LEDs) in a 36/36 10K white and royal blue ratio. I will choose the option that includes dimmable mean well drivers that can by controlled via pot, 0-10V, or PWM. Price shipped comes to just about $250. It comes with 60 degree lenses, but I will try it with no optics first. Then I need a heatsink. I happen to have two pieces of aluminum at home, 48" long 1.75" square tubing, 1/8" wall. This stuff is pretty beefy. If I rip it in half, I have two heatsinks. Do this a couple of more times and I have the 5 strips I need. These aluminum U channel pieces will be bolted together with four bolts per joint, and a 1/2" spacer between each piece for air movement. I will rig up a hanging kit and will think about using a yo-yo kit, depends on the weight of the light. Finally, I have several sheets of 1/8" thick plexiglas that is frosted on one side. I will use standoffs to mount this in front of the LEDs to negate as much disco effect as possible, and to act as a splash guard. Total dims on the light will be around 46" long x 11" wide x 1.25-1.5" tall. Attached is my layout Comments? Suggestions?

I don't think I'm going to be able to make it unfortunately. We'll have to see how my show schedule shakes out