Jimbo662 Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Ok, I guess I should start an official build thread. When I got the 175 back in Feb I seriously considered doing a reef tank but stuck to my original plan and did a planted tank. Over the last couple of months something just hasn't seemed right and I've decided it really needs to be a reef tank!!!!! I'm getting a 90g to transfer the planted tank into and will transfer my 50g cube inhabitants into the 175. Equipment Tank: DSA 175g with overflow on one end Sump: 40B, just need to add another piece of glass to form a skimmer area Lights: 3 - Radion XR30w Pros Skimmer: Vertex 180i with the neck cleaner Powerheads: 2 - MP40we's Return pump: Mag 18 Rock: BRS reef saver Sand: Agrilive special grade First delivery!!! Here's the tank in case anyone didn't see the other build thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Alright! I'm officially talking to you again Jimbo... you're off my list now! I'm really excited to see this come together. My only suggestion I'd maybe look for a more efficient return pump than the Mag18. They create a ton of heat, a little bit louder in my opinion, and consume much more energy than some of the other options out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 WOOHOO...Ty's talking to me again!!!!! Yeah, it may be time to replace the pump...I've had this thing since I set up the first 175g which was almost 3 yrs ago. Right now the tank stays at 80 + degrees without the heater coming on at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Yeah, I could cook gumbo with my old Mag12 if I put it in a bucket and put the lid on it. Perhaps the new Vectra? Heard it'll play nice with your MP40s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 That's a cool pump for a price. I could get a Sicce 5.0 for more than $100 less. I've heard those are great pumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 I have a Sicce Syncra 12 and it does a great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 Ok people...need some opinions...and I know y'all have some! Looking at mounting options for the lights. I can mount them inside the canopy and hide everything away...or remove the canopy all together and go with the multi light RMS kit for the radions. The lights are just too good looking to hide in a canopy. Going with the RMS option I'll be able to adjust the light easier and get them in the right spots and probably help reduce heat build up. http://ecotechmarine.com/products/radion-mounting-system/multi-light-rms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'm canopy lover... I like to keep the illusion that its just a window to the ocean and not a bucket of water with lights over it. The rail does look pretty nice and has some nice options though. I also don't like the overspill/glare issues you sometimes get with open top tanks though usually those can be remedied by adjusting light placement and height of the mounting bracket. My tank is just so tall (and I'm so short) that if I didn't have a canopy, the lights would literally be shining down on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 I can see Ty standing there in the spotlight doing his song and dance! One thing I just thought about is the canopy will help keep down on humidity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Oh, one light specific issue is you are going to need to probably mount those lights pretty high above the tank for optimal placement. The current canopy doesn't look like it'll give you that option. If that's the case, I'd rail it then with no canopy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'm sure those lights have a disco mode... just put that on and let me go nuts! Yes, humidity is definitely something to think about... or more so the encouragement of evaporation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 Yikes, you're right...I just measured and the light would end up less about 5" from the water. With the mounting kit is says appx 7". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 And I think most advise even higher than that with those lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryD Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I believe brs has a nice how to video on how to mount radions with a sleek diy rail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 hmmm...the XR15 on the cube is 9" above the water. I wonder if the arms are different. I just submitted a question to Eco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshdmartin Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 In that dsa canopy you will have problems with moisture and salt getting in the fixtures they have built in fans that suck all that good stuff right into fixture cut holes and mount fixtures on top of canopy and use a block to hold up canopy door.. If any of that makes since!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshdmartin Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I have 5 of these bad boys on a 10 ft tank mounted this way on a dsa lid and it works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 I have 5 of these bad boys on a 10 ft tank mounted this way on a dsa lid and it works great! Do you have any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshdmartin Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Little dusty:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 Ok, so they're just sitting on top. I was thinking they were recessed somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshdmartin Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I wanted to make sure I didn't have a moisture problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 I think I'm going to do this and see how I like it before shelling out any more money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 On the second day of christmas... The UPS driver seemed a little irritated with all the heavy boxes full of rock and sand but was relieved when he realized he had backed up in front of my garage and only had to drag his dolly 10 feet. Unfortunate for me he dropped a 50lb box of rock on the sensor for the garage door... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Ohhhh Vertex! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 Yup...I had the 170 on my 75g tank and loved it. I upgraded this time and added the neck cleaner to it. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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