I saw a 180 today (same height as 150 - 30") with about 380 watts of T5HO over it ... the glosso was growing great!! Bodes well for the taller tank!
150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start
- Thread starter WaywardSon
- Start date
Aqueon 150, Mission Series Cherry Wood Stand and Canopy
Pricing:
LFS 1
Tank $ 542
Stand $ 813
Canopy $ 536
Total $ 1,891
LFS 2
Tank $ 559
Stand $ 745
Canopy $ 490
Total $ 1,785
Pricing:
LFS 1
Tank $ 542
Stand $ 813
Canopy $ 536
Total $ 1,891
LFS 2
Tank $ 559
Stand $ 745
Canopy $ 490
Total $ 1,785
Difficulty level? A couple of beers, a six pack, a twelve pack, or straight for the Crown Royal??
a six pack and a drill.. but hey if im invited then make that a keg, some nachos and its GO TIME!
Cf just a few random thoughts here that may/may not have been stated so far:
1) Do not plan on placing any lighting unit you purchase on directly on the versa unless it has legs to elevate it off of the floor. As Bk mentioned you could use wooden blocks but it will be very cumbersome when it comes to trim and do the water changes.
2) Speaking of cumbersome, take a look at position of the Hagen T5 units on my 'topless' shots. I have one 48' unit that sits in front and rests on the tank rim brackets. I have a second smaller 24' unit that sits next to it and also rests on the tank rim bracket. The third unit (behind the two I just mentioned) sits directly on the versa but has the legs elevating it off of the versa:
It is a pain to move the units to the side off the versa every time I need to do a trim and remove the versa. If i were you, I would be mindful of how the lighting you purchase will rest on the versa and or the tank rim for purposes of convenience.
3) I have been dealing with massive heat problems, despite the fact that the canopy is open in the back. I finally installed the three fan sets at the back of the canopy and it finally solved the matter once and for all. My tank is at ~2.2 wpg (T5). If you go above this, you will have heat issues even greater than those that I faced; you must plan on robust fans above and beyond whatever ventilation is built in to the lighting system.
4) As you have already been discussing, the wpg rule goes out the window with larger tanks. IMO, if you put much more than ~3 wpg over a 150 gallon tank, I fear you will face major algae issues unless you can have massive plant bioload.
Loking forward to seeing what you decide!!!
1) Do not plan on placing any lighting unit you purchase on directly on the versa unless it has legs to elevate it off of the floor. As Bk mentioned you could use wooden blocks but it will be very cumbersome when it comes to trim and do the water changes.
2) Speaking of cumbersome, take a look at position of the Hagen T5 units on my 'topless' shots. I have one 48' unit that sits in front and rests on the tank rim brackets. I have a second smaller 24' unit that sits next to it and also rests on the tank rim bracket. The third unit (behind the two I just mentioned) sits directly on the versa but has the legs elevating it off of the versa:
It is a pain to move the units to the side off the versa every time I need to do a trim and remove the versa. If i were you, I would be mindful of how the lighting you purchase will rest on the versa and or the tank rim for purposes of convenience.
3) I have been dealing with massive heat problems, despite the fact that the canopy is open in the back. I finally installed the three fan sets at the back of the canopy and it finally solved the matter once and for all. My tank is at ~2.2 wpg (T5). If you go above this, you will have heat issues even greater than those that I faced; you must plan on robust fans above and beyond whatever ventilation is built in to the lighting system.
4) As you have already been discussing, the wpg rule goes out the window with larger tanks. IMO, if you put much more than ~3 wpg over a 150 gallon tank, I fear you will face major algae issues unless you can have massive plant bioload.
Loking forward to seeing what you decide!!!
I don't know what your hourly rate is ... but I am sure the travel expenses alone would kill me (lol)!!
Cool ... I can do a six pack and a drill!!!
Drvader, the versas wont be necessary right away since the retrofit kits will be screwed into the top of the canopy.
Though yes versas are a must to protect the canopy/light from water damage, it can be fine without it for a few days.
Though yes versas are a must to protect the canopy/light from water damage, it can be fine without it for a few days.
