150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start

jmhart said:
Drip loop. Put in a drip loop between the bulbs and ballast, and then another between the ballast and plug. I have my coralife ballast mounted to the back of my stand, but at the top of the stand(if that makes sense), so all the cords run almost down to the floor before coming back up to plug into the ballast.

However, the downside is that it can be difficult to take the hood off if the ballast is mounted to the stand. The coralife ballast easily disconnects the bulbs from the ballast, but if you go with ahsupply or any other retrokit, get a couple quick disconnects.
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Drip loops are good! The ballasts I got do have connections - just not sure how "quick" they are ... I will check them out further. I really like the idea of mounting the ballasts somewhere in the stand if at all possible. We would probably be able to put the tank closer to the wall and the canopy would weigh much less.
 
The other big design question in the canopy is how high above the water to put the lights (what makes this a bigger question is that it is very hard to test).

If I go with all 6 lights (480 watts / 3.2wpg), then the reflectors are 18" (3" each) wide / deep. The canopy is about 18 7/8" deep (inside measurement). If I only go with 4 lights (320 watts / 2.14wpg), then I will have a little room in the front and back.

I have to "suspend" the lights from the top of the canopy, which will be 18 1/2" tall total. I can't get the lights down too far or won't be able to open the lids for feeding, ferts, etc.

Herein lies the design question ... what to do??
 
cfsinc said:
The other big design question in the canopy is how high above the water to put the lights (what makes this a bigger question is that it is very hard to test).

If I go with all 6 lights (480 watts / 3.2wpg), then the reflectors are 18" (3" each) wide / deep. The canopy is about 18 7/8" deep (inside measurement). If I only go with 4 lights (320 watts / 2.14wpg), then I will have a little room in the front and back.

I have to "suspend" the lights from the top of the canopy, which will be 18 1/2" tall total. I can't get the lights down too far or won't be able to open the lids for feeding, ferts, etc.

Herein lies the design question ... what to do??
Click to expand...


I don't remember who, but earlier in the thread, somebody was showing their glasscages.com canopy, and they had kind of put in a shelf. Actually, it was a shelf second, but something to mount the lights to first. It allowed them to mount the lights lower than the top of the hood, and have a shelf for food or whatever. I really liked it.Not sure how high above the water they were. I'd probably shoot for 4" or so off the water.

Also, these are T5's, right? If so 4x80w is really going to be enough light. That being said, if it were me, I'd mount all 6, because 6 months down the road when the tank is really in full swing, you'll be able to up the lighting. 6x80 right in the beginning will give you algae to hell and back. The first 3 weeks or so, I'd probably only run 2x80 until the plants root and start to grow.
 
jmhart said:
Actually, it was a shelf second, but something to mount the lights to first. 4" or so off the water. Also, these are T5's, right? If so 4x80w is really going to be enough light. That being said, if it were me, I'd mount all 6, because 6 months down the road when the tank is really in full swing, you'll be able to up the lighting. 6x80 right in the beginning will give you algae to hell and back. The first 3 weeks or so, I'd probably only run 2x80 until the plants root and start to grow.
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Yes, they are T5 HO - I tend to agree - 320w will be a plenty (I guess). The ballasts are set up to either wire 2, 3, or 4 bulbs each. You can't wire for 4 and put in only 2 bulbs (THSS).

I agree 100% - overloading the watts at the beginning would lead to nothing but algea ...............GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
 
Progress ~~

A few more items just arrived -

3 cooling fan units (with 4 fans in each) - Vader's suggested brand

Python (see ya' old red bucket)

Glass diffuser with built in check valve (the flash kinda' blocked it out)

Digital timer

MagFloat

I even added the DFS box for Vader (we all know how he loves them - lol)

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Keep it coming...
 
Progress ~~

I was able to start cutting the stock for the canopy yesterday -

The canopy is basically going to be a half-size version of the base. I am also most likely going to be adding adjustable tracks to mount the lights on a "panel" and then be able to adjust their height (distance from top of the water - mainly because this is so hard to "picture" until they are in place and working).

The placement of the ballasts is still up in the air; but since they will not be going "inside" the canopy, I can go ahead and build it out ...

Cuts (pictured below) ...

Rails and stiles for the end panels and doors (yes BK it will have doors - lol)

Also, all the stock for the face plate

I need to cut the panel inserts today and route out their grooves - next, will be starting the glue up ...

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More to come ...
 
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