chichimom79
reef junkie
It looks really great!
2.5g Office Pico
- Thread starter SigEpLucas
- Start date
G_Beck_87
Reefing newb
Ya the rapid are very nice im planning on getting my retrofit very soon, been doing my research. With the dimmable driver they need to be used with a controller, i have the RKL right now and plan on using that with the ALC module for the dimmer. just an FYI u can do that or Apex.
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
Do you need a controller even if the driver has a built-in potentiometer? I'm looking at using this Dimmable Nano Driver and thought that would be all I needed.
0-10V Dimmable Nano Driver with Potentiometer - Rapid LED
I guess if I must have a controller we'll be running 100% instead...
0-10V Dimmable Nano Driver with Potentiometer - Rapid LED
I guess if I must have a controller we'll be running 100% instead...
G_Beck_87
Reefing newb
u know what it may be different if ur not getting a retrofit
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
Yeah it's actually cheaper on their website to get everything separately instead of buying one of the premade retrofit kits for the nano and you get the opportunity to customize the lights exactly how you want. I'm going to try 2 cool white, 2 royal blue, 1 blue and 1 red.
Amba
Ol' Salty
You won't need a controller then
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
I finished the rest of my stand/canopy today. I also seem to be getting pretty good growth on the Kenya Tree and a few more polyps have appeared.
Progress on stand.
Finished on the aquarium.
Kenya Tree has doubled in 10 days.
Two small orange zoanthid polyps have appeared on my good live rock.
Literally counting down the days until I get my new lights. I think in the mean time I'm going to put a small pc fan in the side of the canopy because I'm starting to see a slight increase in temp. So hopefully I can keep that from getting out of control. Other than that I am very excited with how everything is already maturing. I'm seeing coraline spread to my other rocks and everything is alive and "thriving" so far! :Cheers:
Progress on stand.
Finished on the aquarium.
Kenya Tree has doubled in 10 days.
Two small orange zoanthid polyps have appeared on my good live rock.
Literally counting down the days until I get my new lights. I think in the mean time I'm going to put a small pc fan in the side of the canopy because I'm starting to see a slight increase in temp. So hopefully I can keep that from getting out of control. Other than that I am very excited with how everything is already maturing. I'm seeing coraline spread to my other rocks and everything is alive and "thriving" so far! :Cheers:
chichimom79
reef junkie
Looks amazing! :)
RockStacker
Reefing newb
Looks great.
Keep an eye on that Kenya Tree. Some folks have torn down and restarted their tanks because of it LOL.
Keep an eye on that Kenya Tree. Some folks have torn down and restarted their tanks because of it LOL.
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
Why is that? Do they spread and grow uncontrollably or something?
G_Beck_87
Reefing newb
imo if it has doubled im 10 days, that u may wanna keep an eye on it b4 it takes over ur entire tank. just a thought
RockStacker
Reefing newb
Kenya trees are like the Kudzu of the reef hobby. They produce a lot of spawnlings and take over tanks if not managed diligently.
beeguiles
they call me fish geek ;p
Very nice little tank! It looks so clean and professional with the little stand and canopy :) I agree with the Kenya tree. Keep an eye on it. Before you know it would will have a little Kenya farm.
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
New Lights!!
So my order finally came in from RapidLED and I am a little upset with my color choice but very happy with their products so far.
I got 6 LEDs with individual heatsinks, 80 degree lenses, and a dimmable driver.
I had to throw in a shirt as well.
Testing out the LEDs
I put two 60mm fans with fan guards in the canopy.
I also just went ahead and put the driver and potentiometer on the top of the canopy and I moved my picotope pc light over my little HOB fuge with Chaeto in it.
Before I added the lenses I was losing light all over the place but the colors blended together much better.
I went ahead and added the lenses with 80 degree optics.
I'm unhappy with how much green the green light puts into the tank so I just ordered another blue to replace it. I thought I was going to get away with one just to add a little more diversity to the spectrum but it didn't really work out. So I will have 2 Royal Blue, 2 Blue, and 2 Cool White when I'm done. My only complaint is that it almost looks like I have 6 spot lights instead of 1 light on the tank. I think it's because the canopy is pretty short and the lights are prettly close to the tank. I hope my corals will respond though becauase I added some red mushrooms, green zoos, green star polyps and an orange ricordia. Hopefully they'll open up for some pictures today.
So my order finally came in from RapidLED and I am a little upset with my color choice but very happy with their products so far.
I got 6 LEDs with individual heatsinks, 80 degree lenses, and a dimmable driver.
I had to throw in a shirt as well.
Testing out the LEDs
I put two 60mm fans with fan guards in the canopy.
I also just went ahead and put the driver and potentiometer on the top of the canopy and I moved my picotope pc light over my little HOB fuge with Chaeto in it.
Before I added the lenses I was losing light all over the place but the colors blended together much better.
I went ahead and added the lenses with 80 degree optics.
I'm unhappy with how much green the green light puts into the tank so I just ordered another blue to replace it. I thought I was going to get away with one just to add a little more diversity to the spectrum but it didn't really work out. So I will have 2 Royal Blue, 2 Blue, and 2 Cool White when I'm done. My only complaint is that it almost looks like I have 6 spot lights instead of 1 light on the tank. I think it's because the canopy is pretty short and the lights are prettly close to the tank. I hope my corals will respond though becauase I added some red mushrooms, green zoos, green star polyps and an orange ricordia. Hopefully they'll open up for some pictures today.
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
I've made a few changes to the setup. I've added a diy ATO that seems to be working great. I took the damsel back to the LFS cause I couldn't keep my Nitrates down and added an emerald crab as well.
Found a float on ebay for $2.85 and just molded my own acrylic hanger.
Mounted nicely in the back corner.
Overhead of float and return line.
4 gallon reservoir underneath the tank.
I used the pvc to keep the water line at the bottom of the reservoir and wired the float directly into a aqua lifter pump.
Zoas are doing good.
I've been trimming the Kenya Tree down when it gets too big.
Found a float on ebay for $2.85 and just molded my own acrylic hanger.
Mounted nicely in the back corner.
Overhead of float and return line.
4 gallon reservoir underneath the tank.
I used the pvc to keep the water line at the bottom of the reservoir and wired the float directly into a aqua lifter pump.
Zoas are doing good.
I've been trimming the Kenya Tree down when it gets too big.
texreefer
Battle Dwarf
You should spray that float switch cover with some krylon fusion so it blends in with the back of the tank.
Tank is looking good
Tank is looking good
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
I know I really wish I would have before I put it in. Not only to blend in but also to help keep algae from growing inside and on the switch. I might make another holder and paint it that way I can just do a quick swap instead of taking it out and going a day without it.
Amba
Ol' Salty
This is a sweet build! I would take out the PVC and just clamp the tubing right onto the side of the bin though, for le aesthetics :p
SigEpLucas
Nano Reefer
The pvc doesn't bother me and it's inside of a cabinet so you would never know it was there. I just wanted to make sure the tube stayed at the bottom of the tub instead of floating to the top.
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