Tank of the Month - March 2005 - Page 4

danano · 03/09/2005, 05:00 AM

Mihai, thanks! When I had my 30g, I had 2 other 20g prop/holding tanks connected to the same system. As you can imagine, they were jam packed with small sps colonies, mostly aquacultured and grown-out frags. Back then, I had already envisioned a larger tank, the 110g you see now.

And Mikeo, no, I don't test for iodine. Similar to aminos, I'm probably under dosing.

pamsreef · 03/09/2005, 08:12 AM

Congratulations! Awesome tank. I just added a pair of orchid dottybacks over a month ago. They are getting along fine so I'm hoping they'll become a mated pair.

I admit, I know nothing about T5 lighting, but the lighting in the pics look dark and blue. Didn't know if that's a true representation or the pics. Just wondering how these bulbs compare in the Kelvin to Metal Halides (13K-20K). Personally, I prefer white lighting as opposed to blue.

Another thing I noticed and it may be just me. After all I am female, but looking at the pics in the tank information, the skimmer in the corner in full sight wouldn't work for me. I would have to have it enclosed somehow. Just my opinion.

You're obviously doing something right to keep all the beautiful acros.

Pam

lunarlanderboy · 03/09/2005, 09:40 AM

Danano~ I was planning on getting the Tek Lights from reefgeek.com. I assume that is my best option here in the US?

danano · 03/09/2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lunarlanderboy
Danano~ I was planning on getting the Tek Lights from reefgeek.com. I assume that is my best option here in the US?

It does appear so unless ATI start shipping their Powerbalken fixtures over. But first, they'd need to fix the voltage.

Will you be going for the in-canopy retrofit with moisture proof end-caps or the suspended unit?

lunarlanderboy · 03/09/2005, 01:33 PM

I don't have a canopy so I would probably get the suspended unit. From reading your article, I would want to get them as close to the water as possible I imagine.

copps · 03/09/2005, 03:54 PM

Congratulations Dan! How appropriate for Easter with those beautiful pastel colors!

It's been years since we teamed up at nano-reef to show people what fluorescents were capable of, and it's nice to see how you've carried the science on to larger and deeper systems.

Two very important quotes from your article showing the keys to success with fluorescents are... "The T5 bulbs are no more than three inches from the water surface," and... "Aside from quality T5 tubes, equally important are the mirror finish ATI parabolic reflectors that rest directly on the tubes for maximum reflectivity." Mistakes are made when people suspend fluorescents where halides should be...

I've had success with PCs, a friend with VHOs, and you with the T5s... the common denominator was the two points listed above.

Keep on pioneering!

Copps "aka Brooklyn Johnny"

onthefly · 03/09/2005, 06:19 PM

All I have to say is "ABOUT DAMN TIME!"

Great Job Dan, All of your tanks (your 10, your 30, and now you 110) are amazing. Your tank is my bench mark for my larger projects......I'm think about a 40 BDR with the 8x 39W T5 fixture, what do you think?

BTW Steve Wiest live down the road from me and if you're planning something like that, you should charge admission, I'd pay to see it

Nice to see you to Johnny, been a awhile!

quik · 03/09/2005, 06:43 PM

Congrats Dan! I've seen your tank on Nano-ref and Now TOTM! Your work and dedication simply amazes me......

Your tank on nano-ref has inspired me to hopefully attain a level yours was in, BUT once again you gone and raised the bar.

Once I've settled in I WILL begin a 30-40g tank.

Also there's a online fish/equipment store called Aquatraders very close to my house in the Bay Area, they have some T-5's from Asia. Would you recommed them?

Thanks,
Mike

fuzz1974 · 03/09/2005, 07:26 PM

AWESOME!!!!!

Looks real good Dan!! Seems like a happy family over there.

danano · 03/09/2005, 09:14 PM

John, thanks bro! I feel as if we've grown up together in this hobby.

Have you started on your new tank project?

otf, the 39w T5s will work well but the 54w T5s provide more punch. If you can, go for a slightly larger tank. Do you know Steve W. personally? I've never been to Oregon but maybe now there's a reason to...

Mike, thanks. I've never used T5s from Asia so can't really comment on the quality. I have seen some new "local" brands in the market and they go for cheap. What I can say is that the German T5s are tried, tested and proven. If you are into sps, then your corals deserve only the very best! (and no, ATI does not sponsor my lights, well, not yet at least

)

Thanks fuzz!!

quik · 03/09/2005, 09:51 PM

Thanks for the advice. ATI bulbs are the proven, with that, does how important would the ballast be if I were to just change bulbs?

Mike

Michael7979 · 03/10/2005, 12:22 AM

Simply awesome!!!!!!!!

Scleractinian · 03/10/2005, 10:20 AM

I've been telling ya'll for over a year that Dan deserved TOTM!

Congrats Danano!

onthefly · 03/10/2005, 01:56 PM

Sadly I don't know him personally

......wish I did!

But I really like his design, carpentry, and reefing philosophy

yaktop · 03/10/2005, 06:55 PM

where do you get this Fox Controller? thanks, I like the idea. Nice set up, some day...............

Project Reef · 03/11/2005, 07:01 AM

Dan the man! You are the man, Dan!!

mike9515756 · 03/11/2005, 11:01 AM

Hi Daniel, stunning tank!!!! Does the fixture come with the ballast or is it seperate? Keep up the amazing work.

Cesar357 · 03/11/2005, 05:29 PM

Amazing tank. Beautiful.

danano · 03/12/2005, 10:00 AM

Quik/Mike951, I have never overdriven my T5 bulbs. There's never been a need to. I'm using the standard ATI Powerbalken fixtures from Germany. The T5 ballasts are built-in.

Thanks Michael, Scleractinian, Project Reer, Mike951, Cesar.

yaktop, the auto shut-off Temperature Controller came as a DIY kit with sensor, electronics and digital display. It's available at specialised electronic stores locally.

Dan

yaktop · 03/12/2005, 11:51 AM

is there a way you could enlighten us with part numbers or possibly a contact with one of these stores. I think this device has a high demand and it would be a home run on the DIY section if more information was available.

thanks for your reply.

Skipper · 03/12/2005, 04:25 PM

Yaktop: be sure to note that danano is located in Singapore.

yaktop · 03/12/2005, 04:46 PM

I know but hoping we can stil get something started.

yamaha racer · 03/12/2005, 05:05 PM

hey danano i was wondering if my light can do what u are doing in your tank
i have5 t-5s and 4 pc's
* 3 28w true actinic 03
* 2 28w daylighy uv
* 4 20w 50/50 power compact
will that be enough?

yamaha racer · 03/12/2005, 05:11 PM

its a 55g

danano · 03/13/2005, 12:02 PM

yaktop, I do not have the part numbers/store name. You may want to do a search or look up your local specialised electronic stores, they may be able to direct you to the relevant suppliers. I'll drop you a PM if I am able to find out more info on the parts.

Yamaha, I replied to your PM. In a nutshell, your existing lighting is inadequate (for sps). From your description, your T5s do not appear to be the standard high-output. They will probably work for LPS but not SPS.

Dan

03/09/2005, 05:00 AM	#76
danano Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 399	Mihai, thanks! When I had my 30g, I had 2 other 20g prop/holding tanks connected to the same system. As you can imagine, they were jam packed with small sps colonies, mostly aquacultured and grown-out frags. Back then, I had already envisioned a larger tank, the 110g you see now. And Mikeo, no, I don't test for iodine. Similar to aminos, I'm probably under dosing. Last edited by danano; 03/09/2005 at 05:12 AM.

03/09/2005, 08:12 AM	#77
pamsreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 463	Congratulations! Awesome tank. I just added a pair of orchid dottybacks over a month ago. They are getting along fine so I'm hoping they'll become a mated pair. I admit, I know nothing about T5 lighting, but the lighting in the pics look dark and blue. Didn't know if that's a true representation or the pics. Just wondering how these bulbs compare in the Kelvin to Metal Halides (13K-20K). Personally, I prefer white lighting as opposed to blue. Another thing I noticed and it may be just me. After all I am female, but looking at the pics in the tank information, the skimmer in the corner in full sight wouldn't work for me. I would have to have it enclosed somehow. Just my opinion. You're obviously doing something right to keep all the beautiful acros. Pam __________________ Does anyone know where I can get some patience for this hobby?

03/09/2005, 09:40 AM	#78
lunarlanderboy Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Novato (Bay Area), CA Posts: 573	Danano~ I was planning on getting the Tek Lights from reefgeek.com. I assume that is my best option here in the US? __________________ *** Current Tank Info: 40 gallon glass cube with 40 gallon breeder sump, 250 watt 14K MH, MSX 160 skimmer

03/09/2005, 01:33 PM	#80
lunarlanderboy Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Novato (Bay Area), CA Posts: 573	I don't have a canopy so I would probably get the suspended unit. From reading your article, I would want to get them as close to the water as possible I imagine. __________________ *** Current Tank Info: 40 gallon glass cube with 40 gallon breeder sump, 250 watt 14K MH, MSX 160 skimmer

03/09/2005, 03:54 PM	#81
copps Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,679	Congratulations Dan! How appropriate for Easter with those beautiful pastel colors! It's been years since we teamed up at nano-reef to show people what fluorescents were capable of, and it's nice to see how you've carried the science on to larger and deeper systems. Two very important quotes from your article showing the keys to success with fluorescents are... "The T5 bulbs are no more than three inches from the water surface," and... "Aside from quality T5 tubes, equally important are the mirror finish ATI parabolic reflectors that rest directly on the tubes for maximum reflectivity." Mistakes are made when people suspend fluorescents where halides should be... I've had success with PCs, a friend with VHOs, and you with the T5s... the common denominator was the two points listed above. Keep on pioneering! Copps "aka Brooklyn Johnny" __________________ - John Coppolino September '04 RC TOTM January '11 RC TOTM Buy fish that excite YOU, and respect others' passions. Yes, we know, there's a cheaper and prettier fish than the one we’re talking about. Current Tank Info: displays are 1300 gallon SPS (8.5' x 6' x 42"), 240 gallon anemone, and 350 gallon fish only

03/09/2005, 06:19 PM	#82
onthefly Getting back into it! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ambler, PA Posts: 765	All I have to say is "ABOUT DAMN TIME!" Great Job Dan, All of your tanks (your 10, your 30, and now you 110) are amazing. Your tank is my bench mark for my larger projects......I'm think about a 40 BDR with the 8x 39W T5 fixture, what do you think? BTW Steve Wiest live down the road from me and if you're planning something like that, you should charge admission, I'd pay to see it Nice to see you to Johnny, been a awhile!

03/09/2005, 06:43 PM	#83
quik Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Daly City, CA Posts: 33	Congrats Dan! I've seen your tank on Nano-ref and Now TOTM! Your work and dedication simply amazes me...... Your tank on nano-ref has inspired me to hopefully attain a level yours was in, BUT once again you gone and raised the bar. Once I've settled in I WILL begin a 30-40g tank. Also there's a online fish/equipment store called Aquatraders very close to my house in the Bay Area, they have some T-5's from Asia. Would you recommed them? Thanks, Mike

03/09/2005, 07:26 PM	#84
fuzz1974 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: indiana Posts: 369	AWESOME!!!!! Looks real good Dan!! Seems like a happy family over there. __________________ 125 with 175# live rock. 4x150 HQI. 8x39w T-5. Sump/Fuge combo with 2x18w PC. Mag 9.5 & mag 5 for returns. ASM G1x skimmer. Check my gallery for pics... Current Tank Info: Plan on keepin LPS and SPS corals.

03/09/2005, 09:14 PM	#85
danano Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 399	John, thanks bro! I feel as if we've grown up together in this hobby. Have you started on your new tank project? otf, the 39w T5s will work well but the 54w T5s provide more punch. If you can, go for a slightly larger tank. Do you know Steve W. personally? I've never been to Oregon but maybe now there's a reason to... Mike, thanks. I've never used T5s from Asia so can't really comment on the quality. I have seen some new "local" brands in the market and they go for cheap. What I can say is that the German T5s are tried, tested and proven. If you are into sps, then your corals deserve only the very best! (and no, ATI does not sponsor my lights, well, not yet at least ) Thanks fuzz!!

03/09/2005, 09:51 PM	#86
quik Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Daly City, CA Posts: 33	Thanks for the advice. ATI bulbs are the proven, with that, does how important would the ballast be if I were to just change bulbs? Mike

03/10/2005, 12:22 AM	#87
Michael7979 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Keizer,OR Posts: 923	Simply awesome!!!!!!!! __________________ MIKE THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN!! 240 RE-build in progress!.....(slowly) Current Tank Info: 240g, 4- 400w Radiums on PFO HQI ballasts, 4- 110w VHO on IceCap 660 ballast, Euro-Reef Skimmer

03/10/2005, 10:20 AM	#88
Scleractinian Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: FAR NW Detroit 'burbs... just miles from the Bloated Goat Posts: 835	I've been telling ya'll for over a year that Dan deserved TOTM! Congrats Danano! __________________ Bob "The intensity of your belief is not necessarily related to its objective truth." Current Tank Info: Almost all gone. :(

03/10/2005, 01:56 PM	#89
onthefly Getting back into it! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ambler, PA Posts: 765	Sadly I don't know him personally ......wish I did! But I really like his design, carpentry, and reefing philosophy

03/10/2005, 06:55 PM	#90
yaktop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fairhaven, MA Posts: 1,516	where do you get this Fox Controller? thanks, I like the idea. Nice set up, some day...............

03/11/2005, 07:01 AM	#91
Project Reef **** R.C. Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 5,844	Dan the man! You are the man, Dan!! __________________ - Ali

03/11/2005, 11:01 AM	#92
mike9515756 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 230	Hi Daniel, stunning tank!!!! Does the fixture come with the ballast or is it seperate? Keep up the amazing work.

03/11/2005, 05:29 PM	#93
Cesar357 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 239	Amazing tank. Beautiful.

03/12/2005, 10:00 AM	#94
danano Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 399	Quik/Mike951, I have never overdriven my T5 bulbs. There's never been a need to. I'm using the standard ATI Powerbalken fixtures from Germany. The T5 ballasts are built-in. Thanks Michael, Scleractinian, Project Reer, Mike951, Cesar. yaktop, the auto shut-off Temperature Controller came as a DIY kit with sensor, electronics and digital display. It's available at specialised electronic stores locally. Dan

03/12/2005, 11:51 AM	#95
yaktop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fairhaven, MA Posts: 1,516	is there a way you could enlighten us with part numbers or possibly a contact with one of these stores. I think this device has a high demand and it would be a home run on the DIY section if more information was available. thanks for your reply.

03/12/2005, 04:25 PM	#96
Skipper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 18,271	Yaktop: be sure to note that danano is located in Singapore. __________________ Skip Attix Former Editor of Reefkeeping Magazine

03/12/2005, 04:46 PM	#97
yaktop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fairhaven, MA Posts: 1,516	I know but hoping we can stil get something started.

03/12/2005, 05:05 PM	#98
yamaha racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gypsy Posts: 1,131	hey danano i was wondering if my light can do what u are doing in your tank i have5 t-5s and 4 pc's * 3 28w true actinic 03 * 2 28w daylighy uv * 4 20w 50/50 power compact will that be enough?

03/12/2005, 05:11 PM	#99
yamaha racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gypsy Posts: 1,131	its a 55g

03/13/2005, 12:02 PM	#100
danano Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 399	yaktop, I do not have the part numbers/store name. You may want to do a search or look up your local specialised electronic stores, they may be able to direct you to the relevant suppliers. I'll drop you a PM if I am able to find out more info on the parts. Yamaha, I replied to your PM. In a nutshell, your existing lighting is inadequate (for sps). From your description, your T5s do not appear to be the standard high-output. They will probably work for LPS but not SPS. Dan