Totara

My tank dimensions are 92 cm, by 40 cm, by 40 cm. So its 3 foot. Do you still think I should get two? I thought I will get one, if coral growth is poor I will add another.

Like this one! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dimmable-UV-LED-Aquarium-Light-120W-With-Lens-55x3W-BRIDGELUX-Coral-Reef-Fixture-/130945201662?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e7cf135fe It actually looks really good. Can anyone else tell me if its any good? I could add another one if I am not getting good coral growth... Will

Will the cheap Reef LED Units off of EBay do it? The reason is, I go to uni in only 3-4 years so I will eventually have to sell this stuff off.... With bulb replacements, Fluroscent tubes will still cost less that the $620 I would need to spend on the CoralBox LED Unit. I would need a LED unit that costs comparatively less over that timeframe. Can you reccomend one? I am going to trawl EBay and Amazon for a led fixture. Regards, Will

I have narrowed it down to three options really, http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/36-Aquarium-T5-HO-Light-39W-x4-Reef-Coral-Fish-LED-w-Timer-Hood-Fixture-CE-NEW-/301167522433?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item461efbb281&_uhb=1 The only problem with that is it is a US product, so I would need a step down transformer. If it wasn't for that it would be ideal.... http://www.pet.co.nz/product/fish/glo-t5-double/6712 The problem with that is I would possibly have to get a second one, and I would prefer 1 unit. Or I could get ballasts and build my light hood. Does anyone have any experience importing lights like the one I previously showed, and getting them working in NZ? I really like the look of that hood.... Regards, Will

Hi all, I was only considering LED's because I saw that module heavily discounted and thought it maybe a good idea. I will buy the Hagen Glo T5 double previously recommended to me. Also can anyone tell me if the Bubble Magus Curve 5 is a good, quiet skimmer? I was thinking I would buy that as my skimmer. Regards, Will

EDIT: When I say Wet/Dry Filter, I mean something like this: Not the nitrate building bioball things. It also gives me a spot to keep fish in before adding them to the display area. Regards, Will

:gpo2: Thanks! I will get my rock and start cycling it. I was thinking I would do a road trip down to Christchurch with a sheet of cardboard with the same footprint as the tank. So I can go to one of the stores down there and layout the rock in store, buying the bits I like. Can anyone tell me how many KG's of rock I will need for this tank? I would prefer to get just one light unit, this has stopped being such a budget build 1) I have a considerable bit of funding towards this coming my way in the up and coming future and 2) I will possibly be living in the same room as this tank in the near future, so I want quiet equipment. Because I want one unit, will this light suffice? http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Capable-Aquarium-Lighting-System/dp/B00494NBEA/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER I can ship it to NZ for $250 so for a LED unit it is a pretty good deal. And from my understanding Marineland is a trusted brand. I am also interested in adding a wet/dry filter with a sump in it. This means I have a wider variety of Skimmers to choose from. I was thinking I would build my own for this as I would like the experience, and it seems like a fun project. Regards, Will

Hi all, Found what looks like a pretty good light. I can swap out the tubes in it, if you look in the questions it says it is 78W so should be adequate. Tell me what you think! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=735733681 Also, I just found out that a wavemaker and a powerhead are different things, can someone please explain them to me, and which one I will need. Regards, Will

Sorry big facepalm, put in the wrong link. I was meaning could I use a normal one like this one http://www.lightingplus.co.nz/lighting/ceiling-lights/fluorescent-lighting/wave-white-single-21w-t5-fluorescent.html With the reef grade actinic tubes. Will something like that work? Or do I need a specific fixture for aquariums. Regards, Will

Are you able to give me a reference to some lights you used? Are you suggesting that something like this http://www.wonderworldpetcentre.co.nz/shop.php?action=moreinfo&itemid=9826 will work after all? Regards, Will

Hi All, Sorry for double post, but I found a relatively good LED light that I can get shipping for $320. http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Capable-Aquarium-Lighting-System/dp/B00494JTFU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401781707&sr=8-1&keywords=Marineland+Reef+Capable+LED+Aquarium+Lighting+System+36-48%22 It says Reef Capable but I want to know if it is going to be a good light. Also can anyone tell me if it is the most cost effective solution for me. Regards, Will

Thanks for that, I didnt realize $200 is too low. I was under the impression that would get me a moderately good lighting system. What would you say I need to budget for my lighting system? Regards Will

In terms of lighting I was thinking something like this. http://www.wonderworldpetcentre.co.nz/shop.php?action=moreinfo&itemid=9826 Would it be a suitable light? I know I would have to get the correct marine bulbs. I am looking for lights in that sort of price range so sub-$200. Also thanks for the tip about going no sand bed. I will definitely not have a sand bed to begin with. Will

Hi guys, Update on the tank. Just now I am selling off the filters that came with the tank on TradeMe (If your interested, theres a Fluval 204 and a Fluval 105, http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=737028738). I have decided to scrap the idea of a DIY LED unit and will probably just buy some lights now. The tank is 92 CM long so if anyone could recommend some I am most interested. I am going to use normal sand pit sand for a few reasons, 1. Cost, 2. I like the idea of the very fine sand. I will of course give it a good boiling and cleaning before use. With my Skimmer I am deciding between a Hydor SlimSkim or a AquaC Remora Maxi Jet 1200. If anyone has one for sale that would fit my tank, and is either internal or HOB please PM me. I am starting to look around for Coral Rock for my tank, I think I need about 25 KG and if anyone has any for sale I am very interested so please PM me or leave a post on here. I have heard that you can collect saltwater for a reef tank and was wondering if there was any good spots around Nelson for doing so? I think it would be a good way to get started as it takes out the mixing the salt part. I am thinking I will buy a RO/DI unit as I could get a good one that sends RO water to a reservoir for drinking, and some to the DI unit for the Aquarium. Does anyone know of a good unit that could do this? Regards, Will

Hi all, Here is my updated LED fixture It is a close up of one half of it. The light pinky color are UV LED's. The Khaki colored LED's are neutral white, and the pure white ones are cool white. The purple ones are Violet LED's and the blue ones are blue LED's. Also, has anyone here used a Hydor SlimSkim? I think I will use that one. Also, how much live rock / dead rock should I use in this tank? And where should I get it? Please tell me what you think, Will

Well the way I do it is I get the black acrylic, then I drill holes the size of the optics, the optics are mounted in the acrylic. Behind the acrylic is the two big heatsinks (One for each side). Which the LED's are glued to using thermal epoxy. The LED's line up to the optics and click on. On the top of the canopy are two fans (again one for each side) which provide air too the heatsinks. I am pretty sure I have that part sorted, what I need to know is if I have the spectrums right, with the Royal Blue LED's and the Cree White ones. Also thanks kinnadian, I will make sure to get the good quality ones. Regards, Will

Um, if your talking about the pump putting water back into your display tank, as far as I know, you cant turn it off at all. Other wise the sump will overflow, and more importantly nothing is getting filtered.

Oh ok thanks. I think I have decided on my Skimmer, a Hydor SlimSkim (The 65 Gallon one). It looks like pretty high quality and isn't ugly, which is important when it is internal. Regarding my light fixture, it will be a bit further back than the Sketchup model shows. Pic coming soon, Regards, Will

Sorry for double post guys, but need some advice. What are the advantages/disadvantages for using a normal filter for mechanical filtration rather than using a protein skimmer, Regards, Will

Hi all, I designed my LED Fixture in SketchUp. You can see my canopy, wood with acrylic lids (Already built, will post a pic later when I have put on the hinges). The black is black acrylic with holes drilled in it. It is sort of two fixtures. The blue holes are for royal blue LED's, and the white for cree white LED's. I think I will use optics, but I am not sure exactly what type of optics. If anyone knows about this please advise me on which optics to use. I have four rows of 7 LED's. Do people think this is enough? The tank is 91 cm long, 45 cm wide and 45 cm high. As far as which LED's to use, I would like to use these for the Royal Blue ones. http://www.ebay.com/itm/3W-Ultra-Bright-Royal-Blue-455-460nm-LED-20mm-Star-Board-60lm-/321340779178?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ad1672aaa&vxp=mtr I am pretty handy with a soldering iron so that is no issue for me. Tell me what you think! Regards, Will

Hi all, I was planning on going no-sump. Some of those Fluval HOB Protein Skimmers aren't too bad. And one of the reasons I want to go LED is that they would fit perfectly in my canopy. I also have a question, on marine tanks, is it critical that the lights are in the center above the tank? Could They be further to the back? Regards, Will

Hi all, I just picked up a 200L aquarium, with 2 Fluval Canister filters, a airpump, and a few ornaments all for $180! I have only kept freshwater, and was going to set this up as freshwater, until I visited Living Reef Supplies in Christchurch. Oh my god. I was immediately taken by the reef tank they had right when you went in the door and was desperate to replicate it . So here I go. I am going to sell off all the things that came with the tank and I don't need to kick start the funds I need for it. Being a student my budget isn't huge. I built a canopy today and will put pics up of it later. I am hoping to fit the lights in my hood. I am pretty handy with electronics so I would like to try building my own LED lights. It will be a full reef tank so I am taking any and all advice about making the light. From what I understand I need, a protein skimmer (I want to get a HOB one), lighting (Already explained), a heater, and some powerheads (No idea about these, help needed!). So if anyone has some good resources to share about my first reef tank I am open to help Regards, Will

Thanks I plan on planting it out quite a bit more, I saw a really nice heavily planted tank the other day which was my inspiration. Diamond Tetras look perfect to fit in there, I love the way their skin "sparkles". Also I need a bit of advice from people, I want to try and breed the Black Widows, has anyone got some advice for a first time breeder, and what I need to do specifically for the Black Widows. Regards, Will

Hi all, A few weeks ago I set up my 2nd tank. It is 71 liters, freshwater and planted. Currently it is stocked with 10 x Black Widow Tetras, 2 x Guppys, and 1 Golden Bristlenose. Let me know what you think of the aquascape! I want to get 10 more schooling fish in there, not sure what type. Any ideas? Regards Totara / Will

Hi all, I have been designing a 40cm cube aquarium, with a 10cm sump hanging off the back. I eventually want to make this into a nano reef, but will probably keep it as a Dwarf Puffer tank for the time being. So essentially I want to build a 40cm long, 40 cm high, 50 cm wide tank. This will allow for me to place the 10cm sump at the back with a piece of acrylic I will get made. What I want to know that is 5mm glass thickness enough for it? Regards, Will