David R Posted August 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 I've just finished the "temporary" set up of the new lighting, the Current units have a metal adjustable "foot" at each end designed to sit the light on the edge of the tank, but as I'm putting a 3' and 4' unit together to make a 7' length over an 8' tank it required a bit of modification. I also wanted to attach them to some aluminium C-channel so they could be lifted up above the top of the tank to allow better spread over the 1200mm width. Here's a side on shot showing how slim the units are, and the wire foot on each end; To join the two units together I removed the support out of one, then cut the bends off another so it could be inserted into the adjacent unit. Fairly straightforward, but unfortunately not rigid enough to support the whole length as I had hoped for, so it will need to be attached to the C-channel in the centre too. No biggie. I've experimented around and found that raising them 150mm off the top of the tank gives good spread without losing too much over the side. I have also angled the front unit ever so slightly to help prevent the light spilling over the front of the tank. I'm thrilled with how they look and the colours of the fish, and the quality of the lights too. Can't recommend them enough, worth every cent over the cheaper units I looked at, and even more so when the programmable timers come out. I'm going to get out the DSLR and try take some decent pics of the fish tonight! More info on the lights here; http://www.current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-freshwater-led-plus Now I have to decide if I join the C-channels together to make a rectangular frame and suspend that either from the ceiling or a couple of supports above the tank, or if I build an open topped wooden fascia around the top (and bottom) of the tank to house and support the lights. Suggestions??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted August 17, 2013 Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 cant wait to see some pics!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 We're home tomorrow if you want to drop the bins off and check it out in person! I got a bit busy this evening and remembered I was going to take photos just after putting my home made pizza in the oven before sitting down to watch a chick-flick with my wife (she helped with the lights this afternoon so there's gotta be a bit of give and take!). Still managed to snap a few half-decent photos despite struggling to remember how to use the camera, and forgetting to clean the glass... FTS Aro I noticed the left side of his jaw looks a little bung (for lack of a better word), perhaps damaged from jumping and hitting the glass when younger. Hopefully it becomes less noticeable as it grows, the right side still looks good tho! Altifrons L128 Had to zoom right in on him, surprised at how well that pic turned out given that he was about 3' away from the camera, as you can see here; Biggest L190 And I put the camera on a tripod (balanced on the couch, thus the slightly crooked angle!) and flicked thru a couple of the different presets with the lights. I can't recall which is which, but you get the idea. And for comparison the old 4' T8 fluros (2x 4' 2x 3'); It's been a while since I've put any effort into taking pics of the fish and I definitely need to brush up on my skills. I am very happy with the lights though, and the pics don't do them justice (of course). The pics above just show the pre-set modes, the difference is far greater in person, and you can adjust the intensity of the red, green, blue, violet and white lights to come up with just about any colour you want, and also the right level of intensity. Given the amount of ambient light in the room (I was really struggling with reflection on the glass) I'm thinking for the sake of taking pics building a hood around the top of the tank will be the best option to help contain the light. It's going to have to wait though, I've already blown the budget on this one and we've got a wedding in the US in March to attend, so until then all non-essential fish-related spending is on hold. of course more fish come under the 'essential' category IMO!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 Got a chance to see this in the flesh today, holy smokes this thing is huge! the pics don't do it justice there is so much room in there and I wanna congratulate u david this is a beautiful tank and you have done an outstanding job, even the sump is a monster! Look forward to some more updates and will def be back for another look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 :oops: cheers! bring the family next time, always happy to talk fish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bishop Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 Looks amazing mate, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redracer77 Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 :cophot: I really like this setup, great work. I might have to get those lights for my new tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danval Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 Awesome effort! Looks great :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 redracer, can't recommend the lights enough. They're bringing out a programmable timer for them too. I've just been watching the tank with the moonlights on, very cool. Bent up some little brackets to replace the cable ties. Not terribly pretty but you won't see any of it when I've finished the fascia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Sixteen days since cleaning the Poret and it has nearly clogged enough to get water flowing over the first sheet. It's probably got a few days left but I'll clean the first two sheets tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Good idea with the brackets, have you thought about getting the channel powdercoated so it's less noticeable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 It will all be less noticeable when concealed behind a nice timber fascia instead of jacked up on offcuts of 3x2! That kind of "non-essential" spending will have to wait til we get back from my sisters wedding in the US in March though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Ah true lol, it's looking great by the way man. Spending many nights in front of it with a nice ale I guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 16 days aint too bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likoma Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Sixteen days since cleaning the Poret and it has nearly clogged enough to get water flowing over the first sheet. It's probably got a few days left but I'll clean the first two sheets tomorrow. Nice, I think the final touch should be a little carved polystyrene kayaker to play in the weir. The cartwheels that he/she would do would be awesome. Thanks again for the pothos plants. Roots are starting to increase and a new leave has opened up. I loved the idea so much that I have re-purposed an indoor house plant of a similar variety. The leaves are little more heart shaped but the structure of the plant is the same. The photo shows how I have criss-crossed the runners back and forth across the area below the clear roof sheets. So far so good, there are new roots forming on the existing roots even though the plants reputedly don't like wet feet. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 I did a bit of a re-arrange of the wood pile on the left side of the tank this morning, as the other wood I had been soaking finally sunk. I only added two pieces but they were both fairly large and it allowed me to pile it up a bit higher. 700mm is plenty deep enough, reaching the old wood was a struggle! The finished pile, just a lousy snap with my phone, I'll take some better pics tonight. After removing the old pile of wood I was able to get a good look at the L14 goldys for the first time since adding them to the tank. Despite never seeing them out to feed they look fat and healthy, good colours and seem to have grown a little. I'm going to stop feeding the plecs at night and instead try feeding them first thing in the morning before the tank lights come on, there is enough ambient light in the room to see the fish without it being too bright. A couple of the royals usually come out for the morning feed anyway, so hopefully the others will follow suit if I stop feeding them at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr A Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 More importantly, solid beard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Hah, yeah the beard is coming along nicely. The money I have saved on razors has gone a long way towards funding this project... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matto Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 i am jealous of both the tank and beard :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 Beards are the way of the future! That last picture shows off you tank and stock pretty dam well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amtiskaw Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Saw a review of the Current-USA timers today :bounce: Still don't see them on sale, but should be any day now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
land_lubber Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Its funny, your tank looks small in the photos until you have a person next to it then you see how massive it actually is. Looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Thanks! Saw a review of the Current-USA timers today :bounce: Still don't see them on sale, but should be any day now Yeah I've been keeping a close eye on their facebook page, cheers for the link to the review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxxnz Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 hollymolly!!! that is some real commitment on the beard.. :thup: now u need some real monster in your tank.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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