[Poseidon]

A few more tank pictures, I couldn't help it!!!!

All of these are from the same point, just different focal points:






Okay, I guess that is all for now!

[Reefland]

WOW, your tank is looking spectacular Mike! Why the change from MH to T-5?

[Poseidon]

Thanks Scott, mostly I want to reduce my POWER BILL!!! If I can make 4 overdriven T5s work, then I will have reduced the lighting draw from 610W to 320W. I may have to replace 1 of the blues with another 11K Geismann bulb, or I may even have to add 2 more regularly driven T5s to make it work, but even then I will be at 428W, which should still show as a savings. I have been buying the supplies for making the switch to T5 locally on the used market and I was able to get all the pieces for pretty cheap. I was able to score 2 IceCap 660's with harness' for a total of $225. I bought 3 pairs of T5 endcaps and stands for $30 from another reefer. And then a pair of bulbs and reflectors came from DIY reef. The BEST score was a complete 55 gallon tank that had 4 T5s with IceCap SLR reflectors, endcaps, and 4 bulbs that were less then 6 months old for $250. That came with a cabinet stand, canopy, sump, skimmer, overflow, return pump, 2 workhorse ballasts, and even some fish and corals. I will part all that stuff out and make back most if not all of the $250 that I spent. So overall the switch wasn't really all that expensive, and it should save me some money!

[Reefland]

Sounds like some patience helped make the deal pretty sweet.

[charlie]

Looking real good Mike, lots of changes and progress!!!! I like it.

[Poseidon]

Thanks Charlie, so far so good on the T5's. I don't see any BROWNING, but I don't see any increase in color yet either.

[charlie]

Mike, how long have you had the T5 bulbs on there?

[Poseidon]

Today is day THREE. LOL!

[charlie]

Ummmmmmm, you think maybe we should wait a couple of weeks before we make a final decision?

[Poseidon]

Ya! That was the plan! So far I do like the color, I miss the glimmer lines though.

[charlie]

I bet you that I would miss the glimmer lines to!!! I think you should be good to go if after 3-4 weeks you don't notice to much change in the coloration of the corals. I also think they would have let you know right away if they really didn't like them.

[Poseidon]

Ya, I think so too Charlie. So far I get good polyp extension, and no noticeable change in color after 3 days. Part of my updating this thread was to document the change. I took LOTS of pictures, and I will use them to compare images from a few weeks from now.

[charlie]

I'll just hang around for the results.

[Poseidon]

I sure hope it works out, the power savings alone make it worth the change.

[charlie]

Have you ever looked at those Solaris lites Mike. when I went to hear Sanjay speak over in Tri-Cities this July, he seemed to agree that they are the future, but not quite yet. As the years go by, I am sure they will perfect them, and the price will come down.

[Poseidon]

Oh Of course I have, but I didn't want to shell out that amount of LOOT! I am not THAT wealthy.

I agree the Solaris are awesome fixtures, and I think I read something about a 400W equivilent version either coming out, or is already out, but that will have to be in the future, when I am doing 30+ Weddings a year, at 3K+ each! As it is now, I am only doing 15 or so, at 2300, so I am making progress towards that goal.

[zhenya]

Tank looks great, Mike! All of the shots are amazing as well, I'm kinda partial to the vertical perspective.

I think you will be pleasantly surprized by the T-5's but overdriven bulbs may require more frequent replacement, so the savings may be dampened by that, even if not by much if you consider cost of the bulbs.

Post some progress shots in about two-three weeks if you don't mind, I'm very interested to see how this turns out.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by zhenya

Tank looks great, Mike! All of the shots are amazing as well, I'm kinda partial to the vertical perspective.

I think you will be pleasantly surprized by the T-5's but overdriven bulbs may require more frequent replacement, so the savings may be dampened by that, even if not by much if you consider cost of the bulbs.

Post some progress shots in about two-three weeks if you don't mind, I'm very interested to see how this turns out.

What he said.

[Poseidon]

Thanks Gene! I am hoping that it works out, and I plan on replacing the bulbs once a year, just like my halides. If I can get away with that, then the cost of bulb replacement will be the same. (2x250W XM's are about $110, 4x54W T5, depending on bulb choice could come in less then $100.)

My chiller taking a dump on me has really put a cramp in my style so to speak. I have purchased a different sump fan, and I found some cool little AC fans at Walmart for $5, that should work in the canopy. I need to get in touch with Pacific Coast, and see what my options are.

[Poseidon]

Which of the three verticals do you guys like best, I like the first best....