Brand new tank, I need help!

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by ToboAqua, Jul 20, 2008.

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  1. ToboAqua

    ToboAqua Astrea Snail

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    Here is a picture of my light fixture, do you think I can retro fit it?

    Whats wrong with Tap water? How bad is it to use tap water, because it will be a pain to fill it with anything else...

    As far as what I am putting in the tank I have no idea... I am new to this and just want something relativly EZ, but I did hope to get at least 1 sea anemone....
     

    Attached Files:

    ToboAqua, Jul 21, 2008
    ToboAqua, Jul 21, 2008
    #11

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  2. ToboAqua

    ToboAqua Astrea Snail

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    Can this light be retrofit???

    Does anyone know if the picture of my lights above will take T5 VHOs???
     
    ToboAqua, Jul 23, 2008
    ToboAqua, Jul 23, 2008
    #12
    1 person likes this.
  3. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

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    My 2 cents worth....
    Think about what you want to do, get the proper advice, get what you need for that when you start...
    I did not...and I have lost alot of money...but what cost do you put on the things I have learned? yuk yuk yuk
    Welcome to 3reef..... strap yourself in...your journey is about to begin. ; )
    Tim
     
    lillys Grandad, Jul 23, 2008
    lillys Grandad, Jul 23, 2008
    #13
  4. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    Karma to you

    Don't follow Watts Per Gallon rules you'll find on the Internet, don't look at a pretty tank and decide to replicate their lighting.....that's what works best on THEIR tank.

    Determine what type of corals you want to keep and then work backwards. The animals should dictate the equipment purchases vs the other way around.
     
    inwall75, Jul 23, 2008
    inwall75, Jul 23, 2008
    #14
  5. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    No it won't....Those are power compacts. You'll pull your hair out trying to convert a PC fixture just because you have it. Just buy some retrofit kits, build a custom hood and be done with it. Inexpensive, easy to assemble, and you're done. Alternatively, depending on budget, just buy a pre-assembled light.
     
    inwall75, Jul 23, 2008
    inwall75, Jul 23, 2008
    #15
    1 person likes this.
  6. nunch

    nunch Aiptasia Anemone

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    Weston, Florida
    yeah, you can retro but not w/ T-5's. gonna have to be more PC's, unless you wanna replace balasts, sockets and all. which you might wanna get a whole new fixture.

    tap water is not purified of all the pollutants such as chlorine, phosphates, lead, ect. you need to find a good RO source. go to the supermarket and look for water that has been purified by reverse osmosis, or LFS should have it.
     
    nunch, Jul 23, 2008
    nunch, Jul 23, 2008
    #16

    7. Click Here!

  7. nunch

    nunch Aiptasia Anemone

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    no, they're PC's, you'll have to change everything.
     
    nunch, Jul 23, 2008
    nunch, Jul 23, 2008
    #17
  8. ToboAqua

    ToboAqua Astrea Snail

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    Well I guess I could just buy a new light fixture... any good how to web sites for building a light fixture? Thanks for the advice guys.
     
    ToboAqua, Jul 23, 2008
    ToboAqua, Jul 23, 2008
    #18
  9. nunch

    nunch Aiptasia Anemone

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    are you good w/ electrical work? if so you might be able to use the same ballasts you got and just buy different end caps for t-5's but you're gonna have to know how to wire it back up. just follow the schematics on the ballast and stay at or under the wattage permited.
     
    nunch, Jul 23, 2008
    nunch, Jul 23, 2008
    #19
  10. R34dawn

    R34dawn Ocellaris Clown

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    Howdy! and welcome to 3Reef
     
    R34dawn, Jul 23, 2008
    R34dawn, Jul 23, 2008
    #20
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