26.5"x26" cheap lighting ideas?

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Originally Posted by Floyd R Turbo

personally very concerned with your overflow system. That's an accident waiting to happen. If it were me, I'd take the tank down and re-work the whole overflow system before worrying about the scrubber, but that's just me.

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Thats about my thoughts as well, I am still considering what I should do about said overflow....

I am not THAT concerned about the level of noise, I actually like the sound of continous flowing water, the current sound of the tank in my room is great white noise at night. However I cant have the sound changing, I dont want to wake up every 10 minutes with the fear my tank is overflowing, that just wont do.

I could do a box like the glass holes overflow, that would be simple enough, but honestly I still dont see how it will outflow mine, unless it switches back and forth between siphon and non siphon flow, and I can have that for the above reason.

So right now I am considering how to do a dual overflow (or triple overflow ala http://beananimal.com/projects/silent-a ... ystem.aspx) I guess the simpleset method would be to leave my existing overflow as it is and start a full siphon overflow of a smaller size, perhaps 3/4". That way I could have a full time siphon, and my existing overflow as the catch all for anything the siphon cant flow. Does that sound fairly safe? Or like an accident waiting to happen?

I don't see how you can do it though without tearing the tank down and drilling it and adding an internal weir.

You can build an external overflow box, like this one http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/overflow.html That is what I have been using for years.

If I was going to start all over. I would have holes drilled in the tank and us an internal overflow box, very easy to build. The external one works great, except your overflow portion really needs to be made out of smoke or black acrylic, Algae will grow in the overflow and blocks the flow, I put electrical tape over it. I have to soak the unit in vinegar about once a year, and get the coralline algae out of it. You so need to attach a siphon line to the top of the overflow to draw off any air that will get trapped.

This weekend I upgraded my pump from a mag 3 to a mag 9.5, my overflow box cannot handle the pump capacity, since it is only 7" long. I have double 1" return lines, so if I could get the water through the overflow portion, then it should be able to handle the 700 GPH that pump sends out. So instead of 700 GPH I am running 500 GPH, better then the 250 I had previously. You could also build a longer over flow box, for 700 GPH it needs to be about 11" long.

Kent

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Originally Posted by Floyd R Turbo

I don't see how you can do it though without tearing the tank down and drilling it and adding an internal weir.

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Not sure why I would have to tear it down? I'll just turn off the pump, lower the water a bit and drill a hole in the glass....

Good luck with that. When you drill a hole in glass, you have to have it lubricated and horizontal, and under no pressure. Try drilling a hole in a partially filled tank with no lubrication or just spraying it with water and the tank will explode.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Floyd R Turbo

Good luck with that. When you drill a hole in glass, you have to have it lubricated and horizontal, and under no pressure. Try drilling a hole in a partially filled tank with no lubrication or just spraying it with water and the tank will explode.

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Ehh its not hard. I drilled the other 2 holes with the tank setup, cant see how a 3rd would be an issue. For the big hole I kept the water level right at the bottom of the hole, when the drill spins it self lubricates nicely. For the small one I used a condiment bottle that I use to clean the tank. If you wanted to get fancy you could set a big container full of tank water and let it siphon through an airline tube on to the bit.

Either way with a tank this thick its not a problem, although a tank with thinner glass (like a 5-10 gallon tank) could be trouble, but on the other hand a tank that small is easy to tear down.

I heard back from the guys about these reflectors: http://www.stagelightingstore.com/Rosco ... ory=552363
http://www.stagelightingstore.com/co...5c4858edbfa406

To: advisor@stagelightingstore.com
Subject: Water/heat resistant reflective material?
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:13:34 -0700

Hi I work with saltwater aquariums and am curious how well Rosco Cinegel #3801: Roscoflex Mirror - 20” x 24” Sheet holds up to water and heat? Can it be submerged? or at least handle overspray? Or could it be used as a reflector for T5HO lighting, possibly even touching the bulb?

Joel



HI Joel,

Thank you for contacting the Stage Lighting Store. I forwarded your question to Rosco and here was the response:

Per Mike Wagner, the product manager. The product isn’t intended for or tested for salt water, but he can’t think of why it wouldn’t work.

Thanks,

Tad Wiggins
Stage Lighting Store
Lighting Sales Advisor
3061 N Philips Hwy
Suite 102
Jacksonville, Fl 32207

Looks nice... someone try it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Floyd R Turbo

Good luck with that. When you drill a hole in glass, you have to have it lubricated and horizontal, and under no pressure. Try drilling a hole in a partially filled tank with no lubrication or just spraying it with water and the tank will explode.

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Someone on my local reefing forum did this and got away with it. Said it was easy.

I've drilled a few holes in glass tanks and certainly wouldn't fancy doing it that way though.

Yeah, I would personally never attempt it. It's a pain to tear a tank down, but if one thing goes wrong, it becomes full-out panic time!