60g cube tank build

[Bobbofin]

Where's ya get at 24x24 tank. I want one but only 20" tall. Who's CS?

 

[Joel A]

Steve, i use a RK2 on my tank, and I like it a lot. There are better and more customizable controllers out there nowadays as i'm sure you know... but this one has all the necessary and basic functions you need in a controller... nothing to crazy about it.. but for the money definitely a solid purchase for any tank.


Tank looks like it's going to be nice =). Are you going to stay t5 or go MH on this one?

 

[SteveDola]

im switching over to MH with a 250w bulb run on a galaxy ballast with a lumen bright reflector mini pendant. I love T5s but the ati fixture I would want is like 850 and this will be 335 and be just as efficient.

bobbofin: C.S. goes by the screen name randoma here on BRS.

 

[KJB]

Now thats a tank build!!!!!! Great craftsmanship!!! Nice job!

 

[SteveDola]

picked up the tank tonight. looks very nice. thanks again CS-

 

[SteveDola]

SOrry no updates on the stand build because theres no progress. Instead I installed my plasma's wall mount and shelving unit. Ill be sure to update once I finish more.

 

[KSC]

If you don't have the ballast yet the radium 250 is best fired by an HQI ballast.

 

[SteveDola]

really, huh. I was told the galaxy. Ill have to look into that.

 

[SteveDola]

who makes HQI ballast? are you talking about a DE bulb instead of a single ended bulb or is there a company named HQI?

 

[KSC]

An hqi ballast is an m-80 ballast for 250w bulbs. Most (all?) de bulbs need an hqi ballast. The 250w radium single end bulb is made to be fired on an hqi ballast. The hqi ballast will run this bulb at over 300w, an e-ballast will run it close to 250 watts. From what I've read the bulb will burn bluer, less par on an e-ballast, whiter, more par on an m-80 hqi. I run my radiums on a bluewave hqi ballast.

 

[SteveDola]

do you wire the same as you would a eballast?

do you a bluewave 3 ballast? this one here:
http://www.bestgrowlights.com/site/403863/page/434314

 

[KSC]

I'd assume so. A little cheaper here....http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Metal...ng-Metal-Halide-Ballasts/c57_73_81/index.html

If you are going to wire it yourself just go to the electric supply house in your area and ask for an Advance or Magnatech m-80 250w ballast. I was quoted about $80-90 for one, but needed 2. The Bluewave dual is only $200, and it just plugs in to my Lumenmax pendants....

 

[SteveDola]

yeh im just wondering how the BW3 ballast plugs into my lumenbight reflector. must be a way im just unfamilar with metal halide lighting because Ive been using T5. could I put a male and female plug end on the ends of the wires and attach them that way?>

 

[KSC]

You'd probably have to buy the lumenmax male/female (not sure) end and splice it to your LBrite cord so you could plug it into the ballast. I believe Galaxy and Bluewave are made by the same co. so I'd assume they have the same plugs...http://sunlightsupply.com/aqua/products.aspx?request=1&type=subcat&title=Ballasts&pagenum=1

 

[SteveDola]

well that kinda stinks-i hate electrical work. I looked on that site and the male plug is 15.99, just another way to get ya.

 

[SteveDola]

i received my reflector today and got a great deal on the Bluewave ballast/plug/bulb combo from a ebay dealer. Ill post some pics of the updates tomorrow night.

 

[SteveDola]

Here is what slowed my process this weekend. I finally got the tv on the wall.

I bought on of those extendable mounts that pull off the wall and turn left/right/up/down. I love this thing because I can basically angle my tv in any direction.

 

[SteveDola]

heres the lumenbright. I must say it is very impressive right out of the box.

 

[jbishop]

Nice reflector. I am going to have to get these for my tank.

 

[SteveDola]

picture update: cut top, painted interior, cut and placed trim. All I need to do now is stain and poly. take a look.