Ghetto Reef
- Thread starter joejdsn
- Start date
Harrison, i tried a couple of the LOA lights and both failed within a month. I know that alot of people have had success with these, but I thought I would let you know in case you have problems with them and feel like you are all alone.
Good luck with your project.
Steve
Steve
You mean something like this?: http://www.liquidreef.com/ and click on PROP TUB.
I've been using two LOA's for over a year now and the one of the two LOA #9266's finally just burned out on me (they're on a freshwater planted tank now that the prop tub is torn down). The key to a long life on the LOA's is to not allow them to overheat as they will fry themselves otherwise.
HTH
Shane
liquid on #reefs
I've been using two LOA's for over a year now and the one of the two LOA #9266's finally just burned out on me (they're on a freshwater planted tank now that the prop tub is torn down). The key to a long life on the LOA's is to not allow them to overheat as they will fry themselves otherwise.
HTH
Shane
liquid on #reefs
Ok, that has cracked me up for two days.
I am in the process of building a budget reef tank. Actually it is going to be a cutting tank / nano reef. I have a ten gallon cutting tank right now but I want to use and old 30 gallon I have around the house. I built a canopy last night and am going to set the tank on a file cabinet that can hold the weight so I don't have to build a stand (yet). I am going to use two of the Lights of America 65 watt PC's from home depot. I have a large bag of fine sand and some live rock that was in the ten. The filter is a typical 40 gallon freshwater type filter. (mechanical) and I may add a small skimmer later down the road.
There are two parts. One is I want more room cause I have a bunch of cutting to do. And two I am obsesiv....no not that. I want to test these LOA lights to see if they will work for corals and maintain a tank. The two lights are really bright so I may only use one to start. Should be interesting.
If people are kinda interested I would make a web page and update it with pics to show what is growing in it and how the lights are performing. The system is going to be made of spare parts and will be low tech. Should be alot of fun.
If you have any ideas or insight let it be known. I know alot of people use these lights on their refugiums. That is how I found out about them. I already have pictures started so in a day or so, I will have the site made. The water is stirring now and I might be too sick to go to work tomorrow (wink).
What do you think?
I am in the process of building a budget reef tank. Actually it is going to be a cutting tank / nano reef. I have a ten gallon cutting tank right now but I want to use and old 30 gallon I have around the house. I built a canopy last night and am going to set the tank on a file cabinet that can hold the weight so I don't have to build a stand (yet). I am going to use two of the Lights of America 65 watt PC's from home depot. I have a large bag of fine sand and some live rock that was in the ten. The filter is a typical 40 gallon freshwater type filter. (mechanical) and I may add a small skimmer later down the road.
There are two parts. One is I want more room cause I have a bunch of cutting to do. And two I am obsesiv....no not that. I want to test these LOA lights to see if they will work for corals and maintain a tank. The two lights are really bright so I may only use one to start. Should be interesting.
If people are kinda interested I would make a web page and update it with pics to show what is growing in it and how the lights are performing. The system is going to be made of spare parts and will be low tech. Should be alot of fun.
If you have any ideas or insight let it be known. I know alot of people use these lights on their refugiums. That is how I found out about them. I already have pictures started so in a day or so, I will have the site made. The water is stirring now and I might be too sick to go to work tomorrow (wink).
What do you think?
Hehe...ill be at AW sometime tomorrow harrison as I just got a Korallin reactor today
GL with your little system. I had a 10 gallon cutting system that turned to an 18 tall system......then.....moved along to just an 18 tall now my 60
if ya need any help, let me know.
J
GL with your little system. I had a 10 gallon cutting system that turned to an 18 tall system......then.....moved along to just an 18 tall now my 60
if ya need any help, let me know.
J
Hey Shane,
That is what I am trying to do. Funny we both called it Ghetto, hahahah. The good thing is that the lights come from Home Depot and they are good about taking things back. If they turn out to be a problem I will report that to everyone and switch if I have to. At 29 bucks though it is hard to beat.
Jason, too bad your so far away... I am going to be setting up the tank shortly.
I am waiting for the paint to dru on the back since I just painted it black. Water has been brewing for a couple days so I am pretty much set. I am going to use the water from the ten and some from my 80 then use the remainder of new mixed. Basically going to do a water change on my big tank...
More to follow
That is what I am trying to do. Funny we both called it Ghetto, hahahah. The good thing is that the lights come from Home Depot and they are good about taking things back. If they turn out to be a problem I will report that to everyone and switch if I have to. At 29 bucks though it is hard to beat.
Jason, too bad your so far away... I am going to be setting up the tank shortly.
I am waiting for the paint to dru on the back since I just painted it black. Water has been brewing for a couple days so I am pretty much set. I am going to use the water from the ten and some from my 80 then use the remainder of new mixed. Basically going to do a water change on my big tank...
More to follow
I have done the same, a 10 frag tank with the LOA light that has quickly turned into a nano. I acutally took it out of its casing and mounted in a 7 inch canopy. I has done great keeping sofites, LPS, and some SPS. I am switching the light out though to some 13 watt PC's though. I haven't had any problems wiht the light, after 6 months I am getting tired of its yellow color and want to move to somethig more blue/white.
Your going to go from 65watt to 15watt???
I just got the tank set up and things are looking pretty good. My little goby was pissed but he seems better now. I thought the lights got a little warm too and the front piece of plastic was kinda close to the class which I think also transferred heat. not a problem now but will be in the summer. I took my brand new ROTOZIP and cut the plastic cover. Now it still has the clear sides which keeps it on the top of the tank without fear of falling in but the rest of the clear cover is gone to allow air to move over the buld. I will eventually add a fan or two. When I get the pics downloaded and on a web page I will let you know...
Good news is my goby shrimp combo decided that they are still going to share a burrow, so I am very pleased!!!
I just got the tank set up and things are looking pretty good. My little goby was pissed but he seems better now. I thought the lights got a little warm too and the front piece of plastic was kinda close to the class which I think also transferred heat. not a problem now but will be in the summer. I took my brand new ROTOZIP and cut the plastic cover. Now it still has the clear sides which keeps it on the top of the tank without fear of falling in but the rest of the clear cover is gone to allow air to move over the buld. I will eventually add a fan or two. When I get the pics downloaded and on a web page I will let you know...
Good news is my goby shrimp combo decided that they are still going to share a burrow, so I am very pleased!!!
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HARRISON:
<strong>Your going to go from 65watt to 15watt???
</strong><hr></blockquote>
No, a 5 X 13 watt power compact setup, 2 actinic, 3 10K. Same wattage, just a better coloration IMO, plus I can do the dawn/dusk thing.
<strong>Your going to go from 65watt to 15watt???
</strong><hr></blockquote>
No, a 5 X 13 watt power compact setup, 2 actinic, 3 10K. Same wattage, just a better coloration IMO, plus I can do the dawn/dusk thing.
That sounds a little better
So far I am pretty happy with the color of the tank but if it changes to more yellow or green I will add a blue. It is a cutting tank so not so much for show. Although it is pretty cool right now. May make it into a nano if I get bored hahaha.
So far I am pretty happy with the color of the tank but if it changes to more yellow or green I will add a blue. It is a cutting tank so not so much for show. Although it is pretty cool right now. May make it into a nano if I get bored hahaha.
The box is White blue and yellow, it is located in the outdoor lights of Home Depot. ^5 watt and supposedly 65k. It also says on the box that there is 6825 Lumens of light output (for what thats worth). Model number is 9266 and they are 29 bucks. If you need more info on the lights do a search under Lights of America.
HARRISON
HARRISON
You're building a ghetto reef?
Make sure there are plenty of brown paper bags for the foh'ties your fish will be drinking.
That's ghetto reefing.
Also - will there be much more fighting than usual in the reef?
[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: MandarinFish ]</p>
Make sure there are plenty of brown paper bags for the foh'ties your fish will be drinking.
That's ghetto reefing.
Also - will there be much more fighting than usual in the reef?
[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: MandarinFish ]</p>
Harrison
Just an idea, you can run two 55 for a little more money firm lampsnow, I have used these 65 from Lowes on a 10 gallon, they are no where near as bright as the 55 watters we normally use.
28.00 for the ballast and 22.00 each for the bulds
for around 25.00 more dollars you may get a much better lighting.
http://www.lampsnow.com/2lam55wattwi.html
http://www.lampsnow.com/55wat6721ger.html
Electronic Ballast - Replacement.
Operates 55W and 36W compact lamps. 120 VAC.
9 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 1 1/2" (LxWxH)
Warranty: 3 years
David
Just an idea, you can run two 55 for a little more money firm lampsnow, I have used these 65 from Lowes on a 10 gallon, they are no where near as bright as the 55 watters we normally use.
28.00 for the ballast and 22.00 each for the bulds
for around 25.00 more dollars you may get a much better lighting.
http://www.lampsnow.com/2lam55wattwi.html
http://www.lampsnow.com/55wat6721ger.html
Electronic Ballast - Replacement.
Operates 55W and 36W compact lamps. 120 VAC.
9 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 1 1/2" (LxWxH)
Warranty: 3 years
David
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