Lighting upgrade ?

Lion_posion · 12/31/2006, 02:15 AM

I wish to upgrade my lighting.
I have an Orca RA-05, which seems to be like a JBJ Nanocube.
As I'm in Aust could someone point in a direction as how to upgrade my pitiful lighting.

Its only a 36w 50/50
10k with actinic

I know of Nanotuners, but over here our power runs at 240v not 110v like in the states.

Could some help me please.
Also I dont want to lose my hood as I have two cats.

michaeldaly · 12/31/2006, 03:13 AM

You dont have much space in there for bigger lights. You could just put in another power compact like the one you have in the open slot.

Lion_posion · 12/31/2006, 05:08 AM

That is an option, but thats not actually a spare bay, it appears to be a chamber for the cooling fans.

How much would I need to increase my lighting to keep LPS corals, or even SPS. I mainly want a closed brain coral as a centre piece to my tank.

Here is the link to Nanotuners.

Nanotuners - Custom nano tanks

Has anyone had experiance with them?
Or other Ideas, such as DIY or retail outlets?

michaeldaly · 12/31/2006, 07:01 AM

If you built a bigger hood you could fit much better lighting in.

Is it possible to remove that whole plastic box in your hood?

Mabey you could put a bank of 4-5 T5 bulbs in it.

kodyboy · 12/31/2006, 07:33 AM

Nanotuners.com!!!
Great company! They will help you do whatever you want to increase your lighiting! Give them a call.

michaeldaly · 12/31/2006, 08:07 AM

I don't think nanotuners is going to work with you being in australia and the company in the us. Rather go the DIY route

Henry Bowman · 12/31/2006, 08:49 AM

I know everyone has suggested nanotuners. I have dealt with Chris there. He's a good guy and wouldnt steer you wrong. Email him and or call (California time) he'd be able to sell you some of the retrofit parts and could probably steer you to the correct ballast(s) for your voltage. I have a nanotuner retrofit and the configuration looks very similar to the hood you have. At least he could sell you the reflector and fans that come with the lighting upgrade that he works with.

FWIW

Lion_posion · 12/31/2006, 04:26 PM

Thanks all,
I'm only a noob, so If I went diy
What is T-5 and how does it work?

Also I saw on nanotuners the 3.36 + 1.24 kit would this be enough to keep LPS corals?

What is HQI? as they also offer a 70w kit

kodyboy · 12/31/2006, 05:05 PM

T5s are thin flourescent tubes (5cm in diameter) that provide excellent light. HQI are double ended metal halide bulbs, a 70 watt and a couple of T5s or PCs would work well. The three 36 watt PCs would grow LPS fine. I am sure Chris at nanotuners could set you up for what you need, or at least point you in the right dirrection.

michaeldaly · 01/01/2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kodyboy
T5s are thin flourescent tubes (5cm in diameter) that provide excellent light. HQI are double ended metal halide bulbs, a 70 watt and a couple of T5s or PCs would work well. The three 36 watt PCs would grow LPS fine. I am sure Chris at nanotuners could set you up for what you need, or at least point you in the right dirrection.

T5 are definately not 5cm in diameter, that would be enormous they are 5/8 of an inch in diameter

kodyboy · 01/01/2007, 12:48 PM

Oops, My fault I meant 5/8 of an inch, not 5cm, I appoligize

Lion_posion · 01/06/2007, 12:56 AM

Well its been a week since I emailed Nanotuners for help and or ideas, but am yet to recieve a reply.

So has anyone done their own DIY on a nanocube before, if so what did you do and how did you do it?

Henry Bowman · 01/06/2007, 09:24 AM

I used their top end upgrade on a 12 gl nano. It has PC's to replace the stock lights (also PC's but there are more of them on a better ballast). It's fairly involved. You replace both ballasts in the remote ballast housing. You have to remove all the stock electronics, lights fans etc, from the hood and replace it. If you call Nanotuners (in california, keep in mind any time differences) they helped me quite a bit.

You keep the stock hood (of course) and the light lense cover. Most all the other parts are replaced. If you use the HQI Mh light, you'd also need the ICA "chiller" for the tank for heat. I put one of these "chillers" on my tank and it stays around 78 steady. I also use a reefkeeper unit to control the heater and ICA otherwise, the chiller and fans in the hood run 24/7 in my living room. Without some type of controler the temp is kept from running to low by defeating the cooling process with a heater
set to the desired temp.
It took a couple of screwdrivers, wire strippers, a solder gun and a rotary tool to complete the process.

kodyboy · 01/06/2007, 10:21 AM

give them a call, they were always helpful to me.

12/31/2006, 02:15 AM	#1
Lion_posion Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 115	Lighting upgrade ? I wish to upgrade my lighting. I have an Orca RA-05, which seems to be like a JBJ Nanocube. As I'm in Aust could someone point in a direction as how to upgrade my pitiful lighting. Its only a 36w 50/50 10k with actinic I know of Nanotuners, but over here our power runs at 240v not 110v like in the states. Could some help me please. Also I dont want to lose my hood as I have two cats. __________________ Ow Bad squishy, bad squishy ROFL Current Tank Info: 3ft in wall

12/31/2006, 05:08 AM	#3
Lion_posion Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 115	That is an option, but thats not actually a spare bay, it appears to be a chamber for the cooling fans. How much would I need to increase my lighting to keep LPS corals, or even SPS. I mainly want a closed brain coral as a centre piece to my tank. Here is the link to Nanotuners. Nanotuners - Custom nano tanks Has anyone had experiance with them? Or other Ideas, such as DIY or retail outlets? __________________ Ow Bad squishy, bad squishy ROFL Current Tank Info: 3ft in wall

12/31/2006, 08:49 AM	#7
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	I know everyone has suggested nanotuners. I have dealt with Chris there. He's a good guy and wouldnt steer you wrong. Email him and or call (California time) he'd be able to sell you some of the retrofit parts and could probably steer you to the correct ballast(s) for your voltage. I have a nanotuner retrofit and the configuration looks very similar to the hood you have. At least he could sell you the reflector and fans that come with the lighting upgrade that he works with. FWIW __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

12/31/2006, 04:26 PM	#8
Lion_posion Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 115	Thanks all, I'm only a noob, so If I went diy What is T-5 and how does it work? Also I saw on nanotuners the 3.36 + 1.24 kit would this be enough to keep LPS corals? What is HQI? as they also offer a 70w kit __________________ Ow Bad squishy, bad squishy ROFL Current Tank Info: 3ft in wall

01/06/2007, 12:56 AM	#12
Lion_posion Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 115	Well its been a week since I emailed Nanotuners for help and or ideas, but am yet to recieve a reply. So has anyone done their own DIY on a nanocube before, if so what did you do and how did you do it? __________________ Ow Bad squishy, bad squishy ROFL Current Tank Info: 3ft in wall

12/31/2006, 03:13 AM	#2
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	You dont have much space in there for bigger lights. You could just put in another power compact like the one you have in the open slot.

12/31/2006, 07:01 AM	#4
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	If you built a bigger hood you could fit much better lighting in. Is it possible to remove that whole plastic box in your hood? Mabey you could put a bank of 4-5 T5 bulbs in it.

12/31/2006, 07:33 AM	#5
kodyboy Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,990	Nanotuners.com!!! Great company! They will help you do whatever you want to increase your lighiting! Give them a call.

12/31/2006, 08:07 AM	#6
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	I don't think nanotuners is going to work with you being in australia and the company in the us. Rather go the DIY route

12/31/2006, 05:05 PM	#9
kodyboy Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,990	T5s are thin flourescent tubes (5cm in diameter) that provide excellent light. HQI are double ended metal halide bulbs, a 70 watt and a couple of T5s or PCs would work well. The three 36 watt PCs would grow LPS fine. I am sure Chris at nanotuners could set you up for what you need, or at least point you in the right dirrection.

01/01/2007, 12:48 PM	#11
kodyboy Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,990	Oops, My fault I meant 5/8 of an inch, not 5cm, I appoligize

01/06/2007, 09:24 AM	#13
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	I used their top end upgrade on a 12 gl nano. It has PC's to replace the stock lights (also PC's but there are more of them on a better ballast). It's fairly involved. You replace both ballasts in the remote ballast housing. You have to remove all the stock electronics, lights fans etc, from the hood and replace it. If you call Nanotuners (in california, keep in mind any time differences) they helped me quite a bit. You keep the stock hood (of course) and the light lense cover. Most all the other parts are replaced. If you use the HQI Mh light, you'd also need the ICA "chiller" for the tank for heat. I put one of these "chillers" on my tank and it stays around 78 steady. I also use a reefkeeper unit to control the heater and ICA otherwise, the chiller and fans in the hood run 24/7 in my living room. Without some type of controler the temp is kept from running to low by defeating the cooling process with a heater set to the desired temp. It took a couple of screwdrivers, wire strippers, a solder gun and a rotary tool to complete the process. __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

01/06/2007, 10:21 AM	#14
kodyboy Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,990	give them a call, they were always helpful to me.