5.5G Mantis Nano

[karazy]

is CAD free?

[predator]

yes and no... legally its $30k... yes thats $30 grand...

[Gourami Swami]

What a coincidence, I just completed a 5.5g nano as well

Good luck man, the tank looks great!

[k-dawg-]

Originally Posted by karazy

is CAD free?

Google Sketchup is free, but its not super accurate or helpful when dealing with precise deminsions, it's better for just visualizing what something might look like. In my drafting class we use both sketchup pro and an actual CAD program called DesignCAD Express but you have to pay for both of those. It all depends on what you need, i think sketchup is pretty intuitive, and with a couple of their tutorials and about half and hour I bet you could figure out the basics. HTH

[Chrispy]

First off, CAD is not a name of a brand of programs. what your asking is basically "is drawing free". CAD (computer Aided Drafting) is used in so many different types of trades. There are thousands of programs out there. I would have to say ones made by AutoDesk are indeed the best. Preferably AutoCAD and Inventor. I have been using AutoCAD for six years and use it in many jobs. best thing out there, however its indeed expensive. ranges from several hundred to about 6 thousand. I have two Legal Licensed copies that i use (an older version and a newer one) and i use them a lot because its handy...

[Gourami Swami]

While a little difficult to learn, AutoCAD is really great. My father's job paid for our copy, and it is extremely useful to show any kind of building model. I designed my turtle enclosure with it

And back onto the reef, K Dawg, where did you buy your kelp? I seriously want to get some.

[Scuba Kid]

Macro algae can be bought at most saltwater shops. Its not really "kelp" though.

[k-dawg-]

update: plants...idk it may have been due to set up issues or lack of nutrients or wrong spectrum, but i have lost all but the halimeda which seems to be dwindling. On a better note I have added kenya tree, zoas, an a purple mushroom and they have been doing great for the past two weeks. There's a slight bit of cyano growing but hopefully it will dissipate. No crazy diatom blooms or standard algae cycles yet, this might be due to the fact that i used both water and rock from my main tank to start it.

Edit: I collected that macro in the keys, but it should be available at your lfs or on the web, and the kelp is actually caluerpa sp?

[Gourami Swami]

Ive heard cathode makes corals really glow... is that true?

[k-dawg-]

Originally Posted by Gourami Swami

Ive heard cathode makes corals really glow... is that true?

That depends really, any bulb with a UV spectrum will make certain colors on corals glow, its not just cold cathodes. On my setup I have 4 white to 2 blue; the colors look good but don't exactlly glow. In the future I might add 2 more white and two UV blue/purple bulbs to see how that affects things, but for right now I'm happy. HTH

[k-dawg-]

I'm planning on replacing the CC's with LEDs should be interesting...depending on funds should start within a few weeks. I'm thinking All Cree XR-E's 10 white, 8 Blue, and 2 Green. Anyone have any experience with them?

EDIT: Why did the title change back to "5.5G Mantis Reef" and some of the posts are gone? o well lol

[k-dawg-]

If anyone is following I think I'm gonna start my led project soon. If anyone has any experience with high power leds feel free to chime in. Basically I want to build an array that is the same light output as a 70watt metal halide and near the same cost.

Plan:

LEDs
10xCree XR-E P4 "cool white" approx 6500K
8xLuxeon III "royal blue" approx 455nm
2xLuxeon III "green"

Power
12V 12A DC power supply
7 DIY LED Driver (http://www.instructables.com/id/Circ...h-Power-LED_s/)
1 120V AC Driver (To power a single royal blue moonlight)

Cooling
8x12x1/4" aluminum plate to mount Leds to
4 CPU Heatsinks
2 80 mm 12V DC fans on DIY temperature controllers (http://www.heatsink-guide.com/conten...=control.shtml)

Total Cost: Hopefully under 150 (the same price as a 70W MH retrofit)

[k-dawg-]

Digikey parts:

Driver
FQP50N06L-ND N-Channel MOSFET x 1
2N5088BU-ND NPN Transistor x 1
100KXBK-ND 100K Ohm Resistor @ 1/4W x 1
P0.68W-1BK-ND .68 Ohm resistor @ 1W x1
Optional: CT2150-ND 5 Ohm Potentiometer

Fan Controllers
FQP50N06L-ND N-Channel MOSFET x 1
10K NTC 10K TNC Thermistor x1
D4AA14-ND 10K Trimmer pot x 1

Dealextreme

Cree P4 XR-E 7090 (WD) Emitter on Star (5-Pack) x 2
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2134
Thermal Compound
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13915 x1
Plugs
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10788 x1
Driver
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13552 x1

FutureElectronics

Royal Blues
http://www.componentsuperstore.com/s...IGHTING3584109
Green
http://www.componentsuperstore.com/s...IGHTING8781353

[MaelStrom]

Just be ready to wait for long time for things from DX. Shippings free, but some people end up waiting a month or more. THe two times i have ordered it took between 2 and 4 weeks.
People here would probally be of great help if you have questions http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/ . They build flashlights and stuff with cree's and stuff, and I assume some have a fair amount of electrical know-how.

[sneasle]

There are much much easier ways to do what you want to do. All you really need is a 5v-12v wall wart, your led's and a few resistors. No need for that led driver thingy.. all it is is a transformer..

[k-dawg-]

Originally Posted by sneasle

There are much much easier ways to do what you want to do. All you really need is a 5v-12v wall wart, your led's and a few resistors. No need for that led driver thingy.. all it is is a transformer..

All the research I've done say that it is not safe to run high power leds just a wall wart and some resistors. The heat that they generate causes a rise in their forward voltage which in turn causes a higher amp draw, thus more heat, AKA thermal run away...The driver is not a transformer, its a current limiter. It sets a specific cpnstant current and and extra power from the left over voltage of the LEDs is dissapated in the mosfet. Also a simple wallwart will not provide the necessary amperage they would need. Most can only do 200-350mA and the array I'm building 21x3watt LEDs will draw 4.9A. With 5mm leds the typical resistor setup makes sense but high power LEDs are a different animal.

Also Maelstrom I've hear that as well, I not in a rush but I can't wait two months either, I think I may just pay for upgraded shipping

[k-dawg-]

quick picture update:

-couple new gorganians, a blue ricordea, and some sponges from the FL Keys

[k-dawg-]

and of course a vid of the real heart of the reef. Spinning chaeto ball of awesomeness. =P

[Ice]

Looking good !

[Scuba Kid]

Looking good. Careful with that sponge though...some tropical species of sponges can be a PITA to keep. Make sure you're feeding it.