6gal Hex Cement n' more Reef

[Carl_in_Florida]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6420777#post6420777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dcoufal
Carl,

There's a reason for "plumbing" being in quotes... I don't really consider a powerhead and (2) bulkheads to be real "plumbing". But, I'll happily take a pic later this evening for everyone to "ooh" and "ahh" over.

Dwain

You obviously do not know how simple we are. (I was aware of the tongue in cheek but we don't care).

I like the pictures. can't wait to see it full.


Carl

 

[CamBarr]

any updates???

 

[scbauer]

Perhaps you missed it...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6420915#post6420915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dcoufal
I had a few minutes, so here are some pics:
Note: Still no water or sand and the acrylic is dirty...

"Plumbing":

Top (Lights/Fans):

Front w/Lights On:

The sides of the tank where the styro shows - not including the back wall - will be covered with stone or a foam/paint mix to make it look better.

Dwain

 

[kamla]

"ooh" "ahh"...

Nice work... keep us posted...

Make sure you post more pics..
or i will be the first one to Flame you...

 

[dcoufal]

More pics since I've added some LR:

Front:

Left:

Right:

Dwain

 

[Gallandro]

amazing, i'm inspired

 

[Kogo]

lookin good

 

[MAreefer1]

yes...very cool

 

[hahnmeister]

Wow, I love the look. I am concerned that you are running that closed loop through an overflow. What about evaporation...??? Your pump might quickly run dry.

 

[dcoufal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6456993#post6456993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Wow, I love the look. I am concerned that you are running that closed loop through an overflow. What about evaporation...??? Your pump might quickly run dry.

The humidity in central TX is currently *very* low (we're under fire weather warnings every day) and it's evaporating about 4oz/day w/o the cooling fans on. Turn the fans on and it jumps to about 12+oz/day.

I'm not really worried about the pump -- it's just a MaxiJet1200 (way overpowered for this tank) and I've had them run dry for 24+ hours before without any damage. But, when the water level drops in the overflow and it starts sucking air the whole tanks becomes a giant "snow globe" of air bubbles -- rather annoying.

So, for now - I'm just adding top-off water as needed until I work out an automated solution.

Dwain

 

[Carl_in_Florida]

how is your temp with the maxi jet?

 

[frezel]

great job

 

[vest0830]

Very nice!

 

[dcoufal]

Temps

Lights Off
Room: 76.1
Tank w/no Fan: 83.7
Tank w/Fan for 30 min: 81.0

Lights On
Room: 73.5
Tank w/no Fan: 85.1
Tank w/Fan for 30 min: 82.0
Tank w/Fan for 60 min: 79.5

 

[horseflesh]

I really like the look of the back wall. I can do the styrofoam work, but do you have a link that explains the cement/sand portion?

Are you just sticking sand to the styro with Portland cement?

(My second sw tank will be a smallish one like this, centered around an arrow crab.)

 

[dcoufal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6470560#post6470560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horseflesh
I really like the look of the back wall. I can do the styrofoam work, but do you have a link that explains the cement/sand portion?

Are you just sticking sand to the styro with Portland cement?

(My second sw tank will be a smallish one like this, centered around an arrow crab.)

Do a search for Agrocrete for full details; but, in short:
1 part portland : 4 parts crushed coral : 1 part sand

It's a thick paste that you apply to the styro and it magically stays there instead of falling off.

Dwain

 

[Mikeeal]

Lookin good. :thumbsup:

 

[Jimsmowen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6467774#post6467774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dcoufal
Temps

Lights Off
Room: 76.1
Tank w/no Fan: 83.7
Tank w/Fan for 30 min: 81.0

Lights On
Room: 73.5
Tank w/no Fan: 85.1
Tank w/Fan for 30 min: 82.0
Tank w/Fan for 60 min: 79.5

Your room got warmer when you turned the lights off ?? :lol:

 

[dcoufal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6472913#post6472913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jimsmowen
Your room got warmer when you turned the lights off ?? :lol:

The "lights off" day had an outdoor high of 78 deg. The "lights on" day had an outdoor high of 58 deg. The tank is in a back room where the temp varies more than anywhere else in the house.

Dwain

 

[Gallandro]

any updates ?