A Stand and Canopy Done Wright
- Thread starter jlanger
- Start date
jlanger
Get busy living...
Monthly Update - June 2013
Monthly Update - June 2013
Thanks again for all the comments.
Even though much has not changed with the build itself, much is happening inside the tank.
So I've decided to start a monthly update. Even if it's just to keep me informed of what I've been doing.
Here's the June 2013 FTS.
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jason_langer/media/120gal%20Reef/FTS_062713.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jason_langer/120gal%20Reef/FTS_062713.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FTS_062713.jpg"/></a>
The corals are responding very well to the Vertex Illumina LED light fixture.
I've been fragging the plating montipora spp. corals like crazy and they're still dominating the aquascape.
I'm slowly collecting more "sticks" to create a more vertical dimension.
And the sandbed has received a few more ricordeas and LPS corals.
Even the fish are enjoying the larger tank volume.
The foxface has really grown and added on a lot of weight. Good weight; healthy and solid.
The Kole Tang and the Mimic Tang have also thickened up nicely.
The two tangs and the foxface patrol the reef together looking for anything to munch on. Really neat to watch.
Over the past month, we have been watching our largest Red Sea Lyretail Anthias change into the male. Great biology lesson for my kids.
And the newest addition is a small female Lamarck's Angelfish. Very happy with adding her.
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jason_langer/media/120gal%20Reef/Anthias-male.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jason_langer/120gal%20Reef/Anthias-male.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Anthias-male.jpg"/></a>
One noticeable difference is the absence of my six Tridacna spp. clams.
During maintenance on the GFO media reactor, I accidentally assembled the media chamber incorrectly and the fines were able to get into my system.
In a matter of a couple of days, I began losing the smaller clams and my RBTA melted away. Even after very large water changes almost daily for two weeks, the larger clams also perished.
Quite the hard lesson to learn.
So without their host, my pair of perculas have adopted both the hammer coral and the goniopora coral as substitutes.
Until next month... or next update...
I really need to get a better camera...
Monthly Update - June 2013
Thanks again for all the comments.
Even though much has not changed with the build itself, much is happening inside the tank.
So I've decided to start a monthly update. Even if it's just to keep me informed of what I've been doing.
Here's the June 2013 FTS.
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jason_langer/media/120gal%20Reef/FTS_062713.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jason_langer/120gal%20Reef/FTS_062713.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FTS_062713.jpg"/></a>
The corals are responding very well to the Vertex Illumina LED light fixture.
I've been fragging the plating montipora spp. corals like crazy and they're still dominating the aquascape.
I'm slowly collecting more "sticks" to create a more vertical dimension.
And the sandbed has received a few more ricordeas and LPS corals.
Even the fish are enjoying the larger tank volume.
The foxface has really grown and added on a lot of weight. Good weight; healthy and solid.
The Kole Tang and the Mimic Tang have also thickened up nicely.
The two tangs and the foxface patrol the reef together looking for anything to munch on. Really neat to watch.
Over the past month, we have been watching our largest Red Sea Lyretail Anthias change into the male. Great biology lesson for my kids.
And the newest addition is a small female Lamarck's Angelfish. Very happy with adding her.
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jason_langer/media/120gal%20Reef/Anthias-male.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jason_langer/120gal%20Reef/Anthias-male.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Anthias-male.jpg"/></a>
One noticeable difference is the absence of my six Tridacna spp. clams.
During maintenance on the GFO media reactor, I accidentally assembled the media chamber incorrectly and the fines were able to get into my system.
In a matter of a couple of days, I began losing the smaller clams and my RBTA melted away. Even after very large water changes almost daily for two weeks, the larger clams also perished.
Quite the hard lesson to learn.
So without their host, my pair of perculas have adopted both the hammer coral and the goniopora coral as substitutes.
Until next month... or next update...
I really need to get a better camera...
Very nice work indeed. The finished product is almost nicer to look at than the actual tank(talking up the stand, not putting down the tank). The two-tone look to the wood is awesome.
I just got finished building a new canopy for my 300 with all hand-tools in my garage with a party table as my workspace. Reading this thread made me cry a little bit looking at that shop with all the tools and thinking back on what I just went through.
Your design is outstanding and is so different than anything we have all seen here. Quite inspiring, it gives me ideas for new projects in the future and how I would do things different. That's awesome stuff there and I really appreciate you taking the time to post it all.
I just got finished building a new canopy for my 300 with all hand-tools in my garage with a party table as my workspace. Reading this thread made me cry a little bit looking at that shop with all the tools and thinking back on what I just went through.
Your design is outstanding and is so different than anything we have all seen here. Quite inspiring, it gives me ideas for new projects in the future and how I would do things different. That's awesome stuff there and I really appreciate you taking the time to post it all.
jlanger
Get busy living...
Thanks for all the kind words, Snausy.
It's really nice to hear from other reefers that they've been inspired from this thread to try something new with their own builds.
There are plenty of other good stand build threads that show step-by-step instructions on varying building techniques and levels of craftsmanship.
I wanted to show other's that there are other ways to build an aquarium stand.
I completely understand that not everyone has the same resources, tools and skill that I have available. But if someone can be inspired to try something outside of their comfort level, I feel like I've done some good.
I really enjoy helping and teaching others.
Hopefully your tears were tears of pride. Pride in yourself and your build.
I have said this before, but there's a special feeling you get when you step back after finishing a project and realize that you did it yourself. When you think of all the time and effort that you put into making something special, you've created a connection to that piece that gives it more value.
You'll have to post a few pics of your canopy build.
I'm still working on the reef aquarium itself.
Everyone's first reaction is how much they like the stand. I'm trying to change that so everyone notices the reef and fish first, then the stand and canopy.
When that happens, then I can sit back and finally enjoy my tank. (And begin working on the next one...)
It's really nice to hear from other reefers that they've been inspired from this thread to try something new with their own builds.
There are plenty of other good stand build threads that show step-by-step instructions on varying building techniques and levels of craftsmanship.
I wanted to show other's that there are other ways to build an aquarium stand.
I completely understand that not everyone has the same resources, tools and skill that I have available. But if someone can be inspired to try something outside of their comfort level, I feel like I've done some good.
I really enjoy helping and teaching others.
Hopefully your tears were tears of pride. Pride in yourself and your build.
I have said this before, but there's a special feeling you get when you step back after finishing a project and realize that you did it yourself. When you think of all the time and effort that you put into making something special, you've created a connection to that piece that gives it more value.
You'll have to post a few pics of your canopy build.
I'm still working on the reef aquarium itself.
Everyone's first reaction is how much they like the stand. I'm trying to change that so everyone notices the reef and fish first, then the stand and canopy.
When that happens, then I can sit back and finally enjoy my tank. (And begin working on the next one...)
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
You are not only a craftsman, but have a great eyefordeaign and proportion! I also am a woodworker, and am glad you detailed it this way. There is a lot of crap that passes for woodworking these days, and with shop classes being removed from schools it will only get worse! I love my woodmaster planer, but have belt sander envy! Thanks for sharing!
jlanger
Get busy living...
Thanks guys.
I am always available for side jobs.
You cannot imagine the amount of time I spend on designing projects. I'll lay in bed at night and will still be constructing the plans in my mind.
I am such a strong critic of my own work that I need to know every detail before I even cut a piece of wood.
Before I begin the construction of the project, I will have made a mock-up of it so I can see what it will look like.
For the stand, I built a few door panels with different design details to see what looked best. I built two different trim mock-ups to see what style I liked best.
I always like to tell people that "The more time spent in design will lessen the amount of time in the shop."
It really is a shame that most of our schools lack the funding for the Career and Technical Education classes.
My 13 year old son has his own set of hand tools and likes to come to the shop to design and make his own things.
His projects may be simple and some get forgotten, but he's not spending that time playing video games.
It's one of those proud father/son moments that I hope will teach him some skills to better his life in the future.
Thanks for looking at the thread.
jlanger
Get busy living...
Earlier, I mentioned something about a monthly update... oops.
No real updates to the stand or canopy; still holding strong.
My Vertex Illumina LED fixture now only has one open slot remaining. I added two Royal Blue Aux Modules to increase my blue light. The extra blue really looks nice during the sunrise/sunset phase of the light program.
I have also purchased a second dj power strip to add to the left side of the stand, but haven't done so yet.
Here's a few pics from the past couple of months.
The male anthias has continued his transformation.
I am really liking the deep red hue that has dominated his coloration. (Pic from Aug.)
I added a pair of female leopard wrasses (M. bipatitus) at the end of August.
I have always like leopard wrasses, but was wary of their poor survival rate and eating difficulties.
However, these two were healthy, fat and eating frozen foods in the store so I couldn't pass them up.
Extremely hard to get a good pic of one of them, let alone both at once.
A nice pic of the female Lamarck Angelfish hovering above my ricordeas.
She has grown quite a bit since I first added her.
And she's starting to become a bit feisty towards the wrasses lately; didn't have any issues for the first six weeks.
Until next.... month?
No real updates to the stand or canopy; still holding strong.
My Vertex Illumina LED fixture now only has one open slot remaining. I added two Royal Blue Aux Modules to increase my blue light. The extra blue really looks nice during the sunrise/sunset phase of the light program.
I have also purchased a second dj power strip to add to the left side of the stand, but haven't done so yet.
Here's a few pics from the past couple of months.
The male anthias has continued his transformation.
I am really liking the deep red hue that has dominated his coloration. (Pic from Aug.)
I added a pair of female leopard wrasses (M. bipatitus) at the end of August.
I have always like leopard wrasses, but was wary of their poor survival rate and eating difficulties.
However, these two were healthy, fat and eating frozen foods in the store so I couldn't pass them up.
Extremely hard to get a good pic of one of them, let alone both at once.
A nice pic of the female Lamarck Angelfish hovering above my ricordeas.
She has grown quite a bit since I first added her.
And she's starting to become a bit feisty towards the wrasses lately; didn't have any issues for the first six weeks.
Until next.... month?
ZoeyLovesZoas
New member
The cabinet is lovely, but the canopy is what makes it for me. That is some killer work.
jlanger
Get busy living...
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday!!!
My 120gal Mixed Reef has turned one year old this holiday season!
Here's today's quick pic showing the full set-up as I usually get to see it.
With all of the other room lights off and allowing the tank to be the focal point.
And here's a FTS from today.
"Thanks" for everyone's comments and support for the past year.
Happy Birthday!!!
My 120gal Mixed Reef has turned one year old this holiday season!
Here's today's quick pic showing the full set-up as I usually get to see it.
With all of the other room lights off and allowing the tank to be the focal point.
And here's a FTS from today.
"Thanks" for everyone's comments and support for the past year.
saltwaterpicaso
New member
Just curious I have the same Skimmer. Where do you find it works the best water level wise. I keep mine about an inch under the bottom of the cup. Skims dry but seems the best. Was maybe thinking of getting a spacer or two to add to the neck
jlanger
Get busy living...
Here's a pic from today that shows my sump and skimmer.
I just cleaned the entire skimmer on Saturday and it's already filthy.
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jason_langer/media/120gal%20Reef/InsideStand-OneYear.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jason_langer/120gal%20Reef/InsideStand-OneYear.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo InsideStand-OneYear.jpg"/></a>
The skimmer section is 9" deep and I like to run the water level in the skimmer right at the seam of the skimmer body and collection cup.
I've tried a higher level (towards the maximum mark), but I really like running it at that seam.
The cup will fill up with a dark green wet skimmate, but the riser tube is covered with a thick nasty skimmate.
I usually clean the collection cup/riser every two weeks; although I'm sure it could be done weekly.
Hope that helps.
Rbs07fxstc
New member
Wow, that's an amazing setup you have. Love how the entire canopy slides back when needed. Thanks for sharing such in depth detail & pics. Subscribed so I can see your tank grow. Gorgeous male anthias btw.
saltwaterpicaso
New member
Yeah I fluctuate mine between those two points myself and also have it in 9 inches of water. I built my canopy the other weekend matches my base perfectly used some quarter sawn oak to get some nice grain into it
jlanger
Get busy living...
Thanks.
That male anthias is not camera shy. I just purchased a new camera and he has to get in every picture.
Let's see it! I remember the stand.
Shouts!
Shouts!
For the arts and crafts stand. Late to wood working. I have some good tools but no design ability. At best I copy.
You have a great eye for design along with skills to execute. You should be proud indeed.
Your stand is very close to what i would love to build. I visit periodically for inspiration. On a couple of levels ( stand and tank!)
I'm very impressed with the beauty that is also coupled with simplicity. Very nice indeed.
Shouts!
For the arts and crafts stand. Late to wood working. I have some good tools but no design ability. At best I copy.
You have a great eye for design along with skills to execute. You should be proud indeed.
Your stand is very close to what i would love to build. I visit periodically for inspiration. On a couple of levels ( stand and tank!)
I'm very impressed with the beauty that is also coupled with simplicity. Very nice indeed.
