Austin goes Rimless - Dudester's 203g mixed reef
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Dudester
Premium Member
The sandstorm has abated and the aquascape is visible! I had previously removed the drum from the 4-way so it wouldn't be damaged by the suspended sand, and this has been left on so that I could see where any sand voids would develop. In total there's 195 lb. of Lalo live rock, which as I understand it is a deep Tonga rock. There's also 120 lb. of CaribSea Ocean Direct live sand. The aquascape has 3 separate zones. On the far left an alcove was created, and I concealed the CL returns reasonably well. Adjacent to this is a valley that extends to the back of the tank, offering some depth to the 'scape. Centrally is the tallest peak which nearly breaches the water surface. Then, to the right of this is a separate rock mass that hides the CL strainer from view. The photos don't show it, but from above there is actually a meandering gap between the center rock mass and the one on the right. I'm very happy with it, especially since it's the 1st aquascape I've ever done alone, but I'm not closed to criticisms, so please be honest if you don't like it. Of course the pictures don't truly portray the depth that's been created in the tank, but at least you'll get an idea. Enough typing, here's the pics.
This one's taken from the right side of the tank.
This one's taken from the right side of the tank.
GSMguy
New member
i really love your tank Dude. the wave action on the rimless tanks is so japanese, and just a killer idea.
I had seen this design in invincibles thread he linked to a wavebox rimless in japan since then i was wondering when someone would build something like that.
you get a 10 for design with this one, it it in no way distracts from naka or invincables sweet tanks.
I had seen this design in invincibles thread he linked to a wavebox rimless in japan since then i was wondering when someone would build something like that.
you get a 10 for design with this one, it it in no way distracts from naka or invincables sweet tanks.
melev
Well-known member
I wonder if you could create an acrylic panel in the back left corner that hangs on the tank at a 45 degree angle. Then you could mount the wavebox with the magnets, and let the wave flow toward the front panel and bounce off the glass toward the rear right corner.
Not seeing it in the front corner would be my goal, with such a beautiful tank.
Btw, have you read that build thread in the DIY forum where the closed loop pump uses a controller to make it 3-phase? He's creating tons of flow with a maximum of 80w. It cost him roughly $1000 to make the pump work like that, but the payoff in low wattage power consumption should pay off if the pump lasts for a few years.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10535159#post10535159
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Dudester
Premium Member
erics3000 - Thanks man!
BTW, I don't recall the rimless Japanese tank with the wavebox that you referred to. I'll have to go back to the beginning of Edward's thread - unless someone out there has a link??
GMFett - Wanna see it? What are you doing today?
melev - I don't think the wavebox would work at that kind of angle. As I envision what you describe, it seems to me that the pulse would be too chaotic and difficult to dial in to achieve a reliable wave. I could call Roger and ask him, but then again, the acrylic panel you mention would also take up space inside the display, no? I agree that the wavebox will potentially be an eye sore, and I wouldn't have even considered using it in this tank if I hadn't seen Ching's tank (I'm sure you know the one, in Thailand). But he was able to put 2 waveboxes in his tank, along with what, 4 Tunze streams, and his reef is so nice that you almost don't even see them. That's what I'm shooting for!
Thanks for that link, too. I've only scanned a few of the pictures but I'll read it later today. I'll tell ya, those engineers are incredible DIY'ers.
Bax - A few weeks 'til stocking would be nice. I still need to come up with a temporary lighting solution until my T5's arrive, and I'll be away the last half of this week. If I get started with the ZeoVit soon after I get back, which would speed up the tank's "readiness," then I should be able to move a few corals over from my 30g. There are only 2 corals I plan to move over, since the others have bryopsis.
pcostanzo and mcrist - Thanks, guys!
That's the nicest compliment anyone could have given me. When we eventually run into each other, the drinks are on me :beer: . I was definitely inspired by naka's and invincible's tanks (obviously), but I didn't want to copy their designs or their strategies. Now that this system is finally getting off the ground, I think the differences in our systems are starting to unveil themselves, and when it's all said and done, the only thing that will be similar about our tanks will be the glass and where they were made. Whoa, but I need to pull on the reigns, I just realized that I'm discussing my tank in the same sentence as James and Edward - I'm not even close yet.
BTW, I don't recall the rimless Japanese tank with the wavebox that you referred to. I'll have to go back to the beginning of Edward's thread - unless someone out there has a link??
GMFett - Wanna see it? What are you doing today?
melev - I don't think the wavebox would work at that kind of angle. As I envision what you describe, it seems to me that the pulse would be too chaotic and difficult to dial in to achieve a reliable wave. I could call Roger and ask him, but then again, the acrylic panel you mention would also take up space inside the display, no? I agree that the wavebox will potentially be an eye sore, and I wouldn't have even considered using it in this tank if I hadn't seen Ching's tank (I'm sure you know the one, in Thailand). But he was able to put 2 waveboxes in his tank, along with what, 4 Tunze streams, and his reef is so nice that you almost don't even see them. That's what I'm shooting for!
Thanks for that link, too. I've only scanned a few of the pictures but I'll read it later today. I'll tell ya, those engineers are incredible DIY'ers.
Bax - A few weeks 'til stocking would be nice. I still need to come up with a temporary lighting solution until my T5's arrive, and I'll be away the last half of this week. If I get started with the ZeoVit soon after I get back, which would speed up the tank's "readiness," then I should be able to move a few corals over from my 30g. There are only 2 corals I plan to move over, since the others have bryopsis.
pcostanzo and mcrist - Thanks, guys!
new_world_disor
Active member
well done mate. the tank is impresive. ive just read all 14 pages. very neatly done. love the tank. wish i could have a tank that big. haha. livivng at home leaves no room for anything 
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Dudester
Premium Member
Cheers, new_world_disor and thank you my friend.
cbui2 - It's CaribSea Ocean Direct, 120 lb. There's no wavemaker as of yet, but I just installed the drum to the 4-way and holy moly is there some flow in this tank! I had to dial down the Barracuda for fear of water flying out over the back lip of the tank. The 4-way is dead silent - I love it!!!!
danskim - I'm waiting for the 10-bulber. Go big or don't go, that's my credo.
cbui2 - It's CaribSea Ocean Direct, 120 lb. There's no wavemaker as of yet, but I just installed the drum to the 4-way and holy moly is there some flow in this tank! I had to dial down the Barracuda for fear of water flying out over the back lip of the tank. The 4-way is dead silent - I love it!!!!
danskim - I'm waiting for the 10-bulber. Go big or don't go, that's my credo.
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