SaltwaterSensei
Premium Member
that was an awesome build I can't wait to see what 2013 brings. Also what contest was this entered in ?
CalmSeasQuest Desktop Tank and DIY CSQ Skimmer
- Thread starter CalmSeasQuest
- Start date
nano junky
New member
Calm seas can you shoot me an email I've got a few questions for you about 12 long ideas
Ryanjmerryman@yahoo.com
Thanks
Ryanjmerryman@yahoo.com
Thanks
CalmSeasQuest
Active member
Thanks! the contest was on Captive Reefs (my local forum)
Thanks - they can be a lot of fun.
This build used CaribSea - Hawaiian Black
I thought long and hard about what to do with this next build. Some may recall I started playing with Nature Aquariums, specifically an Iwagumi tank...
Unfortunately I haven't had time to complete the build yet. It remains dry (although strangely I love the look of the tank as-is.) For those unfamiliar with Nature Aquariums, Here are the 25 best tanks from around the world in 2010. I'm intrigued by the concept and new challenges, (especially for someone versed in marine tanks.)
So I thought I'd try and implement some Nature Aquarium concepts into this next build. I acquired some beautiful petrified wood that went unused in the Iwagumi tank, so I thought perhaps I could use it in this build...
But on further research, I couldn't guarantee the petrified woods would not leach undesirables into the water column, As a result I decided to use Aragonite rubble - although it's not nearly as attractive, it will aid in biological filtration and still provide the mechanical support for the desired elevation changes.
Part of the challenge (and fun) has been selecting and adapting Marine components that would emulate the appearance of the items and livestock used in freshwater Nature Aquariums. The CaribSea - Hawaiian Black was the closest I could find to Amazon type soils used in Nature tanks but it poses some extra challenges. It's slightly magnetic, so care has to be used to avoid scratching the glass when using a magnetic cleaner. The greater challenge is water movement. Nature aquarium designs often attempt to recreate "landscapes" that include large elevation changes. This is achievable because the tanks use very little water movement. The water movement needed in a marine tank would instantly turn those tanks into mud-bowls. My hope is keep some of the elevation changes and still maintain enough flow to support the livestock and filtration functions. The livestock I've selected will mimic some of the look of a nature tank, while having have modest flow requirements.
I blocked some time tomorrow to hopefully finish the aquascape ("hardscape" in nature aquarium parlance) and if all goes well, begin "plantings".
CalmSeasQuest
Active member
Quick update - I placed a few more corals in the tank today - most haven't opened yet, but here are a couple of quick cell-cam photos...
The photos are poor and don't show the wide variety of colors of the various Gorgs which includes pinks, purples and golds. I'll work on better photos once everything is installed and happy.
The photos are poor and don't show the wide variety of colors of the various Gorgs which includes pinks, purples and golds. I'll work on better photos once everything is installed and happy.
Welcome back and congrats on your winning.
siliconinja
New member
This is one of those threads that change the way you look at the whole hobby. I love the morph of art, science, and handy work. I hope to one day create something amazing like this
Oceanminded
New member
Wow, so glad I happened upon this thread. Gave me some great outside the box inspiration for 'scaping my new 55 gal. Thank you! Subscribing.
Any New Updates?
Any New Updates?
I know its been a while, any new updates?
Any New Updates?
I know its been a while, any new updates?
GreenTankCorals
New member
Your creativity and ideas have been a true inspiration. You get an A+ for not following the traditional reef tank design route.
Looking forward to the updates!!
Looking forward to the updates!!
