Coral Tank from Canada (1350gal Display Tank)

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dave.m said:
So here it is, Saturday morning, and no live television feed of the landing of the live rock. Is anyone else as disappointed as I am? :bum:

Dave.M
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Ok Dave, I am currently transferring 1.5 gigs to my storage site in the cloud from this mornings live rock arrival. It will certainly be worth the wait. I have to admit by all accounts this is awesome rock. Its going to take a while to transfer all the pics to the site.....they are all high rez so maybe 3 hrs with NO compression. I downsize them for the forum. I need the full res for my home screen. Actually they are quite awesome.......I may not even need to add coral or fish!!!!!

Peter
 
N-dog said:
You should always use the 3-5 rule it makes everything look more natural and harmonious.
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I couldn't agree with you more. Group everything (rock formations/coral/fish) in groups of 3 or 5. Use 7-9 for anthias, chromis or other schooling fish. Your eye always finds patterns with even numbers, detracting from a natural look.
 
mr.wilson said:
What is your logic behind having four rock features? Decorating is traditionally done using asymmetry and uneven numbers. The size of each promontory should be different as well with a flow that guides the viewer.

You can have a distinctly different look with each feature, but they need to work with each other and blend with the margins of the tank, particularly the ends. There must e a transition from the substrate to the rock, the plumbing must be hidden, and the overflow boxes should be incorporated in the design without looking like book ends.

I've seen some nice tanks where the ends of the tank were shadowed and the rock structure was spotlighted like art work. You may be able to spotlight each rock formation individually for a less natural, yet more dramatic effect.

You also need to map out how many corals you intend to keep and of what type, as they will grow and change the shape and fabric of the landscape, or seascape in our case. One of the most common mistakes is building the skeleton of the reef too high, leaving no room for coral growth.

The flow and lighting will influence the orientation of the coral, that is to say the form they take, and direction they grow. Corals don't turn towards the sun like sunflowers do, but they do evolve using real estate that has the most light. I was at a club member's house recently and noticed his sps were all facing toward the middle of the tank where light and water flow was coming from, rather than offering a front view. I suggested he angle the lighting towards the back of the tank and positing it more towards the front to minimize shadows, properly orient coral growth direction, and cut down on viewing panel illumination and subsequent nuisance algae growth. reflector selection is also very important, as many people select over-sized reflectors that illuminate the viewing panel as much as the reef structure. This however is rarely a problem with a tank 36" wide or greater.
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I have some definite ideas for the sculpting of the four Grand Masters. I'm hoping that doing them justice and tying the whole thing together is my statement about style. I do have a schema I think will work and work well but I really do have to know what the consensus is from this community first. I think it will be a great honour to be recognized as a Grand Master especially if its a reflection of direct input from your peers.......ahhhh that would be you folks!!!!!

When the four styles are known I will be able to suggest a formation and hopefully the advice you have here combined with feedback from the other members will give us the best darn tank in reef central. OK OK maybe not the best, but certainly one of the more notable projects.

Peter
 
Chago09 said:
Ok well enough of the comments about coming over, but have you talked about lighting yet? I have seen your "sled" looks awesome. I would loveto know what your going to do for lighting? For my 150 I am researching ways on making my own LED system. I would love to see if you did the same thing. It would be educational to everyone who wants LED. I don't like MH for two reasons, HEAT!!!! and rediculous power useage. Now don't get me wrong in anyway I'm no tree hugger, my wife drives a Dodge Journey V6 and I have a Toyota Tundra TRD King Cab. So I'm no hippy. But I honestly don't like the thought that my lights will run over 1000watts for 10 hours non stop every day. I honestly feel more guilty about that then I do about my truck. I currently use T5HO on my 90 and like I said for my 150 because I neeeeeeeed shimmer I will be looking into a DIY LED.
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No way Chago, you are not going to get me to go there yet. Opening a discussion about lighting in this place is like asking someone to read you War and Peace .........slowly. Just to save you time musing I already have lights waiting in storage and using Mr Wilsons calculator I need a budget of around $1500 a month for the tank(s) lighting to operate them.

Peter
 
prostaff said:
Great guide. Clear and concise. Where were you when I was starting my build? :p

Peter. I have that quantum meter. Very useful tool to remove guess work about light levels in the tank. Also helps me determine when to change the bulbs. It is way more difficult to reply to a post than to use it. All you do is take it out of the box, choose electric or sunlight, place the probe where you wish to take a reading and that's it
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Its this kind of perspective that I appreciate.......sort of been there done that experience that would motivate me to try. At least there's folks here that might help me understand some of the numbers........so I suppose you would buy the same device again?

Peter
 
nineball said:
No way Chago, you are not going to get me to go there yet. Opening a discussion about lighting in this place is like asking someone to read you War and Peace .........slowly. Just to save you time musing I already have lights waiting in storage and using Mr Wilsons calculator I need a budget of around $1500 a month for the tank(s) lighting to operate them.

Peter
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The last time I looked at an electrical bill, or hyro bill as we say north of the 49th parallel, I was paying $0.11 per KWH including all of the extraneous charges like "debt recovery" and the "just because we can" charges. The RC calculator is really handy, but who are we kidding when we talk about saving money in this hobby :) http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/tank-electrical

I've been an LED sceptic for a while now, but it looks like I'm finally sold on the idea that the technology has finally broken through. This is providing that I believe the stories I've heard from owners of DIY units using Cree LED lamps. Once I see one with my own eyes, I could say with greater certainty. I'm definitely not impressed with the commercial LED fixtures on the market now. DIY fixtures are reported to be two or three times more efficient (brighter, higher PAR, cooler, better coverage, shimmer and more control options). Eventually manufacturers will catch up to the nerds, but they in turn will get their revenge with better technology :) I guess I should sell my MHL fixtures before they become obsolete.
 
nineball said:
In this case, with the plan for the Grand Masters it should be a huge plus.

Peter
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PTL!

An L shaped tank has three reference points to the viewer - the two ends and the bend in the middle. Now just make your four elements fit with those three references and your in business.

L shaped tanks are a big plus when the reef is viewed from one side (the outside angle). It's the two sided tanks that prove to be a challenge.
 
Troy McClure said:
Hi, I came across your tank reading through Chingchai's thread, this is going to be an amazing tank once it's up and running! I appreciate all the questions you are asking of the reef community, as I am pinching a ton of ideas for myself when I finally get around to setting up my 440 gallon tank. Something I am most likely going to do for cooling with my tank is use geothermal cooling via a titanium heat exchanger (burying some pipe a few metres underground and running water between the underground pipes and the heat exchanger). Something maybe to consider as this could take care of possibly all your cooling and would render your chillers for back up use only.
I hope someone has warned you what a ton of live rock is going to smell like when it's curing, I hope you have some good ventalation or a very understanding wife!
P.S. Did I understand you correctly that you're a former local?
Ben
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Thanks Ben. I have to admit the folks that have been gathering here.....even the ones that are just here for the pictures (you know who you are!!! :love1: )are decent, helpful and more often than not knowledgeable. My hope was that this project would carry value to a number of people with a whole range of experience and you are a good example. We will be watching for your build thread.
I did look at geothermal very seriously. It is absolutely the way to go for a tank this size ESPECIALLY in this Canadian climate with 9 months of winter and 3 months of poor skiing!!! Except this year but thats another thread. My geomorphology will not allow for it unfortunately. If I had decided to get into this insanity before I built my house I could have but it is virtually impossible with the footprint I have. Besides I would have had to bulldoze my wifes gardens and that my new friend....that is a non starter!!!!!!

Yes Sir born, but not bred I'm afraid, in Adelaide. My dad was in the RAAF during WWII and came back to AUS till my mother got tired of 114 deg in the shade!!! She was a Canadian war bride. I was forced at the age of two against my will I might add to leave one of the most beautiful countries in the world to live in a frozen wasteland..........ok ok I love it here but I do hate the snow..........

Peter

and I do not have an understanding wife......if you know of one please give her my address!!!!!
 
Ken_Baird said:
You Sir are a fast study! It took me about 10 years in this hobby to come to your above conclusion. :bounce2:

I once posted in a "if I was to do it all over again" thread that "I would marry a marine biologist with a masters in chemistry" and I still stand by this statement.

Welcome to the Hobby! :beer:
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Thank you Ken, and I too would gladly remarry a marine biologist in heels but please lets not mention this aspiration to the present wife.........

Peter
 
robot2222 said:
hello peter, how are you . my head started spinning around page 25 so i skimmed through until i got here . if you want to quiet the peanut gallery post some more pics because i cant take anymore flow talk . i want to compliment you on a few things .first i am an electrical contractor from seattle ,wa where i specialized in high end residential homes for 18 years . i wired the cfo of microsoft and the main guy from costco and starbucks just to name homes that made arcitechtual dijest . . i have worked on and seen some of the finest homes in seattle . that staircase is absolutly beautifull., I love it .......... as it nice as it was it needed that second staircase to the basement. what impact. that has on the entry and the upstairs .so tell your wife just for that one reason it was worth it. the desighn and construction of the remodel of your basement is top notch . just a quick thought on the theam of the other two spots .if you have ever snorkled before maybe a scean you and your wife did together . for example on our honeymoon we went scuba in maui there was molokini and lani . i am sure you can get pics of somewhere you guys went and use that as one of your themes .
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What a privilege Robot, to have worked in those homes in any capacity. You are very fortunate. Thank you for your generous comments. I do like it here, every morning when i get up I feel like its the first time........I haven't lost that feeling and I will never take it for granted.

For me the real impetus for the depth of my commitment to this project was the Great Barrier Reef. The diversity and richness of that environment was almost beyond belief. I just wanted my small acre in my basement!!!! I found the chimney architectures to be fascinating but my tank is too shallow. I'm actually quite satisfied with whatever limitations are brought with the Four Grand Masters. I'm sure the result will be pleasing and satisfying for all.

I hope....

Peter
 
uhuru said:
Forereef slope / deep reef slope

image from encyclopedia of earth:
Coral_reef_zonation.jpg
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mr.wilson said:
I like those names much more :)
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Padrino said:
+1
I will vote for 1 canyon and 1 lagoon. Unsure able the last one
HTH
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Noted and appreciated......

Peter
 
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