d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[h3dgehog]

:bounce3: :beachbum:

Can I just say that I'm super jealous that you get to hand pick your rocks? Why didn't I ever think about this... Next time I need live rock, I'll tell my SO that we're going on a spontaneous vacation! To collect live rock that is...

 

[biecacka]

Are you going to actually dive with Richard for your rock?

Corey

 

[foxt]

While we patiently wait for live updates from the Gulf, I have a question about using TBS rock - how do you aquascape with the stuff. With dry rock, you can endlessly fiddle with chiseling, drilling, shaping, glueing, etc to build whatever structure you want. You can even do that with "live rock" that doesn't come packed with, well, life. But the TBS stuff seems to need to go right in the tank and stay there, not much opportunity for futzing with it. Or is there?

 

[d2mini]

Are you going to actually dive with Richard for your rock?

Corey

I'm not dive certified but i'll be snorkeling right above, help pulling it up into the boat, taking pics, watching out for giant groupers :hmm2:...

While we patiently wait for live updates from the Gulf, I have a question about using TBS rock - how do you aquascape with the stuff. With dry rock, you can endlessly fiddle with chiseling, drilling, shaping, glueing, etc to build whatever structure you want. You can even do that with "live rock" that doesn't come packed with, well, life. But the TBS stuff seems to need to go right in the tank and stay there, not much opportunity for futzing with it. Or is there?

Right into the tank. First the sand, then the rock.
Stack later. Usually over a couple days because the tank clouds over when you start moving stuff.

 

[foxt]

Right into the tank. First the sand, then the rock.
Stack later. Usually over a couple days because the tank clouds over when you start moving stuff.

So, no shaping, gluing, drilling for rods, etc. Do you find that this limits you to what you can do with your scape, or is there enough variability in the rock shapes and sizes that you can work with it? I've been through all of your other build threads, and I can't recall as much detail about how you set your TBS rock, and based on your attention to detail on everything else, I gotta believe that you spend quite a bit of time working with the rock. Any tips?

 

[liverock]

So, no shaping, gluing, drilling for rods, etc. Do you find that this limits you to what you can do with your scape, or is there enough variability in the rock shapes and sizes that you can work with it? I've been through all of your other build threads, and I can't recall as much detail about how you set your TBS rock, and based on your attention to detail on everything else, I gotta believe that you spend quite a bit of time working with the rock. Any tips?

This rock sticks together like legos...watch this video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6hRs_sxRUM

 

[d2mini]

So, no shaping, gluing, drilling for rods, etc. Do you find that this limits you to what you can do with your scape, or is there enough variability in the rock shapes and sizes that you can work with it? I've been through all of your other build threads, and I can't recall as much detail about how you set your TBS rock, and based on your attention to detail on everything else, I gotta believe that you spend quite a bit of time working with the rock. Any tips?

What Richard said.

I've never had any issue stacking TBS rock, but this new Walt Smith stuff stacks really well.
I've epoxied some before.
Haven't drilled though. You could do that in water it's just more of a pain.
I've never felt the need to go crazy with the aquascaping because it just gets covered in coral anyway. I had 3 distinct islands in my 200g build but if you go back and look at some FTS pics you'd never know. Looks like one long continuos structure.

 

[mpderksen]

Been following, but haven't chimed in yet. I've been impressed and inspired by your project. The thing that is so different is that most builds I see, people get the hardware going in a weekend, then rush the cycle. A month later you see a tank full of little frags. In your case, you took the time to setup clean and with TBS, you get results in a weekend AFTER the hard work is done. I like this better and hope to do the same on my 180 upgrade next year. Well done Sir!

 

[dkeller_nc]

I'm not dive certified but i'll be snorkeling right above, help pulling it up into the boat, taking pics, watching out for giant groupers.

Well, if you ever wanted to get certified, I can think a lot less comfortable places to do your Open Water certification dives. With some schools, like SSI, you can do an accelerated course in about 3 days in the classroom/pool, and then complete the required open-water dives. You can do it even faster by completing the academic portions online. The online course is actually free, btw.

 

[d2mini]

Been following, but haven't chimed in yet. I've been impressed and inspired by your project. The thing that is so different is that most builds I see, people get the hardware going in a weekend, then rush the cycle. A month later you see a tank full of little frags. In your case, you took the time to setup clean and with TBS, you get results in a weekend AFTER the hard work is done. I like this better and hope to do the same on my 180 upgrade next year. Well done Sir!

Thanks!
This is the 4th tank I've set up with TBS and hate the thought of doing it any other way.
Super quick cycle with no magic bottles. In a week you have a healthy thriving reef.
And a whole bunch of awesome color and critters to watch.
Can't beat that!

Well, if you ever wanted to get certified, I can think a lot less comfortable places to do your Open Water certification dives. With some schools, like SSI, you can do an accelerated course in about 3 days in the classroom/pool, and then complete the required open-water dives. You can do it even faster by completing the academic portions online. The online course is actually free, btw.

Yeah, I just never felt like spending the time and money on something I would use maybe once every 3-5 years.

 

[tc2007]

Been following, but haven't chimed in yet. I've been impressed and inspired by your project. The thing that is so different is that most builds I see, people get the hardware going in a weekend, then rush the cycle. A month later you see a tank full of little frags. In your case, you took the time to setup clean and with TBS, you get results in a weekend AFTER the hard work is done. I like this better and hope to do the same on my 180 upgrade next year. Well done Sir!

That's because this is build #??? for Dennis. Every build teaches some lessons.

 

[foxt]

Thanks for the link to the video, Richard. That looks like the "new" Walt Smith rock you've got stacked on the transom, right?

Dennis, are you going with reef rock 2.0, natural, or a mix depending on what you are looking at while you're standing there and the rest of us are just stuck here on the internet?

 

[d2mini]

Dennis, are you going with reef rock 2.0, natural, or a mix depending on what you are looking at while you're standing there and the rest of us are just stuck here on the internet?

Probably all the WS stuff.
Unless I see something else I just have to have.

 

[bitwise]

That is awesome that you are going down there. I'm stoked to see what you bring back.

 

[dkeller_nc]

Yeah, I just never felt like spending the time and money on something I would use maybe once every 3-5 years.

Personal decision of course, but it does open up a lot of vacation possibilities. It's pretty hard to describe what it's like to be cruising along a pristine Indo-Pacific reef - sort of like the biggest aquarium in the world.

 

[saf1]

Personal decision of course, but it does open up a lot of vacation possibilities. It's pretty hard to describe what it's like to be cruising along a pristine Indo-Pacific reef - sort of like the biggest aquarium in the world.

You should swing by California and dive the Northern cold waters of Monterey Some of the best diving in the world. Especially Point Lobos and Monastery Beach. With the later being probably one of the best dives ever although most dangerous doing off land.

 

[liverock]

You should swing by California and dive the Northern cold waters of Monterey Some of the best diving in the world. Especially Point Lobos and Monastery Beach. With the later being probably one of the best dives ever although most dangerous doing off land.

How about Point Arena...where you have to climb down the cliff with your gear...at least it was like that in 1968.....my first open water check out dive....zero vis and ice water lol...

 

[saf1]

How about Point Arena...where you have to climb down the cliff with your gear...at least it was like that in 1968.....my first open water check out dive....zero vis and ice water lol...

The climb is probably the safest part of that area Actually, I do not know since I stay out of that area of coast. Lots of abalone divers head there though with several deaths a year. Usually due to not paying attention to weather or getting separated from their partners. I also think a few great white attacks there. I hear it is nice though.

Yeah - I do recall you diving in our neck of the woods It is cold no doubt with most of my dives in the 48 to 54 degree Fahrenheit range at depth. Surface can be high 50's low 60's...of course best time to dive is always in the winter with the best vis. Go figure.

I would have to say you have a good job / business Liverock. Truly mean that - always nice to see.

 

[reefanatik]

Dennis how did u like the mag18 on your previous lifereef svs30? I am going to order the 30 but I'm not sure what pump to go with. I was thinking of going with a vectraM1. My concer is noise and heat.

 

[d2mini]

Wellllllll.... unfortunately the trip is a bust.

The reefing gods were against me. Two flights I tried to get on standby and denied both times.
I think the nasty weather was causing some delays and people from other missed flights getting on ahead of me. Paying customers come first I guess.

It would have been a blast but at least I had the opportunity to do it once before.

So I'm back at home. On to Plan B!
The tank will have TBS rock very soon, one way or the other.