downhillbiker's 200g Marineland Deep Dimension Starfire Build Thread

[downhillbiker]

AugustWest: i dont know the ratio of live rock to tufa rock. i will be using mostly tufa/base rock though. probably only a single live rock to seed, and a single scoop of sand to seed. the LFS has some premium dry/dead live rock, and i will use that in places where i want to dress things up, and for the most part it will be dead rock, for a little while anyway.

Toddrtrex: i hope i will have enough time. it will be something that i sample, and if it doesn't work i wont risk it, i will just take them out.

mcrist: i do like the ice cube trick, and a ton of flow ****es them off too. once you get under a little bit of the foot, the come right up.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Cool, and I wasn't trying discourage or rag, just wanted to give you a heads up.

Really like the size of that tank.

 

[downhillbiker]

Toddrtrex: I know you were commenting with good intentions. I have chatted with you several times in threads and know you to be a good guy, and respect your opinion greatly.

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15156915#post15156915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
Toddrtrex: I know you were commenting with good intentions. I have chatted with you several times in threads and know you to be a good guy, and respect your opinion greatly.

Cool and thanks. :beer:

 

[ludnix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15155896#post15155896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker

ludnix: i love your avatar, i would love to get a moorish idol, but it would have to be something already trained to eat. i dont want to be responsible for one dying in my tank. that is a good idea with the flow, but i dont think that it will be something i can do with the build without having a powerhead in the middle of a viewing plane. i will play with it though...

I'm only willing to keep the ones in my avatar.:lol:

<a href=# target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker

It seems like you can see the starphire difference in this photo right? When you look through just the front glass at the carpet it's really clear, but the other panes make the carpet look green. If this isn't some sort of optical illusion I'm going to have to go for starphire on my next tank!

 

[returnofsid]

Downhillbiker, Yes, we're setting up the same Marineland 200g deep dimension, with starphire front glass. No, the tank isn't here yet. It's still sitting at the LFS, waiting for me to build the stand...lol. The stand won't be anything fancy.

Last summer, while working in Salt Lake Valley, and visiting Antelope Island, I wished I had a way to bring back a bunch of Tufa Stone. I have a small amount of it and it's awesome!!

Can't wait to see more progress!!

 

[KJAhp098]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15149231#post15149231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
KHAhp098: did you get the 300g Marineland Deep Dimension, or another 300g?

I got the 300 gallon deep dimension. I can post a pic if you'd like an aquascape idea.

 

[downhillbiker]

ludnix: now that i take a closer look, it does look clearer. the difference will probably be bigger when i am viewing corals vs the carpet. and of course i will post comparison pics.

returnofsid: that is awesome. i have only seen a couple marineland deep dimension build threads, and if you are going to do one, i would love to watch.

KJAhp098: i just got the rock in today. it is kindof aquascaped, but no where near done. i have too many big rocks and may have to break some, i dont know. i would LOVE for you to post a pic of your rock work.

 

[stlrams88]

I dont have any pics of the tank, never had water in it, it was for sale for a loooong time. I think we ended up selling it at cost, the manager thought it was taking up too much space. I spent many a workday admiring that tank and imagining what I would do with it if I could afford it lol.

 

[downhillbiker]

stlrams88: i know what you mean. even at cost these tanks are rediculous in price. i got a good deal on mine, wish it was cost, but even then it's very pricey. i did quite a bit of trading with the LFS to get the price down so that i could afford it.

 

[stlrams88]

Hey at least you got a good deal...any new updates?

 

[downhillbiker]

Ya, rock, sand, and water is all in tank and i will get new pics when the water settles a little bit and you can actually see in it. right now its very cloudy. i need help getting aquascape figured out, so i will be calling on everyone here to give me pointers.

 

[downhillbiker]

So I got the tank up and running, but still have a bunch of work to do with the rock. The canister filter was leaking so I just stuck it in the tank for now to clear up the water. The rocks under the canister will form anemone island. The rocks in the middle will most likely just go in the sump. Basically the structure on the right stays, and the structure on the left stays, but i am having troubles getting the open look I want. The left side needs to open up between the rocks and I cant seem to get it to do so. I am willing to shift rocks around in any way, so if you have an idea lets hear it.

 

[Tangweed]

Ahhhhhh... water starting flow What are you going to use for water movement?

 

[downhillbiker]

right now the water movement is 4x koralia 4's. i am thinking this, with a return of around 1500gph will be enough, but who knows. if not i can put a couple seio 1500's in there, have them on standby.

the plan i have for the rock is this: break up some of the larger pieces, especially on the left. i will probably take the large flat piece that is on the left and work that in mid way up my pile on the left. on the right i would like to keep the large rock in the back. cant see in pic, but it is really sweet. i want the left to start at that rock and go up, and cascade back down as it reaches the front of the tank. got a lot of work to do on the rock, but it will get done.

after the rock is how i like it i will start building the framework for the canopy. i think i will put the reflectors about 3" off the water, which would put the bulbs at about 12" from the water. should work pretty well and have great coverage at that height.

 

[Tangweed]

Four K-4's... I have one K-4 and two K-3's on my 90 gal and I think I have a lot of flow. K-4's move the water. My one K-4 was blowing sand all over. I finally have the three K's placed that I have great flow and no sand storms. Good for you.

 

[steve70]

You have a couple of intresting rock in there if you look in your first photo to the far left bottom it kinda resimbles a face and in the middle, off to the right alttle it looks like a rabbit. It's looking good though. Can't wait to see the final.

 

[downhillbiker]

Tangweed: I hope that it is enough flow. We will see after I get the rockwork opened up a little bit. Right now I think it is border-line. The return should add another 1500gph, and then it should be ok. No sand blowing around though, for the most part things are behaving.

steve70: I sure dont see what you see, you have a much better imagination than I do. The rock will be broken up tomorrow, hopefully I dont smash a face or a little bunny.


What should I do with the extra rock? Guess I will throw it away? JK, I will find someone that wants it.

 

[AugustWest]

I don't know if its the power of suggestion but I can see a face and a rabbit too ! :lol:

Is that rock heavy? It looks heavy in the pics. I know alot of people around here use it ( I live in Utah too)
I have always preferred some good quality Live Rock though. It will be interesting to see how it works out.

 

[downhillbiker]

AugustWest: I will have to look harder and see if I can see the face and rabbit.

The rock is pretty heavy. As far as reef rock goes this is medium density but still very pourous and benificial to the system. It would quickly seed with life and become live rock. Matter of fact, it is seeding right now, and in a month it will be live rock. Full of bacteria, microfauna, and coralline algae.

Where in Utah?