Just cleaned thirty year old tank.

[ravenmore]

Cool - I like the idea of the bent pvc pipe. Did you cure the concrete before you put it in your tank?

I've had several Elysia Crispata and they all just dissappear. Don't really do much for my algae either. It'd be nice to figure out the secret to make 'em happy and get them to breed.

 

[Paul B]

Ravenmore. You have to cure the concrete before you put it in the tank. I have probably 15 or 20 lbs of concrete in there.
The slugs do not eat anything. They are solar powered. I have a small plastic container with slugs and all kinds of algae and forget them for algae control. I eat more algae than they do. They do suck some chloroplasts out of the algae but you can't prove it by me.

 

[rmendis]

Construction pic of the bent PVC "rockwork" in Paul's tank:

 

[Paul B]

Thanks Rich.
That is the bent up 1/2" PVC pipe before most of the cement is put on. Plastic window screen is wrapped around it then cement (Sakrete Morter Mix) is put on in about five layers letting it cure in between. You can make it as thick and rough as you want. It is also hollow. Good for anerobic algae to grow to reduce nitrate. I leave some of the holes open through the cement. Rocks made this way grow coraline algae much faster than real rock and you can build it any sixe or shape. You could not buy rocks in this shape because they would break in shipment. This three foot piece cost about $1.50 to build.

 

[rmendis]

Here are close-up pics of the pipe in Paul's tank...

With a white background to show the encrusted PVC:

Blends into the rockwork perfectly:

 

[Jamesurq]

simple but effective idea! I like it.

No concerns about the burned pvc leeching chemicals into the tank?

 

[Paul B]

Rich, you did a great job with the pictures. In the second picture you can't even see that rock. Under it is a plexiglass chain I built, It has coraline algae all over it. I know I get carried away sometimes.

 

[Ike185]

WOW!!!!!

Paul, that is one of the coolest tanks I've ever seen. Very inspirational. Seems like the goal of everyone is to establish a beautiful, stable, healthy & THRIVING long term environment. You've managed to accomplish every one of those goals.

You should be EXTREMELY proud!!!

Please keep posting data & related articles. Your tank and techniques are a wealth of information that we can all learn a lot from.

Ike

 

[electric130]

great tank. thanks for sharing. i'd love to see more pics if possible.

 

[rmendis]

As requested, more great pics from Paul...

 

[lebowski]

Very nice tank.. I love the PVC idea, I might even try it in my tank if you wouldn't mind.

 

[ttmitsu]

i live on long island to and always was terrified of using anything out of the ocean here , like water or rock. obviously it could be done . how far out do you collect water?
were do you get rocks and worms on long island ? i always feeled like i got gipped living by an ocean i couldnt use for this hobby, what beaches can be used to collect this type of stuff?

your tank is the most interesting one i have ever seen, it looks amazing

 

[Paul B]

ttmitsu
Where do you live on LI. Maybe I could tell you a beach to go to . You can collect water anywhere in the Sound but the more east the better and the south shore ocean beaches are much better. Rocks you can use from any beach. Just be careful, there are over 2000 shipwrecks around LI and you don't want to pick up a nice looking large piece of rust. You would not be able to tell. Don't ask.

 

[Paul B]

I forgot, that rock that the bubble coral is homemade too. I forget what I made or collected but one thing is for sure, I didn't buy any of it.

 

[want2reef]

Sadly, I can't see the pics.

 

[luvmyreef]

Such cool ideas and looks so natural..Great job Paul!
Jeanie

 

[ttmitsu]

i live in east meadow but wouldnt mind driving further out east. do you have to collect water off of a boat ?
were do you collect rock everything i have ever seen is all green and slimey looking. all the rocks on jetty's are live as long as there under water?
what beaches do you use to collect mud and worms id like to use as much stuff as i can get locally?
i never had any idea there was any forms of a reef in the water around her , now i want to take up scuba diving.

 

[prop-frags]

Simply amazing. Tank of the month!!!!

 

[Paul B]

ttmitsu
I will send you a message. I don't want too many people digging up the beach where I collect stuff. They may not appreciate that too much.

 

[ttmitsu]

yeah that sounds like a better idea i only have a 30 gallon tank and im just looking to add some small stuff