My BEST hitchhiker is an OCTOPUS!

[Buddy Pine]

4 way OM

4 way OM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9068730#post9068730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Did you buy those Tee fittings with all the holes in it? That's new to me. That's a wave alright!

I drilled those holes on the "T" fittings and also on top of those black guard strainers. I wanted to create as much less suction as possible for the 4way Oceans Motions' intake so that any fish (weak) won't get suck in. I put my hand in and don't feel any suction at all, so drilling those extra holes definitely worked. The 4 bottom holes are my output for the 4 way OM with version 2 drum.

Here's the bottom photo before I hooked up the brackets and the Hammerhead pump.

 

[Buddy Pine]

Rockwork

Rockwork

My Rockwork in progress.

Gathering all the rock pieces.

Left center hollow for the fish sweet home.

No acrylic rods or pvc, simply epoxy and Thorite cement. Don't like that "Club Sandwich" look.

Drilled a few holes to attached future corals.

Levelled a few Rockwork to rest even on glass.

Final set up before it goes in the DT.
#1 = 40 lbs.
#2 = 35 lbs.
#3 = 25 lbs.
#4 = 30 lbs.
#5 = 31 lbs.
#6 = 22 lbs.
#7 = 19 lbs.
#8 = 34 lbs.
#9 = 41 lbs.
#10 = 4 lbs. (camo rock for Tunze 6100)
TOTAL: 281 lbs.

Left side.

Right side.

Full tank shot.

 

[melev]

That is really cool. I never thought about adding putty or cement to the bases to make them stay flat on the substrate or glass.

I love the numbered pieces picture.

 

[rayman45]

good for you that u went bigger and better...

 

[duhfactor]

I love the rockwork, what type of epoxy did you use? Did you somehow mix it with the cement? Or did you use epoxy on some parts and cement on others? What a great idea!

D

 

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9091670#post9091670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Damon1
I love the rockwork, what type of epoxy did you use? Did you somehow mix it with the cement? Or did you use epoxy on some parts and cement on others? What a great idea!

D

I used mainly Thorite cement (two thumps up!), expoxy was used only on small rock ledges that requires a little extra support.

 

[duhfactor]

Was it just thorite and water? I'm assuming thats what the bucket was for, a mixing bucket. I was trying to read what was on the side of the bucket wondering if there was some special mixture or addative of some kind.

D

 

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9092798#post9092798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Damon1
Was it just thorite and water? I'm assuming thats what the bucket was for, a mixing bucket. I was trying to read what was on the side of the bucket wondering if there was some special mixture or addative of some kind.

D

It's another type of cement i've used from Home Depot call "Plug Tite" by King, it is another type of hydraulic cement used for plugging water leaks on concrete. It cures very fast with in seconds and very hard to work with, I fine Thorite much more forgiving and gives you a bit more time to play with. I think it's much stronger as well. The best way is to mix a small amount to attach two rocks at a time. Just mix it with water and that's it.

 

[duhfactor]

How long do you have to wait for it to cure? Do you just position it how you want with your hands, then support it with something while it cures?

 

[lux_06]

any plans to get another octopus?

 

[saltwater4life1]

looks sweet whats your stock plans and what type of lighting you going to run? makes me wanna get a tank like that i'd love to go from a 20g to a 270...( if you wanna give it to me I'll take it off your hands )

Best of luck!,
Nick

 

[xtm]

wow Welcome Back! Addicts will always be addicts

 

[mallyk]

I just read this thread from start to finish...

.. I know you've heard it a hundred times, but i'm sorry about the crash of your tank. Good on you for getting right back up and starting over, even bigger!!

Your new set-up is impressive!!! :eek1: I would love to have a tank in the wall w/ a room set up just for my fish tank.. thats awsome.

Good luck w/ the new tank, and keep us posted!

 

[999sterling]

Sweet new setup.

I'm green with envy. :bounce3:

Are you worried about the cement you used on the rocks messing with your PH? I've heard that's a problem when you use cement.

 

[Buddy Pine]

duhfactor: I let the cement cure overnight just to be in the safeside. It holds on it's own or other objects or clamps to hold them together.

lux_o6: The Octopus was an accident but definitely was amazing, I learned a lot more caring for that remarkable species. They require lot of more care and attention though, I don't think I would buy another one unless again with my luck another hitchhiker.

Mallyk: Thanks.

999sterling: No problem with PH at all, there's a lot of water in that tank (270 gallons) there was not a lot of cement used, PH is at 8.2. It's just saltwater and rocks at the moment cycling before I place the 360 lbs. sand which is also cycling in the vat for 4 months now. I do 25 gallons water changes within a week, plus I replace saltwater from the sump that has my liverocks and corals. I'm really just taking my time and not rushing it at all. Once the water parameters are equal with the sump and the DT, then i'll be moving all the livestock from the sump to the DT bit at a time.

 

[melev]

Buddy, you aren't concerned about the sand having anoxic layers by now? Usually I don't worry unless it is over 6 months old, so you're still in the safe zone, but you said cycle and I don't know how it was tied into your livestock situation (if any).

I would try to collect the top inch (the most life will be there), and then place the bulk in your tank and place the top 1" worth on top of that.

 

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9128336#post9128336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Buddy, you aren't concerned about the sand having anoxic layers by now? Usually I don't worry unless it is over 6 months old, so you're still in the safe zone, but you said cycle and I don't know how it was tied into your livestock situation (if any).

I would try to collect the top inch (the most life will be there), and then place the bulk in your tank and place the top 1" worth on top of that.

The new sand were with the old rocks during cooking stage separated from the sump where my livestocks are. I'm basically starting the second time from scratch not worried about anything else that's why I wasn't in a hurry, but I've added the sand in the DT tonight, thanks for the heads up. My intension this time was to start up with a clean biological system as much as possible, avoiding bad hitchhikers? I'll be adding only a few new live rocks but quarantined and inspected before it goes to my DT. I know it's gonna be impossible but i'll try my best, am I dreamin'? I'm still learning everyday, your inputs are very important to me. Thanks again for all your contributions.

 

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9128336#post9128336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Buddy, you aren't concerned about the sand having anoxic layers by now? Usually I don't worry unless it is over 6 months old, so you're still in the safe zone, but you said cycle and I don't know how it was tied into your livestock situation (if any).

I would try to collect the top inch (the most life will be there), and then place the bulk in your tank and place the top 1" worth on top of that.

The new sand were with the old rocks during cooking stage separated from the sump where my livestocks are. I'm basically starting the second time from scratch not worried about anything else that's why I wasn't in a hurry, but I've added the sand in the DT tonight, thanks for the heads up. My intension this time was to start up with a clean biological system as much as possible, avoiding bad hitchhikers? I'll be adding only a few new live rocks but quarantined and inspected before it goes to my DT. I know it's gonna be impossible but i'll try my best, am I dreamin'? I'm still learning everyday, your inputs are very important to me. Thanks again for all your contributions.

 

[topshotta]

Looks like it's going to be a beatiful setup! What kind of rock is that (dry) looks sort of like Tufa, or is that from your old system?

 

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9201267#post9201267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by topshotta
Looks like it's going to be a beatiful setup! What kind of rock is that (dry) looks sort of like Tufa, or is that from your old system?

Yes, the rocks are from the old system cooked for a few months, additional new live rocks will be added which I already have in the sump.