one month after the upgrade to an 850gal reef

Steve, you should come to the big frag swap at Dave's (o2manyfish) on the 17th here in L.A. Lot's of cool stuff!

Mark
 
Hey Steve have you looked into adding a skylight above your tank to allow more natural light into the tank?
 
Julio, when I build my next house, I will certainly incorporate a skylight. I can't do it in my current house because there is living space above my garage.
 
Ã"šÃ‚¡ Hi Steve !

Where You buy the sequence pump ?
What model is it ?
Is it for saltwater use ?

Thanks

Saludos desde Mexico

Paul
 
Lucas01... the sequence pumps can be found on most online retail sites... like Custom Aquatic or Marine Depot. I'm currently running four of the sequence 23's, which have an output of about 6000GPH each for my closed loop. Sequence has an option for the pumps to come with saltwater seals.
 
Steve:

Awesome!!! You have even given me some ideas for the tank I am planning myself.

Couple of questions if you don't mind -
I saw the pictures of the plumbing for the closed loops - the "cages". I know you have them in the middle of live rock, but do you plan to be able to remove some of the rock to get at the various nozzles for cleaning or something?

Do you have rock hiding the 2" PVC support structure or is it covered in sand? I remember reading that you didn't like DSB so it made me wonder how you are hiding this structure as it looks like it would take at least 4" of sand?

Last one, I agree with trying to hide as much plumbing as possible but I can't see from the pictures where your overflows are? I'm assuming you are using some to avoid additional bulkheads in the bottom of the tank.

Thanks for sharing with us. The pictures leave me drooling!

Mickey
 
MickeyDee.... The "cages" are just a box made from eggcrate that surround the intakes for the closed loop (one cage for two intakes). They are located in the rear of the tank behind, but not under, the rockwork. They are easily removable for cleaning. The jets on the closed loop are a different story though... some are very easy to get to... while others have to have a few rocks removed to get to them. I don't anticipate ever having to remove them for cleaning though; but, if I had to, it wouldn't be too hard.

There is no sand under the rocks... only in the visible areas. When I set up the tank, the first thing that I did was to put in the closed loop piping, then the rocks to completely cover the pipes, and then the sand only in the open areas (and only about 1 inch or less deep). The closed piping is hidden by rocks.

I'm glad you couldn't see any plumbing or overflows in the photos... that's the idea. There are two overflows... one in each of the rear corners that measure 12 X 12 inches each. They are mostly obscured by rockwork without impeding flow. I also have no lights over this area which places this area in a kind of shadow that draws your eye back towards the middle of the tank and away from the overflows.
 
Thanks for the clarification as I understand better now.

My measily 30inch depth won't hide the overflows like yours so I'll have to put my thinking cap back on. I'll just have to practice on this tank until I can move up to the "big" leagues.:rollface:

You are still one of my inspirations!
Mickey
 
Best Tank out there!!

Best Tank out there!!

Ohhhh!! What a Deltec Calcium reactor would do for this system! LOL LOL :D :p Hey Steve, Salsa King Here. Our little project is on it's way!:) Looking forward to your visit soon.

Bring your tools and gadgets! We are working on my system next!:D :D lol

Happy New Year!!

Take care, and talk to you soon! Eric
 
I would get one of those little submersible submarines that takes pictures...you could have some fun with that
 
STeve: Did you think about 250 de hqi lamps versus the 400s you went with? Thoughts on why/not?

I am upgrading my 180 and was leaning to de hqi instead for a variety of reasons, including that some studies find them quite competitive with 400 w SE. Comments?
 
Supercalifragilistic.
I'm trying to think of an adjective that hasn't already been used!

Over the last couple of months I've seen hundreds of gorgeous marine aquariums while surfing reef websites, but your setup is by far and away the best, by miles and miles.

Incredible attention to detail, cleanliness, color, and what an innovative design to give front to back depth. Rather than attempting to create the illusion of perpsective you have achieved this by actually giving the depth, the perspective is natural.

I'm not the envious type, but now looking across at my 40 gal has sorta sent a feeling of inadequcy to my head!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful marine aquarium.
 
Edfish.... I've seen those studies as well. I used the 400 pulse starts because that's what I was using on the tank that this one replaced... and I wanted to reuse the equipment. I then augmented those with additional 400 watters to create the best blended light as possibble. I was fearful that mixing the 400's with 250's might look a little spotty.

Abu... This tank does have a moonlight.
 
you have the best setup i have ever seen....you ARE a reef-god!
i read every page and i still don't think you posted a pic looking into the tank from above! you know, seagull view...hell..you could prob. release a few seagulls in your garage....

i don't think there was mention of a surge device....i know your flow is pure insanity but i'm sure you considered surging....

p.s. when i hit lottery my tank will be better!! (prob. not)
 
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