Our new 24G Aquapod with pics

[scubaD]

Ok, it has been about 2 weeks now since we got our aquapod. It is set up and today we added live rock. This is out first marine aquarium and we are pretty psyched. I have the ICA hang on cooler from nanotuners (remains to be seen how it performs now that the lights are on a schedule) and a hydor on the return.

and a little closer on our rockwork. We are pretty proud of it for our first try. What do you think?

And finally I got the much maligned Current stand for it. I did not read all the negativity out here untill after it was ordered. I reinfoced it a good bit. Should have used a flash on the photo so a little blurry but you get the idea.

Thank you all for your help here, figured I would share how it is coming along.

 

[noschmo]

Looks like some rocks piled on each other to me. Check back when its full of coral and fish for a critique.

 

[madnav87]

can you give more pics/explanation on the reinforcements on the stand.....i just put mine together, and it is crooked and seems very rickety. I was thinking of using stainless steel poles on the corners, but your idea seems much better

 

[scubaD]

That is harsh noschmo. There is a nice horsehoe shape with a tunnel in the back. I think it looks great. I guess I shouldn't have asked if I didn't want the negatives though, so bring it on.

As for stand reinforcement, I just used these 2 inch wide L brackets and screwed them into the inside of every joint. 2 on each vertical seam and one on each horizontal seem. Drilled pilot holes for the screws so as not to split the wood. I tested it by sitting on it and trying to wiggle it. Didn't really move at all. Satisfied me anyway.

 

[HAMsmith]

Looking good, keep up the good work.

Your aquascape looks fine, it will fill in nicely when you add some coral and critters.

 

[joedirt54]

Looks good to me, just make sure it's stable. When your cycled wedge a sweet zoo or shroom rock under that ledge on the right. That should add some support to the rockwork....You might want to add a little epoxy to some areas as well.

My point is, you don't want one of those 5lb rocks falling against the glass when your adding corals. If your happy with the way it looks(I would be), draw a picture of each rock and where it is, and reconstruct it using underwater epoxy to glue every other rock in a small area.

Dirt

 

[scubaD]

Dirt,

Thanks for the tip. The rock in thr front on the right is actually on the bottom and is not leaning right as much as it appears to be in the photo. And it is big which you cannot really tell from the photo as it doesn't really have depth. The piece on the front left which is stacked is the most precarious. We may try using epoxy there. The bridge in back is leaning against the back and supported on both sides by other solide rocks. I don't think it is going to go anywhere. I was originally thinking epoxy too, but the helpfull guy at the LFS disuaded us. Maybe we will use it selectively.

 

[RonE]

with that MH light...what is the temp of your tank? are you using the glass lid that comes with the aquapod? just wondering. thinking about buying the same exact aquapod. Can I also ask how much you paid for it? stand/ tank?

 

[madnav87]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7841373#post7841373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scubaD
..... As for stand reinforcement, I just used these 2 inch wide L brackets and screwed them into the inside of every joint. 2 on each vertical seam and one on each horizontal seem. Drilled pilot holes for the screws so as not to split the wood. I tested it by sitting on it and trying to wiggle it. Didn't really move at all. Satisfied me anyway.

Thanks, I went to the Home Depot and got some L brackets and "Liquid Nails" today..... hopefully a combination of that and a small wood wedge (stand is tilted to the left) will help

 

[scubaD]

We aren't keeping it at any particular temp right now. It is up and down every day. Goal is to keep it under 80. So far have been able to do that with the ICA cooler on and a fan blowing across it during the day, but today will be the real test, with no airconditioning on and it is supposed to hit mid to upper 80s today. The fan is not a permanent sollution though. We are very concientous about the temp and worried about it. Checking it ten times a day etc. So we spent the big bucks and ordered the Current Prime 1/10 from the Docs. So much for our budget for this project.

Oh, and we got no glass lid with it, so no.

 

[wav3form]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7841373#post7841373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scubaD
That is harsh noschmo. There is a nice horsehoe shape with a tunnel in the back. I think it looks great. I guess I shouldn't have asked if I didn't want the negatives though, so bring it on.

As for stand reinforcement, I just used these 2 inch wide L brackets and screwed them into the inside of every joint. 2 on each vertical seam and one on each horizontal seem. Drilled pilot holes for the screws so as not to split the wood. I tested it by sitting on it and trying to wiggle it. Didn't really move at all. Satisfied me anyway.

Noschmo always says negative things, don't sweat it. Looks like a good start and the stand should hold up just fine.

(looking forward to witty comeback from Noschmo)