Pictures - 800 gallon reef - 7+ years in operation
- Thread starter hcrk
- Start date
derek_setter
Member
okay let's make a deal--you leave me your house in your will, and i wont kill you and STEAL it, at least not for 6 years until i get out of college 
everything from your house to your tank is just perfect!!!
everything from your house to your tank is just perfect!!!
Phantom Phish
New member
I agree with the above, except I'll take a gin and tonic and a seat by the big tank please.
Again, truly stunning work.
Again, truly stunning work.
juststartingout
New member
With so many words to describe such a magnificent tank, all I can mutter is WOW!
...
ACCESS (at the front of the aquarium):
The design allows for easy access through the use of 2 "doors"; 4 removable "windows";
one 96" hinged "hatch"; and, a 10' elevated walkway at the rear of the aquarium.
In order, in-so-far-as is reasonably practical, to maintain the illusion of a "window on the ocean",
all doors and windows have been disguised through the use of trim and mouldings.
In the following picture I have removed the 4 access windows to the sump. The windows simply lift out.
An 8' hinged access "hatch" installed at the front and immediately above the aquarium allows for easy access
to all forward areas of the aquarium (using a portable stand),
ACCESS (at the back of aquarium):
There is approximately 18" of clearance between the back of the aquarium and the adjacent wall.
To permit ready access, a hinged plywood plank (elevated walkway) was installed at the level of the top of the aquarium stand. This allows me to walk
behind the tank that is then located below me (as if the tank was located on the floor). 18" of clearance is sufficient when you are referring to what
essentially amounts to "leg room".
This feature allows for ready access to all rear areas of the reef.
Please note that the elevated walkway folds up in order to allow access to the rear of the sump (which is only very infrequently necessary).
In viewing this picture, please note:
- that a large mirror (120" x 36") was installed on the back wall behind the aquarium. This serves to increase the perception of depth when viewing the tank.
More specifically, a few discrete gaps were left in the back live rock wall which serve to enhance the illusion of debt (in looking through the gaps what viewer
is actually seeing are parts of the back live rock wall reflected some 7' away (4' to the back wall - 18" to the mirror and 18" to back of the aquarium).
- that the elevated walkway is actually on the left and that the 2 areas on the right side of this picture are a reflection and a reflection in a reflection;
......
ACCESS (at the front of the aquarium):
The design allows for easy access through the use of 2 "doors"; 4 removable "windows";
one 96" hinged "hatch"; and, a 10' elevated walkway at the rear of the aquarium.
In order, in-so-far-as is reasonably practical, to maintain the illusion of a "window on the ocean",
all doors and windows have been disguised through the use of trim and mouldings.
In the following picture I have removed the 4 access windows to the sump. The windows simply lift out.
An 8' hinged access "hatch" installed at the front and immediately above the aquarium allows for easy access
to all forward areas of the aquarium (using a portable stand),
ACCESS (at the back of aquarium):
There is approximately 18" of clearance between the back of the aquarium and the adjacent wall.
To permit ready access, a hinged plywood plank (elevated walkway) was installed at the level of the top of the aquarium stand. This allows me to walk
behind the tank that is then located below me (as if the tank was located on the floor). 18" of clearance is sufficient when you are referring to what
essentially amounts to "leg room".
This feature allows for ready access to all rear areas of the reef.
Please note that the elevated walkway folds up in order to allow access to the rear of the sump (which is only very infrequently necessary).
In viewing this picture, please note:
- that a large mirror (120" x 36") was installed on the back wall behind the aquarium. This serves to increase the perception of depth when viewing the tank.
More specifically, a few discrete gaps were left in the back live rock wall which serve to enhance the illusion of debt (in looking through the gaps what viewer
is actually seeing are parts of the back live rock wall reflected some 7' away (4' to the back wall - 18" to the mirror and 18" to back of the aquarium).
- that the elevated walkway is actually on the left and that the 2 areas on the right side of this picture are a reflection and a reflection in a reflection;
......
carpetride
Premium Member
Wow! I've been following this thread from the start damn I just completely inadequate.
You deserve a huge congratulations on your success, obviously a lot of preperation and planning went into this tank/room. Just looks awsome.
You deserve a huge congratulations on your success, obviously a lot of preperation and planning went into this tank/room. Just looks awsome.
JackovSpades
New member
Quite unbelievable! An outstanding achievement.
I can only think of one comparable tank, the guy in London with the 1500g set up.
Like they say 'all you need is space, money, and patience'.
Now, let me go see where I can build an 800g set up in my basement lol
..........JackovSpades
I can only think of one comparable tank, the guy in London with the 1500g set up.
Like they say 'all you need is space, money, and patience'.
Now, let me go see where I can build an 800g set up in my basement lol
..........JackovSpades
juststartingout
New member
Jackovspades, my wife told me to "get off of the net" after showing this thread to her. She knows that I get bad (read expensive) idea's from this "research":lol2:
...
SKIMMERS:
The skimming system that I use was custom fabricated for this aquarium.
The system consists of 3 acrylic tubes each of which is 72" tall x 6" in diameter.
Each tube is outfitted with dual venturis. Each set of dual venturis is, in turn, powered by an Iwaki 55RLT.
The entire skimming system is fed from an exterior overflow box and is powered by an Iwaki 30RLT.
The skimmers are located behind one of the doors and immediately adjacent to the aquarium
....
SKIMMERS:
The skimming system that I use was custom fabricated for this aquarium.
The system consists of 3 acrylic tubes each of which is 72" tall x 6" in diameter.
Each tube is outfitted with dual venturis. Each set of dual venturis is, in turn, powered by an Iwaki 55RLT.
The entire skimming system is fed from an exterior overflow box and is powered by an Iwaki 30RLT.
The skimmers are located behind one of the doors and immediately adjacent to the aquarium
....
rafael Hernandes
New member
Very Nice!!!!
Congratulations!!!
Regards
Rafa
Congratulations!!!
Regards
Rafa
...
I have taken several more pictures of components that support my reef and intend to post them shortly.
Thereafter, I would like to post and discuss some thoughts, ideas and conclusions about the operation of large reef systems (and reef systems in general).
Please feel free to ask questions and to contribute.
......
I have taken several more pictures of components that support my reef and intend to post them shortly.
Thereafter, I would like to post and discuss some thoughts, ideas and conclusions about the operation of large reef systems (and reef systems in general).
Please feel free to ask questions and to contribute.
......
jumboshrimp18
Premium Member
One of the things nobody has asked you about is what you said in your first post--that you spent a year designing the tank. I would really love to hear some of your thoughts at that time, given the spectacular outcome.
I can't help but thinking that Michael Paletta would have liked to have known about your aquarium when he made his book, 'Ultimate Marine Aquariums': one of the things he asked the respective owners of the reef tank featured is what they would do differently were they to do it all again now--do you have an answer to that question?
To me your aquascaping is something I would like to try to duplicate (someday in a smaller tank)--any tips on what you did there?
Congragulations on a superb acomplishment.
I can't help but thinking that Michael Paletta would have liked to have known about your aquarium when he made his book, 'Ultimate Marine Aquariums': one of the things he asked the respective owners of the reef tank featured is what they would do differently were they to do it all again now--do you have an answer to that question?
To me your aquascaping is something I would like to try to duplicate (someday in a smaller tank)--any tips on what you did there?
Congragulations on a superb acomplishment.
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