Pictures of Bomber's barebottom SPS tank and related equipment

[Shoestring Reefer]

Comb is with a notch trowel (like a trowel for setting ceramic tile) with aquarium silicone, then dump sand all over it. Press it down a bit, and let it dry for a couple days or longer. Then when your ready to put it in the tank, tilt it up and knock off all the loose sand. Shake it real good to get all the loose stuff off. Then put it on the tank bottom. Waa-laa! You have a sand substrate that will not move due to high flow.

Just what I was thinking. Any thoughts on detritus getting "stuck" to the sand?

 

[ClarkiiClownfish]

Just what I was thinking. Any thoughts on detritus getting "stuck" to the sand?

Some may get down in there a bit, but if you have the super-high flow that Bomber is shooting for, then 99% of it shoudl not. If some does, I would think it could be easily siphoned out.

 

[Krusk]

very nice tank !!! indeed

question for those who had siphon sand out of the tank. Do you experience any pH drop or fluctuate?

thanks
Krusk

 

[grind]

i was just wondering, how is the fish reacting to all this flow you have? do they get blown around a lot or are they just fine?

 

[wastwage]

Yea they bounce off the glass quit frequently and get a little dizzy but other than that fine

 

[Bomber]

Guys you need to check on glueing starboard, I think there's only certain glues that will work.

and no, the fish don't care.

 

[musicsmaker]

Do you think that the high flow rates you are after could over time weaken the seals on the tank?

 

[Bomber]

It's no where near enough flow to do that mm.

 

[Scleractinian]

Guys you need to check on glueing starboard, I think there's only certain glues that will work.

and no, the fish don't care.

I'm 99% sure that Starboard is HDPE... if so... no gluing. I believe it's usually heat welded.

 

[teknopanda]

i'm too exhausted to read all the starboard related threads anymore. i just did 30 pages so i'm going to ask this question even if it has been asked and answered. forgiveness please.

in your latest pictures, bomber, the white starboard is relatively clear of corraline algae. is that right? nanorjfj (sp?) can you attribute that to the fact that you are using a white board instead of a dark colored board. makes me think of how our powerheads immediately get covered in corralline. must be a correlation there?

 

[discocarp]

I've had white starboard (cutting board anyway) in my tank since 12/9/03 and its already getting coraline spots all over it. Not a single spot on the glass yet, but the starboard is loaded. Even faster than the powerheads!

Peter

 

[robitreef]

Bomber, this may have been asked already so I apologize beforehand, but are all your fish from the Carribean? What about the acro's and the brains? Are they the Carribean variety?

 

[teknopanda]

discocarp

I've had white starboard (cutting board anyway) in my tank since 12/9/03 and its already getting coraline spots all over it. Not a single spot on the glass yet, but the starboard is loaded. Even faster than the powerheads!

Ok that's great. I guess bomber is preventing coralline growth in his tank. I'll definitely go with white board for its reflective capabilities.

 

[teknopanda]

oh scratch that. i see some coralline on bomber's starboard.

 

[wastwage]

He cant stop the corraline see it on the starboard

 

[teknopanda]

yes you're right. i looked at the pics at 4am and was so tired i didn't notice the coralline. yes reef keeping makes for odd sleeping hours.

for all those considering acrylic, i guarantee it will warp. i made acrylic dividers for my sump and they are all warped now. i used to have a 50g acrylic truvu tank and the top was warped from a mixture of condensation (evap water) and heat from lights.

 

[teknopanda]

BOMBER:

why does your tank only need 2 hours of MH lighting? Can you please explain in more detail? I'd love to save some money on the electricity bill that way too.

 

[Bomber]

I have two very large full grown urchins that love coralline.

Tek, These corals don't need point source light, but I turn the halides on just to make sure they get photosaturation.

 

[Shoestring Reefer]

What are your nitrate levels, and how do you prefer to controll them?

I ask because I'm thinking about ditching my DSB. It's a pain.

 

[Rick Davis]

Looking good Jerel:thumbsup:

Now when someone asks what wet skimming is you can show them a pic.

BTW, do you run the UV for parasite control since you use NSW for water changes?