R | D Custom Reef Build

[qwuintus]

Hello...

I wanted to share with you my new tank build since I just completed a leak test and finally have phase 1 done.

I hope phase 2 will be more inspirational as I plan on modifying my 34g Solana and placing it inside this shallow tank.

Here are some pictures from tonight; the first day with water and I'm glad to say I only had two leaks from two improperly used hose barbs.

I think I may have to build two dursos for the drains as it's a bit loud for liking but everything else is going well at this point.

This tank still needs a lot of work for my vision to be completed; but I was so happy finally getting water in the tank. Sorry for the crapii pics.

Setup includes:
Custom Acrylic Shallow tank from Advanced Acrylics
34g Solana modified
3x par38 mounted in Alvin lamps
1x AI Sol Blue
Euroreef skimmer
Vortech Mp10 in Solana
Vortech Mp? in shallow tank (I'm not sure which to get; depends on price)
Automated dosing system? (I haven't decided yet; Brightwell A+B)
Autotopoff.com dual TO system
BRC 4 stage rodi

I haven't nailed an aquascape yet; but I've always been a fan of deep valleys and elevation shifts. Right now I've only decided to keep the shallow tank bare and let coraline cover up the bottom while keeping 2-3" of sand in the Solana.

The concept for this tank was to have two environments running off of one system inorder to simplify things and allow me to keep aggressive fish and community fish.

I'll probably get a fu man chu or frog fish for the Solana and keep it very clean looking with SPS glued to mag floats. I want to give the illusion that coral are popping through the glass.

The shallow tank with have my reef safe fish, shrimp, etc, along with a mix of SPS, LPS, and softies. I have to find this picture I've been inspired by, but it was a nice ramp of zoas.

 

[qwuintus]

Anyway, I am really excited to share and get this tank up since I've lost all my beautiful SPS due to negligence from moving and being lazy.

Here's a pic of it in it's glory days. I'm basically going to clean it up and sit it inside the shallow tank and make the water overflow over the rim like an infinity pool.

 

[elgordonavw]

"I'm basically going to clean it up and sit it inside the shallow tank and make the water overflow over the rim like an infinity pool."

Definitely a neat idea, looking forward to seeing it in action. Should be weird to have to scrape coralline from inside and outside the same tank. So when will this be setup? I will follow along-

 

[Tryx]

that would be pretty sweet! its a custom DIY Zeroedge tank.

 

[qwuintus]

Yup! That was one of my inspirations for the design of this tank.

Here are some updates:

I found a great deal for a 50g cadlights so I will be using that instead. It came with a lot of nice sized sps mini colonies. I also got an Apex Neptune Lite to use with the setup.

Though shelling out some clams for a new tank out of the blue has some perks; I don't think I'll gain much even after I sell the Solana. However, I justify having some nice SPS to recover from the loss is not bad, and modifying this larger starphire tank will look much better than modifying the Solana.
-- The Solana has a weir style cutout in the back and gluing a piece to allow the water to overflow on all 4 sides would not look as nice as simply removing the internal overflow on the cadlights and covering the holes which I just took care of today.
-- I also get an additional 15 gallons and I think having a larger unique center display wouldn't be bad since it commands a lot of attention anyway.

Without jabbering off much here are some pictures as of about 30 minutes ago.

I just got this nice par-something bulb. 1100 lumens, 25k hours, 4900k, 15w, $36
-Kinda pricey considering other options, but it looks cool and gives the most lumens from the options at HD. You can see it behind the par38.

Quiet... One of my bulk heads is threaded so I'm using 1 durso (slip), and the a male adapter. So far so good.

 

[qwuintus]

Infinity pool is setup! It's not overflowing perfectly but that will be something I will tweak along the way. I'm happy that everything is running!

Last nights sketch and inspiration.

 

[qwuintus]

Perfect for a mantis shrimp! I've always wanted one and now I have the space.

What's left is to make a new arm for my AI Sol Blue, test parameters, and slowly move the coral.

 

[qwuintus]

Been slowly working on this guy...

Setting up a routine for maintenance as well as tweaking things as I go.

A lot of corals have died unfortunately and I've narrowed it down to water flow and light.

My AI controller broke and I haven't setup my Neptunes Lite Controller yet. Hopefully I will do that next week when my VDM comes in. The lights aren't being ramped up and I think I am shocking the corals like that.

For flow in the cube I just ordered a MJ1200 to use with the new Nuvo stream nozzle. For the 2 3/4" returns from the sump into the shallow tank I've ordered flow accelerators. Hopefully they work as planned (rated to add 400% flow) and thus minimizing extra pumps and things to fail and maintain.

When I am on break I hope to skin the tank and incorporate some of the appliances and shelves into the look of the reef and building. It's going to be all wood and perhaps some acrylic accents. Right now everything is just on functional mode until I know exactly what my tank needs to get the coral to open.

Baby steps.

I will have better pictures in the future. Thanks for viewing my thread and tank from it's birth. There is a long way to go and a lot of corals and fish I still want.

 

[qwuintus]

 

[keepswimming]

wow is all i can say! nice build!

 

[Izek]

Beautiful that's totally thinking outside the box awsome build

 

[alexwbush]

very creative! I'll be keeping an eye on this one

 

[james-lee]

Very cool!

 

[gveng]

Looks great, but I wish the center tank was elevated so you could see all of it, instead of just the top half.

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

Looks great, but I wish the center tank was elevated so you could see all of it, instead of just the top half.

I think I like that you can see through the bottom and have the added depth from both tanks..

 

[qwuintus]

Thanks for the appreciation guys! I can't wait until the tank really blossoms and the corals feed into the design.

gveng... I'm sure there are a lot of different variations you can do with this design and all of them will look great.

For one I thought it might be cool to have the center tank a few ft taller and more intimidating but it would compromise being able to see the top of the tank from standing height- something my friend Abraham really digs about the setup.

 

[BeanMachine]

Really cool build, looks awesome!

 

[qwuintus]

A shot from Wednesday Cleanse Day.

 

[thmaster00]

WOOOWW!!!
That **** cray!!!

 

[qwuintus]

Thanks man...


The flow accelerators sure work well! I hope they dont require a lot of cleaning.

The MJ + Stream Jet works well but I think it may clog easily. It also sticks out like a sore thumb but I'll use it for the time being until I figure something else out. I might just take it off later and use the MJ prop.