Rod the Reefer
New member
Thanks SolidDetail808. 
Aquascape pics up next.
Rod. :thumbsup:
Aquascape pics up next.
Rod. :thumbsup:
Rod's Gyre flow, Natural light, SPS dominated Reef
- Thread starter Rod the Reefer
- Start date
Rod the Reefer
New member
Ok, here's a couple of pics when I first finished the aquascape. The water hadn't entirely cleared up (not to my liking anyway) and the new T5 arrangement threw me out with my white balance etc, so I'm not happy with the colours in these shots.
Well, Here it is;
FTS
Centre
Stag Island
A view from the end, showing the rock work kept off the back wall to enable the flow around the back.
I'm very happy with the flow/setup.
I have the main two pumps alternating on a three hour cycle, with 15minutes of "slack tide" in between. The other two pumps create wave action on a more random arrangement. I have programmed a "storm" once a week when all four pumps are on for a couple of hours.
I have finished my lighting/hood. I have it setup with pulleys so I can raise and lower it. I'll get a photo and post it later.
Rod. :thumbsup:
Well, Here it is;
FTS
Centre
Stag Island
A view from the end, showing the rock work kept off the back wall to enable the flow around the back.
I'm very happy with the flow/setup.
I have the main two pumps alternating on a three hour cycle, with 15minutes of "slack tide" in between. The other two pumps create wave action on a more random arrangement. I have programmed a "storm" once a week when all four pumps are on for a couple of hours.
I have finished my lighting/hood. I have it setup with pulleys so I can raise and lower it. I'll get a photo and post it later.
Rod. :thumbsup:
Rod the Reefer
New member
Thanks guys.
Everyone's comments have been appreciated.
Alright, here are a couple of shots of the hood up;
In this one you can see the pulleys and rope;
And this is how the lights worked out;
Cool huh?
Rod. :thumbsup:
Everyone's comments have been appreciated.
Alright, here are a couple of shots of the hood up;
In this one you can see the pulleys and rope;
And this is how the lights worked out;
Cool huh?
Rod. :thumbsup:
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Very cool.
ReefingBuddha
New member
I like!
Rod the Reefer
New member
Thanks guys.
Ok, here's a FTS with the hood down, this is the best I have at this point in time. I haven't sorted out the camera with these lights yet!
Ok, here's a FTS with the hood down, this is the best I have at this point in time. I haven't sorted out the camera with these lights yet!
Rod the Reefer
New member
As far as cladding the stand a fellow RTAW member, has helped me out there. He renovates bathrooms and kitchens for a living and had some great ideas for me.
Oi, don't take my photo.
For the cabinet he has used a 7mm granite/resin product that he uses on kitchen benches.
The master at work.
For the doors he has used MDF with vinyl heat shrinked on the front and back making them water proof.
He renovates bathrooms and kitchens for a living and had some great ideas for me. Oi, don't take my photo.
For the cabinet he has used a 7mm granite/resin product that he uses on kitchen benches.
The master at work.
For the doors he has used MDF with vinyl heat shrinked on the front and back making them water proof.
Rod the Reefer
New member
What a perfectionist! (Wait 'till the plastic covering comes off those doors!!)
Ok, here's with the doors open to access the engine room.
He's used these really fancy hinges
That you push this button and the whole door comes off!!
And here it is, the finished product. The colour of the doors is called "Midnight Pearl"
To say that I'm happy with it is an understatement!
I am truly in your debt Sam. :beer:
Rod. :thumbsup:
Ok, here's with the doors open to access the engine room.
He's used these really fancy hinges
That you push this button and the whole door comes off!!
And here it is, the finished product. The colour of the doors is called "Midnight Pearl"
To say that I'm happy with it is an understatement!
I am truly in your debt Sam. :beer:
Rod. :thumbsup:
Green Thumb
New member
Nice set up, love the sun tubes!
Do you plan on getting into more detail about the gyre flow? Perhaps a small video? I still dont get how you have it all working...
Do you plan on getting into more detail about the gyre flow? Perhaps a small video? I still dont get how you have it all working...
Bigmiksears
New member
i love the use of the sunlight tubes - similar to another thread ive read on here (though the name escapes me :s) and also the cabinate looks top notch with the blck theme running throughout - i can imagin it looks very striking diverting all the viewers attention to the tank
Top notch Rod
Top notch Rod
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Looks fantastic Rod, great job! :thumbsup:
Regarding the screws Sam used on the hinges into the steel, do they have nuts on the back? Or did Sam just screw them right into the stand (metal screws maybe)?
I have a steel stand and am covering skinning ideas, and I really like how yours turned out
Love the angels, and I have the same book on the right ^^
Regarding the screws Sam used on the hinges into the steel, do they have nuts on the back? Or did Sam just screw them right into the stand (metal screws maybe)?
I have a steel stand and am covering skinning ideas, and I really like how yours turned out
Love the angels, and I have the same book on the right ^^
Rod the Reefer
New member
Thanks Aaron!
Actually the old tank did win TOTM here in Aus (RTAW) in March 2007 and then won TOTY 2007.
So do I Stylo, so do I!! Sam's workmanship is second to none. It has really put the icing on the cake.
Thanks, the natural light is just awesome! The way it is constantly changing as clouds pass over and the sheer intensity on a sunny day.
I you have a read of this article it explains the Gyre concept quite well;
http://www.reef-eden.net/2006_reef_9.htm
Thanks mate, you're right, with everything black (the weir, comb, back glass, hood, Sola tubes & lights and cabinet) your eyes are drawn to the brightly lit, colorful reef! I love it!!
Very little really, but the hood is only ever up when I feed the fish or when doing maintenance.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14357061#post14357061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by porthios
yeah, that's really an awesome build. so many great ideas to steal
Thanks very much. You're welcome.
I've actually pinched some of these ideas myself. 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14357289#post14357289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
Looks fantastic Rod, great job! :thumbsup:
Regarding the screws Sam used on the hinges into the steel, do they have nuts on the back? Or did Sam just screw them right into the stand (metal screws maybe)?
I have a steel stand and am covering skinning ideas, and I really like how yours turned out
Love the angels, and I have the same book on the right ^^
Sam used self tapping screws into the steel. We dipped them in fish oil first so the hole and screw wouldn't rust. I also painted the hinges with fish oil.
I love Angels too. I'll try to get a few pics.
Rod. :thumbsup:
