Shallow Rimless Reef

dazza0685

dazza0685

New member
Hi guys. I am from the UK and have been a long time lurker in the forum. Always been fascinated with people keeping these beautiful SPS reefs so I figured that it was about time i give it a go.

I have been in the hobby a little over 2 years and have various tanks. In July of last year i started building the log cabin that we now call home and i knew from the start i was going to have a new larger tank i just hadn't decided what it would be.
We moved in in Dec 2014 and with the stock i had from my previous tanks residing in a frag tank in an outbuilding i was itching to get started with a new tank.

Before really thinking about what i wanted long term i built myself a 4 x 3 from scratch and really liked it, however as we settled in to the cabin we realised we had more room than first thought so this one was short lived!



 
So i sat down and designed the new tank which i new from my current tank at the time i definitely wanted to keep the shallow look and to keep the 3ft front to back as i loved how the fish responded to the space.

The decision was made that the new tank would be 240 x 90 x 46cm (900l approx) and most importantly rimless. I would love to have made it myself but without help there was no way i could lift the glass so I went to a company that builds quality tanks here in the UK.
The tank is made from 19mm optiwhite glass with a double 8mm base, It has a coast to coast weir on one end which helps it look very clutter free.

I also wanted this tank to be an indulgence as i love neatness and good build quality and technology.
For the sump i decided to go with a Royal Exclusiv dreams with a size of 175 x 74 x 35.
The return pump is an RD3 8000 and there is also an RD3 5000 running the reactor with GFO.

The stand was to be constructed of aluminium extrusion as with the 4 x 3 as I love working with the material.

Enough talking now here are some photos:








 
So the tank is now running and things are settling in well.

I am still waiting on a second ATI Hybrid so am using an old Sunpower for now.

Also the Bubbling Deluxe 300 external has been removed from the system as it didn't fit very well, Currently using the Deluxe 250 from my old system until my new Deluxe 300 internal arrives.

I am new to SPS so I'm afraid its not going to be on par with some of the stunning tanks that are seen on here but i will do my best.

I have a few pics of some of the residents but as there are 2 different lights running at the moment i am refraining from taking many photos.





 
Welcome to RC.

What a great start.

I am so impressed with your set up and your choice of equipment. I wish you the best of luck in your journey. I will be following it and learning from you.

I have one question: how do you deal with condensation?

Cheers

Bulent
 
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Hi. Firstly many thanks for your comments.

I have an extractor fan which is directly above the tank which runs 24/7 which removes a certain amount. Then whenever the weather allows i open windows. However we do not seem to suffer at all.

I will be fitting A/C before too long though as winter may be more of a problem.
 
so freaking nice! love this build!

Do you not use any power heads? just a single return?
 
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Looking at this thread again on my desktop, this build is very inspiring. You really have a piece of artwork in just the build itself, bravo. :thumbsup:

DSC_0136.jpg
Click to expand...

But I noticed this peculiar powerhead, is that perhaps an anemone guard? Custom fabrication? More information would great, it looks really nice. :)
 
joshky said:
Looking at this thread again on my desktop, this build is very inspiring. You really have a piece of artwork in just the build itself, bravo. :thumbsup:



But I noticed this peculiar powerhead, is that perhaps an anemone guard? Custom fabrication? More information would great, it looks really nice. :)
Click to expand...

Many thanks for all the comments guys. As i say I'm new to the SPS journey so please don't expect too much yet. The equipment side is always the bit i find easy, I love building and DIY so went to town on this and its not finished yet.

As for flow. The RD3 8000 feeds 2 x 25mm returns at the weir end of the tank. Then i have a Panta Rhei ECM42 which is shown in that picture. Its a virtually silent very powerful pump.
It is currently the only pump and its on 50% which pushes the water the entire length of the tank, bounces off the other end and returns at some rate. It creates a lot of flow and quite a lot of random flow once it hits the rocks.
I do intend to add more flow but from what I'm seeing in the SPS at the moment everything is happy so ill let the bank account cool down for a bit first.

Thanks
 
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