Tank-O-death

[Fliger]

LOL, still looks like a TOTM. As they say, it could have been much worse!

Love the sun corals, do you find they spread quickly?

Also this may have been covered already - but will you try to safeguard against your Deltec overflowing again? Like a leak sensor that shuts down your skimmer, or a reverse float somewhere?

 

[jnarowe]

I have a leak sensor in my tank room but it doesn't work...it rusted!!

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682842#post9682842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger
LOL, still looks like a TOTM. As they say, it could have been much worse!

Love the sun corals, do you find they spread quickly?

Also this may have been covered already - but will you try to safeguard against your Deltec overflowing again? Like a leak sensor that shuts down your skimmer, or a reverse float somewhere?

I'm off to Hawaii in a few days.....but, upon my return, I want to install a low water level sensor in my sump that is connected to my ACIII.....where, when tripped, it will tell my ACIII to turn off my skimmer pumps. I'm sure someone out there knows how to accomplish this....anyone ? In the meantime, I'm keeping 200 gals of mixed water on hand.

But remember....although the skimmer did empty my sump.... it was my overeaction to an empty sump that created the disaster. I only wish that I could have a sensor on me connected to my ACIII....so that it could turn me off and keep me from doing stupid things.

 

[jnarowe]

One day, Steve, one day!

 

[waterfaller1]

Wow..a little taste of what's to come. It's looking beautiful already, as always..you are an inspiration.
Long live my reef hero Steve!

 

[chImerAnz]

OK...here are a few pics of the redo....which, by no means, is a final thing....only a first pass. My goal is the create more swimming space through a wider canyon. I also want to go more vertical with pillars to accomodate more tables and stags....something my old layout could not do. I know it is a shadow of its former self....but...there are few corals and lots of rocks...so it can't help but look uninspiring right now....the trick is to envision all the future corals covering all the rocks. The photography is poor since I just did a water change....so....the water isn't its clearest....and I wasn't trying take perfect pics....just some quick snaps. Unfortuneatly, quite a bit of the detail is lost in the pics....but, it gives you an idea....

I actually like some of the ideas you're using for the new layout - as you say it's often hard to visualize the setup covered in coral. One thing I personally liked about your last layout was the effect of the tank "disappearing forever". It was as though there was no glass panel on the back!!! I really like the tall pillars - however I think they would look better by themselves with plenty of room either side, maybe in the middle of the canyon obscuring only a bit of the background? Perhaps even create a "bridge" off one pillar with rock work bending over from the top of it to the rock work on the side? Please take this as constructive feedback, most certainly not criticizing! I think aquascaping is the single most difficult thing to do in a reef tank!!!

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9685663#post9685663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chImerAnz
I actually like some of the ideas you're using for the new layout - as you say it's often hard to visualize the setup covered in coral. One thing I personally liked about your last layout was the effect of the tank "disappearing forever". It was as though there was no glass panel on the back!!! I really like the tall pillars - however I think they would look better by themselves with plenty of room either side, maybe in the middle of the canyon obscuring only a bit of the background? Perhaps even create a "bridge" off one pillar with rock work bending over from the top of it to the rock work on the side? Please take this as constructive feedback, most certainly not criticizing! I think aquascaping is the single most difficult thing to do in a reef tank!!!

I will consider that. Perhaps when I return, I'll take some top down pics with the pumps off. With the current pics, it's real hard to tell where the rock structure starts and stops....since they blend in with one another.

One thing though....alot of folks in the past have been really impressed with my tank's aquascaping.....and....well... I let them. But, to be honest, it was just a pile of disorganized rocks on the left and right side.....it was the sps corals that gave it life and made the "aquascaping" pop. I will eventually have that "pop" from the corals again.....but now with decent rockwork too..... and it isn't easy.

The aquascaping will always have that central canyon. The problem that I had before was that the canyon was too narrow in the long run. As corals grew, the canyon effect was becoming lost. As a result, this time I'm trying to spread the canyon walls a bit and create some vertical interest as well. In the old aquascaping, I was limited to mostly bushy corals....when my interest was really more into stags and tables. More vertical surfaces should help in this area.

The current aquascaping still has that forced perspective going on.....the rocks actually converge as they go back....like a triangle....which visually extends the tank. Are you saying that you prefer a little more background visable ? if so, that could be enhanced a bit. There will be alot of tweaking over the next few weeks.

 

[mpoletti]

Do you just place the rocks like tetris or do you use epoxy?

 

[cbui2]

Hawaii thats gona be very nice this time of the year, also new aquascape look even better. this tank has always been on my favorite list

 

[chImerAnz]

Are you saying that you prefer a little more background visable ? if so, that could be enhanced a bit.

Yeah Steve, thats exactly what I'm saying But of course everything is down to personal preference! IMO the "more background" look makes it look bigger, gives it perspective etc. I also like how you had rock work hidden behind other rockwork - giving it a more 3D appearance - plus I'd imagine that standing at different angles in front of the tank gives it different views. Just my 2 cents worth! Best of luck mate

 

[reefez]

Tank O Life

If nobody new what it looked like before hand we would all think it was a very beautiful tank. Very gald to see the monster Gonipora made it. As well as the wall of BTAs. Minus all the outstanding SPS that we're lost it looks like it has made a good recovery thus far.
I love the new layout on the rock. When it all fills in with the new colonies of SPS it will be sweeter then ever. Can't wait to see it in 12 months time. Happy SPS hunting:bum: I'll probably bump into you at some of our LFS Sooner or later. Rob

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9688100#post9688100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chImerAnz
Yeah Steve, thats exactly what I'm saying But of course everything is down to personal preference! IMO the "more background" look makes it look bigger, gives it perspective etc. I also like how you had rock work hidden behind other rockwork - giving it a more 3D appearance - plus I'd imagine that standing at different angles in front of the tank gives it different views. Just my 2 cents worth! Best of luck mate

hmmmm....well, there's no doubt that when the visable backgroud (if kept clean like I do) gives the illusion of a "what's past that last rock ?" look. If I have too much background blocked, it visually terminates the tank......if I don't have enough blocked, I lose coral space and fail to cover plumbing and the overflows. Finding the right balance isn't easy. I'll see if I can "free" it up a bit.

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9687201#post9687201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
Do you just place the rocks like tetris or do you use epoxy?

It's a combination of large rocks (40lbs and larger) and epoxy.

 

[Zoom]

Hi,
I had my tank also crash and i'm in the same boat as you
All my sps die but everything else made it .
I was wondering when i saw your tank now, that you have many Anemones , i saw the RBTAs on right ,but i was more in the idea getting some different carpets like you have.
Can you tell me what you have in the left center side and right at the mid center of the tank and if i can put them in a BB tank like mine. I had a large RBTA before but i'm more interested for some other type anemones and if you have any problem putting them in BB tank?
Thank you and have a good Vacation.

 

[jnarowe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9689838#post9689838 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
hmmmm....well, there's no doubt that when the visable backgroud (if kept clean like I do) gives the illusion of a "what's past that last rock ?" look. If I have too much background blocked, it visually terminates the tank......if I don't have enough blocked, I lose coral space and fail to cover plumbing and the overflows. Finding the right balance isn't easy. I'll see if I can "free" it up a bit.

I prefer it the way it is right now. The perspective is good and there is a hint of mystery. I think opening up the far end will kill the illusion. JMO!

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9690101#post9690101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoom
Hi,
I had my tank also crash and i'm in the same boat as you
All my sps die but everything else made it .
I was wondering when i saw your tank now, that you have many Anemones , i saw the RBTAs on right ,but i was more in the idea getting some different carpets like you have.
Can you tell me what you have in the left center side and right at the mid center of the tank and if i can put them in a BB tank like mine. I had a large RBTA before but i'm more interested for some other type anemones and if you have any problem putting them in BB tank?
Thank you and have a good Vacation.

There are 3 gigantea carpet anemones in that area....one blue and two purple. They don't like sand too much and are attached to the rock.

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9691285#post9691285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveweast
There are 3 gigantea carpet anemones in that area....one blue and two purple. They don't like sand too much and are attached to the rock.

Any problems with them? anything i need to know?

 

[achillesheel]

mr weast,

i am sorry to hear about this terrible disaster but i have to say that even the mostly empty tank is stunning. your tank was definately the main inspiration for my most recent tank. mine is 4' at the main viewing side and 5' front to back and i love it. good luck on the "rebuild". it cant be easy to redo a masterpiece!

i was always jealous of your choat's leopard but i don't see it in any of the recent shots. do you still have him?

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9691670#post9691670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoom
Any problems with them? anything i need to know?

In general....no......just keep them seperated from the corals. Anemones always win the coral vs. anemone battle.


As for gigantea carpets in particular.....they are probably the most difficult anemone to keep. Few have success with them in the SHORT run....if you can get them past the 2 month mark, they are quite hardy though.

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9692263#post9692263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by achillesheel
mr weast,



i was always jealous of your choat's leopard but i don't see it in any of the recent shots. do you still have him?

He's still in there. There are times that I go weeks without seeing a fish...then suddenly, I see him everyday for awhile....then gone again. My Choati and Golden Angel fall in that category.