jasonrp104
New member
Are you still using the paverstone sand? If so, what do you think of it?
The Ultimate Eight Foot Softie Reef
- Thread starter InsaneClownFish
- Start date
InsaneClownFish
New member
This is the main reason I've decided to revamp my whole lighting setup. Ironically, I think I'll be going all MH. When I added the pendants, my fiance was blown away with the difference. In a shallow tank, a point source of light really looks like sunlight. On top of this, it's brighter and really has the feel of looking "into the ocean."
Stay tuned, because I'm going to start addressing my lighting situation soon.
Yup. With the exception of what looks to be some tiny quartz deposits, I'm not having any issues, so I decided to use some of the leftover for my refugium project...speaking of...
After much work, my Mangrove Seahorse Refugium is up and running! Feed the Reef! :thumbsup:
Running the lines through the wall:
[
Central Holding Tank/Sump:
The siphon breaks were not functioning properly. Most notably was the one from the return Maxijet to the 44 Brute, so I cut some reinforced vinyl to length and used it as a spout.
What melev said about building a holder for my heaters out of pvc stuck in my head. I had some laying around so I cut it and zip tied the piece right to my standpipe. Works Great!
So through alot of explicatives for melting a drain nipple- don't ask :rolleye1: A couple of drips, one of which I'm still dealing with, and tons of 'reefing on the fly,' I got it done!
Last edited:
melev
Well-known member
It looks great. I love the little cube full of sand. A tiny sand eel would be gorgeous in there.
Since you are wanting MH lighting, what about a light mover with only two pendants that roll left to right and back to left again? They tend to move / roll in each direction for roughly a minute, but it may be a nice way to provide the light you like and not need even more pendants.
Since you are wanting MH lighting, what about a light mover with only two pendants that roll left to right and back to left again? They tend to move / roll in each direction for roughly a minute, but it may be a nice way to provide the light you like and not need even more pendants.
InsaneClownFish
New member
Thanks for the compliment! OOOO a sand eel? Sounds neat! I'm not familiar with those at all. Are they similar to those miniature snowflake eels?
The light mover is a fantastic idea. It's something I've considered. However, I've decided it would not provide the overall "look" I wish to achieve. It would be great for a frag tank, but I've realized how much I really like a consistent brightness throughout the tank at all times.
One thing that's held me back in the past is that I don't like change. I've made some mistakes, and I'm finally not afraid to change, modify, and fiddle to get things the way I want.
Here's a few shots from the other night I hope you will all enjoy:
This is the far left of the tank. I hope you all enjoy the budding mushroom and zoanthid gardens here. For size reference, the Lieutenant Tang in the last pic is probably 5.5 inches. Sometimes I forget how large this tank is.
The light mover is a fantastic idea. It's something I've considered. However, I've decided it would not provide the overall "look" I wish to achieve. It would be great for a frag tank, but I've realized how much I really like a consistent brightness throughout the tank at all times.
One thing that's held me back in the past is that I don't like change. I've made some mistakes, and I'm finally not afraid to change, modify, and fiddle to get things the way I want.
Here's a few shots from the other night I hope you will all enjoy:
This is the far left of the tank. I hope you all enjoy the budding mushroom and zoanthid gardens here. For size reference, the Lieutenant Tang in the last pic is probably 5.5 inches. Sometimes I forget how large this tank is.
melev
Well-known member
It looks great. Seriously, thanks for all the pictures. That tang looks like a juvenile (cute and tiny) and it is had to believe it is that large. Are you sure? The algae clip must be from McDonald's then, aka Super Sized. :lol:
I brought home this adorable eel from the gulf coast on our last collection trip, and it lives in the sand of my suncoral tank. He comes out to feed when I'm feeding the tubastrea.
I brought home this adorable eel from the gulf coast on our last collection trip, and it lives in the sand of my suncoral tank. He comes out to feed when I'm feeding the tubastrea.
InsaneClownFish
New member
That eel is super cool. Do they bite??? :hmm2: Love the sun coral tank. So he hides in the substrate or rockwork? What's your feeding regime been for that tank?
I swear it's an optical illusion. :hmm1:
I ordered it as a medium from live aquaria. For this fish they list a medium at 3-5" and I swear he has grown and gotten fatter since I've had him. In fact, I was pleased when I received the fish, because he was larger than I expected. Of course, I'm terrible at this size thing, so maybe he's closer to 4.5"
Here's a couple pictures I cropped slightly to give you a better idea. I actually thought he was entering his sub-adult coloring? He's at the drive up window asking for his Nori to be supersized! :lol:
I swear it's an optical illusion. :hmm1:
I ordered it as a medium from live aquaria. For this fish they list a medium at 3-5" and I swear he has grown and gotten fatter since I've had him. In fact, I was pleased when I received the fish, because he was larger than I expected. Of course, I'm terrible at this size thing, so maybe he's closer to 4.5"
Here's a couple pictures I cropped slightly to give you a better idea. I actually thought he was entering his sub-adult coloring? He's at the drive up window asking for his Nori to be supersized! :lol:
melev
Well-known member
He lives in the sand, only coming out when he thinks it is worth it. I didn't see him for months, and thought he was long gone or elsewhere in my huge sump. He does a little dance when he comes out all the way, but often when I see him, he'll poke his head out or maybe stretch out partially. I love seeing him slither and swim all around, but it isn't often.
Those pictures were more luck than anything. I was shooting the suncorals, and was delighted to see him appear.
I feed it mini-mysis and cyclop-eeze. It used to be nightly, but I've gotten really lax about it and don't do it but two or three times a week. I really need to get back to the daily thing, because the corals aren't doing as well. I had an alkalinity swing a couple of months ago, and several polyps peeled off the skeletal structure, leaving some large gaps. Saddened, I got discouraged and haven't been on top of that daily project like I should be.
InsaneClownFish
New member
Marc, you're very much like me in this regard. It's a great little project! Stick with it!
I worked very hard on my lighting situation tonight.
From this:
To this:
To now:
Please note there are only two pendants hung so far. The pendants will also be lowered 4-5 inches. How's everyone like the new look?
Rickinferno
New member
Very nice looks very clean, keep up the good work!
AloneWithTheSea
New member
One of the better looking tanks I've ever seen, I like it alot!
InsaneClownFish
New member
Thank you all for the encouraging compliments! Here's how the project came along:
Clean slate:
I was really conscious of some of the comments regarding "the look" of all the hanging wires. Since going above was impossible because of the duct work, I drilled holes directly behind each pendant and directly below inside the stand and snaked the wires through the wall.
One thing that stuck with me from melev's thread was how he had mounted his pendants perpendicular to the tank in order to maximize light spread. I did the same.
I had originally wanted to run a steel tube through the stainless eye hooks so that the lights could slide. I had seen some RC folks using snap clamps to attach them and loved the idea. Cables are impractical and tend to make the pendants swing or tilt. Since I wanted this install to be as clean as possible, I decided to mark the pendants out exactly where I wanted them and then attach the stainless clamps directly to the eye hooks. I can now add extenders(screw bolts) to bring the lights down to where I would like them.
Some Flash:
No Flash:
I've found that the best combination for finding the perfect solution for a project is twofold. The first part includes reading the experiences of folks right here on RC. The second part, at least for me, involves going to different sections of the hardware store in an attempt to discover that perfect solution.
Here I used piano hinges and white vinyl shutters. The "panels" are super light and fold up
for instant access to the pendants. They're also extremely durable, weather resistant, and the louvers provide added ventilation.
Plenty of air flow:
Clean slate:
I was really conscious of some of the comments regarding "the look" of all the hanging wires. Since going above was impossible because of the duct work, I drilled holes directly behind each pendant and directly below inside the stand and snaked the wires through the wall.
One thing that stuck with me from melev's thread was how he had mounted his pendants perpendicular to the tank in order to maximize light spread. I did the same.
I had originally wanted to run a steel tube through the stainless eye hooks so that the lights could slide. I had seen some RC folks using snap clamps to attach them and loved the idea. Cables are impractical and tend to make the pendants swing or tilt. Since I wanted this install to be as clean as possible, I decided to mark the pendants out exactly where I wanted them and then attach the stainless clamps directly to the eye hooks. I can now add extenders(screw bolts) to bring the lights down to where I would like them.
Some Flash:
No Flash:
I've found that the best combination for finding the perfect solution for a project is twofold. The first part includes reading the experiences of folks right here on RC. The second part, at least for me, involves going to different sections of the hardware store in an attempt to discover that perfect solution.
Here I used piano hinges and white vinyl shutters. The "panels" are super light and fold up
for instant access to the pendants. They're also extremely durable, weather resistant, and the louvers provide added ventilation.
Plenty of air flow:
InsaneClownFish
New member
Thanks Marc, it really does look and feel that much better. I knew I should have thrown in a hole size disclaimer just for you! Those were literally the smallest holes I could have drilled to get the female end of the SLS style plugs into the wall.
kretzkiller
New member
ICF, this is a very, very nice build. I have read from page one and I am glad you finally addressed the two areas I felt needed improved. 1. The lighting - I didn't think you did your reef enough justice with the old lighting setup (t5 only). 2. No offense but the lights were an eye sore. The hanging lights took attracted more attention that they should. You have an amazing tank and no one should focus on how the lights look!
InsaneClownFish
New member
I agree 110% The difference in person is remarkable. I really had to take down those fixtures and dangling cords to realize what a mess it was!
Insert "dominated" in the title please. :lol: I'll see you on Friday.
I had typed out a whole bunch of info about tank maintenance and happenings, but then my browser crashed. So I'll just throw up some top down pics I took while I had the pumps off tonight.
