My New Reef

[Solo]

Hi guys,

Just finished discussions with Keith at Windsor Aquatics and have ordered my new tank/sump.

The tank will be an "L" shaped tank (dimensions: 60" legnth, 36" wide at the "L" part, 20" wide and 22" high). All viewable edges will be joint using black silicone. The tank will hold approx 120gals water. There will be a wier in one corner with a durso leading to the 48"x14"x16" sump, water will enter at one end and go through skimmer, refugium/dsb, live rock rubble, fluidised reactor (carbon/phosphate remover) and then returned. I have designed the sump so fluidiser will an inbuilt reactor (with a bit of DIY required)!

Most of the equipment I will be using from my 7x2x2 and is as follows:

3 x 250w MH, 12,000k Reeflux bulbs
2 x 5' actinics 80w each
1 x deltec kalk stirer
1 x Tunze osmolator top up
2 x Tunze 6200 streams (20,000 Ltr ph each)
1 x Tunze control box
20kg mature live rock
Home made live rock will make the rest up
1 x AM Shorty 5000 skimmer
1 x Eheim 1262 return pump
1 x Maxi Jet 600 to power inbuilt fluidiser

The tank and sump will arrive early feb, so gives me plenty of time to sort out stand, canopy, home made live rock etc etc.

Im going to really enjoy this build.

Pics to follow over the next coming months (maybe years at the rate i get round to doing stuff!!!)

Cheers

Si

[Gillybaby]

Fantastic news. Am especially interested in the home made liverock. It might be interesting if you post a "how to" thread in the DIY forum with a weekly update on curing etc.

Am really looking forward to the build and can't wait to see it all stocked :D

[Tangman]

Well done Si yougot the Lshape after all, it will look pretty good when its all up and running. I feel a Reef Club Meet coming on at yours when its up and running. Keep up the good work m8 and dont forget the pics less Kev will be upset. :) Eric

[Pinkfish]

Im happy for you congratulations, keep us all posted you hear.
L Shaped will look great.

Mike

[callum_parsons]

that is goin to look AWESOME!!!!!!!!

i cant wait to see some pics of it

( i cant find i smile for drewling) but trust me iam at the thought of it

[flying Jock]

Hi

Great news about the tank.

The only down size with an L shaped tank is you loose a lot of viewing due to the way the water bends the light.

I found this out with my old L shaped tank and really am glad i have a normal shaped tank now.

I guess if you have built it big enough it wont be as bad.:)

Good luck with the new set up

FJ

[Cudders]

Hi

Great news about the tank.

The only down size with an L shaped tank is you loose a lot of viewing due to the way the water bends the light.

I found this out with my old L shaped tank and really am glad i have a normal shaped tank now.

I guess if you have built it big enough it wont be as bad.:)

Good luck with the new set up

FJ

Hi,

How do you mean 'bends the light'? I've also thought of an L' shaped tank. I guess the main run would look the same except have a really deep section at one end where the back length is. Maybe you mean viewed from the rear section?

Cudders.

[Reefer]

An L shape tank! Sounds great!

Home made Live rock, interesting how long does that take to make? 5 years I would imagine, care to share the secret?!

[Cudders]

Hi,

Home made rock is not new but seems to be gaining in popularity.

Basically it's a mix of cement, (Portland snowcrete white cement), Salt (Water softner salt) and sand (arogonite seems the best choice).

Various mixes are used, but basically mix-up the cement and sand in to mush but not too wet and then add the salt. This is large grain stuff.

Mould into then shapes you want but try to make voids. Many pack with sand for this, or use formers but sand is better. When your happy with the shapes, let it set. Then wash out the sand to give the voids/caves etc and leave to soak until all the salt grains have dissolved. This gives the rock porosity and an large surface area to get as close to real live rock as possible.

It's a great way to make rock and get exactly what your looking for. It can be supplimented with real live rock to help seed. it's also a fraction of the cost :D

Cudders.

[Cudders]

Ohh, when my sump comes. I'll be making some rock and adding to the sump to get it seeded before going in the tank.. It takes no longer to go 'live' than say reef bones or base rock that many use to build a foundation for their rock formation...

Cudders.