Sun Powered Reef

[Julio]

great concept, do you have trouble maintaining temp stability?

[vitor pestana]

Hi Julio.

Using this setup, the temp is very stable, the tank is completely isoled from the air, this way you can absorve the sun heat during the day and use it by night, never the last, i advice the use of a temp controller/Heaters/Chiller, some days are hot/cold from the others, summer and winter time for exemple.

For the months of the year when is extremely hot (13h00 - 16h00)you can allways put a shadow by the pool... very simple.

All the best;

Vitor Pestana

[miztic]

Hi vitor,
great looking setup,
I didn't see it listed anywhere, but approx how many gallons (or litres if you prefer) is the whole setup?

Thanks

[vitor pestana]

Originally posted by miztic
Hi vitor,
great looking setup,
I didn't see it listed anywhere, but approx how many gallons (or litres if you prefer) is the whole setup?

Thanks

Hi miztic

The whole system has 750 litres in th main tank, and 200 litres in the sump.

Total 950 litres, about 250 gallons... i think.

All the best

Vitor Pestana

[Je®vis]

Do you have a shot of the tank during raining? Just curious how it will look like

[vitor pestana]

Hi Je®vis.

Yes i have, please look at the first page of the thread.

Some pics simulating the heavy rain:



Take a look at the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4vBiSzcxEs

Regards

Vitor Pestana

[Matt Rise]

I love it! Great work!

[SunnyX]

Great Idea!!
Awesome Concept!!

[kiknchikn]

Amazing job! That is such a great idea. I can't wait to see how it does longterm

[jwre]

Best way to see your tank is from the top ! Really good idea. How long has this system been up and running ?

[vitor pestana]

Hi jwre.

The system have been runnig about 2 months, all the live rock and sand came from my other tank.

So far so good has you can see in the photos.

Best Regards.

Vitor Pestana

[vitor pestana]

Hi

Did some work this weekend, finish the chiller cover:



Opsss.... sorry, she's always on the way

Here it is:



Next week i'll install the doors.

New acquisition:



Best Regards

Vitor Pestana

[petedoc]

Wonderful tank Vitor! You have a great attitude about the whole system, simple and elegant. Congratulations on a job well done.

[invincible569]

That dog! LOL! Does the dog ever sit and stare at the tank?

[vitor pestana]

Hi.

No, just on the beginning because of the moving fish.

[vitor pestana]

Hello

Preventing Aiptasia infestation, i Both a Acreichthys Radiatus instead of a Chelmos Rostratus, this fish can eat other tipes of food:



Ugly as hell!!! but a excelente aiptasia eater.

Regards

Vitor Pestana

[sgtcalypso]

wow that's a fantastic set up vitor!

[vitor pestana]

Greatings!

Enjoying my week off i gather some snails after they're done a great job by cleaning the algae from the tank to release them in they're natural habitat:



During the trip to the seashore:



Arriving:



And finally there... a cloudy day:



Of course, she didn't resist the tentation...:



After a job well done they deserve to be free... again :





All the best

Vitor Pestana

[Enderrea]

how often are you plaining on picking the snails up and returning them in this manner?

[vitor pestana]

Hi Enderrea!

This was the first and last time, i took when i needed, and return when i don´t need it, no harm done.

I whent to seashore and bring home about 300 snails for the tank maturation period (2 months ago) when the green algea apear, now i only need a few snails.

Since i'm on vacations i decide take a walk and see the landscape by seashore, i diced that was a god thing to do, returning some snails to the sea after a well done job by cleanning my tank, it's beter them let them die by hunger...

Respecting nature...

All the best

Vitor Pestana

[erics3000]

Can you get some more pics of how you open your tank. Really cool tank..

[Enderrea]

i think that is just a great idea, i don't think we could do that here in the pacific north west. the water here i think is way to cold.

[H20ENG]

Great installation, but Its not good to return captive animals to the ocean. I know your intentions are sincere, but any captive animal may pick up disease or parasites in your system not local to your waters, and thus infest your local ecosystem.
Better to only take what you need and try to feed them
How do you reach down in there to work on the tank? Get in and dive under the glass? Beautiful sunlit reef

[tanya72806]

he collected them from there

[H20ENG]

Was everything in the tank collected from there? And NO chance of any parasites?
I understand that the risks are slight, but ecosystems are fragile. It only takes a small outbreak to multiply.

Dont want to rain on the parade, just think about it.