July NTOTM Helfrich's 18g ADA (Dial up beware! Lots of pics!) - Page 3

Helfrich’s Chic · #51 08/09/2007, 01:18 PM

You know I love open top/trimless too. I always have. I love the "look down" view. You really get to see all corals in their splendor. The only problem is fish jumping. Everyone asks me why I dont have a pair of Helfrichi Firefish , lol not a chance. I am in the process of making a very clean lid, out of thin strips of glass and fishing line. I will post it when its done. If all goes well It will prevent my replacement picasso from jumping, and my female from trying. Poor guy.

jfgoldfire · #52 08/09/2007, 10:05 PM

That's a very nice setup.
Have you seen the ADA tanks anywhere here in the Valley?

Helfrich’s Chic · #53 08/12/2007, 12:47 PM

Yea I got this one at AT. I think someone else carries them too just cant remember. AT has the big one, I think its a 90gallon with overflo. ME WANT. Its like $800 !!! Ouch

Helfrich’s Chic · #54 08/14/2007, 11:52 AM

Well got some Cespitularia. Blue Xenia, thought I would add the pics.

In this pic its already attaching to the rock after only 1 week.

dapellegrini · #55 08/26/2007, 07:41 PM

Helfrich - that is a nice tank! I am thinking of doing something similar with an ADA Mini-M (5 Gallon) and perhaps the same light... Wondering if you attached the light directly to the tank? From one of your photos it appears that it is attached to a piece of white board behind the tank? I am curious to know how well that specific light works with a rimless tank - my concern being cracking the glass.

Thanks!

Helfrich’s Chic · #56 08/28/2007, 04:21 PM

Hey Dan, I personally wouldnt reccomend it. The light is acually pretty heavy and the glass is Oh so thin. You can try it but I didnt want to risk it. Mine is attached to a cutting borad right now LOL. I actually have a new light that will be here this week, so no more cutting board YEA! HTH

dapellegrini · #57 08/28/2007, 04:39 PM

Thanks for the input! What fixture are you upgrading to? I was thinking of hanging an Aqua Medic 70w Pendant...

PurpleUP · #58 08/28/2007, 06:16 PM

It's amazing how you maintain such a magnificent tank without any filtration! I've been wondering for the longest time how and why the setup looked soooo clean, until I read your specs. Definitely one of my top 5 favorite nanos. Great work. You're not a bad photographer either.

Helfrich’s Chic · #59 09/19/2007, 12:07 PM

WOW purple, so funny that IMO your nano blows mine totally outa the water lol. Yours is seriously insane, in a good way lol so I take that as a HUGE compliment!

Wellllll I finally got a 150watter on the tank. I modded a Coralife Aqualight clip on fixture, here are the pics. I ALSO hated the coralife bulb so switched it out with a Ushio 14k.

This fixture is gonna work "for now" but I think eventually I will bite the bullet and order the ADA one that slides under the tank. Sigh. Im sure its like $300.

Rosseau · #60 09/19/2007, 12:15 PM

Though you've heard this a bit already... I love this tank.

The clean look has been accomplished and it looks like you have some happy zoas and clowns

CamBarr · #61 09/27/2007, 12:39 AM

i dident think ada made a halide that slid under the tank i thought they were all PC

vsnsofadrgn · #62 09/27/2007, 07:47 AM

i LOVE your tank. im am goin to get on a waiting list for some picassos. i just love em.

Helfrich’s Chic · #63 10/11/2007, 08:22 PM

You know Cam I think your right on that. Thinking about it I only have seen the PC and the hanging MH.

VSN hope you get a nice pair of clowns! BE SURE to post a pic in this thread when you do! I love to see other picassos!

blandy · #64 10/12/2007, 10:07 AM

Can i ask how u deal with topups and also dosing on this tank?

SaltwaterChris · #65 10/13/2007, 02:47 PM

Awesome tank.Love the color and those clowns

I've never seen that kind before.Again AWESOME TANK

REEF-n-Chicago · #66 10/16/2007, 04:47 PM

Absolutely amazing! Just amazing..... WOW

Helfrich’s Chic · #67 12/26/2007, 05:00 PM

Blandy, top offs are about every other day and its about a gallon I would say, its a large red mixing bowl that I use lol not real technical about it. As far a dosing goes I test for the basics and more including Iodine, strontium, Magnesium, even Oxygen lol. I enjoy testing and do it about every 2 weeks. Depending on what the reading are I dose appropriately. Thanks again all.

firedogg2 · #68 12/26/2007, 05:11 PM

Great pics, beautful tank!!

mimosa · #69 12/27/2007, 01:26 AM

Great tank! Especially interesting since you are running it without a protein skimmer but with a surface skimmer. Any particular brand of surface skimmer, or is it DIY? Could you post a close up picture of the surface skimmer as it is not noticeable at all in the pictures?

Like the blue SPS with the red polyps. Also, could you post close up of all the SPS corals?

danoreef · #70 12/27/2007, 09:10 AM

that six line hasn't jump out yet?

I had mine for approx. 2 weeks before it leaped out of the open top. needless to say I now use glass on top.

I can't wait to see the DIY top made from glass and fishing line.

reefman13 · #71 12/27/2007, 09:18 AM

How is the growth and color you are getting out of your new bulb?

Tank is awesome BTW.

ronreef · #72 12/31/2007, 12:42 AM

A very aesthetically pleasing tank to say the least. I was browsing through RC and came across your tank given I was looking for relatively novel ideas for a nano tank. I just may have found one.

What do you do about topoffs during extended times away from the tank? Like long weekends or vacations.

ronreef · #73 12/31/2007, 12:55 AM

Oh, questions about excessive heat. How do you keep the tank at the proper temperature? Is the ambient room temp enough to keep your tank temp stable with the metal halide?

chem-e · #74 12/31/2007, 01:28 AM

Helfrich’s Chic - Have you seen the glass lids for the ADA tanks? I take it you want something a little nicer, so that's why you're doing it yourself. BTW - That's one nice tank you've got there.

thin crust · #75 12/31/2007, 11:35 AM

*drool* your tank is inspiring! me likey!