My custom starfire is here!

[crazy4acros]

Hey guys just a little update on my quest to get my SPS tank up. Tank is a Lee-Mar 3 sided Starfire 36x36x24 aprox 135ish gallons.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04922.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04918.jpg

RIMLESS!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04926.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04927.jpg

Heads up Coral Crew get my frags ready!

Thor

[israelnajar]

Looks good.

Although it looks as the front pane of glass is not starfire as it has a green tint from the side. I thought that starfire was clear with no green tint from the side. Maybe it is catching the tint from something else in the room.

[crazy4acros]

THANKS

From the pic it looks green but actually it is light blue, remember it is still glass Starfire is low iron glass and shines light blue from the sides, regular glass shines green, and only acrylic will appear clear.

[GreenUku]

SWEET!!!!

I just saw a 300gal starphire cube last weekend in TX that was really awesome (including PVC bottom).

I trust you will be able to keep the glass clean. I'm not sure I could make the starfire worth it because of that...

Keep up updated!

ps. How much does that thing weigh?

[crazy4acros]

You bet Green! Yeah that 300g tank must have been awesome! I love the look of cubes and with no rim makes it look like the water is just floating. I don't really know how much it weighs i havent attempt to carry it but i'm sure it is HEAVY lol.

Thanks Bud, Thor

[dead beat reef]

Nice! Very clean. I like the black back and over flow.
No rim. No brace. Like you said just floating water with
acros. Is the bottom drilled? Thanks Jay

[crazy4acros]

Hey thanks Jay!

I've decided not to drill just yet, don't really know where i want the holes and i'm actually leaning on getting 2 more Tunze and just run 4 of them on my controller instead.

[aquafien]

hey thor whats going on. tank looks fun.could do alot of fun stuff with it i bet. the house looks nice also. how was the move. so is it hot there yet. well keep in touch.

[crazy4acros]

Yooooooo what's up bro! THANKS MAN!!! The move was painless; surprisingly it's only in its low 90's I will definitely keep in touch! So when are the CC coming down for a TGIF party? LOL hahahaaaa.

[toefutoefutoefu]

i just find it funny. I lurk the Abq reef club forums for fun, since my wife graduated from PA school there recently and I at times need a break from coding at work. I'm from houston, just felt like responding since it seems NewMexicans have such close ties to Houston.

First the Fish Gallery thread, and now someone with a tank similar to invincible's new tank.

link (http://www.marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=21724)

Good luck with the tank. It looks beautiful.

[crazy4acros]

Hey thanks man! I have followed invincible's & Naka's threads from the start and they alog with beautiful Japanese tank's have inspired me to go the same route. I too am a lurker LOL I was a "New Mexican" but just recently became a "Arizonian" hahahahahaaa I still post in the Albq forum to keep in touch with all my NM reef buddies!

[crazy4acros]

I have decided to ditch my GenX pumps due to limited room under the stand. In order to conserve space i went with one huge pump to feed my skimmer, return and chiller loop.

SEQUENCE Barracuda 4300 GPH

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04940.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Manifold

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04939.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Going with a single 400w SE MH in Luminaric III Pendant.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04946.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Now going to hook up the RO and fill er up!

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04941.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04944.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Cheers!

[moonpower]

hi I'm coming down friday and going to go to reef meeting there saturday. Maybe I will see you. Your tank is coming along nicely.

[crazy4acros]

Hey Moon, Thanks! I won't be able to make it Sat. I'm planning on finishing up my stand, have fun at the meeting.

[asfullax]

Crazy,

Man you are still in our conversations on adrenaline limit and on bike nights. you suck for moving, but I bet the roads out there are pretty sweet. :D

Anyway,
Tank looks great man, I can't wait to see what you can do with it.

Keep in touch!

[crazy4acros]

Hey what's up hommie!!!! LOL Hahahahah that's funny! Yeah i heard it rained on the first bike night and snowed on Trackday that Matt was hosting! Dude the roads here are awesome with sunny days, the track here is great as well. I'll definetly keep in touch.

Rubber side down, be safe!

[asfullax]

You have NO F&%^ING idea about track day, I rode out and I froze SOOOOO bad. when I got back I almost dropped my bike cause I couldent feel my legs anymore.

The first bike night was sick, 505 fiftys were there stunting and we had like 40-50 bikes total, even with the rain. last night I didn't go cause the rain AGAIN.

Maybe I can get out there sometime this summer for a trackday. :D

[Gooli]

nice tank! enjoy it.
setting up a fresh new tank is the best feeling isn't it? :)

[crazy4acros]

Hey thanks Gooli! You bet, setting up a tank is the fun part.

[crazy4acros]

Asfullax, That first bike night must have been a trip with all those fittys stuntin in the Fudruckers parking lot! DAMN I need to hit the Bike Night here.

[crazy4acros]

Spent this past weekend aquascaping and finishing up the stand it was a challenge trying to create a pleasing view from all three sides, but this is what i came up with.
CENTER
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04961.jpg

R Side
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04963.jpg

L Side
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04982.jpg

The stand panels can be removed for easy maintainence.
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04977.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04973.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04969.jpg

Here's a shot from above, I love the way you can see the water ripple with no rim.
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC04985.jpg

Thor

[GreenUku]

You win the Open Category in the Nano contest.
:rollface:

[asfullax]

Dude... that looks awsome!!! Nice work :)

[crazy4acros]

Thanks guys!

[stevebla]

Awsome start post pics as it "becomes". It is a lot of fun to watch a tank develope!

[Gooli]

hey crazy...why did u go with rimless tank and is it less safer this way?
also...are you using a standpipe\durso in your overflow or what?

[crazy4acros]

Hey thanks stevebla! i'll be sure to post as it developes.

[crazy4acros]

Gooli, Rimless has been going on for a while in Europe and Asia. Ive been told it is totally safe and the chances if it leaking is like any other tank with a rim. I guess like any other tank you need to make sure the stand is level but with a rimless tank the stand surface needs to be flush/flat with the bottom of tank. I guess I have no choice now but to see if it is safe, yes i am using a durso in my overflow it is made with 1"1/2 PVC to handle the flow of the Barracuda and so far it is quiet and doing a great job.

Thor

[Gooli]

thanks...what tunze configuration did u end up with and are u having any sandstorms with all this flow?

[crazy4acros]

I went with a (Interval 1) about 5 seconds pulse full and low power, and 10min interval between the two. So far with that setup no sandstorms and barebottom pockets. Cross my fingers.

[bananaboat]

this is sweet im gonna be building one of these diy almost mine will be 36 1/4 Lx37Wx24T made from 1/2 starfire 4sides was gonna go rimless now i know i can for sure

[crazy4acros]

Bananaboat good luck with your DIY project I bet it will be an awesome tank, I am really happy with how my tank turned out and I am total believer that my rimless tank will not give me any issues. I will post an update photo soon.

[crazy4acros]

Bananaboat good luck with your DIY project I bet it will be an awesome tank, I am really happy with how my tank turned out and I am total believer that my rimless tank will not give me any issues. I will post an update photo soon.

[crazy4acros]

Just thought i'd post an update for my NM folks! sorry it's been a while.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05126.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05124.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05127.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05122.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05092.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05088.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05106.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05025.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05119.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05118.jpg

[GreenUku]

Awesome.

[El Jefe9830]

Great looking tank. Very impressive. Really like the set up.

[crazy4acros]

Thanks guys! Hey GreenUku how's the penisula tank comming along?

Thor

[GreenUku]

Delays, delays... Some tank related (still dont have my skimmer!!!), some free time related :(

But soon right.... :)

[wintercool97]

Thor, is that a clown fairy Wrasse I see? :bigeyes:

[jwccwj]

crazyforacros I love your tank its beautiful,very clean looking.What thickness glass was used and is the bottom pvc?
Do you having any bowing?

thanks.

[Texsun]

Awesome tank. Love the aquascape. Where did you get those rocks and how did you set it up with the two tabling acro rocks?

[crazy4acros]

Thank you very much for all the complients!

wintercool97, it sure is, i love the color combo and the fish temperment is fun to watch! I had one in my previous tank but had to sell him before moving to AZ humm i wonder if it is still alive? Maybe Ahman can chime in.

jwccwj, it is only 36x36 so it's made with 1/2 inch thickness glass with absolutly 0 bowing. PVC bottom is a trademark of the company Aquarium Enviornments and mine is a Lee-mar tank it has a glass bottom.

Texsun, i hand picked the rocks locally at a shop here in AZ. It took awhile before i was pleased with the aquascape, for the table tops i actually had to use a acrylic rod, zipties, and epoxy. i drilled a hole for the acrylic rod on each side of the rock where they would meet, then tie the two rock together with zipties and finish it up with underwater epoxy to prevent it from moving.

Thor

[wintercool97]

I have had a clown fairy wrasse on my fish list for a very long time, its good to hear they are as fun as they are beautiful.

And dare I say you have a perfect set up, Absolutely gorgeous! The red zoos (I think that is what they are) are awesome where did you find them?

[crazy4acros]

Actually that is a LPS called Favites pentagona "War Coral" not a zoo, i got it locally it started out with only about 5 polyps.

[wintercool97]

New addition to my must have list, it just keeps growing :)

[reefey]

thor were are some new pics.

[asfullax]

+1 were visual people!! We need our fix... :)

[crazy4acros]

You got it guys, I'm the same way. ENJOY!:D

Some Crappy Top Shots:lol:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05243.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05241.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05238.jpg

Millies

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05236.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05235.jpg

[crazy4acros]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05234.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05233.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05232.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05231.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05230.jpg

[crazy4acros]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05229.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05228.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05227.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05226.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05222.jpg

[crazy4acros]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05218.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05213.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05207.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05187.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05180.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05161.jpg

[reefey]

way to go. it looks awesome. leave it to you to through in the angel. nice blue face. so what is the rarest coral. thanks for the pics. keep us here in new mexico updated. thank thor

[wintercool97]

I keep coming back here to drool, your tank is inspirational!

Question about your wrasse, it seems everyone says that you need a top for any wrasse. How have yours done? Ever had a jumper problem?

[crazy4acros]

Not at all, I think as long as they are happy with the aquascape and eating well. They often jump when there is a fish that is hassling it, i was fortunate to have all fish get along but then again that goes back to my happy theory hehe. I often joke around and tell people "why would they jump out of a home like that?" hahhaaaa

[wintercool97]

Glad to know someone is having luck without a lid, I can't imagine anything ever wanting out of that 5 star luxury home! :D

[crazy4acros]

Thank you very much for the kind compliments wintercool97, i apreceate it. My tank still looks young and waiting for it to grow is the hardest part of all, i will keep you all posted.

Thor

[crazy4acros]

Hey Guy/Gals,

I wanted to lean out my aquascape and take some rock out to give it a more open look. Did not plan it to resemble a Bonzai tree but this is what i came out with, any feedback is welcome. Please forgive the crappy shots i need to get a new camera. Enjoy

Morning Shadow
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05367.jpg

Bonzai Tree LOL
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05388.jpg

Left Side
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05389.jpg

Right Side
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05390.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05391.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05392.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05393.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05394.jpg

[crazy4acros]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05397.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05398.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05403.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05405.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05428.jpg

[crazy4acros]

BEFORE
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05207.jpg

AFTER
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s59/Thorly/DSC05429.jpg
:D

[limitedslip]

The minimalist approach to the use of live rock on the sand itself looks great. The way it branches off and doesnt hit the ground gives it a unique touch and seems to almost give it a more natural look.

[crazy4acros]

Hey thanks Limited! Thats exactly what i was shooting for, least contact with the sand without loosing coral space. I also wanted it to look like a pice of a reef rather than the whole mini reef look.

[reign]

Looks awesome thor..way to go !!!

[crazy4acros]

Yoooooooooo Eric thanks bud!!!

[BigAl2007]

What an impressive tank. I Think I now know what my next tank SHOULD look like! WOW!

How did you do your rock work? I mean how is it suspended like that?

[MinibowMatt]

Aweosme! Simple, and AWESOME!

Love the shadow pic, that really looks like a bonzai.

[crazy4acros]

Thank You Minibow, BigAl Thank you!

[NanoManMaster]

so did you get rid of the war coral? anways it looks amazing how did u get the rocks to sit like that did you puddy them together

[crazy4acros]

NanoManMaster, I still have the War Coral it is now sitting on the sand on the right front corner of the tank. I used a combination of acrylic rods, zip ties and epoxy to get it all sturdy and strong.

[HKSTurbo28]

crazy4acros: Truly amazing!!!

You said you drilled holes in the 2 rocks and then put the acrylic rod in, fill it with epoxy and then zip tied the rocks together. After the epoxy hardens, do you cut off the zip ties or leave them on there?

How far in are you drilling the holes and putting in the acrylic rods to ensure stability?

Any close up pics that you have with the acrylic rods visible?

Thanks!

[crazy4acros]

HKSTurbo28, The zipties are left in just for a pice of mind thing for me. I try to use them in a way that is not so visible unless you look real hard at different angles. Sorry the rod isn't visible after all said and done, i dont know how far i drilled but i try to dill as much as i can without going through the whole rock.

Thor

[HKSTurbo28]

crazy4acros: what are the thickness of the acrylic rods and approximately how long are they or do you cut them in different lengths depending on the rock?


Thanks!

[crazy4acros]

Cant recall the thickness but the drill bit i used is 1/2" and it was still a very tight fit, and yes they are cut to accommodate the rock.

[HKSTurbo28]

do you have to drill small holes to run the zip ties through to hold the rocks in place?

[HKSTurbo28]

what kind of rocks do you have in your tank? my rocks are more porous, not as solid looking as the ones in your tank. i'm afraid that if I drill into it, it will just shatter/break apart at unintended places.

[crazy4acros]

Yes i did drill holes for the zip ties and that is the frustrating part some rocks are more fragile than others. The big rock that it is all attached to is really heavy and not as porous as the others. Check out the Post i have going on in the SPS forum, i have some detailed photos on the joints.


http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1288059 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1288059)

[HKSTurbo28]

did you fill the holes you drilled with epoxy first before inserting the acrylic rods?

Thanks for your help, I hope to do something very similar, you've really inspired me, I have an Elos 70 that I will be switching into.

[apicturepaints]

Where did you order a custom lee-mar from?

[crazy4acros]

HKSTurbo28, If the rods were too loose then i'd fill around it with epoxy. Good luck with your aquascaping it can be very frustrating but i think it's the fun part so enjoy it and it will turn out great but frustration will make it turn out horrible.

apicturepaints, I had a local shop here in AZ order it for me, they were a distributer of Lee-Mar.

[HKSTurbo28]

thanks for the inspirational words :)

what kind of epoxy did you use and what kind of live rocks did you get? Mine are mainly branchy and porous and pieces aren't so big so I may need to see if I can pick out some new pieces from the LFS.

[roshan]

Great tank and beautiful acqascaping. This tank has seriously made me think getting a large cube for my upgrade - so much possibilities or aquascaping. Many thanks for sharing the tank and the methods deplyed in achieving a stunning aquascape.

Can I ask what bulb you are using as the colours on your sps look great without the use of any t5 supplementary lighting. Would also be interested in what ballast your are utilising - magnetic or electronic?

Thanks
Roshan

[crazy4acros]

HKSTurbo28, i used aquamend from Home Depot.

roshan, Thank you i am using 400w SE Radium bulb powered by a PFO Magnetic HQI Ballast.

Thor

[HKSTurbo28]

crazy4acros: Thanks for all your help and tips! I know my aquascape won't come close to being as nice as yours, but I'll be very happy if it's close :)