Mega Idea

[JMBoehling]

Here is my latest creation. It's a 3 for 1 design and concept.

#1 Hide my unsightly MEGAFLOW!

#2 Create a Frag Rack

#3 Create a Closed loop system and remove some unsightly powerheads and Seio's from my display

Well, It is made and the concrete is curing. Hope to have it installed in my reef in 2 weeks.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2181.JPG

You can't see the egg crate and frag racks from head on.. Only top down..

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2182.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2183.JPG

You are looking at the bottom of the rack...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2184.JPG

Here is the closed loop plumbing and initial structural skelton made from 1/2" pvc.

The photo don't show the sides but they are concrete as well. I made this in two seperate pieces inorder to get it in my tank. This structire has over 100 squares for inserting frag plugs on 3 different levels.

Later,

Jim

[griffey83]

so can fish swim inside it?

[JMBoehling]

Nope. It is closed off completely. The cut out u-Shape fits perfectly around the Megaflow. Dress it up with a few live rocks, and give it a few months of caraline growth and it will blend right in..

Probably a bit premature to send out these pics. It will be easier to comprehend when installed in my tank.

If it doesn't work, my 5 year old boy will have an awesome mountain to put his plastic soldiers on :)

Later,

Jim

[AQUAN8TOR]

:lol: Very nice Jim. Once that thing gets covered, it will look retty cool. It'll also be a really solid place to put frags. Just make sure it doesn't fall forward :D Putty, anyone?? Not to sound commercial at all, but as soon as my tank is done, I'm ordering a case of the stuff to put my own rock together. Marvin & Michelle could never have put so many cool overhangs & caves in without the stuff. And, it is coralline algae pink to boot. Very cool. Sorry to thread hijack. I get a little talkative in the morning.

[will_w]

Jim, Is that going to cause your tank to have a mini-cycle?

[JMBoehling]

Appreciate the advice on the putty. I am hoing with the tappered design, it will be bottom heavy and actually want to fall toward the back. I have some Nylon Screws for attaching braces from the rack to my tank..

Later,

Jim

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by will_w
Jim, Is that going to cause your tank to have a mini-cycle?

Doubt it. It might spike a bit, but my tank should be able to handle it. Guess we'll soon see :)

[AQUAN8TOR]

Sweet. Just make sure you water the rock a lot while it is curing. I know that it can give a serious pH spike if not fully cured. At the coral propagation booth/station at MACNA, the guy selling frag bases was curing them in the back of his toilet in a little basket. That way, they get fresh water around them several times a day. I think he said one month, but I'm not certain. HTH

[AQUAN8TOR]

Oh, and I didn't notice how tiered it was---you shouldn't have any problem with it falling!!! Me and my attention span.....

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by AQUAN8TOR
Sweet. Just make sure you water the rock a lot while it is curing. I know that it can give a serious pH spike if not fully cured. At the coral propagation booth/station at MACNA, the guy selling frag bases was curing them in the back of his toilet in a little basket. That way, they get fresh water around them several times a day. I think he said one month, but I'm not certain. HTH

Do you think it will cure quicker than artificial cement rocks since it is only 2 to 3" thick? I have reviewed all the DIY post on making Agacrete Rocks and typically these guys are making HUGE pieces that are very thick..

Guess I'll just keep changing the water and checking PH. When it gets to 8.0 or less in it will go...


Jim

[AQUAN8TOR]

Probably a lot quicker than some of the aragocrete rocks that people are making. I made some with a friend that we cured in a trash can outside. We just kept overflowing it with the hose; I think we kinda forgot about it for a while, then it was fine pH wise. Let us know how it goes.

[JMBoehling]

Here are some pics after installation. Still growing Coraline and attempting to blend in..

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2258.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2274.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2261.JPG

And a couple pics of misc stuff for kicks

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2276.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2275.JPG

Now that my levels arecorrect, life is getting very interesting :)

[peecook]

jim, looks sweet. i'll have to use the cheato excuse to come over again.:rollface:

[JMBoehling]

One more shot from different angle..

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/91022DSCN2277.JPG

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by peecook
jim, looks sweet. i'll have to use the cheato excuse to come over again.:rollface:

Thanks! Feel free to grab Chaeto whenever, I may even throw in a couple free Aptasia :lol: if your lucky.

As I explained the last time you came by, it has been a tough couple months for my reef, but I think I finally got everything tuned in... I hope to have the racks full in 6 months or so...

Later,

Jim

[ranceego]

jim, great idea, tank is looking great, the levels right, thats the intrest and battle with the reef, they will never stay right.:D :mad2:

[prop-frags]

That is one heluva cool frag rack, Jim!

WAAAAAAY COOL :dance:

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by prop-frags
That is one heluva cool frag rack, Jim!

WAAAAAAY COOL :dance:

Mike,

Thanks! It's been in the works for a long time. Still trying to figure out how I am going to do my closed loop. Looking at Ocean Motions etc..

By the way, I was at my Cousin Johns yesterday and his (Frag) Colonies of Monti's you gave him are looking great. He hasn't had a chance to thank you on Line but asked me to hit you with a post and say "Thanks".. Very generous of you! Sure you can remember when you got your first frags of Monti's :)

Later On,

Jim

[peecook]

jim, i saw that DIY thread on pods cages and thought about the mega idea. how is it doing?

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by peecook
jim, i saw that DIY thread on pods cages and thought about the mega idea. how is it doing?

It is blending in nicely. All of it is turning Coraline purple.. NOW If I could only grow some frags to put in racks :) Guess that will come..

Later,

Jim