16 gallon bow reef wall biotype - dialup beware

[masterswimmer]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well gang, the time has finally come. I'm going to get this tank up and running and show pix to prove it. It will be a work in progress. Feel free to comment, and offer suggestions.

Here it is in its historical glory:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/bowtank1.jpg

All cleaned up and ready to start. Starboard will be going down first:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/tankbottombeforestarboard2.jpg

It is a bow front so the starboard had to be cut accordingly:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/starboard3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/starboardtrimmedforbow4.jpg


And in the tank:


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/Starboardinbottom5.jpg

[masterswimmer]

Ready for some mechanicals. The pump on the right is my SEIO and the pump on the left is the Coralife Super Skimmer 65 pump, and left of the skimmer is the Stealth 50w heater:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/6skimmerpumpseioheaterfromsideview.jpg

Close up of my modded SEIO mounting 'bracket' ....my rare earth magnets:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/3seiomodwithsiliconedmagnets.jpg

Here's the skimmer, the SEIO and the Coralife MH HQI tank mount w/ 150w 20K DE bulb (I also bought the Pheonix 14K, just in case):

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/8lightskimmerseiounderMH.jpg

Russ

[masterswimmer]

As you know I modded the CSS 65 also. Here's a shot of the mod at a distance and up clsoe:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/4JGballvalveinskimmer.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/5JGballvalveinskimmercloseup.jpg

Russ

[masterswimmer]

By now you're all probably saying what's this old man got up his sleeve. Where is he gonna fit a sheer rock wall in that tank, it's tiny!

Here's a few shots of the framework starting. First pic is just a shot of the raw material I used to begin the foundation, basic light diffuser from HD:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/1uncutlightdiffuser.jpg

Here's a front shot of the light diffuser getting started, incomplete, front view:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/unfinisheddiffuserfrontwithtankligh.jpg

Unfinished diffuser from the side. Notice the discharge of the SEIO is open in front (cut out grids):

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/unfinisheddiffuserfromsidewithtankl.jpg

Russ

[wjhuie]

why all the egg crate

[masterswimmer]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the diffuser (framework) completed. Front view with tank lights only on:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/finisheddiffuserfrontwithtanklights.jpg

Same angle with flash:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/finisheddiffuserfromfrontwithflash.jpg

Side view:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/finisheddiffuserfromside.jpg

So now can you see the reef wall developing? Come on, I know someone here has to have an imagination.
Russ

[masterswimmer]

The moment of truth. Removing all the equipment and getting ready to rock and roll:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/Finishedandreadyforrock.jpg

Getting closer, lights are off, skimmer is removed, SEIO is missing in action:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/Preppedandreadytostartrocking.jpg

Russ

[masterswimmer]

Getting ready. Donna would kill me without preparation. Tarp, towels (lots of them), LR with ph & heater, dremel, cable ties and my bad back .

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/TarpbucketwithLRdremelcabletiesblan.jpg


The puzzle pieces all laid out:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/rockstillspreadoutonfloor.jpg

Couldn't wait till I was done, had to test it to see if it was coming along as expected. I wasn't overly pleased with what I saw:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/unfinishedintankfrontview.jpg

Same unfinished, angled shot:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/unfinishedtestintank.jpg

This is taking time mind you. My LR is sitting out for hours now. I'm not even sure if I have LR anymore or pretty base rock.

Russ

[masterswimmer]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The wall just about complete, but not in tank. I'm crossing my fingers and saying some prayers that this puppy will fit.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/unfinishedwalloutsideoftank.jpg

Here's the reef wall finished, with flash on (I don't like the tank pic with flash) = yuck

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Finishedwallfrontwithflash.jpg

Reef wall with 20K MH:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Finishedwallfrontwithtanklights-nic.jpg

Side shot of reef wall. Bow tanks take pix from the side with double images. Examine the pic and you'll see what I mean:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Finishedwallsideview-dblimage.jpg

Starting to look a bit better to me now. It was a rough 7 - 8 hours doing it. My back wasn't cooperating and then to have the intermittent pix look the way they did, I was tempted to throw in the towel (all of them).

Russ

[masterswimmer]

Well here it is, finally!!!!! You wanted water:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/ReefwalluplightsskimmerPHon.jpg

And after 5 minutes, my Coralife Super Skimmer 65 was doing its job:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/skimmerpullingskimmateafter5minutes.jpg

Now to wait for the minor cycle. The majority of these rocks were curing for 6 - 8 weeks. There was another 7 or 8 lbs I just got that was uncured. So I know I'll have a minor cycle. Plus what died from being out of the water for 7 or 8 hours today has to cure now too.

Hopefully there is still some life in there. I'll be testing and anxious to start loading it up.

BTW, I am planning on a shallow sand bed, only about 2" or so. Just for looks.

Well there you have it folks. A long time in coming.

Russ feeling very much like the old man tonight!

Take care all, see you about noon tomorrow, when I roll out of bed.

Thanks for reading and looking at my monstrosity.
Russ

[brainiac]

i love the idea but imo more shelfs are is in order, also where are you keeping all the equipment?? under the tank ?

[Nanomaniac]

I must say that is a great idea and it looks really awesome. Did you use epoxy to attach the live rock to the light diffuser? What is your stocking plan for this tank? I'll be following this thread to see how your tank turns out.:)

[Andrew]

Dang! That rockwork is sweet! I may have to try that.

[cj_basser]

Why did you put starboard down if you are going to have a sand bed?

The rock wall will look sweet with corals on it. Are you going to put any rocks in the middle of the tank...like an island?

[masterswimmer]

brainiac
i love the idea but imo more shelfs are is in order, also where are you keeping all the equipment?? under the tank ?

Thank you. The pictures are a little deceiving, there are a lot of shelves and 'mounting platforms' in there. That was the plan. Too many shelves worried me about shadows and loss of light below them. The equipment is very basic. It's just a 16 gal. nano. All I'm running currently is my HOT CSS 65 skimmer, SEIO 620 ph, Stealth 50w heater and my Coralife HQI 150w MH tank mount light. Everything is behind the rock wall.


Nanomaniac I must say that is a great idea and it looks really awesome. Did you use epoxy to attach the live rock to the light diffuser? What is your stocking plan for this tank? I'll be following this thread to see how your tank turns out.

Thank you Nanomaniac. I decided I wanted to drive myself crazy. I hand picked every piece of LR in that setup. It took me months to pick it and get the plans right in my head. About 65% - 70% of the rock is drilled with a dremel and a 1/8" bit. Just big enough to fit the tiny cable ties through. So in answer to your question, no epoxy, all cable ties.

Stocking plan for the tank is going to be a pretty good amount of SPS on the wall and only about 2 fish. One of my thoughts is for a dwarf lion - Fu Manchu. I also was thinking about a dwarf flatfish like a Peacock Flounder. These are just ideas at the moment, so they are subject to change.


Andrew, thanks for the kind words.


cj_basser Why did you put starboard down if you are going to have a sand bed?

cj, I want to put a dwarf flounder in there. They dwell in the sand. In case it 'bottoms' out, I don't want to see the 'tempered glass stick' or the top side of the stand.

The rock wall will look sweet with corals on it. Are you going to put any rocks in the middle of the tank...like an island?

Thanks. I'm hoping the coral fill in some of the gaps. There are a few. No island plans. I left the middle open so that the flounder, if that's the route I go, will have swimming room. With the wall the way it is, there is plenty of room for coral mounting. An island could happen if I decide that the flounder is not the best idea. But probably not. I kind of like the 'clean' look.

Russ

[phenom5]

awesome. love the idea. i love tanks that step away from the ordinary. my next tank i'm going to try and do something crazy with the rocks...i see PVC frames and a 1/2" hole drill bit in my future.:D

anyway, looks great, can't wait to see it stocked.

[phenom5]

BTW, what are the dimensions of the 16g bow? and if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for the tank and stand?

[surfnvb7]

:thumbsup: cool! i've seen something very very similar done in a LFS store tank. but they didn't fill in the gaps near as well as you did.

any idea on what type of corals you are gonna do? i think you'll have a hard time doing any sps as they will grow into eachother and block the light to lower corals.

the store tank i mention did mostly all shrooms/rics/zoos b/c i think it was a 24g nanocube with PC lights. inhabitants were a very cool red frogfish, and a peaderson shrimp.

cant wait to see updates!

[masterswimmer]

phenom5, thanks for the kind words. Away from the ordinary.....outside the box, go for it. And when you do, make sure you link me to it. I like to see that eclectic style in reefs.

The 16 bow front dimesions are 20" x 9-1/16" (on the ends) x 17-3/4" tall. The dimension at the center of the bow is 12-3/4".

As for price, I got it from someone who bought it and never used it. As you can see, it still had the stickers on it. So what I paid would be of no use to anyone. Wasn't close to retail.

HTH,
Russ

[masterswimmer]

surfnvb7, thank you. I will be doing a good amount of SPS, that's why I went with the MH. We have a good size club that I belong to, and most people don't shy away from frags. :D

That frogfish idea has been a consideration too. I am going to continue looking into that as well.

Russ

[cj_basser]

I have never heard of a dwarf flounder........do you have any links to websites where i migth be able to find some info and a pic about them?

Anglers are awsome....probably owuld do well in that tank, too. Feeding them is so awsome.

[Sugar Magnolia]

:thumbsup: Fantastic job Russ. I really like it. You mentioned you'd probably go through a mini cycle. I suspect that having had those rocks out of the water for 7-8 hours, it'll be a bit more than mini. Don't try and rush that part.

[masterswimmer]

Thanks Sugar. No rush here. LOL I bought the tank in June I think. Been accumulating LR for 3 months. I'm actually one who gets laughed at by club members for taking so long. It took me a little over a year from buying my 75 to finally getting water into it. But it was a year before that just researching it.

I just don't want to meet my maker before I finish this and some other projects I've got planned.

Thanks again,
Russ

[Carl_in_Florida]

Russ,

This looks great. Can't wait to see it in 6 months.

I agree with sugar about the effects of the long dry spell for the rocks.

Carl

[masterswimmer]

Thanks Carl. I totally agree with you and Sugar. Was great though. Last night, after lights out, I already saw plenty of pods and I saw an interesting crab. Couldn't identify it though. Looks exactly like a Mithrax (emerald) crab. However, it was red. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking he's not reef safe.


cj_basser
I have never heard of a dwarf flounder........do you have any links to websites where i migth be able to find some info and a pic about them?

Three spot flounder is dwarf. My mistake on the peacock. That is a peacock sole. Another great and beautiful fish. This was all in an article by Scott Michael in Aquarium Fish Monthly, October, 2005 (page 29). Hope this helps.

Russ

[MAreefer1]

OMG THATS AMAZING...do you have any updated pics. ?

[Cluckr7]

What a great idea and cool lookin tank. I like the equipment too. Perfect for a little tank like that.

[masterswimmer]

MAreefer1
OMG THATS AMAZING...do you have any updated pics. ?

Thank you MA. That's as updated as it can be. I just did that yesterday. It's a wonderful thing when we get 12" of snow. Not much else to do, except ski, board, tube, build snowmen or igloos, snowball fights.......well I guess there is a lot to do, I just chose this! :D



Cluckr7
What a great idea and cool lookin tank. I like the equipment too. Perfect for a little tank like that.

Thank you Cluckr7. Took awhile to research the equipment to find the right fit. Thanks for noticing.

Russ

[kamla]

sweet... nice wall....

[NewSchool04]

That really is going to be a nice little nano masterswimmer! I'm impressed for sure!

[masterswimmer]

Thanks NewSchool. A lot of time went into the thought and preparation of this project.

Was great looking at the tank tonight under my red LED's. I've got only the LR in there. I saw hundreds of pods all over the place. I saw bristleworms, emerald crab, strawberry crab, spaghetti worms and I'm sure I've missed some things.

Thanks again,
Russ

[shouldabenacowboy]

That is an impressive setup...Do you have any concerns about dead spots behind the eggcrate? Or livestock getting stuck behind it? I would hate to have to tear it apart because somebody got stuck and couldnt get out....

SBC

[masterswimmer]

Thanks SBC. Both powerheads, one for the skimmer and one for flow are behind the rock wall. It creates flow back there just from that (and there is one on each of the 'covered' walls of the tank).

If it's not enough flow and something dies back there, believe it or not, I still have enough room to get back there with my 24" tongs. Besides, the skimmer, SEIO and heater all come out really easy.

Thanks for looking and I appreciate testing my forethought. I know somebody is going to say........yada yada yada and I'll say OH DARN IT, I did forget something!!! lol

Russ

[masterswimmer]

Just wanted to update showing the sand I just added.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/wallwithsand.jpg

Will hopefully be looking to add a coral or two within a few days.

Russ

[NewSchool04]

what type of sand is that masterswimmer?
I think you are going to have a very hard time with corals shading lower corals on that wall. I see outcrops but I'm not sure that that will really make a difference. I may not be getting a good 3D look though.

[brainiac]

ok now i see the shelves..... man that is crazy looking.... i love it! Im sorry but i just may have to copy you.

[TippyToeX]

Russ, that is freaking awesome!!! :D Well thought out, and it's going to be just amazing when it's stocked!

[masterswimmer]

brainiac, thanks. Feel free to copy, no patent here :D .

Amy, thank you. That means a lot coming from you. And I'm stoked to stock! I want to see some pix of your garage!! ;)

Everyone, have a Merry, Happy ChristmaKwanzikah!!

Russ

[TippyToeX]

:D I need to finish the garage first! Then show off. Right now it's just a mess of parts strewn all over the floor.

So are you expecting cycle with this nano (I know you fear a minor one, but are you seeing it?)? Or are you getting ready to add livestock?

[masterswimmer]

Hey Amy, I cured the LR for about 2 - 3 months while hand picking each piece and then storing it with a heater and PH. I got the last few pieces the week before I put everything together. That was uncured, so I am getting a mini cycle.

I did add 3 Astrea's, 6 Nassarius & 1 Coral Banded Shrimp the other day. All look good except the CBS. He might be ok, I just haven't seen him since yesterday. Might have been a week too early for him. Time will tell.

I won't add any coral or fish for a few weeks though. I'm patient in that department.

Russ

[cmondo]

That is a very unique setting, I always love to see new rock structures. Nice job with the wall too. As was mentioned before the light looks a little shaded in the middle of the tank towards the bottom, and i think a nice sun polyp would go great there, and seeing how much attention to detail you have taken it seems like you would have no problem feeding it everyday. Another way to go with livestock would be seahorses, i think they would look great hanging on the wall. And if you go that way u could put a small branching rock as an island too. Just my thoughts...amazing tank, I look forward to seeing what you do with it. happy holidays.

[bigbenji]

AWESOME!!! I must have missed it somewhere, but how did you mount the rock wall to the tank? How is it being held in place so that it doesn't just fall forward?

[masterswimmer]

cmondo, thanks for the uplifting comments. My wife really wants me to do seahorses. I've got a Fu Manchu Lionfish in mind though. Hey, anything could happen right now. Always open for suggestions. The sun coral is also a nice idea. Would add a nice splash of color right there in the middle.

bigbenji, the rock wall is just about self supporting. The right hand corner makes a 90 degree to the back wall. The right side LR almost (about 1/2" away) touches the front glass. So if it did fall, it wouldn't go very far. Besides, the precaution I took was to add a couple of 'cable tie mounting bases' to the back glass and cable tie through it and around the light diffuser.

Here's a pic of the mounting base:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/cabletiemountingbracket.jpg

Hope this helped.

Happy Holidays,
Russ

[Rurouni Kenshin]

Looks amazing, I might try it in my 29G, but I have a question for you.
How did the wall go from this:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Finishedwallfrontwithflash.jpg
To this:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Finishedwallfrontwithtanklights-nic.jpg
If you cant see what I mean, I can not see hardly any Egg crate in the second pic, but I can in the first. You said you changed the lightbulb to a 20k, did that make that huge diffrence?

[rizkeeper]

darm cool...i'd like to see that on a larger tank....that is greatness

[VinnyTheIcepick]

I just started to set up my Aquapod 24 and I am sooooooo going to do a reef wall. I have lots of LR and Figi branch cooking so I am going to order up a dremel and take a shot at it. It looks too good to not give it a try.

[masterswimmer]

Rurouni Kenshin, thanks for the compliments. The whole difference in the pix is the first one was using a flash. This created light being directed straight at the wall. The second pic was with the tank light only (same 20k bulb) shining from above.


rizkeeper, again, thank you too. The thought of doing that on a larger tank does not thrill me! I'm not sure you can imagine the work it took to do a tank that size! Ooooohhhh, my aching back.


VinnyTheIcepick, make sure you have a lot more LR than you think. Also, I hand picked every piece over the course of three months. I had a mental picture drawn of what I wanted to do. There are no large pieces in there. A 29 however could use a little larger LR pieces to stay in proportion. Thank you for even saying you want to do it also. Very nice compliment.

I do have some frags in there now. A coral banded shrimp, some Nassarius Snails and Astreas.

The five frags I have don't do much for filling up the tank so pix don't really do it any justice.

Russ

[cmondo]

Very nice job with the wall, and I like your dedication and all the work u put into the tank. And as you stated pictures will not do ur tank justice, they would still be very nice to look at...hint. And I and most reefers know that pretty much all pics don't do it justice, but i would really like to see how the tank progresses. Thanks

[masterswimmer]

Ok cmondo, you convinced me.

Here's some of the livestock I've added so far. Remember, the frags are small and they don't do justice to the wall.

This first one is a Steve Tyree LE of an Acro (sp?) Shaggy Chuuk Blue. Color hasn't shown itself too well yet. But it is getting better daily:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/SteveTyreeAcroShaggyChuuk.jpg

Here's another Steve Tyree LE. This one is an Echino Lamellosa Challice Blue:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/SteveTyreeEchinoChalice.jpg

This frag was given to me from my friend Jim. It's a green with purple rimmed monti cap:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/greenwithpurplerimmonti.jpg

Here's a shot from the top down of my green slimer. Sorry for the MH reflection in the pic:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/greenslimerfromtopdown.jpg

Unknown Acro (sp?), just loved the color. Pic, once again, doesn't do it justice:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/Acropowderblue.jpg

And finally, my coral banded shrimp:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/CoralBandedShrimp.jpg

I hope you all enjoy.

Russ

[shouldabenacowboy]

Everytime I see your tank I like it more and more....I can't wait to see how it grows....keep up the good work


SBC

[Rurouni Kenshin]

I too will be trying thin rock wall, but I will probably slowly lower the rock wall at one side to about half the height of the tank, amd have a little rock on the bottom of the tank to place some Zoas and whatnot.

[cmondo]

Thanks swimmer, i can't wait to see the frags grow out. That cap should look really nice on the wall. And I know that your tank looks a lot better in person, because I can picture the corals you are talking about in my head as i look at the pics. Nice job, still thinking of doing that lion?

[TippyToeX]

Loving the new additons Russ! :)

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6410779#post6410779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shouldabenacowboy
Everytime I see your tank I like it more and more....I can't wait to see how it grows....keep up the good work


SBC

SBC,
Thank you. You and me both. I'm trying to be patient for grow out, but it gets more and more difficult as the days go by.


Rurouni Kenshin, that sounds like a nice plan. This design is just one of an infinite number to be made. All we have to do is think outside the box.


cmondo, actually thank you for getting me to post the pix. It doesn't look all that good at the moment. However, it shows the progression nicely. I'm hoping that when the cap grows out and the challice fills in the whole appearance of the tank will change. And yes, the lion is still my #1 choice. I'm trying to add as much coral as I can before adding him so that I am 'in' the tank that much less when he is in there. Those venemous spines can get across a tiny 16 gallon pretty quick! :eek2:

Thanks again everybody. Your encouragement is just that, encouraging. :D

Russ

[geonator]

yo great looking wall i have thhe same 16 it is a new way to do it..... keep it up

[geonator]

yo great looking wall i have thhe same 16 it is a new way to do it..... keep it up

[geonator]

ahhhh sorry about the double post

[cmondo]

good choice on adding the corals first. Ever think of sticking a gorgonian on "the wall". I think it would look nice branching horizontally, possibly a yellow one. Just a suggestion. Keep the updates coming. nice job

[masterswimmer]

geonator, thanks for the thumbs up.


cmondo, a gorgonian is definitely in the plans. You're on a very similar page as I am. The yellow ones are non photosynthetic though. I am hoping to find a nice blueberry one!

Russ

[mr9iron]

Being a bowfront nano fan I am totally impressed with this tank. You have done one heck of a job constructing this tank. :eek: How is the Coralife Super skimmer working out and do you have any pictures of it in action? I can't wait to see the wall covered in sps. If I may suggest a fungia may look pretty good sitting on the bottom.:D

[masterswimmer]

mr9iron, thank you. The skimmer is working out great. I've made a few mods to it so that it is more versatile and efficient and it has made it workable. The fungia actually sounds like a good idea. There will be a crocea or two in there as well, so it won't look quite so barren.

Hope this helps:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/CSS%2065%20modification/PVC%20mods/frontviewofskimmercupwithpvcandviny.jpg

Russ

[cmondo]

Yeah, I like the blueberry ones also, my friend just got one in his 30 and it looks real nice. Not a fan of the non photosynthetics? I think the yellow gorgonian would look real nice around a purple cap. They are easy to spot feed with a baister and u don't have to get stung by the lion.

[masterswimmer]

You're right about the contrast in color. It would look sweet. I've already had a yellow one in my 75 and it didn't fair well. I fed it every night and it still didn't survive. When it comes to an animals life, I'm not one to subscribe to the old addage of try, try and try again.

[mr9iron]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6418089#post6418089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by masterswimmer
mr9iron, thank you. The skimmer is working out great. I've made a few mods to it so that it is more versatile and efficient and it has made it workable. The fungia actually sounds like a good idea. There will be a crocea or two in there as well, so it won't look quite so barren.

Hope this helps:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/CSS%2065%20modification/PVC%20mods/frontviewofskimmercupwithpvcandviny.jpg

Russ

A crocea would look really good in there. What were the mods you did on the skimmer?

Vince

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6419820#post6419820 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr9iron
What were the mods you did on the skimmer?

Vince

The skimmer cup is much too small for this skimmer. I drilled and tapped the cup and added a quick connect ball valve:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/CSS%2065%20modification/5JGballvalveinskimmercloseup.jpg


Then added a quick connect '90' to reduce stress on the plastic collection cup:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/CSS%2065%20modification/ballvalveelbowincollectioncup.jpg


I then ran the vinyl tubing into a one gallon 'collection cup' with a vent tube sticking out:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/CSS%2065%20modification/tubingingallonjug.jpg

That was the first mod.

The next few mods I'll detail in my next post. RC won't let me post too many pix in the same post. :D

Russ

[masterswimmer]

Another mod I did, which is not in picture detail was raising the skimmer pump. I believe Coralife's new instruction manual addresses this as well. I put the included 'ball valve' so that it is touching the pump discharge on one side and touching the skimmer inlet on the other side. This effectively raises the pump as high in the water column as possible creating less head pressure on this small pump.


The next mod was key to eliminating any micro bubbles in the tank. Unfortunately I did not take pix during the mod I just have a few pix of it in operation. With my detailed description and the few pix, hopefully you'll get the idea.

I totally discarded the Coralife 'bubble trap' they include. As far as I'm concerned it's not worth the effort to install it. I also did not use their corrugated flexible discharge tube. It was much too long and created too much backpressure on the skimmer and the skimmate was very hard to regulate and produced very watery skimmate.

What I did was add a pvc discharge. At the final Coralife skimmer discharge point I added a pvc 'T'. The 'T' as you can see in the pic is in the upright position. I'll explain the top piece first. I just cut a 3" piece of 1" pvc and capped it. I drilled a 1/32" hole in the top of the cap:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/CSS%2065%20modification/PVC%20mods/PVCT.jpg


The bottom half of the 'T' is a bit more difficult to explain, I'll do my best. Coming out of the bottom part of the 'T' is a VERY short piece of 1" pvc. Just enough so that the bottom of the 'T' is touching a 90 degree pvc elbow underneath it. Now the object here is to get the elbow as high in the water as possible. The problem was that the bottom part of the 'T' was too long and the top of the elbow was too long. I took my pvc cutter and shortened both the bottom of the 'T' and the top of the elbow. In the above picture, if you examine it real close, you can see that the top part of the 'T' is just a bit longer than the bottom part. The same is true for the elbow.

On the horizontal part of the elbow I added a piece of 1" straight pvc. I drilled countless holes all over this piece of pvc, all the way around it. I did NOT cap this straight piece of pvc. I left it open. What I did do was add a Mag 3 foam prefilter onto it as a bubble trap. This mod now allows me to run my CSS 65 open full bore and it produces great skimmate and NO MICROBUBBLES whatsoever.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/CSS%2065%20modification/PVC%20mods/topviewoffoam.jpg

A very important note to mention >>> over time the foam prefilter will begin to clog. I found this time to be about two - three weeks. This will obviously depend upon your bioload. As the filter clogs it creates some backpressure on the skimmer discharge. Not knowing this was the reason, I suddenly found the little nipple vent hole on the discharge side of the skimmer releasing water, causing a minor leak. I couldn't understand why. Then the leak became more pronounced and I noticed it starting to come out of the hole I drilled on the top of the cap.

After all this is when I figured it was increased backpressure from the foam filter. I cleaned it and everything returned to normal.

However, I also figured out a way to give me a bit of a foam filter clog warning. I added a piece of vinyl tubing to the nipple vent on the skimmer. This in effect raised the level of acceptable backpressure without any leak. Now when I see water in the vinyl tube I just clean the foam filter.

If you refer back to the first picture in this post you'll see the vinyl tube sticking up from the vent nipple.

I know this was very detailed and cryptic, but I hope it helped you. You also got to see the pic of the skimmer in operation and the foam and color of the skimmate.

Russ

[cmondo]

Nice job with the skimmer. Just to get this strait you put the foam prefilter over the pvc right? Makes a lot of sense, i never would have thought to put the T there with the hole in the top.

[mr9iron]

Russ, thanks for the explanation and the pics of the skimmer in action. I think you have a unique setup there and it will be neat to watch progress. I have one more question though. About how much skimmate does that sucker produce daily?

Vince

[masterswimmer]

cmondo, thanks again. Yes, the hole in the prefilter actually seems like it is made for 1" pvc to fit in it perfectly. Holds on to it nice and tight and doesn't restrict flow, just eliminates microbubbles. When I put the elbow on the bottom of the 'T', I slid the prefilter over the straight pvc and onto the wider diameter piece of pvc elbow as well. The only reason I did that was to save space. 16 gallon tanks don't have much room to begin with.


mr9iron, You're welcome. That's what RC is supposed to be about, sharing info, whether it be success stories, failures or mishaps, so we all can learn. As far as skimmer production, it varies a bit right now because my bioload is basically a coral banded shrimp, some snails and the bits of food I put in there for them. I also add some DT's Oyster eggs and Cyclopeeze for pod production. However, with no fish in there, the waste is very minimal. And yet it still pulls out some decent gunk.

Russ

[pimpskinny]

thats cute

[fambrough]

swimmer,

Nice job all around! I've been following your thread and can't wait to see the progression. I wanted to thank you for the skimmer modification explication. You were very clear, it was easy to understand. I don't have the same skimmer at all, but plan a similar approach to micro bubble elimination. I think the key will be finding the right filter material: one that will "trap/release" the micro bubbles without creating excess back pressure. My current mod is bulky and unattractive. Of course, I don't have mine hidden behind a wall of live rock. :) Yeah, gotta love RC for the information sharing!

Cheers,
Ben

[masterswimmer]

Ben, thanks for all the compliments. If there is any type of info I might be able to provide to help you out, please let me know. I also appreciate the 'de-lurking' :D and coming forward. Always nice to meet new folks in the hobby.

BTW, when trying to explain a modification like that without all the pix and just doing it in the written form, you never know how it will read or be understood. Thanks for letting me know it was relatively clear.


pimpskinny, thanks?


Great day all,
Russ

[cmondo]

Russ, its not just pimpskinny that thinks your tank is uhhhhhh cute. And thanks for keeping up with the thread and all of my questions/suggestions, so threads have no point anymore, because the "owner" never replies. So thanks. Another one of those suggestions...feather dusters coming out of the bottom, and u could prob easily feed them through the egg crate stuff.

[masterswimmer]

cmondo, Interesting about the featherduster. Unfortunately I'd have to read up a bit more on that. With a Fu Manchu in there I don't know if the worm would be dinner for him. Besides, for some reason I haven't been able to keep feather dusters. I keep clams, SPS, LPS, basically anything else, but featherdusters for some reason don't last.

Russ

[cmondo]

Ahh gotcha, I haven't read too much on the lions, but i know that the dusters live inside a tube (as i am sure u already know) and they might not be able to get to them cuz of that. But like I said I don't know much about the lions.

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6426112#post6426112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cmondo
Ahh gotcha, I haven't read too much on the lions, but i know that the dusters live inside a tube (as i am sure u already know) and they might not be able to get to them cuz of that. But like I said I don't know much about the lions.

I know that the dusters are actually tube worms. But just like you, I just don't know about the lions, so before I do it, I'd be researching it first. If anything I'd like a coco worm.

Thanks for all the feedback,
Russ

[cmondo]

Those are real nice too. A little more pricey though, but they would look nice in there too, possibly at the bottom of the wall.

[brandon429]

Masterswimmer I've shown this thread to several of my friends, I think it's the single coolest aquascaping I've ever seen. What you've done is effectively pack a lot of surface area in this tank, eliminate dead spots that eventually contribute to eutrophication and breakdown in the aged system, and create tons of open swimming space relative to tank size. If this was entered in a nano contest you'd have a hands-down ranking for sure. Doesn't it make your reef look huge? I hope you won't mind if I borrow some of this idea for a pico reef soon, I'll be sure and give due credit to MS on RC for the inspire! Good job Sir
B

[masterswimmer]

brandon429, wow, thank you. If you've got some time would you mind being my PR representative :) . You or anyone else is more than welcome to utilize any/all of the ideas posted. That's why I post them. I believe in helping whenever possible. That is the true spirit of RC, isn't it?

Again, thank you for such accolades,
Russ

[charlesgage]

I am doing a 20 gallon long and wish to do the rock wall as well. But my main question is, how would you rate your skimmer on a scale of 1-10? Did you research it before you bought it? If you like it i think i may buy the same!

[Broodingwolf]

I love the effect!! Really impressed and going to enjoy watching this tank unfold. If I could make a suggestion, some Gorgonians in the sand bed might really add a cool effect!

[masterswimmer]

charlesgage, I actually researched this skimmer to the N'th degree. I was originally going to go for the Remora and then the Remora Pro. After doing a lot of reading on RC and nano-reefs dot com I came to the conclusion that I would have better success with the CSS 65, PROVIDING that I did some modifications. People were extremely happy with the skimmate produced by this skimmer but there were some performance issues. If you've been diligent and read this thread then you'll see all the mods I did. These mods ALL contribute to what I would consider one of the best HOT, inexpensive skimmers I've seen. Remember, these mods can't be done halfway. Either all of them or you will experience various issues, whether it is low skimmate production, flooding, microbubbles, leaking or a combination of these things. With all the mods, I love the skimmer.

Broodingwolf, thank you for the kind words. And if I didn't get suggestions from people, then it would be up to me to think of all these things on my own! Your suggestions are always welcome, as are anyones. Gorgonians in the sand could be a really interesting idea. With a few of them protruding upwards it would almost be like a kelp forest, but with Gorgonians. If this idea does come to play, I will credit you with the idea. Thanks.

Russ

[charlesgage]

Does the skimmer run in-sump? or tank only?

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6430980#post6430980 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by charlesgage
Does the skimmer run in-sump? or tank only?

Either way. Mine is HOT.

Russ

[Jimsmowen]

Amazing looking tank!!

I love the idea of a rock wall!!!

[MiddletonMark]

Really inventive thinking + design.

Very impressive ... even if just stocking it.

[jap1]

Wow! That looks amazing! Great job! Looks like you have a much better imagination than I do. That wall was quite an undertaking.

[masterswimmer]

Jimsmowen, thank you for the kind words.

Thanks Mark. Took a looong time with this......in my head. Tried to think of all the things that could go wrong. With your experience you know that could take forever and still never think of it all! :rolleyes:

jap1 the undertaking was more than I thought, and it's only a 16 gallon. I've had people ask me to design one for them in much larger tanks. The thought of that was so daunting I broke out into a sweat :D

Thanks everyone. I will keep updating pix. I try to be patient and methodical when I execute these things and sometimes the next step takes a little while. So pix can obviously take some time too.

Thanks for taking the time to check this out,
Russ

[cmondo]

Hey swimmer, just curious if u have any updates?

[masterswimmer]

Hey cmondo, actually I just added some coral this week. I'll see if I can get some decent pix up. I haven't added any fish yet. I'm still the patient type. I like it to mature and go through most of its algae cycles before I add any fish.

Russ

[cmondo]

Good choice...what did u pick up? I just got some micromussa this past week, I have been a big fan of them, and finally found some cheap ones.

[masterswimmer]

I got a superman danae (color is slowly coming back), a purple rimmed cap, a beautiful echinata (one of only a couple of LPS going in) and I transfered in a Cali Tort from my 75.

Russ

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6550140#post6550140 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cmondo
I just got some micromussa this past week, I have been a big fan of them, and finally found some cheap ones.

I am also a fan of the micromussa's. Would love to see a pic.

Russ

[cmondo]

No problem, I will post some of the micro's and my tank as soon as I find a camera.

[ReefWreak]

Beautiful setup. Now if only we could advance time to see how things fare when grown out.

Keep up the awesome work. BTW your experience has given me a much greater lean towards getting the CSS 65 instead of another remora or maybe the Berlin Turbo HOT. I had a Remora Pro w/ bubble trap/surfaceskimmer and a Mag 5, but it was WAY too big for my 24g nanocube.

Keep up the good work!

[masterswimmer]

cmondo, looking forward to it. Make sure you come here and post me a link to it.

ReefWreak, thank you very much. If you do go with the CSS 65, there are definitely mods that must be made for it to perform as a HOT skimmer. When done though, it works like a champ.

Russ

[Zoalander]

Out of all the threads I've read and all the pics I've seen this is the greatest. My "Bears" hat off to you MS. What you did just looks so cool and your step by step instruction about everything, including the mods, is excellent. I showed it to my wife and she is extremely impresses, I think you have rekindled her love for this hobby. Thanks.

[masterswimmer]

Wow, Vetter1980, I don't know what to say other than thank you. You're too kind.

I see you have a 10 in the works. It's funny how I found that the smaller the tank the more planning it takes. Less real estate to work with makes it that much more valuable. Makes you really want to do the right thing and stock it with a lot of forethought. Hence my year of planning this little thing.....ughhhhhh!

However, the nice thing about these little nano's is that you can stock them with such exotic frags to make it different and 'out there' that it won't necessarily break the bank either.

I mentioned prior to this what I've got for corals so far. I've got some nice stuff coming this week as well. The frags are tiny, so posting pix just doesn't do it a whole lot of justice yet. Upon growout though, I'm crossing my fingers that it'll all come together.

Please make sure you link me to pix of your 10 when you are ready to show it off to the world!

Thanks again for such kind and encouraging words,
Russ

[angelfishlover]

WOW! LOVE THE ROCKWORK!

[Bret61081]

very cool...I am intereted in seeing this dwarf flounder....have you found one yet?

[Cutiewitbooty]

wow that rockwork it really awesome!! Can't wait untill you post new pics :D

[masterswimmer]

angelfishlover, thanks :)

Bret61081, thank you too. I don't want to get banned for this next statement, but I was talked out of the dwarf flounder by Anthony. He was emphatic in his PM's to me about it not being appropriate. Seeing that the 16 is reduced by at least 1/3 of the surface area due to the wall and rocks, I'm going to agree with him and look for a different fish.

The good news about that is the sandbed will remain open area, but I can now think about something else 'unique' in the open space.


Cutiewitbooty, I can get into that statement.......cause I'm dying to see it grow out so I can post more pix. Thank you for your kind words.


Russ

[masterswimmer]

Equipment update:

Heater: I wasn't satisfied with the 50w Stealth. The Stealth wasn't the problem, the 50w just didn't cut it. I upgraded to a 100w Stealth.......problem solved.

Powerhead: The flow from the SEIO 620 although would seem to be enough in a tiny tank was not sufficient. I upgraded that to a SEIO 820. Much much better. That's 33% more flow for this little nano.

Hope that helps some of you guys thinking about doing this too.

Russ

[cmondo]

You know I never thought about the sandbed being too small for the flounder....I guess that is what putting dwarf in front of the name does. Anyway, any luck finding that blueberry gorgonian?? I saw one today, looked real crappy though.

[masterswimmer]

I've been looking for the blueberry. No luck yet. Remember, I've been patient all along. I won't rush it now. Besides, I've got three hot frags coming this week. I'm psyched. Pix will be forthcoming by weeks end.

Thanks again for staying with me on this one cmondo.

Russ

[Broodingwolf]

I saw a gorgeous blueberry gorgonian at the LFS the other day. Sorely tempted to get it. If you can't find one locally, Chad at Reefscience.com gets them fairly often, I'm sure he could special order one for you.

[cmondo]

My pleasure swimmer, just waiting patiently for new stats and pics.
On a side note, My pics are coming soon.

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6563182#post6563182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Broodingwolf
I saw a gorgeous blueberry gorgonian at the LFS the other day. Sorely tempted to get it. If you can't find one locally, Chad at Reefscience.com gets them fairly often, I'm sure he could special order one for you.

Bw, thank you for that heads up. Reefscience is a class act too, very familiar with them.

cmondo, I'm ready for those pix.

Russ

[KING OF THE REEF]

ok ok ok ok ok awsome tank man. i am doing the sam thing in my 15 long(i started a thread bout it). question though, did oyu silicone the rock wall to the tank after fitting it in? if so then thats what ill do. i plan ot jsut have a skimmer and a hob flite in mine nothing special lol.

[Cutiewitbooty]

come on, come on, come on, i wanna see more pix of the tank, even if it hasn't grown out yet, you said you got some corals right :D

[masterswimmer]

Imareefer, imitation is the best form of flattery. Thank you for the compliment. As for attaching the wall to the tank back.....It is actually almost self supporting (because of the 90 degree corner). However, I did use a couple of cable tie mounts. They have adhesive backs that I attached to the tank back and ran a cable tie through it and around the light diffuser. This is a pic of the cable tie adhesive mount:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/cabletiemountingbracket.jpg

Hope this helps,
Russ

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6568704#post6568704 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cutiewitbooty
come on, come on, come on, i wanna see more pix of the tank, even if it hasn't grown out yet, you said you got some corals right :D

Now as for you Amber......You twisted my arm :D . Here's a couple of shots in your honor (and persistence). Thank you for that. I do appreciate it.

FTS, January 23, 2005:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/Full%20Tank%20Shots/FTSJan2005.jpg

Mycedium (not a frag....7" colony). I will be fragging it though:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/clams%20and%20echinata/Next%20day/mycediumnextday.jpg

Crocea:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/clams%20and%20echinata/Next%20day/centerclamtopnextday.jpg

Russ

[Cutiewitbooty]

awww your such a sweetheart :D It looks so awesome!!! Did you just come up with this idea, about the rock wall? Tanks again for postin pics i love them :D

[charlesgage]

Lookin' good masterswimmer! How are you liking the lighting? (250 MH right?)

[KING OF THE REEF]

ok can i get the piece at homedepot? did you just put it on the back pane and mount it that way? looks easy enough. ill post some pics after i get my rr attached

[masterswimmer]

Amber, thanks. Yes, the idea just came to me. Took quite awhile in the planning stages, but the idea itself was just something that I hadn't seen before. I have since seen others do similar things, but not the way I did it. Thanks again.

Charles, thank you. The lighting is actually 150w DE HQI and so far I like it a lot.

Ima, yes, I got them from HD. And yes, I just peeled off the paper backing and stuck it to the glass. Couldn't have been easier. Took under two minutes to do that part of the project. I would surely hope you'd post me a link to your thread. I'm looking forward to it.

Russ

[LeftCoast]

Sweet crocea!

[KING OF THE REEF]

ok i will here it is
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=758176
enjoy, pics are coming tonight hopefully

[rockindacheeks]

probably one of the coolest nano setups ive seen... i love it!

[piberoptikz]

Very cool!

[masterswimmer]

Spiff, thanks. It does have some very nice colors and markings.

Ima, I responded to your thread. Sounds like a nice start. Good luck.

Dan, thanks for the supportive comments. Helps a lot when the tank is so young. Doesn't look like it's going forward to me anymore.

pi, thank you too.


Russ

[KING OF THE REEF]

russ, im hopefully getting my rr tommorrow or saturday. i got my new lights today however hurrah check my thread later tnihgt o early tomorrow for pics of it

[masterswimmer]

A new addition to the wall this week.

Alien eye Orange Acan echinata :

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/AlienEye.jpg

There were other additions, just very difficult positioning for any decent pix. I'll try again tomorrow.

Russ

[masterswimmer]

Here's a couple more update additions:

Green ring purple blue Acan Echinata:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/GreenRingbluepurpleAcanEchinata.jpg


Red & Green Micromussa:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/RedandGreenMicromussa.jpg

Russ

[KING OF THE REEF]

russ, sorry i hvent updated my thread, i have been sick. sucks btw when i got a meeting of the pbmas.org to go to today. i still dont have rr yet but i am getting a heck of alot of frags ofr this tank. ill update tonight or early tmmrw as the lights will most likely be out. as for your tanks and coral keep it up looking really good

[masterswimmer]

Thanks man, hope you feel better.

Russ

[KING OF THE REEF]

well russ i am feeling way better but still sick. i got a superman danea, pink mili, and a few other acros tonight all in a raffle. as fr updates im off to bed, but ill pos totmmor when i wake up.

[masterswimmer]

Sounds like it was a real good raffle. I want pix.

Have a good nite and wake up feeling perfect.

Russ

[KING OF THE REEF]

well i woke up feeling great but still sick. anyways, im updating the thread today with more pics. but i am in need of an answer. those little white wire tie holders like you posted in your pic, are they affecting the water quality or coming off at all? i am wondering if that adhesive might cause the water to get all crapy. pics to come
phil

[Siffy]

I have no clue whether they're perfectly reef safe or not, but I've used them in other instances. They hold exceptionally well. One will hold several pounds directly for several months before any sign of coming loose. You could always dab a small bit of silicon around them to seal off the adhesive from the water if worried about contamination.

[masterswimmer]

The cable ties are absolutely no issue. The cable tie holder has shown no signs of any problems whatsoever. And as Siffy said, just run some silicone around them.

[KING OF THE REEF]

ah ok i will do that, as for pis they are coming. I have been busy planning my wall today and getting over the dang cold. im off to update my thread thanks again

[cmondo]

http://www.******************/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=seafan_1-26-01&Category_Code=2NewArriv

Hey Russ I just cam across this and I remembered that you were looking for one.

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6624089#post6624089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cmondo
http://www.******************/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=seafan_1-26-01&Category_Code=2NewArriv

Hey Russ I just cam across this and I remembered that you were looking for one.

Thanks man. That is beautiful. The timing of it isn't right at the moment. I appreciate you looking out for me.

Russ

[cmondo]

Yeah no problem, and i didn't forget about the pics of my tank, I have a final and a report coming up for my winter session class. So this weekend I should be able to find a camera and take some pics.

[mike89t]

Great tank! I wish I had the patience's to put something like this together.

[masterswimmer]

Thank you Mike. Patience was definitely the name of the game......mine sure was tried during the process (more than once).

Russ

[kaserpick]

Really great idea! Can't wait to see it maturing!

Thumbs up!
Kaserpick

[NanoManMaster]

ok its been definantly to long without an update on the tank so please picks!!!!!!

cheers
tim

[annamarie421]

Your rock work is absolutely stunning! :thumbsup: I love it! Can't wait to see how it looks in a few months!

Anna :)

[masterswimmer]

Hi Tim, thanks for the bump. Unfortunately I've been laid up for a little while. Sorry for the long lapse between pix and updates. All is still looking good, but it'll be a little while before I can post any new pix. I promise I will when I'm up and about again. Thanks again.

annamarie421, TY for your kind words. I'll keep y'all posted.

Russ

[KING OF THE REEF]

hey man same here with the hangups, school sucks. spring training is in full bloom for me (iget fresh blood on the florida marlins this year lol). got to do that and thats the main reason i havent been updating. i wanna se eupdated pics of yours and i am updating pic tmmrw for mine kepp looking and still hope it looks as good as in the last pic, phil

[firerock]

Hi, masterswimmer,

I just came across this thread, and am impressed with your work on this nano.

I have an exactly same tank, and was wondering how are you going to keep it cool in the summer with the MH? I am in So. California, so it is very hot in summer, often higher then 86 degrees, not sure about Mississippi. I have been hoping to convert the tank into a nano reef tank, but am concerned about the heat issue.

Thanks.

[masterswimmer]

firerock, thanks for the compliment. I am actually in NY, not Mississippi.

I will be keeping the ambient room temperature at about 68 degrees with air conditioning. I'm hoping that will be all I have to do. At this moment only time will tell. This will be the first summer with this tank. Crossing my fingers.

Please post a link to pix of your setup. I'm always interested in other folks tanks.

Russ

[Travis L. Stevens]

I was very surprised when I stumbled on this thread that someone linked to from another thread. This is surprisingly old and I had never seen it. Thank goodness I found it, because I was having trouble trying to figure out how I was going to get a DIY Rock rockwall on a center overflow. Now, I can take it a step at a time and build it piece by piece and cure them seperate instead of building one giant rock! Thanks for the awesome idea masterswimmer.

Here is a link to my thread if you would like to take a look. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=682002

[firerock]

For someone in NY you sure stay up late. ;)

You probably don't have to worry about heat issues like I do. Summer in NY is nowhere comparable to So. Cal. Do you know just how many degrees of heat does the MH adds to the tank?

My 16 gallon was converted from a FW QT tank into a SW QT. I have been planning to convert it into a nano reef tank, but has not been able to decide on the lighting choices due to heat issues. When I have it up and running like yours I'll for sure post some pics.

Thanks.

[firerock]

Another question that's a little off topic, hope you don't mind. ;)

I noticed that you are using SLS 6 X 54W fixture on your other tank, how's your experience with it? Are you able to keep the colors of some of the exotic SPS frags that you have gotten (Tyree LE) under the T-5 lighting? Have you noticed shifts of colorations of your frags under two different lightings?

Thanks.

[masterswimmer]

fire, I would say the MH adds about 2 - 3 degrees when they come on during the day.

I like my T-5's. They have unbelievable PAR. As a matter of fact I have to place some of my SPS midway down to avoid bleaching or just to maintain color.

I'm excited about URI (now UV) coming out with a T5 VHO actinic. That's the one spectrum (POP) that I feel T5's have been lacking.

Russ

[firerock]

Thanks. 2 - 3 degrees is not bad at all.

I also have a SLS 6 bulbs T-5 fixture for a little more than a month, but mine is 6 X 39w because my tank is only 3' long. I really like the fixture, and also had to move SPS lower to avoid bleaching. Have you experienced any browning of SPS under the fixture? I have had multiple bleachings and one case of browning. Not sure if it is due to too much light.

What does URI actinic offer that D&D doesn't? I have seen threads mentioning it, but what does T5 lacking at this moment?

Thanks.

[masterswimmer]

Fire, funny you mention about SPS bleaching. After two years of having my T5's 2" above the tank (about 3" above the water) I've finally decided I'm not thrilled with the colors. Things are growing, just not coloring up the way I see in other tanks.

Just 2 days ago, I raised the TEK light another 4" above the tank. It's now about 6" instead of 4" above. In that time, approx. 30 hrs. I notice my green monti cap starting to color up, my green staghorn and my pink stylophora coloring up better too.

I'm also shortening my photoperiod starting tomorrow. I've been running actinics for 14 hrs. and daylights 12 hrs.

I'm changing that to 12 hrs. actinic and 10 hrs. daylight. I'm hoping that helps to bring out the colors I know these corals can produce.

I'll keep you posted.

Also, the D & D actinics just don't have the POP to flouresce my corals the way the URI VHO actinics do. This is just my opinion (and lots of others). There are those that like it just the way it is. Just a matter of preference.

Russ

[firerock]

That has been my experience as well. Although I have only 1 case of obvious bleaching, other SPS has just been lightening up in color. In the past 2 weeks I have been busy moving them lower, finding spaces at the lower part of the tank and sandbed. Just now I have decided to raise the light 1" higher.

My lighting period is only 8.5 hours, with only 30min of dawn effect. I was going to extend the lighting period, but that'll have to wait. The fixture is 5" above water with 3 aquablue and 3 blue+. I didn't buy the pure actinic bulb, and am thinking about adding it.

Most of the corals has lightening up in color, but I do have a case of browning. Please do keep me posted of your progress.

Thanks.

[masterswimmer]

Actinics on this morning and it's now been a few days of raised lights and a couple days of shortened photoperiod. I absolutely am seeing some color return to the lightened corals. I never had any bleaching, just lightening, like you.

If I were you, I wouldn't purchase the D & D Pure Actinics until after URI (UV) releases their actinic. It is touted to be superior to any other T5 actinic......so worth the wait. I will be switching over the day I hear they are released. I'm approaching one year on my current actinics anyway (about 9 months actually) so I'm close to due as it is.

So far I'm encouraged by the shortened photo and the raised lights. But it's only been a few days. Updates to follow.

Russ

[firerock]

Thanks for the info.

Do you know when URI will be releasing their actinic bulb? I can hardly wait. :P

Have you experimented with same corals in both of your tanks? If so, do you see differences in coloration under T-5 and MH? I am puzzled with the lightening issue. Since most of reefers are using MH, everyone just tells me that I need MH to keep the colors.

It is very frustrating, yet I am encouraged by the success stories on RC. Someone actually said that he converted from MH to T-5 and see much better colors. So I am still hopeful.

[masterswimmer]

I'm actually not impressed with the bulb I'm using on my MH setup. The colors are not what I expected and the growth appears to be nil. It's the stock Coralife 150w 20k HQI bulb that comes with the fixture. I tried a Phoenix 150w 14k bulb, and it started to bleach my corals in one day. So I swapped back out to the original Coralife bulb.

The issue with this fixture is Coralife manufactures a bulb that incorporates the UV protection right into the bulb itself. So there is no need for them to provide a UV shield on their fixture. When I switched out to the Phoenx bulb their was apparently no UV protection and it was obvious just about immediately.

Supposedly Coralife is coming out with a 14k bulb that incorporates the UV protection in it. When I see that on the market I will try that one. Otherwise, my impressions of the MH vs. T5 is T5 all the way. I am also astute enough to know that I'm comparing a top quality T5 fixture (SLS) with a low range, inexpensive, less quality MH fixture/ballast/bulb.

If I were to go with IceCap or Reef Optix, etc. I believe my assessment would be different, but that remains to be seen, since I haven't tried them yet.

Russ

[firerock]

Sorry to hear about the issues you have run into. Is the Coralife fixture you have mentioned the one that you are using over the 16g?

After some more research, I found this from Daniel Gan's (danano) TOTM thread back in March 2005, and this is what he said about T-5 compared to MH. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=541121&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

The T5s have worked really well for me. Colours are somewhat more pastel. Main differences I see compared to MH tanks are less intense purples although I really like how the purple humilis turned out - which has almost doubled in size in the past year.

I am guess that the lighting issue is a common occurance. A bunch of T-5 users are talking about dosing different supplements at Iwan's thread, maybe you'll be interested. Iwan has a beautiful tank that's being featured around the world. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6972396#post6972396

[alien9168]

I love this tank!!!! :D

-alien

[masterswimmer]

Thanks for the links fire. I will check them out.

Alien I appreciate your kindness. Thanks.

[masterswimmer]

Ok, finally an update with some pix of the 16 gallon wall.

Here's a Chili Coral I got for underneath my overhang:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/ChiliCoral.jpg

And a nightime shot of my Yellow Leather:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/YellowLeathernightlights.jpg

Spectacular Red Mushrooms rock:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/wholerockwithshrooms.jpg

The same Red Mushrooms macro:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/Redshroomfrontshot.jpg

Russ

[masterswimmer]

And one more, a Green Mushroom macro shot (there are dozens) that came as hitchikers on my LR:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/Nano%20with%20water/Livestock/Greenshroom.jpg

Russ

[Cutiewitbooty]

nice pictures. You should get another full tank shot :D Which coralife fixture do you have? I think the single ended bulbs are suppost to have the UV in the bulb, but the doubles arn't. Also the higher blue kalvin the slower growth you will see in your corals. So a 14k or even 10k will make your corals grow alot faster than the 20k, but you won't get as much of a glow. I have a coralife fixture on my tank and i really like it, but it is a double ended MH

[masterswimmer]

Hi Amber,
Thanks for the feedback. My Coralife is also the 150w DE HQI 20k. I know what you're saying about the zero growth. I'm just itching for them to come out with the 14k. Their DE bulbs have the UV protection built right into them. I spoke with their engineer in their R & D lab directly about it. He's the one who told me they are coming out with the 14K.

I will try to get a FTS for you. I like the macros though, they give the tank that 'filled up' look, even though it's empty, lol.

Russ

[firerock]

Nice photos. :)

Not sure if this helps. From this site, it seems that the fixture you have comes with 150w 14K DE HQI metal halide bulb nowadays.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_metal_halide_coralife_aqualight_advanced.asp?CartId=

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6977707#post6977707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firerock
Nice photos. :)

Not sure if this helps. From this site, it seems that the fixture you have comes with 150w 14K DE HQI metal halide bulb nowadays.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_metal_halide_coralife_aqualight_advanced.asp?CartId=

DAMN! Sure does appear that way. The color on the 20K's are nice. But zippo on growth. I've been waiting to hear back from Coralife about their pending release date of the 14k's. I haven't heard back yet. I guess I know the answer.

Thanks firerock.

Russ

[firerock]

You are welcome. :rollface: Glad I was able to help. :)

[ReefDriven718]

Dang! That's NICE!

[ReefDriven718]

What is that material you used for the Rock Frame work? It looks AWESOME!

[cinnamongirl]

This tank is great! Any updated pictures? <g>

[masterswimmer]

RD, thanks. It is just light diffuser from HD.

Cinnamon, I just posted some individual shots. I guess you want a FTS? Thank you for your interest and niceties. I appreciate it.

Let me see what pix I might be able to scrape up.

Russ

March 17, 2006:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/Full%20Tank%20Shots/FTSMarch17th2006.jpg

[alien9168]

WOW!!! Nice pic- I love the clam.

CInamon- I feel like I havent seen you on the boards in a while. Probably because you changed your avatar. :)

How are the horse? :)

-alien

[masterswimmer]

Thanks alien.

master

[steveo32]

he's lying its not empyt don;t be fooled
lol

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7065744#post7065744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveo32
he's lying its not empyt don;t be fooled
lol

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! :lol:

[alien9168]

lol

-alien

[Cutiewitbooty]

awseome! Love the clam too :D

[shouldabenacowboy]

You have a tank to be proud of....no doubt

Keep up the good work

SBC

[masterswimmer]

Cutie & SBC, thank you. It is definitely a work in progress.

Russ

[DavinD]

FYI, I bought the same Coralife fixture from my LFS about a month ago and it came with a 14000 bulb.

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7075251#post7075251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DavinD
FYI, I bought the same Coralife fixture from my LFS about a month ago and it came with a 14000 bulb.

I bought this fixture in Oct/Nov '05 and they only had 10k or 20k options at the time. The 14k only came out recently. As a matter of fact I already purchased the 14k and will be changing bulbs in a couple of months when this one has reached its life expectancy.

Russ

[shouldabenacowboy]

any updates????

Pics???


SBC

[dime079]

yeah, now is not the time to be shy about it.

[lhdawson]

That is a very sweet and inspiring tank set up. I think I'll make the "old man" go build me one of those too!!!!! Except I don't think he has the stamina to last through 7-8 hours of drilling. no pun intended.

[masterswimmer]

Thanks for the encouragement. I will try to take some updated pix tomorrow.

I will say this, the tank survived all algae/diatom blooms. All to be expected from a young tank. It is maturing nicely.

Russ

[easye123]

as u have been told before ur tank is sweet....
u have a very creative mind!!!
but
i thought leathers and sps were no good together

[KING OF THE REEF]

it has been a while and yes im glad to be back. russ, your tank looks amazing. as you mihgt remember i attempted this same thingbut in a 15 gallon long aquarium. it failed. so i decided to do a aquapod 24. ill be watching for new pics

to answer the question about sps and leathers doing chemical warfare, in closed systemswithout carbon or something ele to remove the toxins, there would be, however with the proper filtration and means of extracting, spacing, and placement of each corral, there should be no problem. in my aquapod, i have sps, leathers, lps, and softies. nothing goes on in the tank becaus eof carbon.

[Insane Reefer]

Masterswimmer,
What type of Live Rock did you use? I am thinking of something similar and like the pieces you used - just wondered what it is and where you got it...

[masterswimmer]

Insane, I used a variety of LR. Most was Fiji. A few pieces of Tonga and Kaelini were mixed in there.

[Insane Reefer]

Thanks Masterswimmer - did you get it online?

Oh - and what is the cool blue thing you have as an avatar?

[Lacrosseboss18]

thats crazy interesting looking

[masterswimmer]

Thanks Insane and Lacrosse.

The avatar is a pic of an LPS in my tank. It's a Mycedium (in the chalice family).

Oh, I did get my LR from Reefermadness (online).

[Henry22]

Have you added any fish yet. I think a dwarf flounder would be suhweet.

[masterswimmer]

Henry, I've changed my fish plans. The flounder was not a very good idea (although it was my favorite). I haven't added any fish yet. I believe in taking it slow. I've got a tank full of corals, but no fish yet. Still unsure of which one (maybe two) to add.

swimmer

[cmondo]

How about a couple banghai cardinals?

Haven't seem any updated pics recently, got any for us? Hope everything is well.

Chris

[Henry22]

I have never heard of a dwark flouder, although it would be very cool. I think you should add an anenome, dont know type because I have never had one and try a pair of clowns. I think clowns hosting in an anenome that was attached to a shelf would be pretty awesome. But your doing mainly SPS so that might not what you want to do.

[pllb]

updates please =)

[masterswimmer]

Hey Chris, a couple of TB Cardinals might not be a bad idea. I'll take that under advisement, :)


I have never heard of a dwark flouder, although it would be very cool.


The Three Spot Flounder (http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Ancylopsetta+dendritica) is a dwarf flounder. It only grows to about 35cm. This was taken from an article by Scott Michael in Aquarium Fish Monthly, October, 2005 (page 29).

BTW Henry, I moved completely away from the sps dominated tank plan. I have mostly Yuma's in hard to find colorations, some interesting color mushrooms and some Acan Echinata's. Also, one Gold Maxima and a branching hammer.

I'll try to get some pix within a few days.

Russ

[Insane Reefer]

Just one more question Mastswimmer,
How is the diffuser/eggcrate held up on the back wall? You'd think the weight of the rock would have the thing tipping forward all the time, but you must have done something, but I can't see it...

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7791632#post7791632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
Just one more question Mastswimmer,
How is the diffuser/eggcrate held up on the back wall? You'd think the weight of the rock would have the thing tipping forward all the time, but you must have done something, but I can't see it...

:D The art of good design I guess. Of course you can't see it, I built it so that it would look as natural as possible. Believe me, I see all the flaws. :rolleyes:

I built the wall with the 90 degree corner in it for two reasons. First is to give the tank another dimension and second to form a rudimentary 'foot'. The corner holds up the wall all by itself. Basically free standing. However, read on:

The cable ties that hold up the rock are sold with an accessory. It's a little plastic square with an adhesive back. It has a hole in the front to loop a cable tie through. I used this in addition to the corner. Basically a backup plan.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/bronx_bombers/16%20gallon%20bow%20-%20nano/16%20bow%20Live%20Rock%20Wall/cabletiemountingbracket.jpg

[Henry22]

I would like to see some updated pictures, thanks

[super-cichlid]

heck yeah lets see some new pics!

BTW, sweet looking tank and great wall idea.

[Insane Reefer]

Thanks for the reply - I've never seen the adhesive thing, but will now have to go looking, lol.
Anyway, sweet little tank and great idea.

[cmondo]

Echinata's and mushrooms huh? Any problems on the wall with that combo? I have seen some pretty nasty pictures of when echinata's attack.

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7795311#post7795311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cmondo
Echinata's and mushrooms huh? Any problems on the wall with that combo? I have seen some pretty nasty pictures of when echinata's attack.

Echinata's are fierce dude :blown:
I keep all my ech's together. The shrooms are all together too. As they grow out and fill in the spaces they'll eventually get close. Then it's all's fair in love and war.

Unfortunately the echinata's won't grow nearly as fast as the shrooms. So having the ech's stand their ground won't be a bad thing. I don't know of a shroom out there that'll beat an ech in a 'thumb wrestle' :lol:

swimmer

[Insane Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7696704#post7696704 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lhdawson
...Except I don't think he has the stamina to last through 7-8 hours of drilling. no pun intended.

Sounds like we could be close friends if we had chanced in the street; Sick minds think alike...
And I adore puns.
LOL
:lol:

[Insane Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7707618#post7707618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KING OF THE REEF
...as you mihgt remember i attempted this same thingbut in a 15 gallon long aquarium. it failed.

Hate to rub salt in any possible wounds, but care to share the failures, and why you think it failed and what you think could be done differently to correct it? That would be very helpful to those of us thinking of attempting this same thing - if mistakes have been made, they should be related as much as the stuff that works...
We all learn thereby :)

[Doglover_50]

Keep us posted with more pix as things progress! I just got started with my own 16 bowfront, but nowhere near the work or beauty of yours!

[saltycreefer]

That's an awesome tank!

[acrodave]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/14001110.jpg

[masterswimmer]

salty, tyvm. I appreciate the kind words.

dave......what can I say? The highest form of flattery ;) Thank you. Your tank looks amazing. Fantastic job. If you have a thread I'd love to take a look at it (link me).

swimmer

[Travis L. Stevens]

Hiya Masterswimmer. It's been since July for an update. Have any new pictures?

[masterswimmer]

Hi TLS, I'll see what I can come up with this weekend.

Thanks for following.

swimmer

[Travis L. Stevens]

No problem, MS. A combination of your rock work and some others is what will fuel my end results in my 75g tank.

[KING OF THE REEF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7796447#post7796447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
Hate to rub salt in any possible wounds, but care to share the failures, and why you think it failed and what you think could be done differently to correct it? That would be very helpful to those of us thinking of attempting this same thing - if mistakes have been made, they should be related as much as the stuff that works...
We all learn thereby :)
sorry i havent been on the boards for a long long time.
it failed becaus ethe rock and the wall didnt like each other. basically i followed everything russ told me to do via his thread, and still it didnt work out. to my delight however, the tank s now becoming a seahorse tank with a small pair ofneon gobies and a tons of orange and red and yellow coral. i also have a small 5.5 gallon in the works. good luck.

[masterswimmer]

Seahorses are sweet. I'm glad it had a happy ending.

I changed my skimmer on this tank. I upgraded to a Bermuda Aquatics Archipelago (HOT). Otherwise, everything is running as originally detailed.

swimmer

[ryannat1]

How is that skimmer working? I just found a link and I think that might work in my Aquapod 24G. Thanks Ryan

[ryannat1]

Nevermind I saw the price tag w/o pump. Might as well buy a Deltec HOB. THanks Ryan

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8840139#post8840139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryannat1
Nevermind I saw the price tag w/o pump. Might as well buy a Deltec HOB. THanks Ryan

Bermuda Aquatics Archipelago (HOT) - $200

Deltec MC500 - $430 (in-tank or in-sump, I needed HOT only)
Deltec MCE300 - $279 (brand new model (limited testing when I went Bermuda))
Deltec MCE600 - $468 (more than double what I wanted to spend)

My decision was easy.

swimmer

[ryannat1]

Isnt that the price without a pump? I only found them for $250 not $200. With a pump makes it more than the MCE300. Can you show me where you got it for $200? Thanks Ryan

[chrisqueenz]

That is one great idea!!

I wonder how much work will it be for a 180g reef? :)

Really.......................

[reefing102]

any updated FTS?

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9024076#post9024076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisqueenz
That is one great idea!!

I wonder how much work will it be for a 180g reef? :)

Really.......................

:eek1: :eek: :eek1: :eek: :eek1: :eek:

If you only knew!

Thank you for the accolades. The tank is really maturing nicely now. FTS's are just soooo difficult because of the bow. No matter what angle I position myself there is always glare and distortion. I can get macro shots (even they aren't great, but acceptable). It just seems nobody wants macro shots, they all ask for FTS's :(

swimmer

[Zestay]

so. hows this tank doing??? give us a FTS even if its messed up and blurry!

[steveo32]

Zestay, the master is away for a while so he won't be able to update just yet. However I can say from personal experience that it looks awesome.

[SaltwaterChris]

WOW I'm glad that this thread showed up that a realy cool idea on how to hide your pumps and stuff looks awesome make your tank look alot bigger than it is I was going to do something simular in my 24 jbj but I was going to try the spray foam on the back wall.New pic please:D