Dave's Mini SE

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_7216.JPG

-Any advice on how to upload images directly-to-threads would be greatly appreciated, -thanks!

[Kigs]

Nice, what material did u cover the overflow and the bottom w/?

[Opsanus tau]

coral skeleton/coral rock

[elosusa]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_7216.JPG

[boozeman]

smokin !!!! :bum:

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_7212.JPG

[percula]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_7212.JPG

[picassoman]

nice design! is it all glued in place?

[LoneStarSA]

Interesting....what are you using for the overflow slot covers?

[Opsanus tau]

Base is 1" thick, cut within a mm of the inside dimensions, It uses gravity to remain in place.

The two laminar pieces covering the overflow are ONLY glued to EACH OTHER at the joint.

The return is cut so perfectly flush that IT holds the lamination against the overflow,..in other words, return pipe acts as the "locking mechanism" for the overflow cover.

I have made two extra coral "covers" for future use, once I have encrusting corals cover the overflow, I can remove, (with ease) the lamination, install a "blank" one, AND take the first to the tile saw, to frag.

Sand limits the amount of flow an aquarist can expose his/her corals to.(IMO/IME)

I live in the Western Caribbean, and spend allot of my time underwater, I rarely see a coral growing anywhere near the proximity of sand as we aquarists place our animals in our tanks.
(A few species do , but not the majority).
No one out in the wild is turnning down there Vortech because it will blow sand around?
Why? because all of the animals that are doing great are receiving tons of flow, and no flying sand particles anywhere around it, they are high on the reef structure.(IMO/IME)

Not trying to offend anyone, just sharing my husbandry philosophy/strategy

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_7244.JPG

[LoneStarSA]

sign up for a free photobucket account....then just use the img code once your photos are uploaded there.....

[Opsanus tau]

Deleted

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_7255.JPG

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_7195.JPG

[Opsanus tau]

I have more or less abandoned the third (lowest) intake strainer, although it will still function because of the gap between the coral lamination and the plastic ELOS insert, created by the plastic corner/angle peice.

[todd03blown]

very nice and interesting!!

[belandaaron]

Can you please give us some tech info on how you did the base? It looks fantastic!

[belandaaron]

What is that little "outlet" near the main return outlet?

[liver]

Cool I had some one make me plates for the bottom of my 120XL out of sand using the GARF recipe for rocks and now I have coral growing on it and I don't have to worry about sand being kicked up by my streams. Eventually I should have it all covered in coral, though I think next time I won't even use rocks just a flat bottom with some frags and let the reef grow out from there, is that what you are planing?

[esco]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13827164#post13827164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by belandaaron
What is that little "outlet" near the main return outlet? That little hose is basically a "check valve" for air which helps prevent back-siphoning when the pump shuts off during a power interruption.

[Opsanus tau]

This is the bottom of my 120XL a single pure coral slab weighing over 700 lbs.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=261510&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=261510&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500[IMG]

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_3467.JPG

I guesI'll start a secon thred for that one -Mr.tau

[elosusa]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_3472.JPG

[belandaaron]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13832525#post13832525 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uchiha
That little hose is basically a "check valve" for air which helps prevent back-siphoning when the pump shuts off during a power interruption.

Oh!! Thanks for that :)