Dave's 120XL

[Opsanus tau]

This is what I started with, a solid coral slab cut within a mm to the inside dimensions of the 120XL before I made the cut for the overflow.

it is over 5" thick and weighs over 700 lbs.

This is the reason I originally contacted Jesse, I knew ,( for what I was planning) it had to be an ELOS.

The elasticity + flexibility of their earthquake-proof design, was just the "forgiveness" I looking for..not to mention that they are just the coolest, looking tanks out there!


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

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_3468.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_3469.JPG

[Opsanus tau]

After about a month of drilling and chipping,..this is what I had come up with,... I wanted to create something similar to the 3-dimensional hard bottom community I find myself diving on quite often.

I have only seen a small # of corals that occur, and/or grow out of, or even in close proximity to sand...IMO/IME,(but remember, I'm new).

I have set my RB(Reef-Base,Reef Bottom,Rock-Base,Rock-Bottom).
in many smaller systems that are years old, it seems all of the Nitrifying, and Denitrifying bacteria find their "niche" within the varying/transitional porosity of the coral skeleton, one 50 gallon system of mine that is about 5 years old is so stable, it never needs any type of buffer or Calcium additives, and grows stony corals all within parameters, (I belive functioning, just as people once "wished" a DSB would work)....IMO/IME..remember I'm new!

There is a Phosphate leaching problem in the first 6 months or so , but it is well worth dealing with in the long run.

I also wanted to take the weight down, and did, but not sure how much,.. (weighed it on a truck originally, with an auto scale).





http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_0382.JPG

[TXChewy]

How do you plan on getting that in the tank? What kind of stand did you have made to support the added weight? Do you plan on puting any sand in? I ask because if you run a light bellow it will shine upwards.

Very nice by the way.

[jervismun]

This idea is so new to me... thanks for sharing!!!

[Opsanus tau]

Oh,...I am filling you in on a system I set up over a year ago,..and way ahead of you on the "under lighting of my caves",...No offense,..LOL!

[Opsanus tau]

On the smaller systems I have lowered the base in with a couple of high "E" strings from an electric guitar , and then slip them out after it's been lowered in with lots of steady concentration.

For this my plan was the plastic strapping that binds palleted materials,....I experimented with many types for many months before deciding on the right material,..many stress tests!.

You'd be amazed at the variety of qualities!!! the "braided type",..that kind of looks as thought it has fiberglass or something woven within ,is the cheapest crap!, although at first I was sure that was what I would be targeting.

It turned out that a Lobster trap company down the road had this plain black plastic strapping that I could actually swing from when hooked to my second story,..it didn't even stretch a mm.

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_0370.JPG

[Opsanus tau]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/171469IMG_0385.JPG

[GSMguy]

Wow, real nice idea

[Dave@ARA]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=127004&stc=1&d=1285071203