My easy low tech 150g

[davocean]

So, after running my 67g and 60g Solanas for a spell, I decided to go back to the ease of having just one tank again.
It's just more practical to maintain one tank, and better for my livestock as well, needed swim room.
After having a loop on my 180g, I decided this time around I would go simple and just run vorts and a Tunze PH for flow, so if I have any probs it would be easier to just deal w/ components rather than lose the whole heart of my system like last time, which resulted in losing livestock.
Also to keep cost down as I already had these.
So this is it.

Frame I built for now, I will add a cabinet facade later on down the road when time and budget allows.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g004.jpg

Got a great deal on a 150g new thanks to the guys at Aquatic Warehouse, and thanks to my friend JT for helping me move this beast home.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g011.jpg

The tank was originally ordered by someone else that changed mind(why I got a great deal) and they had it drilled for a loop, which I just capped.
This is next to my 67g solana that I will be swapping livestock from.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g010.jpg

[davocean]

Basically my last 2 tanks were scaped using acrylic rods to make pillars, and I just pulled those out and swapped, w/ a few adjustments.
Normally I scape several times to get it just right, but I think I'm happy w/ this just as is.
I'll probably make a few minor adjustments as more livestock is added(I need a nice nem for my picassos)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g018.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g032.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g025.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g056.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g028.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g047.jpg

[hazmat319]

WHOA!! Your scape is awesome!! I love the arch you have in the middle. I'm starting a 75 after moving to the NE. I ordered my dry rock and planned on scaping using PVC. Your tank is a perfect example of how I want mine.

Mind if I copy on a smaller scale? Where did you get the acrylic rods if I might ask?

Do you think rods would be easier than PVC?

[hazmat319]

You have just made me insanely jealous!!

[davocean]

Lol, not for jealousy, just inspiration and helpful guidance here I hope.
I got rods from a local plastic shop, I usually dive the scrap bin to save a few bucks.
This was 1/2" rod, but 3/8" will also work, just drill your rocks one size bigger and use a cheapo masonry bit.
These pics are older, my first pillar attempt, I now make these out of one piece for better strength, so those verticles are now just an up bend in rods.
I then attach them to flat acrylic pieces w/ weldon, and that gets buried in sand.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Brandnew180012.jpg

I also make a template marking tank dims and overflow.
It takes a bit here fitting rocks like a 3d puzzle to make it look natural, and hide the rods.
Also keep in mind being able to get hands in there to be able to clean glass.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Brandnew180035.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Brandnew180034.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Brandnew180038.jpg

[hazmat319]

That was going to be my next question about using an acrylic piece as a bottom plate. I have the acrylic and I have PVC but I might need to go looking for some acrylic rods. I ordered some from Marco rock last year but never used them. They got "lost" in the move up here. I hate when that happens!

Is the top of the arch in the above pic one piece of rock or is it 2 pieces put together?

You did a good job. And thanks for the pictures. That will be a big help. I'll have to have hubby help me drill the rock. And I'm sure he has a masonry bit.

[davocean]

The rock in last pic was one piece, and that rock went w/ my 180g back when I sold it, and I'm kinda bummed I let it go.
My present tank arches are 2 pieces or more connected or placed together.

[erick_diver]

Impressive aquascape! very nice. Low tech? Come on awsome work!

[hazmat319]

Well...like I said, you did exactly what I had in my mind. So now I have step by step on how to get it that way.

I'm starting off with majority of dry rock. So there won't be any rush to keep the rock wet. But I'm having to send some pieces back from where I ordered. They sent me 4 HUGE rocks that would have been hard to scape with.

Did you hand pick out your own rock? You have some really nice pieces in there. A good combination of shelves for your corals and open space for the fish. Not to keep going on and on about it but it looks so clean and your fish selection is very colorful. I'll have to bookmark your page! LOL

Edit: I want your picassos too!

[davocean]

Lol, thanks, I guess I'm comparing to all the closed loop guys w/ elaborate plumbing, foam walls hiding gear, and all the gizmos we often see here on RC.
I guess it did take me some time to originally do these pillars, but this tank was setup and scaped in a day, one long 16 hr day, but still a blink compared to what some peeps are doing these days.

[davocean]

You know Haz, an idea I've been toying w/ that I haven't done yet is taking a tile saw to rock to square up a lil closer to back wall, just an idea for those big pieces.
I do cherry pick rock, and I usually glance at rock at LFS even after I'm scaped, and often swap stuff around when I find killer pieces like that arch piece(wish I knew where that piece was!!ugh!)
If I started w/ dry rock, I'd probably use a dash of foam to really lock in and hide all rods, just keep in mind floating if you do.
As for my picassos, I'd sooner sell my left...uhm...thingamajig!lol
Those are my babies cherry picked by Doni at donisreef in trade for a skimmer, my best score to date.

[hazmat319]

so no sump, return pump etc....? Just flow from the power heads inside the tank? When I was in Dallas one of the LFS had a huge tank that was all self contained and it looked good.

I've only had SW tanks for about 2 years so I'm still learning. At least you won't have the "waterfall" effect of water cascading into your sump. That's always my issue.

[hazmat319]

You know Haz, an idea I've been toying w/ that I haven't done yet is taking a tile saw to rock to square up a lil closer to back wall, just an idea for those big pieces.
I do cherry pick rock, and I usually glance at rock at LFS even after I'm scaped, and often swap stuff around when I find killer pieces like that arch piece(wish I knew where that piece was!!ugh!)
If I started w/ dry rock, I'd probably use a dash of foam to really lock in and hide all rods, just keep in mind floating if you do.
As for my picassos, I'd sooner sell my left...uhm...thingamajig!lol
Those are my babies cherry picked by Doni at donisreef in trade for a skimmer, my best score to date.

The rock selection here in CT is pretty grim from what I've seen. Plus, I like starting with dry and keeping pests to a minimum. It's just my thing. I'm not into diversity:D But I lose the ability to cherry pick by ordering. It always looks better in the pictures on the site!

Not exactly sure what you mean about cutting the rock. So you can get the rock closer to the back wall?

I like how you can get to all sides of your tank. Except do you have one of your columns leaning against the overflow?

[davocean]

Oh I do have a sump, I'd never be w/out one now, or a fuge, as I have to have mandarins.
I try my best to not have any rock touch glass, just scared of vibrations and dead spot, but one rock does barely touch the acrylic overflow at one point.
As for the tile saw, I would like to just take some rocks and cut them in half, so the flat can be put close to the back wall, giving you more room in front.
I was also thinking of cutting LR slices, and figure a way to make a back wall panel, which I may still do later on.
I saw those marco rocks up close, and was pretty impressed.
If I were going dry I'd go that route for sure.

[davocean]

This is what's down below for now.
Some of this may be swapped, I have a BM 250 that will squeek in there if I use a shoehorn, but it needs new meshwheels.
I put 2 removable center braces just in case, but they pop out pretty easy, and pretty sure the load carries just fine w/out them as they pop out pretty easy.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g148.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g146.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g144.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g151.jpg

[davocean]

Got some decent fish shots as well

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g131.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g132.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g076.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g060.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g115.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g124.jpg

[MarineGirl411]

Very pretty tank. I love the aquascaping. =)

[hazmat319]

Wow! Just beautiful!! What size tank is your sump? I just got a 30 long to make my own. I'm setting it up exactly like yours. I have a Bubble King 160 that is going into the right side with refugium in the middle and return in the left. That is my project for next weekend. Just picked up the tank today and hubby got the acrylic and silicone the other day.
I also picked up a sweet flat rock to make a nice shelf. I'm really getting the itch to get it set up. Wanted to wait until after Christmas when I will have some space. Need to take the Christmas tree down and move some furniture.
I'm keeping your thread bookmarked!

[davocean]

Thanks both haz and MG.
My sump is 40g, and it's OK, kinda wish the skimmer area was a little bit bigger, limits my choices by footprint, keep that in mind on yours.
I guess I coulda made a slightly smaller fuge, but I want mandarins, so wanted as big of a fuge area as I could have.
A 30long is prob fine for you though, just check skimmer and return footprints, keep drain in mind, and room for ease of maint. and make rest fuge area.
Really I would like a 60g on there down the road, it is nice to have as big of a sump as will fit, especially as you add other goodies, reactors, UV's, that kinda stuff.

[hazmat319]

My stand is only 48" long and the 30L is 36" long. My Bubble King has a small footprint of 7"x7". My skimmer and my Vortech are the 2 things I kept when I sold my tank. Just those two are worth more than what I sold my tank for.

My biggest issue with my prior 90 was the drain line. Water coming into the sump sounded like a waterfall. They guy that sold me the tank had a Mag12 as his return. I eventually changed it to a Mag 7 and it was still loud. I think I'm going with a Eheim 1260 for this one and maybe splitting the drain line. Hoping that will cut down on noise.
I'm surprised that you don't have 2 overflows for your size of tank. Do you find that you have a lot of noise with just one drain?

I really want to do the plumbing right this time. It's going to be right behind the couch in the LR and I don't want to turn the TV on loud because of the tank!!

[davocean]

Right now I just have an elbow at drain, and there is a small amount of gurgle, but not bad.
My skimmer is loudest, but when I wrap and enclose the stand w/ a cabinet facade it will be fine.
I'll tune up later on the durso to make quieter, but not bad at all as is.
The Eheim is my fav return, you'll be happy w/ that I'm sure.
I had dual corners on my 180g before, but this time I really wanted my tank open for scape, so stoked on the single corner.
My sump was actually made for my 67g, w/ a octo X 160 skimmer, and there's plenty of room for that, but I also have a BM250 that just needs new meshwheels, that is a bit tight, and makes it a jigsaw wrestling match to pull and maintain.
So octo for now, but later I'll most likely make a bigger sump, like 60g.

[hazmat319]

Do you have your flex line directly attached to your return pump? I hard plumbed both my drain and return but it was a pain. I think I'm going to do what you did (monkey see monkey do?!)
But if I need to service the pump I'll need to take off the line. Do you have a separate piece?
One of my other reefer friends suggested the Eheim. She loves hers. She said it's totally quiet. Compared to a mag pump anything has to be better. Plus I heard it holds up compared to a Quiet one.
My last sump had bracing around the top which prevented my skimmer from fitting in there. And it ONLY has a footprint of 7x7. So my husband got out the saw and we trimmed the top to get it to fit. What a freakin mess that was! But after spending that much money on the skimmer and the sump I was going to MAKE it fit!!
Thanks for all your suggestions and pictures. You have really given me some good ideas.
How many fish total do you have in there?

[hazmat319]

ooops....how did that happen??:spin2:

[davocean]

Yeah, for return I just went w/ braided hose, that way I can just pull it up for easy clean.
Even my drain is not glued, just tight fit so I could pull it if I had to, and not like there is pressure on it.
I've had like 5-6 Eheims now for different tanks, and everyone has been dead silent and as dependable as it gets.
I prefer acrylic for sump myself for the hackability!lol
As for fish, right now, 5 chromis, 6 anthias, 2 clowns, 1 tennenti tang, 1 royal gramma, 1 lawmower blenny.
I will definitely add more fish, a pair of mandarins, maybe more anthias or assesors, maybe another tang, but going slow on that.
Right now the search is on for a nice nem for my picassos.
Copy away all you want, cause like snowflakes, they will never be identical!lol(and don't think my inspiration was never an attempt to copy someone else myself)

[Playa-1]

Nice Job!! :)

Gr8 pics too.

[hazmat319]

I thought I saw a wrasse in there. Must have been an Anthias. I almost did a set of Anthias but got a Kole Tang instead. I really liked that fish. He was a character too. And the color was a beautiful purple.

My fear with Anthias is how everyone talks about how you have to feed them twice a day at least. After having a tank with nutrient problems I'm really wary about overfeeding. But they are such vibrant looking fish.
I might go back with a Mystery Wrasse, Kole Tang and (of course) a pair of clowns. We'll see when I get to that stage.
But the colors in your tank are really out there. Between the rock work and the different colors it's very striking.

[davocean]

Thanks again for comps guys.
I was avoiding anthias for same reason, but as long as skimming is good it seems no prob, and the color from them is worth it to me.
I even think my corals have had better color from additional feeding/fish poopin, but that could be coincidence.
No wrasses, I want mandy's, and don't like having too much pod comp.

[davocean]

New fish shots

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/new150029.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/new150010.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/new150031.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/new150021.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/new150007.jpg

[hazmat319]

That is one FAT blenny! I had one that would sit in my hand and "peck" on it. They are the cutest fish. One of those "so ugly they are cute" types.

And I agree with the wrasse. I had a Mystery Wrasse in my RSM (that's when Live Aquaria listed them as peaceful and 30 gallon tank size) He was a gorgeous fish but had a very hearty appetite. So much so that I splurged and bought a Helfrichi firefish and after 30 minutes in the tank all you could see of it was it's yellow tail sticking out from the Wrasses mouth. I was SO p*ssed!

[eaglesrx]

love the aquascaping!! Just gorgeous!

What are the dimensions on this tank? It seems like it's the std 5x2x2.

What type of lighting do you have?

Thanks!

[davocean]

love the aquascaping!! Just gorgeous!

What are the dimensions on this tank? It seems like it's the std 5x2x2.

What type of lighting do you have?

Thanks!

Thank you, and yes, 5x2x2, lovin those dims.
I originally was seeking a 120g, 4x2x2, but this was too good of a deal to pass up, and it is better for swim room.
Lights as of now are my Nova extreme pro 6x54, plan to bump that up soon.
And yeah, love my LMB, great attitude for fish.

[hazmat319]

I prefer a longer tank that is more shallow. When it gets too deep it's too hard to get in there to take care of corals and such.

I'm planning on working on my tank over the holidays since hubby is off for the next 2 weeks. Since you are in CA do you have your tank braced? If there any risk on the tank if there are any vibrations?

[davocean]

Yeah, 24" deep is my max, beyond that it's tough reach for me, and yeah, light penetration...
My tank itself is braced, yes.
I had an opp for a 150 48x30x24h rimless, but was a lil sketched on that deep front to back w/out bracing.
As for my stand, I always overbuild them, so not an issue.
I'm a carpenter, so I build my own stands/cabs.
When I have a chance, I'll be wrapping this in mahogany and stained glass similar to my last 180g

[thile123]

Really nice rock work. I also love those huge ricordea at the bottom of the tank.

[hazmat319]

Yeah, 24" deep is my max, beyond that it's tough reach for me, and yeah, light penetration...
My tank itself is braced, yes.
I had an opp for a 150 48x30x24h rimless, but was a lil sketched on that deep front to back w/out bracing.
As for my stand, I always overbuild them, so not an issue.
I'm a carpenter, so I build my own stands/cabs.
When I have a chance, I'll be wrapping this in mahogany and stained glass similar to my last 180g

It's always sweet when you can save on money (building your own stand). Plus, you can design it the way you want it. I find most of the stands are so so. Cheap looking. The AGA stand on my 90 was pressed board. With a tiny rim that the tank sat on. It always made me wonder how that heavy tank could be stable.

This might sound silly.....but the reason for my question on vibrations is I just moved from Texas to Connecticut. So first off my tank will be on the main floor with a basement underneath. We don't have basements in Texas. It's a new construction so I'm not worried about the floor being able to hold the weight of the tank. But my laundry room is now on the top floor and when my washer spins it seems like my entire house vibrates. I've tried everything I can to level it. It's a front load and they are notorious for this. But I was wondering if the vibration that I feel on the main floor is going to affect the tank at all. Not that it's going to fall off the stand but will it affect the integrity of the glass or seams? It sounds like such a stupid question but especially now that there is a basement below the tank I don't want a flood because of my crazy washing machine.

[davocean]

I can't imagine it being an issue.
The only time I worry is when it doesn't sit even/level, or something is hitting glass on the edge.
I always put foam padding underneath tanks as well.

[hazmat319]

Thanks for the reassurance. AT least this stand is better than the AGA. It seems more sturdy and has a good base that the tank sits in.

[hazmat319]

Are you happy with your light? I'm not sure which way to go....Tek, ATI, Aquactinics. I'm so indecisive.

[davocean]

Well, I'm fortunate that I get to test stuff from Current which is local here, and I'm happy w/ this fixture, though I prefer to add better bulbs than stock ones.
I need to add another bank of lights to this soon.
The TEK is a little better IMO, and ATI rocks if you have the $$, that would be my first choice.

[hazmat319]

Oh yeah! My heart tells me ATI but my checkbook tells me Tek! Only thing is I sure miss moonlights with T5's. I had the Current Outer orbit on my RSM. You couldn't get a better mix with MH, T5's and white AND blue moonlights. I like looking in my tank at night and with no moonlights I had to get out my flashlight. I'm sure my neighbors thought there was a burglar in my house. All you could see is the flashlight beam in a totally dark room. LOL.

Edit: Hey! I'm in Connecticut....I could be testing out Aquactinics lights for them. ;)

[davocean]

Yeah, I know, I had the outer orbit on my 180g and loved that unit, great combo and moons too.
Now I'm trying to be more efficient, less heat.
Soon there will be a nice combo coming out that will fit our needs better :)
In the meantime, there are lots of LED moon add ons.
Right now I'm using a couple blue stargazers for moons, but I'm hoping to get a few of those ecoxotic stunners soon, seen those in action, pretty cool.

[davocean]

This pic shows the stargazers, they are the little 4xLED squares tucked up in there.
I got mine from Current, think they are sold on foster smith, but there are several other company's w/ similar LED moons.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Panorama002.jpg

[davocean]

These are the stunner strips sold by ecoxotic.
I plan to add these for color add, and shimmer for my T5's, as well as moons.
I've seen these in person, and they are pretty rad.

http://www.ecoxotic.com/catalog/product/gallery/id/55/image/89/

http://www.ecoxotic.com/catalog/product/gallery/id/55/image/77/

http://www.ecoxotic.com/catalog/product/gallery/id/55/image/88/

[diciple]

daveocean,great tank looks awsome,Tek is comming out w/new lite called elite graphite might be better thans for sharing Rich p.s im a carpenter too lolMerry Christmas

[laxer23]

awesome tank looks great

[davocean]

Thanks guys.
Well, santa just showed up early w/ a new Nova extreme pro 4x54w T5 that I'll be adding on today, so I should be good to go w/ lights.

[hazmat319]

Funny how he just shows up like that....ha ha. Good for you!

I just need to make a decision. I keep going over and over the same lights. It's like TMI

[hazmat319]

I just checked out the stunners. Very nice! I'm wondering how I would add them onto a T5 fixture. Along the edge? I would mainly want them as a night time moonlight although adding them for extra shimmer would be cool.

Thanks for that link. I wonder if 1 strip would be too much light for moonlights...

[davocean]

For moons I've been happy w/ those little stargazers, and there are many brands that make similar to them as well.
The stunners might be a lil bright for all night.
There are lots of ways to mount them, depending on fixture.
When I get mine, I'll post pics, they should be here next week.

[hazmat319]

Did you put up your new lights? I'm still undecided on what fixture I'm getting. Sheesh....you would think I could just pick one! LOL

[hazmat319]

I am having such a hard time getting rock to make my "unique" scape. What I ordered was not so great. I've emailed 2 other vendors trying to make sure I get exactly what I want and nobody seems to want to email me back. Sheesh!

Can't scape if I don't have any rock!! And the only other rock I've seen around here (except for LR and I'm not ready for that) is Lace rock. And it didn't look great and it was heavy as h*ll!

What's up with your tank? New pics would be great.

[davocean]

Well, after my swap I had to hop on work stuff and cabinets for peeps in my reef club, so not much to show at the moment, but I just got a new tripod, so a good exscuse to take more pics, and hopefully better pics now w/ tripod.
Not sure what all you have for gear, but if pretty set, and you have $$, go for the ATI, it is sweet.
The Tek is cool too, and if you need to budget or buy more gear that would be great, and they still look nice.
I was given the Nova Extreme 4x54, not the pro, and it's really loud, way louder than my pro, so I think I may get to swap to a pro this weekend, and might even shoot for the 6x54.
I've seen Marcorocks in person, they are really nice, if I went w/ dry rock I'd go w/ them.

[davocean]

OK, got my wish and got my 2nd Nova pro(6x54w) and now all is groovy cool, AND quiet!
This is my tank today.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/tripod025.jpg

[reefermad619]

:thumbsup: For a fellow SD reefer.

[robs.mark]

How's about an update?!

[davocean]

Well, LOTS of changes since this post, new stand, new tank(Yes, NEW tank!LOL) and a lot of new gear.
Basically I accepted a blue clove polyps frag from a local reefer friend and they just exploded all over the tank and choked up my LR.
That and a few other things, followed by a great deal offered on a new Leemar starfire euro braced brought on a do over.
I was thinking of doing a build thread on this, it came out better overall, but I did lose some stuff in the process, but basically this is what I have today, this is my tank at 4 months old.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/malu030.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/malu013.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/malu033.jpg

[davocean]

I also did the stand frame slightly different, made some improvements, relocated tank(just another of the reasons for my redo)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Mynew150gstarfire014-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Mynew150gstarfire046-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Mynew150gstarfire044-1.jpg

And I finally got time to build my base cabinet skin, this just finished yesterday.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/octocab007.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/octocab021.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/octocab030.jpg

[davocean]

Oh, and the Nova's have been replaced by an ATI sunpower(so much better) and a few truelumen strips for shimmer.
New skimmer too, a reefoctopus extreme 200.

[alex28]

wow dave O amazing tank i love the selection in fish and your build is bad*ss hope mine comes out as good as yours :beer:

[davocean]

Thank you!
I just noticed this thread doesn't show my octopus canopy.
I'm a carpenter, and I decided to do something really custom just for myself, and I wanted to utilize the lighting for a unigue highlight on my canopy, so I asked my engineer friend who is also a pretty good artist to draw me an octopus, but do it in a way that still maintains some structural integrity, and I think he really hit it out of the park for me.
This was very painstaking for me to do, a lot of tricky cuts, all done w/ a jigsaw, and I was really nervous about blade binding and breaking it part way through, then a TON of sanding.
There are 91 suckers, I know because I counted them as I was sanding each and every one about 50 strokes each to make them clean, and it was NOT fun!LOL
Anyway, despite all the hard work I'm very pleased w/ the outcome.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Octocabinet029.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Octocabinet041.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Octocabinet069.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Octocabinet067.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Mynew150gstarfire051.jpg

[steevareno2002]

OMG that ocotpus is so frickin' cool! Great work. Oh yea an nice tank too! :spin2:

[robs.mark]

Wow, that canopy is amazing! Tank looks fantastic. So is the new tank then same dimensions as the previous? What's the reasons for the new tank? Forgive me if I'm been stupid or have missed something!

[BHD]

Very nice. what is the dimension of the new tank?

thanks

[davocean]

Wow, that canopy is amazing! Tank looks fantastic. So is the new tank then same dimensions as the previous? What's the reasons for the new tank? Forgive me if I'm been stupid or have missed something!

Thanks, and yes, same dims, 5x2x2.
Basically it was a combo of the blue cloves overtaking that made me want to pull all my rock and scrub the begeezus out of them, and wanting to relocate the tank.
On top of it I came across a great deal on the Leemar starfire, as opposed to my old visio w/ regular glass and trim, and those really wide top braces that became a pain for me.
It just kind of all came together for me to do it this way so I could scrub rocks, and relocate to the other tank in it's new location which fits my small place much better.
Also, I had starfire tanks before, and I can tell the difference, so all in all it was worth it to make the swap for me.
Another local reefer bought my old tank, so the new Leemar starfire was very little out of pocket.
Sometimes you buy things on a budget and in the back of your mind you wish you went full bore, and this was a perfect example of that, and I love the euro brace for full access, and no light shadow or salt creep from the old visio braces.

[robs.mark]

I see, great stuff, so is starfire really that much clearer?

[rovster]

What kind of sand is that? Nice rock work!

[davocean]

I see, great stuff, so is starfire really that much clearer?

I think so, some may disagree.

[davocean]

What kind of sand is that? Nice rock work!

Thanks, it's a mixture but mostly caribsea special floor grade.

[davocean]

Pic of my mandarin pair, the female was a lil skinny in this pic when I first got her, but sure is fat and healthy now.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Mynew150gstarfire108.jpg

I got a quick vid of them spawning w/ my gopro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM-ivmHab7g&context=C48efb47ADvjVQa1PpcFMjQ3G8f9lTEd6tcAC4Ln_x4uS0ExLBb_U=

[ek9vboi]

Beautiful work, love the idea of the octopus canopy!

[JNorth231]

Basically my last 2 tanks were scaped using acrylic rods to make pillars, and I just pulled those out and swapped, w/ a few adjustments.
Normally I scape several times to get it just right, but I think I'm happy w/ this just as is.
I'll probably make a few minor adjustments as more livestock is added(I need a nice nem for my picassos)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g018.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g032.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g025.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g056.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g028.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/150g047.jpg

What an awesome setup!

[davocean]

Thanks, that's from a while back(old post) but one of my favorite tanks.
I now have an SCA 120 tank, but I was able to cut the stand and canopy and reassemble it to fit the smaller footprint.
This is what I have right now, actually just set this up over the weekend so it's only 3 days old now.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/SCA%20120g/sca%20oside%20house%20027_zpslzyrlrmx.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/mermail/media/SCA%20120g/sca%20oside%20house%20027_zpslzyrlrmx.jpg.html)