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the lars
03/31/2015, 12:50 PM
Hey everyone,

I´m Lars from Germany. It´s been a while since I had a larger reef tank but I finally finished my training to become a teacher and moved to a new home with my family. Now there is money and room for a new tank :).


Dimensions: 59x23.6x15.75 (150x60x40cm)


10mm rimless


Sump: 23.6x19.7x17.7 (60x50x45cm), 3 chambers -> skimmer + pellet reactor, refugium and return chamber


Other equipment: Maxspect Gyre 150, Jebao DCT 6000 return pump, Coral Box DC 300/500 skimmer, TMC V2Bio React 500 Pellet Reactor and 6x54W T5 + 2x69W LED hybrid


First off the stand: made of nice aluminium and textured coated board
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3077_zps5pve1hi6.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3077_zps5pve1hi6.jpg.html)
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3079_zpsbsirqq2l.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3079_zpsbsirqq2l.jpg.html)

The tank finally arrived last week and already has it´s first inhabitant :lolspin:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3183_zps5swf8t0w.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3183_zps5swf8t0w.jpg.html)

Looks a little big for the tank - upgrade?

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3184_zpsseigptg0.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3184_zpsseigptg0.jpg.html)

I´m going too use "Riffkeramik" made by Korallenwelt, which is a reef safe, highly customable ceramic and add only a few nice pieces of LR.
I already got some shot´s and I think it´s looking fantastic.

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/1_zpsbau5mhpq.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/1_zpsbau5mhpq.jpg.html)
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/2_zpslvaioqvp.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/2_zpslvaioqvp.jpg.html)
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/3_zpssgngcfef.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/3_zpssgngcfef.jpg.html)
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/4_zpslocy6vwn.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/4_zpslocy6vwn.jpg.html)

Hoping it will arrive tomorrow. The gyre will be place in the empty spot on the right side of the ceramic. I will not use sand, instead I will cement the bottom of the tank. The cement is also supplied by Korallenwelt. I will include a small area with a sand for a wrasse to sleep in.

The lighting is not finished yet, the LED part will arrive hopefully tomorrow too. I´m also still waiting for the return pump and the skimmer - would you go with the Coral Box DC300 or 500? I think the 300 should be enough.

More pictures coming soon...

ShesEasy
03/31/2015, 01:19 PM
wow that looks really awesome

Chevrefils
03/31/2015, 01:55 PM
That background is crazy cool

rholguin
03/31/2015, 02:06 PM
Looking good so far.
Well done.

the lars
04/03/2015, 05:07 AM
Thanks guys!

The ceramic arrived 2 day´s ago and I decorated the tank yesterday. In the pictures it looks a lot more cramped than it really is.

Putting the backplates in place..

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3204_zps6yrxhf3i.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3204_zps6yrxhf3i.jpg.html)

Lots of space for corals!

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3207_zpsczmcqwzc.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3207_zpsczmcqwzc.jpg.html)

Rest of the decoration:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3208_zpsqd0fvwhn.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3208_zpsqd0fvwhn.jpg.html)

Starting to cement the bottom of the tank. The "bowl" will be filled with sand, so I can put in some wrasse like a Leopard wrasse.

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3212_zpsbsor4qqq.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3212_zpsbsor4qqq.jpg.html)

So far so good...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3217_zpsoojta9on.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3217_zpsoojta9on.jpg.html)

the lars
04/03/2015, 05:08 AM
Everything put in place and cemented in:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3219_zpsiquzxbr1.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3219_zpsiquzxbr1.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3221_zpsln0s0xow.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3221_zpsln0s0xow.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3222_zpsb5bz7vlo.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3222_zpsb5bz7vlo.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3223_zps9ohom5ch.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3223_zps9ohom5ch.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3224_zpspihwi7pq.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3224_zpspihwi7pq.jpg.html)

I´m really liking the result. Today I´m going to finish the lighting and the canopy. Maybe I will fill it up :).
It has to run a few days with normal water and silicate and phosphate absorbing resin. After that a few days with RO/DI water and absorbing resin. I hope to salt, a few small pieces of LR and some corals next Saturday.

Maybe I´ll post some more pics later today :bounce2:

laredo300c
04/03/2015, 05:20 AM
awesome job, i've always wanted something like this....kinda looks like Andy's reef rank from Romania.....but in a smaller scale......really impressed with the clarity of that glass in some of those shots.

robertifly
04/03/2015, 07:04 AM
Looks really good I like the ceramics but not familiar with this can you give a little more information about how to order, cost and installation I referring to the wall in particular, will these be sealed in with silicone, etc. Subscribed,Robert.

the lars
04/04/2015, 05:30 AM
Time to fill the tank up :) first round with normal water:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3229_zpscc4bxrgc.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3229_zpscc4bxrgc.jpg.html)

It will run with tap water for about 3 days. Then I´ll fill it with RO/DI water and run it another 3 days before adding salt.
I will then quickly add some corals, algae, a Tomini tang and start dosing Sangokai products (are they known in USA?).
And a picture of my LED/T5 hybrid, not completely finished yet.

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3230_zps0qeyqjoj.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3230_zps0qeyqjoj.jpg.html)

It is 6x54W T5, 4 bulbs are dimmable and 2 are constant. The LED is also dimmable with 1 channel for blue and 1 channel for white. It consists of 2 modules with the following leds:
White channel:
10x Seoul Z5-M1 cold white
6x Cree XP-E2 neutral white
2x Osram Oslon SSL deep red 660 nm
4x Cree XP-E2 blue 465-485 nm

Blue channel:
6x Cree XP-E2 blue 465-485 nm
10x Cree XP-E2 royalblue 450-465 nm
4x Helio UV 405 nm


@Robert:

It´s called "Riffkeramik" in Germany and made by Korallenwelt (http://www.korallenwelt.de/Korallenwelt.html). I´m afraid they are only shipping to Germany or Europe.

You can order manufactured backplates in different heights, which are glued directly to the glass.
Or you can order a custom backplate for your tank (which I did). After you glue the plates to the glass you can cement them together with "Keramikmörtel" and seal small holes so no fish can get stuck behind them. I also used the mortar for the bottom of the tank.

They also produce lots of stuff for the decoration of the middle part like pillars, small reefs, big reefs, branches etc. It´s very customizable and easy to work with.

Maybe write them an E-Mail? They also have an YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/korallenwelt) with lots of videos. They are in German but you can see a ton of stuff

@laredo
thanks - but I messed up the order of the tank a little bit. I wanted optiwhite glass but I ordered "normal" glass instead. But it does look very clear and because it´s only 25/64 thick I think I´m fine.

danielmitchell
04/04/2015, 06:42 AM
Looks good. Just a small heads up, there may be some flow restrictions from all the rock work.

the lars
04/11/2015, 12:41 PM
@danielmitchell
Thanks for the hint Daniel. I added a Jebao RW-8 to get some more flow :) it´s hidden pretty good.

Time for a small update - my return pump arrived:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3282_zpsuwxupwvi.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3282_zpsuwxupwvi.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3284_zps4f5l8oti.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3284_zps4f5l8oti.jpg.html)

It´s look pretty good and only a very small amount of noise. 24V with a nice controller.

Same for the skimmer:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3291_zps3rllzizo.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3291_zps3rllzizo.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3293_zpssr42xilv.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3293_zpssr42xilv.jpg.html)

It uses a Jebao DC 2000, which is also a 24V pump and is easy to adjust. Very nice product for a very nice price.

I´m starting to dose my Sangokai products today: sango nutri-amin basic, sango nutri-spur basic, sango nutri-element basic, kai geos, kai mineral and kinko carb. I´m going to add some livestock to the tank after 4 day´s of dosing - I´m gunning for next Wednesday.

The pellet reactor is doing a great job too.

the lars
04/11/2015, 12:55 PM
And some shots of the tank :dance: I´m just running blue lights for the moment. It´s necessary for breaking in the reef ceramics.

FTS:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3294_zpscrpbpuzh.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3294_zpscrpbpuzh.jpg.html)

Right side:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3295_zpsnk2jjmwg.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3295_zpsnk2jjmwg.jpg.html)

You can see the cable of the Jebao near the return. I also added a piece of LR (lower middle left part of the picture).

Middle part:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3296_zpsjsrotlud.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3296_zpsjsrotlud.jpg.html)

Another nice piece of LR in the middle of the picture. It makes for a really nice cliff.

Left side:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3297_zpsbra3kxmg.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3297_zpsbra3kxmg.jpg.html)

With another piece of LR on the left side and some Caulerpa

Can´t wait to add some corals and fish.

Canneddynomite
04/11/2015, 01:17 PM
Awesome look so far

renato120
04/11/2015, 01:34 PM
Looking nice

laredo300c
04/11/2015, 03:37 PM
wish they had this product available in the usa

brianr24
04/11/2015, 03:47 PM
Wow! Is that nice.

dan1789
04/11/2015, 04:02 PM
Looks really nice, I would love to do something similar.

JIK
04/11/2015, 05:36 PM
I like!

the lars
04/14/2015, 10:49 PM
Thank you guys :) Going too add some coral this evening. Tank is looking good so far. Going to update the thread soon.

OrQidz
04/14/2015, 11:44 PM
Looks great!

the lars
04/21/2015, 02:12 PM
Time for an update.

I keep dosing the products from sangokai and the tank seems to like it. Corals show nice PE and seem to settle in quite good. I also introduced a tomini and blue tang - both are eating like pigs.

First off a FTS (blue LED only)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3332_zpsqifofaqx.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3332_zpsqifofaqx.jpg.html)

Right side

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3329_zpsujptilye.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3329_zpsujptilye.jpg.html)

Left side

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3330_zpsjktqsubg.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3330_zpsjktqsubg.jpg.html)

Blue tang

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3326_zps0oemdjie.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3326_zps0oemdjie.jpg.html)

And some coral (all under blue LED and blue T5)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3321_zpsid0xsqwr.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3321_zpsid0xsqwr.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3320_zpsbs98hqkx.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3320_zpsbs98hqkx.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3319_zps9avgrjd1.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3319_zps9avgrjd1.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3318_zpsy25jlcmi.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3318_zpsy25jlcmi.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3317_zpszmtjdcza.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3317_zpszmtjdcza.jpg.html)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3316_zpso3tumjlh.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3316_zpso3tumjlh.jpg.html)

I also changed the position of the RW-8 to create a better flow. Starting to kick up the white lights in the last days. More Pictures soon.

Grkgod36
04/21/2015, 05:32 PM
looks great

Holyreefer
04/21/2015, 05:52 PM
nice looking tank love the stand!
What type of material is that your using? You said cement but thats not regular cement?

the lars
04/21/2015, 10:50 PM
The cement is also distributed by Korallenwelt. It seem´s to be some kind of ceramic cement which is compatible with reef tanks. So far no problem. Can´t wait to see till everything on the ground is covered with coralline algae

the lars
04/22/2015, 11:44 AM
FTS with full lighting:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3335_zpsiyfuigcy.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3335_zpsiyfuigcy.jpg.html)

Right side of the tank is in need of some more coral!

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3339_zpswdzuefyb.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3339_zpswdzuefyb.jpg.html)

Left side:

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3338_zpsodmrs9t9.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3338_zpsodmrs9t9.jpg.html)

The hystrix is already showing signs of growth.

The skimmer from fish-street is also doing a pretty good job

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3336_zps4m92d0so.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3336_zps4m92d0so.jpg.html)

I´m going to wait about 2 weeks before I introduce some more coral, to see if everything is settling in nicely.

What fish would you add to tank next?

the lars
05/16/2015, 02:14 PM
The tank is coming along quite nicely.

I added some new fish, first up my dusky wrasse, halichoeres marginatus

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3521_zpsypmz1nnm.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3521_zpsypmz1nnm.jpg.html)

beautiful fish and he also found the sand bowl I made :)

I also added 4 marcia anthias

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3517_zpsuotmszqf.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3517_zpsuotmszqf.jpg.html)

Last but defiantly not least, red head solon fairy wrasse

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3537_zpskyhiy3lj.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3537_zpskyhiy3lj.jpg.html)

Flashy colors :D

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3538_zpskeyjzdel.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3538_zpskeyjzdel.jpg.html)

I also added a RBTA, someone knocked over the pink birdnest, I realized it after I took the shot.

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3525_zpsslym8hmh.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3525_zpsslym8hmh.jpg.html)

And a FTS

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg625/Lars_Bechert/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3529_zpsqskhifwy.jpg (http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/Lars_Bechert/media/Shallow%20Reef/IMG_3529_zpsqskhifwy.jpg.html)

Since the corals seem to do okay I plan on adding another batch in a couple of days.

Ixodes
05/16/2015, 08:51 PM
Wow! That's a really unique system! I'm excited to see it as it progresses!

Fraggedmind
10/05/2015, 01:10 PM
This is an interesting build.

jchassie6312
10/05/2015, 02:26 PM
Post some recent pics!

andriytheaaa
09/06/2018, 08:27 PM
I know this is an old thread, but is this tank still running?

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

kiMxD
09/07/2018, 07:04 AM
I wonder, does anyone know a company in the us that does this type of work? I've got really interested in doing something like that in my 120g reef.

Anybody? :)

Thanks!