Modern Reef Aquariums

CamBarr · 01/08/2008, 02:11 PM

I wanted to start a thread on Modern Reef Keeping. I think more or less im talking about the sophisticated well planed out systems that look very modern and contemporary in design and are more minimalist in nature but are ultimately highly sophisticated reef systems.

Some examples:
Canadian's All-in-One Cube

More info can be found here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1283686

Nano Guys Elos system 70 with custom DIY Stand

More info can be found here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

won digity's Modern 10 Gal Nano

More info can be found here:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1288769

LobsterOfJustice · 01/08/2008, 04:15 PM

Don't forget "Leonardo's Formosa Forest"

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

beaglelax · 01/08/2008, 04:16 PM

i like the idea of less is more

CamBarr · 01/08/2008, 05:53 PM

me to "Simplicity is the ultamate sophistocation"

WZHANG · 01/08/2008, 06:27 PM

thanks for including my tank CamBarr. It is cool to see that people are into modern design ideals.

When it comes to presentation, I really like this TOTM

Quatro · 01/08/2008, 06:58 PM

Here's another example of aqua life in a modern setting:

Thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

Quatro · 01/08/2008, 07:03 PM

Of course Invicibles!

thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

crazy4acros is an excellent example of your minimalist approach:

thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1288059

glassbox-design · 01/08/2008, 07:05 PM

i prefer this quote taken from muji's home page...

Quote:

Because there is complexity in purity.

Elegance in plainness.

Intricacy in streamlining.

Richness in reduction.

Depth in minimalism.

Surprise in uniformity.

Innovation in re-use.

Cool in the avoidance of cool.

And there is true
sophistication in simplicity.

nice to see more tanks coming around, but i have yet to see a real complete package. just as important as the tank and stand is the environment it is in. i'd suggest looking at some contemporary design books that showcase homes with aquariums. often the actual aquarium is lacking but the design is not.

Quatro · 01/08/2008, 07:08 PM

Finally, anything ELOS is the epitome of modern aquarium beauty for Saltwater:

P.S. If you like this stuff, check out ADA's freshwater aquarium designs, talk about perfection!

CamBarr · 01/08/2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by won digity
thanks for including my tank CamBarr. It is cool to see that people are into modern design ideals.

When it comes to presentation, I really like this TOTM

Me too I beleive this tank uses the Balling method

WZHANG · 01/08/2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flint&Eric
i prefer this quote taken from muji's home page...

nice to see more tanks coming around, but i have yet to see a real complete package. just as important as the tank and stand is the environment it is in. i'd suggest looking at some contemporary design books that showcase homes with aquariums. often the actual aquarium is lacking but the design is not.

interesting quote, I guess I can agree with it as I personally feel it's just aesthetics and nothing much deeper. Ornateness achieved through simplicity.

And I totally agree about environment.

There is some pretty scary contemporary stuff out there too though, lol.

Aquabucket · 01/08/2008, 08:06 PM

Cool thread!

Some extremely sharp set-ups here so far.

My 40G. may not be as modern as some of the others posted here but it has minimal equipment visible (no skimmer or sump) and the tank can be projected live on the wall (I have since put in a projection screen that drops down). The white acrylic accents the tank nicely and the streamlined HOT5 fixture is something I made with an empty aluminum hood and some more white acrylic. I made the stand with some bamboo accents and the coral rack above it as well.

mccrat · 01/08/2008, 08:24 PM

I am currently planning a 200g in our new home which we will have possession on Feb 7th. Our home is very modern styling with natural maple flooring and cabinets and lots of stainless steel throughout the home. Many of these tanks are my inspiration and can't wait for mine to become reality. For those who are interested, I will creating a build thread as my planning is more complete.

Quatro · 01/08/2008, 08:57 PM

Aquabucket, great example of thinking outside the box. Modern in the respect that your approach is non-traditional.

won digity, nice comments, but I think aesthetics can inspire reflection which leads to deeper understanding, so looks have their merits.

F&E - awesome quote, and I agree. The book the inspired aquarium displays gorgeous homes with lackluster aquaria, so does MTV's cribs for that matter. Most aquariums from Japan do not provide this satisfaction of both aquaria and "room" because, while the aquariums are simply stunning, spot metal halides are utilized heavily, and those are hard to hide and not very appealing to the eye, so it goes both ways. There are examples out there that satisfy both environments, you've just got to do some searching.

OT, I know, but here's a "modern" freshwater tank that looks great in itself and it's environment (sorry I don't have a full room picture, but this aquarium is in a dining room):

Push the boundary!

WZHANG · 01/08/2008, 09:19 PM

^amazing tank^

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree that aesthetics are important in that aspect. I'm an admirer aesthetics for many reasons and there is so much crap that exists that is in very poor taste.

It's just that when it comes down to it, modernism/minimalism don't strike me as very rational living lifestyles (I'm more of a bohemian at heart

). Exhibits are great to look at, but not always fit in a home. As a lover of many different design styles, I just can't find it in my heart to be all too deep about and truly accept what people have been sold to as "Modern." Especially when you understand the hypocracy related to Modern design history, and what the Modern design movement is all about.

It is great that design can inspire and leave people awestruck by it. That is what is so great and powerful about design. Anyways, I won't de-thread this thread anymore about design rants, lol. As I really do love alot of modern design.

Quatro · 01/08/2008, 10:02 PM

Exactly, it's about achieving a balance, for you perhaps finding genuine and appreciable art/design that has beauty AND function(meaning), and for the aquarist it is perhaps finding the right aesthetic appeal in both your aquarium AND how it fits in the living room or other environment and still function in a simple yet advanced, effective way.

There is more than what meets the eyes in greatness/art/aquascaping... lol

Keep the examples and images coming

glassbox-design · 01/08/2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by won digity
there is so much crap that exists that is in very poor taste.

It's just that when it comes down to it, modernism/minimalism don't strike me as very rational living lifestyles (I'm more of a bohemian at heart ). Exhibits are great to look at, but not always fit in a home. As a lover of many different design styles, I just can't find it in my heart to be all too deep about and truly accept what people have been sold to as "Modern." Especially when you understand the hypocracy related to Modern design history, and what the Modern design movement is all about.

not to de-rail this further, but most of what is labeled modern is not my style. modern classics is one thing, but much of today's modern is like you say in very poor taste. also most people's conception of modern is minimal which is another misconception imo. the lines of modernism have been blurred, most likely forever...not that it's a bad thing, but i'll stick with the term contemporary

like you say minimalism isnt a look, it truly is a lifestyle. i find it odd how loosely it is used.

reefhead165 · 01/09/2008, 12:20 AM

My 165...

CamBarr · 01/09/2008, 01:54 AM

wow looking good guys

rhoptowit · 01/09/2008, 02:16 AM

i like the TOTM for july 2007.

here

WZHANG · 01/09/2008, 03:28 AM

i like that one too... I just hate those window shades.. lol..

ok.. I can be overcritical.. but its a really nice example and very clean.

klint&eric and Quatro,
I totally agree with you guys on every word..
Its nice to be able to chat design on these forums.

CamBarr · 01/09/2008, 12:24 PM

who's got more pics???

ReefTECK · 01/09/2008, 01:18 PM

This one was in CORAL magazine in the first volume about three years ago. Still one of my favorite tanks of all time!

ReefTECK · 01/09/2008, 01:21 PM

PS: that Formosa Forrest one is one of my new favorites, amazing!

CamBarr · 01/09/2008, 02:14 PM

wow great stand. The rest of the furnature in the room dosent jive with the tank???

01/08/2008, 02:11 PM	#1
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,515	Modern Reef Aquariums I wanted to start a thread on Modern Reef Keeping. I think more or less im talking about the sophisticated well planed out systems that look very modern and contemporary in design and are more minimalist in nature but are ultimately highly sophisticated reef systems. Some examples: Canadian's All-in-One Cube More info can be found here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1283686 Nano Guys Elos system 70 with custom DIY Stand More info can be found here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 won digity's Modern 10 Gal Nano More info can be found here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1288769 __________________ Cam Barr

01/08/2008, 04:15 PM	#2
LobsterOfJustice Overstocked and underpaid Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 5,634	Don't forget "Leonardo's Formosa Forest" http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1 __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. Current Tank Info: 180g reef: 3x 250w halides, 55g sump, Octopus Pro 300 skimmer, 2x maximods on wave timer, Ca reactor, bells, whistles, etc. Set up summer 2009. Also 37g temperate atlantic "local" tank.

01/08/2008, 04:16 PM	#3
beaglelax Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: monroe, ny Posts: 320	i like the idea of less is more __________________ When life hands you lemons make lemonade Lead follow or get out of the way one of those red house build people :dance: Current Tank Info: 75 F/O - 220 F/O - 525 F/O for now soon to be reef

01/08/2008, 05:53 PM	#4
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,515	me to "Simplicity is the ultamate sophistocation" __________________ Cam Barr

01/08/2008, 08:06 PM	#12
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,462	Cool thread! Some extremely sharp set-ups here so far. My 40G. may not be as modern as some of the others posted here but it has minimal equipment visible (no skimmer or sump) and the tank can be projected live on the wall (I have since put in a projection screen that drops down). The white acrylic accents the tank nicely and the streamlined HOT5 fixture is something I made with an empty aluminum hood and some more white acrylic. I made the stand with some bamboo accents and the coral rack above it as well. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket" Last edited by Aquabucket; 01/08/2008 at 08:42 PM.

01/08/2008, 06:27 PM	#5
WZHANG Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long beach, CA Posts: 653	thanks for including my tank CamBarr. It is cool to see that people are into modern design ideals. When it comes to presentation, I really like this TOTM

01/08/2008, 06:58 PM	#6
Quatro Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 579	Here's another example of aqua life in a modern setting: Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

01/08/2008, 07:03 PM	#7
Quatro Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 579	Of course Invicibles! thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 crazy4acros is an excellent example of your minimalist approach: thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1288059

01/08/2008, 07:08 PM	#9
Quatro Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 579	Finally, anything ELOS is the epitome of modern aquarium beauty for Saltwater: P.S. If you like this stuff, check out ADA's freshwater aquarium designs, talk about perfection!

01/08/2008, 08:24 PM	#13
mccrat Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Posts: 95	I am currently planning a 200g in our new home which we will have possession on Feb 7th. Our home is very modern styling with natural maple flooring and cabinets and lots of stainless steel throughout the home. Many of these tanks are my inspiration and can't wait for mine to become reality. For those who are interested, I will creating a build thread as my planning is more complete.

01/08/2008, 08:57 PM	#14
Quatro Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 579	Aquabucket, great example of thinking outside the box. Modern in the respect that your approach is non-traditional. won digity, nice comments, but I think aesthetics can inspire reflection which leads to deeper understanding, so looks have their merits. F&E - awesome quote, and I agree. The book the inspired aquarium displays gorgeous homes with lackluster aquaria, so does MTV's cribs for that matter. Most aquariums from Japan do not provide this satisfaction of both aquaria and "room" because, while the aquariums are simply stunning, spot metal halides are utilized heavily, and those are hard to hide and not very appealing to the eye, so it goes both ways. There are examples out there that satisfy both environments, you've just got to do some searching. OT, I know, but here's a "modern" freshwater tank that looks great in itself and it's environment (sorry I don't have a full room picture, but this aquarium is in a dining room): Push the boundary!

01/08/2008, 09:19 PM	#15
WZHANG Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long beach, CA Posts: 653	^amazing tank^ Don't get me wrong, I totally agree that aesthetics are important in that aspect. I'm an admirer aesthetics for many reasons and there is so much crap that exists that is in very poor taste. It's just that when it comes down to it, modernism/minimalism don't strike me as very rational living lifestyles (I'm more of a bohemian at heart ). Exhibits are great to look at, but not always fit in a home. As a lover of many different design styles, I just can't find it in my heart to be all too deep about and truly accept what people have been sold to as "Modern." Especially when you understand the hypocracy related to Modern design history, and what the Modern design movement is all about. It is great that design can inspire and leave people awestruck by it. That is what is so great and powerful about design. Anyways, I won't de-thread this thread anymore about design rants, lol. As I really do love alot of modern design.

01/08/2008, 10:02 PM	#16
Quatro Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 579	Exactly, it's about achieving a balance, for you perhaps finding genuine and appreciable art/design that has beauty AND function(meaning), and for the aquarist it is perhaps finding the right aesthetic appeal in both your aquarium AND how it fits in the living room or other environment and still function in a simple yet advanced, effective way. There is more than what meets the eyes in greatness/art/aquascaping... lol Keep the examples and images coming

01/09/2008, 12:20 AM	#18
reefhead165 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Suburbs,IL Posts: 377	My 165... __________________ ~Its not the size of the skimmer but the motion of the ocean~ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·><((((º> Current Tank Info: 165 gallon show acrylic in- wall, 100 pounds LR, 3 inch sand bed, Euroreef rs180, 4x 96 watt power compact, phos ban, 25 watt Aquaviolet UV W/wiper, Main pump 2500gph, RO/DI ato

01/09/2008, 01:54 AM	#19
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,515	wow looking good guys __________________ Cam Barr

01/09/2008, 02:16 AM	#20
rhoptowit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 415	i like the TOTM for july 2007. here

01/09/2008, 03:28 AM	#21
WZHANG Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long beach, CA Posts: 653	i like that one too... I just hate those window shades.. lol.. ok.. I can be overcritical.. but its a really nice example and very clean. klint&eric and Quatro, I totally agree with you guys on every word.. Its nice to be able to chat design on these forums.

01/09/2008, 12:24 PM	#22
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,515	who's got more pics??? __________________ Cam Barr

01/09/2008, 01:18 PM	#23
ReefTECK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 633	This one was in CORAL magazine in the first volume about three years ago. Still one of my favorite tanks of all time! __________________ The only practical reason the majority rule is not because they are most likely to be correct, nor because it is fairest to the minority, but because physically they are the strongest. Current Tank Info: 75 w/overflow, 30gal sump, Kent Nautilus EX Skmr, Biocube 8 fuge, 18watt UV, MRC CA RXR, phosRxr, 1/4hp chill. 2x175watt MH, 4x89watt T5 act, 2xEcotec MP40w's, DIY ATO, Mixed Reef moving toward SPS

01/09/2008, 01:21 PM	#24
ReefTECK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 633	PS: that Formosa Forrest one is one of my new favorites, amazing! __________________ The only practical reason the majority rule is not because they are most likely to be correct, nor because it is fairest to the minority, but because physically they are the strongest. Current Tank Info: 75 w/overflow, 30gal sump, Kent Nautilus EX Skmr, Biocube 8 fuge, 18watt UV, MRC CA RXR, phosRxr, 1/4hp chill. 2x175watt MH, 4x89watt T5 act, 2xEcotec MP40w's, DIY ATO, Mixed Reef moving toward SPS

01/09/2008, 02:14 PM	#25
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,515	wow great stand. The rest of the furnature in the room dosent jive with the tank??? __________________ Cam Barr