d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[Deep Reef]

Originally Posted by d2mini

2x2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008VFAP/




I briefly thought about Titan... but couldn't do it.

Thanks great build


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[Bpb]

Originally Posted by d2mini

2x2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008VFAP/




I briefly thought about Titan... but couldn't do it.

I actually have the Titan (r3 clone). It’s not terrible. You can definitely see the difference between paint and powder coat. Mine is one of the more recent ones with cleaner welds. If I were in the 500-1000# squatting category, I’d absolutely go with rogue, or something more commercial quality. But that definitely wasn’t in the budget. Anyhow. I digress. Clean looking gym you’ve got there. Wish the HOA in my area would approve something like that.


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[d2mini]

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Odd question, perhaps...what did you use for flooring in the gym?

It's a shed with 3/4" T&G plywood subflooring over 2x6 joists.
I was worried about the heavy weights, especially if dropped so I put down a whole second layer of the 3/4" T&G subflooring. Then some red rosin paper just to help with any moisture. Then what you're probably really asking about, the top layer is 1/2" rubber rolls from rubberflooringinc.com
It's their "quick ship" option (just a few colors to choose from). First was thinking of going with stall mats due to the low cost and 3/4" thickness. But I felt all the seams were going to bother me. And I liked the idea of having the fleck to help hide dirt. Even with the fleck, I keep my shoes in the gym and have door mat for anyone else to wipe their feet before walking in. lol
And the 1/2 ended up being a good choice. This stuff is dense. And heavy as heck. It took three 20'+ rolls and they probably weighed about 200 lbs a piece. It's funny how the rubber reacts in different temps. Below 50 degrees, it shrinks. I see major seams. In warmer temps, it seals up tight. Can't even find the seams. And cleaning it is a breeze. Damp mop with some vinegar mixed in the water.

Originally Posted by Bpb

I actually have the Titan (r3 clone). It’s not terrible. You can definitely see the difference between paint and powder coat. Mine is one of the more recent ones with cleaner welds. If I were in the 500-1000# squatting category, I’d absolutely go with rogue, or something more commercial quality. But that definitely wasn’t in the budget. Anyhow. I digress. Clean looking gym you’ve got there. Wish the HOA in my area would approve something like that.


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Ya, I went back and forth but then decided that it was worth the extra few hundred bucks for my OCD and knowing I'd always be thinking "what if". lol
Only thing that sucked was I got this whole idea in my head right AFTER thanksgiving so I missed all the BF sales which would have save me a bunch. I ended up having to pay both tax and shipping on top of it. But I ordered a TON from Rogue all at once so at least the shipping got combined. My UPS guy must have been like LOL

[nereefpat]

Originally Posted by d2mini

Then what you're probably really asking about, the top layer is 1/2" rubber rolls from rubberflooringinc.com
It's their "quick ship" option (just a few colors to choose from)

Yeah, who cares about your subflooring?

Perfect. Thanks. I couldn't see any seams, so it almost looked like you epoxied the whole thing.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by nereefpat

yeah, who cares about your subflooring?

Perfect. Thanks. I couldn't see any seams, so it almost looked like you epoxied the whole thing.

ha

[RVANANO]

Tank is looking great, Dennis.

I just ordered some of that cable raceway for my own tank since I am about to redo the lighting.

Also love that gym!

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by RVANANO

Tank is looking great, Dennis.

I just ordered some of that cable raceway for my own tank since I am about to redo the lighting.

Also love that gym!

Thanks, Brandon!

[d2mini]

So these little babies of mine left the nest yesterday.
Just a few from the colony I have.




And this is the newest addition.

[networkcrasher]

Wow. Ponies up for a bounce! Beautiful colors

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by networkcrasher

Wow. Ponies up for a bounce! Beautiful colors

Nah... that was a trade.

[d2mini]

One more pic in whiter light.

[Deep Reef]

Beautiful


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[d2mini]

Originally Posted by Deep Reef

Beautiful


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Thanks!

[choss]

D2 - stunning pics as always. Really awesome. On a side note, I just received my GHL KH Director. Are you planning on adding one to your setup?

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by choss

D2 - stunning pics as always. Really awesome. On a side note, I just received my GHL KH Director. Are you planning on adding one to your setup?

Thanks!
Not at this time. For one I don't want to spend the money, and two I'd like to see more people implement one into a calcium reactor setup. Most will be using it with regular liquid dosing.

[choss]

Makes sense. It will be some time before I have any experience with it since my tank is "almost wet" - should be this weekend. But I'll do a review down the road.

[d2mini]

Finally got the Radion Diffusers installed!

Honestly, it's not that much different than before. Still plenty of shimmer. And not much loss in light. I have a hand held photography light meter than can measure LUX and I'm recording only a 3-5% loss. The tank looks very evenly lit with very little shadowing. I'd say it's a very subtle but nice upgrade.

Also, I kind of like not seeing those individual led domes on the pucks.
Looks more finished IMO.

[SPotter]

Tank looks awesome Dennis! The diffusers look like they make a huge appearance difference for people with open canopies. I’m in the fence whether or not to add them.

[RVANANO]

Very nice, Dennis! I think they make diffusers for the AP700's too so I may look into those.

[cincyjim]

Your tank looks awesome! Are you using a refugium with macro or something like?

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by RVANANO

Very nice, Dennis! I think they make diffusers for the AP700's too so I may look into those.

Thanks, Brandon!
You've already got the T5's, so unless your Kessils are giving you too much shimmer as-is, I'd skip the diffusers.

Originally Posted by cincyjim

Your tank looks awesome! Are you using a refugium with macro or something like?

Thanks!

[cincyjim]

Thanks for sharing! I've noticed that really nice looking tanks have a macro refugium of some sort and in most cases the size of the refugium does not matter. I have been researching on building a display refugium however, I've also noticed most refugiums (display or otherwise) can get to be an eye sore. It seems the more eye sore they are the more efficient they are for the total water quality of the system. I don't mind an eye sore under the tank but I'm not wanting an eye sore display refugium

[cincyjim]

I apologize if I offended you with my above post as I certainly wasn't knocking your refugium or anything like that at all. I think you have one of the nicest tanks in the hobby and most of us are striving to get there as well. I'm always amazed at your dedication and I certainly enjoy the you tube videos that you had published.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by cincyjim

I apologize if I offended you with my above post as I certainly wasn't knocking your refugium or anything like that at all. I think you have one of the nicest tanks in the hobby and most of us are striving to get there as well. I'm always amazed at your dedication and I certainly enjoy the you tube videos that you had published.

No offense taken.
I've had a pretty cool display refugium before. And with this tank I've come to appreciate the "eye sore" type from a more functional standpoint because I know that all that stuff growing on the walls and the thick muck that covers the surface of the water is beneficial to the tank and I'm exporting nutrients when I remove it. Better to have that stuff in the fuge than the display. Especially when it's hidden in the stand anyway.

[SPotter]

I love “eye sore” refugiums! Here’s my 120g eye sore loaded with mud, rocks and various macro but primarily the evil grape caulerpa. My fuge is so efficient that I no longer use a skimmer!