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Post by fermentedhiker on Jun 11, 2017 19:49:37 GMT -5
Trying to visualize the scape possibilities. This is what I have leftover for dry rock.  I'll definitely need to pick up some more, but my current issue is figuring out what I want to accomplish. Originally I was going to create sort of cove. A high mound toward the back with two downward arching wings creating a sort of sloped crescent. But looking at the actual space now that the tank is up, I just can't see there being enough room to do it. So now I'm starting to contemplate a single structure. As in some sort of branching column with outcroppings and overhangs that overlap as it gains height. I was considering a piece of tonga shelf with base to create the initial overhang by elevating it off the sand bed by 5 or 6 inches and then continuing to build up from there with each outcropping extending less than the lower one to allow light for coral placement. Seems like an OK idea in theory but not something I'veIve' ever attempted before. |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jun 14, 2017 21:32:04 GMT -5
Avast ATO came in the mail today. I ordered it without the pump and went with a Toms aqualifter instead so as soon as that arrives I'll get that up and running.
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Post by leoriiii on Jun 15, 2017 23:28:59 GMT -5
Amazing job there
Very impressed..
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jun 17, 2017 13:02:28 GMT -5
Amazing job there Very impressed.. Thanks. It's a work in progress for sure. Setup a qt/training tank. I just need to scrounge around for a small heater and get/make a top for it.  |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jun 22, 2017 14:17:10 GMT -5
Toms aqualifter pump came in the mail today so now I have my ATO(Avast) working.  |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jun 22, 2017 20:17:18 GMT -5
So while I wait for my rock order to arrive from BRS I figure it would be a good time to contemplate flow. Because of the tanks placement and setup I'm kind of limited as to where I can place a powerhead. My plan is to use an Ecotech MP40 mounted on the side. I made a cord port in the stand to run the power for the lighting there and I'll run the cord for the MP40 there as well. I'm trying to decide on whether one will be enough. Since it will be placed on the side and close to the back wall of the tank I'm not sure if I should go with one low and one high or if just having one in the middle will be enough. Thoughts?
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jun 29, 2017 19:53:21 GMT -5
So I pulled the trigger and ordered a gyre xf250. I think it'll give me the lowest profile/most flow of the options I can make work in this tank. Did a water change to (10 gallons) to suck up all the diatoms. The tank itself has cycled even without rock and sand in the DT. The QT has cycled at this point so I guess that's ready for the first fish to go through solitary  Got my rock from BRS. Did a 10 minutes muriatic acid bath and a 24 hour bleach and water soak and now it's just soaking in fresh water(48 hrs so far). I dosed it with prime yesterday to eliminate any remaining chlorine. The plan is to attempt to create the structure on the 4th since I have the day off. I have some fiberglass rods, drill bit, stone chisels, a big screwdriver and a big bottle of superglue gel. The idea is to build a single column that branches out at various levels reducing how far they overhang as it gains height. I'm hoping to use a 15" tonga shelf as the biggest overhang and anchor it into some reefsaver type rock I got previously from reefrocks.net(since it's heavier and should make a more stable base, which will in turn be anchored on a plastic cutting board. I'll then build up from there using pukani for the column and more tonga shelf for the outcroppings or maybe build one by connecting various pieces of rock with fiberglass rod to make an overhanging branch instead of just a shelf. I can't quite picture it in my head so we'll see how it goes. :/ |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jul 1, 2017 16:22:50 GMT -5
This is what I have to work with;  |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jul 4, 2017 17:08:26 GMT -5
Not exactly what I had pictured in my head(by a long shot) but overall I'm happy with it.  |
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jeremiah
New Member
Camden, ME
Posts: 63
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Post by jeremiah on Jul 4, 2017 17:18:53 GMT -5
Looks great!
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jul 4, 2017 20:38:34 GMT -5
Thanks! End view;  Other side view; I may end up trying to add another piece to this side as it seems to be a bit "flat"  |
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Post by Vijay Glenburn on Jul 5, 2017 18:14:22 GMT -5
I really like the shelves. Should be ideal to grow corals on or gobies to perch on.
Vijay
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jul 8, 2017 20:18:54 GMT -5
So the top structure wasn't stable enough so I did a little reworking tonight. Also trying out Imgur as photobucket sent me a note saying they wanted me to pay for a premium membership to keep 3rd party hosting my pictures. Seems to work OK so far.  |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jul 14, 2017 19:18:24 GMT -5
Added some live sand from gulfliverock.com to seed the sand bed. It's quite coarse and has lots of rubble in it and is darker than most reef sand(similar to caribsea black which ironically isn't black but has black grains mixed in). I need to mix it in with the existing sand so it looks more uniform. I also have to figure out how to color correct my phone camera to reduce the blue sensitivity.  |
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Post by fermentedhiker on Jul 16, 2017 6:30:56 GMT -5
Gyre XF250 Installed. I think I'm going to need to pick up a Tunze care magnet with plastic blades as the algae has moved from diatoms which I can wipe off to a green type that won't.  |
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