Rod's Gyre flow, Natural light, SPS dominated Reef - Page 4

Rod the Reefer · 02/01/2009, 08:15 PM

Ok, a few more pics, the tank was still murky at this point so I carried on with equipment;

I got the skimmer in;

And the Mh over the frag area of the sump; (Still to put a couple of Tunzes in there)

And to keep everything tidy I made up these;

Rod.

stylolvr · 02/01/2009, 08:20 PM

Coming along nicely! Can't wait to see the aquascape!

ReefingBuddha · 02/01/2009, 08:37 PM

Great! I'm glad that you already have this finished and up and running so we get the sped up version of a tank build. All the fun in less time.... Awesome!

Rod the Reefer · 02/03/2009, 07:03 PM

Thanks guys.

Aquascape pics up soon.

Rod.

SolidDetail808 · 02/04/2009, 12:43 AM

WOW! Went through all 4 pages. Can't wait to see more. Great job in taking photos of your progress!

Rod the Reefer · 02/05/2009, 10:35 PM

Thanks SolidDetail808.

Aquascape pics up next.

Rod.

Rod the Reefer · 02/05/2009, 10:40 PM

Ok, here's a couple of pics when I first finished the aquascape. The water hadn't entirely cleared up (not to my liking anyway) and the new T5 arrangement threw me out with my white balance etc, so I'm not happy with the colours in these shots.

Well, Here it is;

FTS

Centre

Stag Island

A view from the end, showing the rock work kept off the back wall to enable the flow around the back.

I'm very happy with the flow/setup.

I have the main two pumps alternating on a three hour cycle, with 15minutes of "slack tide" in between. The other two pumps create wave action on a more random arrangement. I have programmed a "storm" once a week when all four pumps are on for a couple of hours.

I have finished my lighting/hood. I have it setup with pulleys so I can raise and lower it. I'll get a photo and post it later.

Rod.

tcmfish · 02/05/2009, 11:20 PM

Wow pretty impressive. Sweet angels!

crazzy · 02/05/2009, 11:41 PM

congratulations!

Would / could a video show somewhat your wave action??

Rod the Reefer · 02/07/2009, 01:18 AM

Thanks guys.

Everyone's comments have been appreciated.

Alright, here are a couple of shots of the hood up;

In this one you can see the pulleys and rope;

And this is how the lights worked out;

Cool huh?

Rod.

Mr. Brooks · 02/07/2009, 05:24 AM

Very cool.

ReefingBuddha · 02/07/2009, 05:40 AM

I like!

mcliffy2 · 02/07/2009, 11:39 AM

Great setup - I'm amazed at the plumbing design. Aquascape looks great too. I'm a big fan of being able to keep the back wall scraped and clean.

Rod the Reefer · 02/09/2009, 12:07 AM

Thanks guys.

Ok, here's a FTS with the hood down, this is the best I have at this point in time. I haven't sorted out the camera with these lights yet!

Rod the Reefer · 02/09/2009, 12:13 AM

As far as cladding the stand a fellow RTAW member, has helped me out there.

He renovates bathrooms and kitchens for a living and had some great ideas for me.

Oi, don't take my photo.

For the cabinet he has used a 7mm granite/resin product that he uses on kitchen benches.

The master at work.

For the doors he has used MDF with vinyl heat shrinked on the front and back making them water proof.

Rod the Reefer · 02/09/2009, 12:13 AM

What a perfectionist! (Wait 'till the plastic covering comes off those doors!!)

Ok, here's with the doors open to access the engine room.

He's used these really fancy hinges

That you push this button and the whole door comes off!!

And here it is, the finished product. The colour of the doors is called "Midnight Pearl"

To say that I'm happy with it is an understatement!

I am truly in your debt Sam.

Rod.

drpo21 · 02/09/2009, 02:18 AM

Simply amazing! Future TOTM, I even thought your old one was TOTM worthy. Great job.

stylolvr · 02/09/2009, 08:06 AM

Love the cabinet work! Looks great!

Green Thumb · 02/09/2009, 08:07 AM

Nice set up, love the sun tubes!

Do you plan on getting into more detail about the gyre flow? Perhaps a small video? I still dont get how you have it all working...

Bigmiksears · 02/09/2009, 08:11 AM

i love the use of the sunlight tubes - similar to another thread ive read on here (though the name escapes me :s) and also the cabinate looks top notch with the blck theme running throughout - i can imagin it looks very striking diverting all the viewers attention to the tank

Top notch Rod

Chrisrush · 02/09/2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

In this one you can see the pulleys and rope;

How much light glare do you get when you have the 'hood' up? I really like the look of the black solar tubes with the halide domes.

porthios · 02/09/2009, 05:23 PM

yeah, that's really an awesome build. so many great ideas to steal

..

stunreefer · 02/09/2009, 05:50 PM

Looks fantastic Rod, great job!

Regarding the screws Sam used on the hinges into the steel, do they have nuts on the back? Or did Sam just screw them right into the stand (metal screws maybe)?

I have a steel stand and am covering skinning ideas, and I really like how yours turned out

Love the angels, and I have the same book on the right ^^

Rod the Reefer · 02/10/2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drpo21
Simply amazing! Future TOTM, I even thought your old one was TOTM worthy. Great job.

Thanks Aaron!

Actually the old tank did win TOTM here in Aus (RTAW) in March 2007 and then won TOTY 2007.

Quote:

Originally posted by stylolvr
Love the cabinet work! Looks great!

So do I Stylo, so do I!! Sam's workmanship is second to none. It has really put the icing on the cake.

Quote:

Originally posted by Green Thumb
Nice set up, love the sun tubes!

Do you plan on getting into more detail about the gyre flow? Perhaps a small video? I still dont get how you have it all working...

Thanks, the natural light is just awesome! The way it is constantly changing as clouds pass over and the sheer intensity on a sunny day.

I you have a read of this article it explains the Gyre concept quite well;

http://www.reef-eden.net/2006_reef_9.htm

Quote:

Originally posted by Bigmiksears
i love the use of the sunlight tubes - similar to another thread ive read on here (though the name escapes me :s) and also the cabinate looks top notch with the blck theme running throughout - i can imagin it looks very striking diverting all the viewers attention to the tank

Top notch Rod

Thanks mate, you're right, with everything black (the weir, comb, back glass, hood, Sola tubes & lights and cabinet) your eyes are drawn to the brightly lit, colorful reef! I love it!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Chrisrush
How much light glare do you get when you have the 'hood' up? I really like the look of the black solar tubes with the halide domes.

Very little really, but the hood is only ever up when I feed the fish or when doing maintenance.

Quote:

Originally posted by porthios
yeah, that's really an awesome build. so many great ideas to steal ..

Thanks very much. You're welcome.

I've actually pinched some of these ideas myself.

Quote:

Originally posted by stunreefer
Looks fantastic Rod, great job!

Regarding the screws Sam used on the hinges into the steel, do they have nuts on the back? Or did Sam just screw them right into the stand (metal screws maybe)?

I have a steel stand and am covering skinning ideas, and I really like how yours turned out

Love the angels, and I have the same book on the right ^^

Sam used self tapping screws into the steel. We dipped them in fish oil first so the hole and screw wouldn't rust. I also painted the hinges with fish oil.

I love Angels too. I'll try to get a few pics.

Rod.

Bax · 02/10/2009, 08:31 PM

Great skin on the stand!

02/01/2009, 08:15 PM	#76
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Ok, a few more pics, the tank was still murky at this point so I carried on with equipment; I got the skimmer in; And the Mh over the frag area of the sump; (Still to put a couple of Tunzes in there) And to keep everything tidy I made up these; Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

02/01/2009, 08:20 PM	#77
stylolvr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Longwood, FL Posts: 734	Coming along nicely! Can't wait to see the aquascape! __________________ Some call it a hobby, others an obsession. I just call it good, clean fun! Current Tank Info: Acquiring equipment for a Waterbox 20 Cube mixed reef

02/01/2009, 08:37 PM	#78
ReefingBuddha Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Winterpark, FL Posts: 1,330	Great! I'm glad that you already have this finished and up and running so we get the sped up version of a tank build. All the fun in less time.... Awesome! __________________ -Tom Current Tank Info: Starting a new 300g In-wall, 600g system

02/03/2009, 07:03 PM	#79
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Thanks guys. Aquascape pics up soon. Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

02/04/2009, 12:43 AM	#80
SolidDetail808 Unofficial #1 BJ Penn fan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA via Waipahu, HI Posts: 1,453	WOW! Went through all 4 pages. Can't wait to see more. Great job in taking photos of your progress! __________________ Shaka Brah! -- \m/ -- BJ Penn vs Frankie Edgar, 10 April in Abu Dhabi -----------------------JUST SCRAP!---------------------- Current Tank Info: 12g Nano w/ 2 gallon sump- 8" RBTA- 2 Semi Picasso Clowns- Yasha Goby- Mandarin Goby- Zoa/paly dominated

02/05/2009, 10:35 PM	#81
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Thanks SolidDetail808. Aquascape pics up next. Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

02/05/2009, 10:40 PM	#82
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Ok, here's a couple of pics when I first finished the aquascape. The water hadn't entirely cleared up (not to my liking anyway) and the new T5 arrangement threw me out with my white balance etc, so I'm not happy with the colours in these shots. Well, Here it is; FTS Centre Stag Island A view from the end, showing the rock work kept off the back wall to enable the flow around the back. I'm very happy with the flow/setup. I have the main two pumps alternating on a three hour cycle, with 15minutes of "slack tide" in between. The other two pumps create wave action on a more random arrangement. I have programmed a "storm" once a week when all four pumps are on for a couple of hours. I have finished my lighting/hood. I have it setup with pulleys so I can raise and lower it. I'll get a photo and post it later. Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

02/05/2009, 11:20 PM	#83
tcmfish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,658	Wow pretty impressive. Sweet angels!

02/05/2009, 11:41 PM	#84
crazzy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bolivia, South America Posts: 278	congratulations! Would / could a video show somewhat your wave action??

02/07/2009, 01:18 AM	#85
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Thanks guys. Everyone's comments have been appreciated. Alright, here are a couple of shots of the hood up; In this one you can see the pulleys and rope; And this is how the lights worked out; Cool huh? Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

02/07/2009, 05:24 AM	#86
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	Very cool.

02/07/2009, 05:40 AM	#87
ReefingBuddha Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Winterpark, FL Posts: 1,330	I like! __________________ -Tom Current Tank Info: Starting a new 300g In-wall, 600g system

02/07/2009, 11:39 AM	#88
mcliffy2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Downtown Chicago Posts: 4,093	Great setup - I'm amazed at the plumbing design. Aquascape looks great too. I'm a big fan of being able to keep the back wall scraped and clean. __________________ 238g 60x36x26, 100g sump/fuge, 30g frag, 23g skimmer sump, 4 Vortechs, ATB L, Sfiligoi 12x54w T5 Bulb Combo: Super actinic, 6 Blue Plus/AS 22k, Fiji Purple, 2 Aquablue special, 2 Aquascience Duo

02/09/2009, 12:07 AM	#89
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Thanks guys. Ok, here's a FTS with the hood down, this is the best I have at this point in time. I haven't sorted out the camera with these lights yet! __________________ Acromaniac

02/09/2009, 12:13 AM	#90
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	As far as cladding the stand a fellow RTAW member, has helped me out there. He renovates bathrooms and kitchens for a living and had some great ideas for me. Oi, don't take my photo. For the cabinet he has used a 7mm granite/resin product that he uses on kitchen benches. The master at work. For the doors he has used MDF with vinyl heat shrinked on the front and back making them water proof. __________________ Acromaniac

02/09/2009, 02:18 AM	#92
drpo21 Reefer Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Miami Beach, FL Posts: 909	Simply amazing! Future TOTM, I even thought your old one was TOTM worthy. Great job. __________________ --Aaron One day I'll have a tank that has sharks with freakin' laser-beams attached to their heads. o_O

02/09/2009, 08:06 AM	#93
stylolvr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Longwood, FL Posts: 734	Love the cabinet work! Looks great! __________________ Some call it a hobby, others an obsession. I just call it good, clean fun! Current Tank Info: Acquiring equipment for a Waterbox 20 Cube mixed reef

02/09/2009, 08:07 AM	#94
Green Thumb Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 476	Nice set up, love the sun tubes! Do you plan on getting into more detail about the gyre flow? Perhaps a small video? I still dont get how you have it all working...

02/09/2009, 08:11 AM	#95
Bigmiksears Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Great Britain Posts: 11	i love the use of the sunlight tubes - similar to another thread ive read on here (though the name escapes me :s) and also the cabinate looks top notch with the blck theme running throughout - i can imagin it looks very striking diverting all the viewers attention to the tank Top notch Rod __________________ "The problem with America is stupidity. Why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself" - Calvin415 PBITAWA - actual lols :P Current Tank Info: Freshwater 180lt - soon to be converted to the darkside

02/09/2009, 05:23 PM	#97
porthios Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: colorado Posts: 719	yeah, that's really an awesome build. so many great ideas to steal .. __________________ - jason homepage -> build thread.. Current Tank Info: 525g display with several supporting subsystems..

02/09/2009, 05:50 PM	#98
stunreefer Reef Hugger Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Submerged Posts: 3,253	Looks fantastic Rod, great job! Regarding the screws Sam used on the hinges into the steel, do they have nuts on the back? Or did Sam just screw them right into the stand (metal screws maybe)? I have a steel stand and am covering skinning ideas, and I really like how yours turned out Love the angels, and I have the same book on the right ^^ __________________ -Austin Make your animals Thrive, not just Survive.

02/10/2009, 08:31 PM	#100
Bax Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,619	Great skin on the stand! __________________ 150 gallon Perfecto with 1500 gph GH overflow / DIY stand-wine bar / Dart Return / SRO XP3000 Ext skimmer / 75 g frag / 40 g fuge / 40 g DIY sump / Orphek P156 & Kessil 150A Current Tank Info: 150 DT/ 40B fuge/ 75g frag/ 40 g sump/ SRO XP 3000 Ext/ TUNZEs & VorTechs circulation/Dart return/ MTC Pro Cal/ UV & Oz