pics of my new fish/sps reef :) - Page 2

jayhawk · 03/07/2003, 04:13 PM

nice tank. i also would like to hear more about your background. a name brand of the insulation that you used would be great. thanks.

kert

skylsdale · 03/07/2003, 09:19 PM

In regards to the foam design, here is a site some of you may be interested in: http://www.biotopia.nl/ne/frames.html It's based out of the Netherlands as well so I can't understand a lick of it (maybe Tanu could translate a bit of it?)

Anyway, cruise around the site and check out some of the tanks--INCREDIBLE when it's done right. I have yet to hear of anything deteriorating, but I'm not sure if SW would have a different reaction with the foam.

Tanu · 03/08/2003, 06:47 AM

I also received an email on this topic, which I'll answer here, so the replies can be read by everyone interested.

Spray foam indeed. After the foam has hardened, the tank is rinsed thouroughly 3 times: fresh water, fresh water with table salt, fresh water again. Hereafter, no problem.

Some people also seal the foam with epoxy. It is just ordinary 'hardware store' foam. I didn't really incorporate powerheads in the foam, but I have one pump chamber. In there are two pumps: one Tunze Turbelle and one no-name pump to achieve (with the help of pvc tubing) a bottom dwelling current.

The sand used on the surface was just 'ordinary' crushed coral.

These backdrops are created the easiest, when one applies the foam, rocks, sand and so on, when the acrylic sheets aren't glued in place yet. Better have the sheets lying on a table or so. When everything has hardened out, you glue the sheets in place and 'bond' them with a little extra foam.

About the translation: which part do you want to have translated? It is the website of a LFS (no saltwater unfortunately!), with some pics of really cool aquascaped tanks, but I'm affraid they don't explain their techniques on this site.

Tanu

bluereefs · 03/08/2003, 09:43 AM

Tanu,is this sarcophyton really blue or camera screw something.Sarcophyton belong to member Andrew

Tanu · 03/08/2003, 12:42 PM

I've seen that Sarco myself, it is just 'normal', but Andrew (16 year old schoolboy with quite some knowledge! cool!) uses 14.000 K Hqi, and he didn't know how to adjust the whitebalance...

So, it is a 'normal' Sarcophyton

Tanu

bluereefs · 03/08/2003, 12:51 PM

WOW such a beautifull reef he have and only 16 year,excelent.
One more question if you dont mind.
This 14 000 K bulb,is that new aqua connect bulb?Do you have some opinion about this bulb,good or bad?
Thank you.

Tanu · 03/08/2003, 01:05 PM

Indeed it is the 'new' (available for more than a year now) Aqua Connect bulb. Personally, I think everything looks too blue under it, so colors won't come out very clearly. He started reefkeeping about 2 years ago, and is quite serious!

In my observations, growth rate is also a little lower then under 10.000 K bulbs. When changing bulbs, Andrew switched back to Aqualine Buschke 10.000 K bulbs again.

Tanu

Tanu · 03/27/2003, 12:49 PM

Yesterday I added a Regal Angel (Red Sea).

I was lucky enough to be able to purchase one from another reefer, who didn't want the angel anymore

The regal has been in captivity for more than a year and looks very healthy!

It is somewhat visible on the right in the pic above...

Tanu · 03/27/2003, 01:10 PM

And another one:

AcroSteve · 07/04/2003, 04:45 AM

Nice.

Do you have any troule keeping everything in place? Do you have any trouble with things falling over?

Awestralian · 07/04/2003, 05:27 AM

Now theres something to aim for when making a beautiful tank!

B-E-E-U-TIFUL!!

REEFGIRL1 · 07/04/2003, 05:54 AM

Awesome tank!

Lunchbucket · 07/04/2003, 08:43 AM

looking good man!

Lunchbucket

scubadude · 07/04/2003, 08:50 AM

Very nice setup indeed! Im curious about the Opti White glass, I have built a few glass tanks myself and remember the option being around for a while to get OptiWhite but it was a new thing over here in the states and I think its no longer manufactured atleast in the US?!?! Im curious if you have seen Starfire glass what your opinion to the comparison of Starfire versus Optiwhite...from what I have seen you are the first tank I have seen using Optiwhite glass...Yes? No?

AbbeyRoad · 07/04/2003, 09:46 AM

hows that majestic angel doing in the reef? any problems with LPS?

BTW Nice Tank!
-abbey

H20ENG · 08/05/2003, 04:38 PM

The Dow "Great Stuff" works great for this. Any hardware store will have it.
I used about a case of it to secure a filter bed under a 2000g exhibit. The took the tank down 2 years later and are still cursing me. They had to GRIND it out.

I like aragocrete for this too.
Both are reefsafe when cured.

Euclid · 08/05/2003, 06:16 PM

H20ENG -

What type of curing process do you use to make the foam reef safe?

H20ENG · 08/05/2003, 06:27 PM

Basically just let it dry well. It is usually thoroughly dry the next day, but give it a few to be sure. As mentioned above (I think, I just read 2 or 3 threads on the subject), you could cure it for a few days in freshwater, then saltwater, etc.
Anytime I've used it, it was a couple of days dry, then fillerup.
The aragocrete needs to be cured for several weeks in freshwater to neutralize the high pH. Do a waterchange every couple of days, til it no longer rises above 8ish.
HTH
Chris

angiras · 08/05/2003, 07:01 PM

in regards to the foam background, there is another european manufacturer of a very similar background - I came across their site when I kept cichlid tanks. If I can find the URL, I will post it. To my knowledge, they did not make anything other than backgrounds for freshwater biotopes - but the detail of these things is mindblowing.

-Ben

Nek · 08/05/2003, 07:08 PM

Great tank.

Does regluing that glass bother you??? I think that would always be in the back of my mind.

gev · 08/05/2003, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by angiras
in regards to the foam background, there is another european manufacturer of a very similar background - I came across their site when I kept cichlid tanks. If I can find the URL, I will post it. To my knowledge, they did not make anything other than backgrounds for freshwater biotopes - but the detail of these things is mindblowing.

-Ben

That would be Back-to-Nature. They're like $300 for a 48" section.

angiras · 08/05/2003, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gev
That would be Back-to-Nature. They're like $300 for a 48" section.

gev, thank you. i couldnt remember the name of them as it had been quite some time since i looked for them. yes, quite expensive.

-ben

Euclid · 08/08/2003, 07:11 PM

Thanks for the reply Chris. I may give the foam a try in the new aquarium I'm planning.

I do have one other question for you. Can the foam be painted? I would like to use a UV resistant paint, especially on the areas exposed to direct lighting (at least those areas not covered by embedded sand, gravel, rock etc. )

Corbin

H20ENG · 08/11/2003, 01:55 PM

Paint will work fine, or a thin paste of cement and sand would be even better. Sort of an aragocrete "paint".
This is how they put some artificial coralline on fake rockwork at public aquariums.
I would paint it or cover it somehow.

Tugi · 10/24/2003, 12:06 AM

Gorgeous work!

07/04/2003, 04:45 AM	#35
AcroSteve Make my Funk a P-Funk Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Electric Avenue Posts: 5,092	Nice. Do you have any troule keeping everything in place? Do you have any trouble with things falling over? __________________ **************** "Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em." -- The Webb Wilder Credo -- don't go ninjin' nobody that don't need ninjin'! Current Tank Info: 220g custom plywood. SPS heavy with Sequence Hammerhead return with 4-Way OM. Tunze 6100, 6200 and Wavebox. 5000btu DIY Chiller. Lighting is 10K mh 250W / VHO Actinic Skimer - H&S A200-2x1260

07/04/2003, 05:54 AM	#37
REEFGIRL1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: MI Posts: 468	Awesome tank! __________________ Happy to be a card carrying member of the Euro-Reef owners club! Current Tank Info: 65 gal

07/04/2003, 08:43 AM	#38
Lunchbucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 12,924	looking good man! Lunchbucket __________________ Trying to lose weight by walking is like trying to bake a cake w/ a cigarette lighter - Lunchbucket - "Nancy-Boy Extraordinaire" - maxxII- Current Tank Info: 58gal Oceanic RR, 2x400w MH (20k XM and 10k XM), Deltec PF601 Ca Rx, Deltec AP701 skimmer, mag950 return, iwaki 55rlt w/ an Oceansmotions 4-way unit, Tunze 7300 and 6000 each w/ controller, fluidized po4 rx

07/04/2003, 08:50 AM	#39
scubadude Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 1,872	Awesome Tanu! Very nice setup indeed! Im curious about the Opti White glass, I have built a few glass tanks myself and remember the option being around for a while to get OptiWhite but it was a new thing over here in the states and I think its no longer manufactured atleast in the US?!?! Im curious if you have seen Starfire glass what your opinion to the comparison of Starfire versus Optiwhite...from what I have seen you are the first tank I have seen using Optiwhite glass...Yes? No?

08/05/2003, 07:08 PM	#45
Nek Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: My office chair Posts: 2,036	Great tank. Does regluing that glass bother you??? I think that would always be in the back of my mind. __________________ The Institute for Incomplete Studies found that 3 out of 4 Current Tank Info: 120 in wall in progress

03/07/2003, 04:13 PM	#26
jayhawk Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 143	nice tank. i also would like to hear more about your background. a name brand of the insulation that you used would be great. thanks. kert

03/07/2003, 09:19 PM	#27
skylsdale Reefer Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Central WA Posts: 2,220	In regards to the foam design, here is a site some of you may be interested in: http://www.biotopia.nl/ne/frames.html It's based out of the Netherlands as well so I can't understand a lick of it (maybe Tanu could translate a bit of it?) Anyway, cruise around the site and check out some of the tanks--INCREDIBLE when it's done right. I have yet to hear of anything deteriorating, but I'm not sure if SW would have a different reaction with the foam.

03/08/2003, 06:47 AM	#28
Tanu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 420	I also received an email on this topic, which I'll answer here, so the replies can be read by everyone interested. Spray foam indeed. After the foam has hardened, the tank is rinsed thouroughly 3 times: fresh water, fresh water with table salt, fresh water again. Hereafter, no problem. Some people also seal the foam with epoxy. It is just ordinary 'hardware store' foam. I didn't really incorporate powerheads in the foam, but I have one pump chamber. In there are two pumps: one Tunze Turbelle and one no-name pump to achieve (with the help of pvc tubing) a bottom dwelling current. The sand used on the surface was just 'ordinary' crushed coral. These backdrops are created the easiest, when one applies the foam, rocks, sand and so on, when the acrylic sheets aren't glued in place yet. Better have the sheets lying on a table or so. When everything has hardened out, you glue the sheets in place and 'bond' them with a little extra foam. About the translation: which part do you want to have translated? It is the website of a LFS (no saltwater unfortunately!), with some pics of really cool aquascaped tanks, but I'm affraid they don't explain their techniques on this site. Tanu

03/08/2003, 09:43 AM	#29
bluereefs Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Croatia,island Rab Posts: 2,092	Tanu,is this sarcophyton really blue or camera screw something.Sarcophyton belong to member Andrew

03/08/2003, 12:42 PM	#30
Tanu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 420	I've seen that Sarco myself, it is just 'normal', but Andrew (16 year old schoolboy with quite some knowledge! cool!) uses 14.000 K Hqi, and he didn't know how to adjust the whitebalance... So, it is a 'normal' Sarcophyton Tanu

03/08/2003, 12:51 PM	#31
bluereefs Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Croatia,island Rab Posts: 2,092	WOW such a beautifull reef he have and only 16 year,excelent. One more question if you dont mind. This 14 000 K bulb,is that new aqua connect bulb?Do you have some opinion about this bulb,good or bad? Thank you.

03/08/2003, 01:05 PM	#32
Tanu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 420	Indeed it is the 'new' (available for more than a year now) Aqua Connect bulb. Personally, I think everything looks too blue under it, so colors won't come out very clearly. He started reefkeeping about 2 years ago, and is quite serious! In my observations, growth rate is also a little lower then under 10.000 K bulbs. When changing bulbs, Andrew switched back to Aqualine Buschke 10.000 K bulbs again. Tanu

03/27/2003, 12:49 PM	#33
Tanu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 420	Yesterday I added a Regal Angel (Red Sea). I was lucky enough to be able to purchase one from another reefer, who didn't want the angel anymore The regal has been in captivity for more than a year and looks very healthy! It is somewhat visible on the right in the pic above...

03/27/2003, 01:10 PM	#34
Tanu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 420	And another one:

07/04/2003, 05:27 AM	#36
Awestralian Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 180	Now theres something to aim for when making a beautiful tank! B-E-E-U-TIFUL!!

07/04/2003, 09:46 AM	#40
AbbeyRoad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 329	hows that majestic angel doing in the reef? any problems with LPS? BTW Nice Tank! -abbey

08/05/2003, 04:38 PM	#41
H20ENG Pro builder/aquarist hack Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NORCAL (Vacaville, CA) Posts: 5,125	The Dow "Great Stuff" works great for this. Any hardware store will have it. I used about a case of it to secure a filter bed under a 2000g exhibit. The took the tank down 2 years later and are still cursing me. They had to GRIND it out. I like aragocrete for this too. Both are reefsafe when cured.

08/05/2003, 06:16 PM	#42
Euclid Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lawndale, NC Posts: 24	H20ENG - What type of curing process do you use to make the foam reef safe?

08/05/2003, 06:27 PM	#43
H20ENG Pro builder/aquarist hack Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NORCAL (Vacaville, CA) Posts: 5,125	Basically just let it dry well. It is usually thoroughly dry the next day, but give it a few to be sure. As mentioned above (I think, I just read 2 or 3 threads on the subject), you could cure it for a few days in freshwater, then saltwater, etc. Anytime I've used it, it was a couple of days dry, then fillerup. The aragocrete needs to be cured for several weeks in freshwater to neutralize the high pH. Do a waterchange every couple of days, til it no longer rises above 8ish. HTH Chris

08/05/2003, 07:01 PM	#44
angiras Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 415	in regards to the foam background, there is another european manufacturer of a very similar background - I came across their site when I kept cichlid tanks. If I can find the URL, I will post it. To my knowledge, they did not make anything other than backgrounds for freshwater biotopes - but the detail of these things is mindblowing. -Ben

08/08/2003, 07:11 PM	#48
Euclid Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lawndale, NC Posts: 24	Thanks for the reply Chris. I may give the foam a try in the new aquarium I'm planning. I do have one other question for you. Can the foam be painted? I would like to use a UV resistant paint, especially on the areas exposed to direct lighting (at least those areas not covered by embedded sand, gravel, rock etc. ) Corbin

08/11/2003, 01:55 PM	#49
H20ENG Pro builder/aquarist hack Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NORCAL (Vacaville, CA) Posts: 5,125	Paint will work fine, or a thin paste of cement and sand would be even better. Sort of an aragocrete "paint". This is how they put some artificial coralline on fake rockwork at public aquariums. I would paint it or cover it somehow.

10/24/2003, 12:06 AM	#50
Tugi Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Turkey Posts: 14	cool Gorgeous work!