Getting really close to salty... I swear!

Wasn't too thrilled with Kessils mounting option on the tanks rim. If I cut the trim, the metal bracket would be in the water, not an option.

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So I decided to go full ghetto, and whipped up a quick solution. It's given me piece of mind.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/...6435d59b_c.jpg

Finished the ATO plumbing. Other than the skimmer overflow, all the plumbing is now complete.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/...f6c3e817_c.jpg

Would you believe I couldn't find a 3/8th barb/barb elbow anywhere?

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I'm not sure who invented this crappy paper backing stuff for acrylic (probably Mr. Dow or Mr. Corning I assume), but if I ever meet him, I'm going to punch him out.

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Drill, drill, zip!

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Click, click, click.

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Ohhhh, gummy worms!

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Another creation, but I'm not sure if I'm going to use it.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/...bbe909c3_b.jpg

More to follow. Thanks for looking.

that's a really nice tower. bonus points for making it a safe one too.

So close to water I can almost taste the salt... Looks great buddy! This is your last week of holidays isn't it?! :lol:

Thanks!

Thanks! Back to work in 9 days.... the heat is on!

Hello,

I had the same issue with mounting my Kessil's. I made a crude adjustable light mount with a 2x4 which I mounted to the back of the stand. I slotted the vertical 2x4 so i can move it up and down to find the right height for the lights. I then put a 1x4 horizontal at the top where I mounted the Kessil's to. It works and no one can see it.

Regards

I find if the acrylic is older stock the paper is the pits to get off. Water soon? Looks great and will be worth the wait I'm sure.

Wow, your solution sounds a lot fancier than mine Karl. Can't see mine from the front either, which is a bonus!

Yeah Laurie, it took hours to get that crap off. RODI is getting fired up in the next day or two.

Getting exciting

Yes it is! Here are a few more pics of rockwork. I'm liking how easy it is to work with the acrylic bases.

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What do you guys think of this structure? Lots of good places for SPS.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...9b6bbb65_b.jpg

Looks good Warren! I think it's very unique and it will make an interesting piece. Keep up the great work!

Cool sculpture. Will it need something to hold up that left side?

whoa! That is cool and crazy ! Can't wait to see that submersed in water! :biggrin:

Unique and crazy is what I've been aiming for, Thanks!

Preliminary air tunnel tests show that it might, that is maybe, possibly, hopefully stand up on its own. Kinda. :noidea: Lol.
May have to add more to the right side for balance.

epoxy the acrylic base to the glass you will never need to worry (unless you like to move your scape around... then you'll be hooped). great looking piece you made.

I wouldn't epoxy it down your sand should hold it in place I would say, nice job Warren!

Velcro?

Kien, I just figured out you were being sarcastic there! You cheeky monkey!

Frankly yeah, I'm pretty sick and tired of playing with rockwork now. Screw it. This piece does stand up on its own, so that's it. Time for water. Firing up the RODI.

Any more changes will just have to be made underwater.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8645/...b0a3753f_b.jpg

Actually I wasn't being sarcastic at all. I really do want to see that structure underwater. It's going to look cool. Then add fish swimming in and among the branches and it's going to be quite something to behold! Love those branches.

Just goes to prove that tone cannot be interpreted over the interweb. Opps Kien, my bad.

For all of you, including myself, who thought this build would never see water, I am pleased to post this pic!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/...920c6156_b.jpg

What's the rush ? Nothing good in this hobby happens quickly.

Err, I mean, YEAH !!!
Congrats Dog

I'm curious as to why the return pump is on its side like that? Sorry if I missed that explanation in the thread.

Glorious day! May this day forever to be remembered as WarDog water day!

That's the skimmer pump. Maximum area on the media foam. Found that it was more stable.

Don't forget to pee in the tank helps with cycle lol looks awesome glad to see it wetish

Haha, thanks buddy! All I can hear is Jeopardy music playing in my head.

huh, I never thought of that. Great idea.

Don't give me misinformation like that, I might have just done it. Lol!

When your tank build goes over 2 and a 1/2 years, you end up doing a lot of R & D. :lol:

Well it's not entirely mis information lol a lot of ppl have done it to start the cycle process personally I wouldn't but it's still funny would rather see you use prodibio or microbacter 7... But search the forum the other method has been discussed lol

Yes I know, lol. I plan on using Prodibio.

Just a flurry of activity around the house today! Sump is full, ATO filling now. Going to fill the tank overnight.

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In fop updates, very curious how the red pvc holds up as its not rated for plumbing. But if it does im totally copying you!!!

ooooh we are getting closer nice!. That branching rock would look cool covered in corals , maybe a bunch of chalices on them . Are you going LPS ?

So far so good. It is PVC so there is no issue with the glue. As far as I am aware, the only reason it's not approved for potable plumbing is because inspectors cannot see the primer and glue. Maybe also because there are no certification stamps either. The only reason PVC primer is purple is so the inspector can see that it has been used.

Thanks Pike, mostly SPS for this tank. My next tank, which is in the planning stage, will be a LPS dominated tank!

Very busy weekend. After receiving critiques that the rocks were too high, I cut them down and am very happy with the results.
Brought temp up to 77, and salinity up to 34ppt (IO). pH 8.1 - 8.23. Started Zeovit 14 day dosing cycle.
Got all the Apex gear hooked up and programmed, mostly. Still need to figure out how to hook up the WiFi (it didn't work the first time I tried), and alerts.
MP40 set for a nice gentle wave at 30% with a 3/4 inch crest. Wife hasn't mentioned the noise, so I think that'll be ok.
Skimmer spitting out many micro bubbles. Can't seem to get it dialed in, and cup overflows. Tried all different settings but I guess it's part of the break in period. I'll mess around with it in a week.
Ended up going with special grade substrate. Going to start recording major params tomorrow.
Thinking I may go several weeks before introducing any livestock, once again I am in no rush.

Tinker with this, tinker with that, damn it's a lot of work getting a tank running!!

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Tanks first inhabitant.

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I gotta say that rock work is way better than what it was not from an artistic view but rather a more practical real estate for Sps to grow mature. Thumbs up buddy👍👍!

Thanks Rich! I am already planning a second tank for LPS... which means this one can be reserved for SPS ONLY (and zoas)!! Pretty excited! Now where to get my hands on some Pink Floyd, Wolverine and Strawberry Shortcake?.... buuuuuuddy, lol!

Day 21 of the cycle and I can't really report... anything.

No diatoms, no cyano... sooooo boring! All of a sudden I have no patience.

Nitrite .5 ppm Salifert
Nitrate 50 ppm Salifert
Ammonia undetectable API test and Alert Badge
Phosphate .03 ppm Salifert
Temp 78 Apex
Salinity 35.6 ppt Apex, 1.026 refractometer
pH 8.1 Apex
Tried testing Alk with Salifert and came up with 9.3. Don't think I did it right and now I want a Hanna, lol.
Using Instant Ocean

Dosing:
ZeoBak 3 drops Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays
Sponge Power 3 drops per day
ZeoStart .3ml X2 daily
Rich's skimate 1 cap full per day lol.

My 12 gallon ATO reservoir lasts 10 days, not bad.

Skimmer seems broken in but not fully tuned yet, I think it needs to be raised up an inch or two.

Working on a fish and invertebrate stocking list.

In the meantime Rich is growing out some frags for me (jk), lol.:lol:

No no no....Peter Apexfd is growing frags out for you. Lol

I should start bottling up that skimmate and sell it as a cycle accerlator. Bank roll on it. :mrgreen:

I can only think of the Buckleys commercial, it tastes awful but it works! Lol

Lmao!