Bioload 75 - Reef Aquarium
 

My lofty goal of starting a large reef tank is on hold and I can't wait. Instead I'll be working on a more manageable system for the time being. Which will be a 75 gallon that I've drilled some time ago.

Not much to talk about at the moment but everyone will get a chance to see it take shape from the start. The bones of the system is a 75gal Perfecto and metal stand. The stand will be in a second floor bedroom turned office (mine) so providing updates would be a snap.

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u.../tank_0001.jpg

First thing will be getting it cleaned up and putting on the backing. Rather than paint I will be using a self adhesive vinyl film (black) that I picked up from a local sign shop today @ $15 for 5' x 2.5'. I like using black which adds contrast to the colours in the tank. I haven't used this material for backing before so we'll see how it goes.

Vinyl isn't going on as easy as I thought it would. Looks like it is going to have to be painted. The trouble is getting a large area covered smoothly and working out all the bubbles PITA. Time to get the tank back to the garage for a coat of paint.....oh well the kids had fun making their own decals.

No much to update today. The tank is back in place for now with a fresh coat (x3) of paint.

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2171.jpg

Did some more work on the aquascape this weekend. Again made use of more stuff that I had stored away. The base is crushed coral which I screened to remove the larger particles leaving particles less that 1mm (yes I have way too much time on my hands at the moment). The sand bed is only 2" deep and probably not deep enough for denitrification but I like the look of the smaller grains. The rock-work is made up of lace, decorative stone, and previously live rock that resided in some of my older tanks. If I were to estimate the amount.....approx 50-60lbs

Took some time but I was able to thread some twist ties through some of the larger pieces to get them to stand together.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2172.jpg


I like how this creates open space for livestock to swim in keeps the rock work off the sand for easy cleaning.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2174.jpg

Here is an FTS
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2176.jpg

And from the sides.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2177.jpg

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2178.jpg

I've also placed a sheet of 3/4" MDF 2 coat prime 3 coats paint under the sand. I will later place the sump on this and will make it easier to clean up minor spills. The tank also rests on a sheet of Styrofoam and MDF.

Did I mention that this build would be pic intense!

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2202.jpg

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2201.jpg

really like the rock work!!!
nice job!

Nice rock work, I wish I had the patience to do that.

Update 22/04/2010
 

It will be some time before I get the sump ready. I'm currently working out the details of the design and will take some time. While I'm working on the sump I thought I would get a head start with cycling the tank. I started by capping the bulkheads for the drain and the return. These will be removed once the sump is ready.

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2204.jpg

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2203.jpg

The tank has been filled (salinity 1.024) and equipped with a biowheel filter and two Sure Flow powerheads.

Just waiting for the dust to clear for now.

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2224.jpg

Thanks All!

Not too bad.....took longer to get the darn powerheads in the right spot. Which will probably be moved several more times :wink:

Very nice scape!......I think it pays to be patient with your rock work, once its full o coral its near impossible to change:wink:
What kind of overflow are you running?