Marc`s 1k gallon system.

SuperFudge · #1 04-23-2007, 07:55 PM

The rockwork,

I wanted very open structures with less rock.
This requires way too much patience on my part to wait for corals to fill in the bare spots....but i think the end result will be what i am shooting for, with more corals and less rock in the views...But even after almost a couple years i still can see alot of the original pipe....owell its coming i guess.
With a goal of a dedicated SPS system, i felt it was also important here to be able to acsess all detritus and keep waterflow as much as possible in all areas.

I probably ended up with about 300 lbs total, a little over 1/2lb per gal. theres about 250lbs in the display, the rest in the sump.

I started trying to draw what i wanted to see while the tank was being built, it was important to me to know what i wanted before finishing building. i fiberglassed tabs in certain spots on the back walls and floor of the tank to help give me this open look without the additional rock support that it would have needed otherwise.

The tabs that were applied for this:

There were 10 in total, including a few that were put on the bottom.

Starting the pvc structure:

Started to pile rock in:

Finally, starting to cover it all up, and toying with different pieces:

............

SuperFudge · #2 04-23-2007, 07:56 PM

Some of it was pretty labour intesive requiring a couple holes in most of the rock...and if it didnt fit right i drilled more...

From the first top down view you can see a half arch, with one end suspended. On this arm i wanted to have it continue up to or even sticking out of the water line.
I didnt want too much weight on this arch, so some of the rockwork was hung from the euro brace to come down and meet the existing rock halfway.

hanging part:

Putting top half on first...i know it looks halarious at this point:

Its not quite finished here, but roughed in atleast.

Finally, top & bottom connected and it growing in eveeeeeer so slowly

.
Again, from a number of months ago, i hope to have a few more recent ones soon...aswell as some more corals to help fill it all in.

Marc.

Jason McK · #3 04-23-2007, 08:10 PM

The amount of thought and planning that went into your tank never stops amazing me. With each post I'm even more blown away

J

Chin_Lee · #4 04-23-2007, 11:19 PM

OK that self cleaning head video just made my jaw drop. Marc can you take close up pics please????? I need to incorporate that into my new skimmer design.

Skimmerking · #5 04-24-2007, 12:30 AM

NOT BAD I GUESS

woodcarver · #6 04-24-2007, 01:48 AM

Marc , Incredible !! I think you should be Prime Minister or failing that, King !!!!

....................................Dave

justinl · #7 04-24-2007, 02:58 AM

wow. amazing. dude, you are freakin brilliant

Lucky Strike · #8 04-24-2007, 04:09 PM

Marc,
Thanks very much for taking the time to anwser my questions with so much detail. it is truely apperciated.

when doing the epoxy resin top coats, did you add anymore layers of fiberglass, or was it just topcoats?
whats your feeling on sanitred and why didnt you use it

Thanks again for helping me soo much. I feel alot better about using fiberglass and resins.

danny zubot · #9 05-10-2007, 09:57 PM

Wow, thats all I have to say. I know who I'm gonna call next time I venture out west.

Any chance you could back up a bit and take a shot of the whole tank? Maybe get something in the photo to show the scale of this beast?

Funky_Fish14 · #10 05-11-2007, 12:10 AM

Marc,

I must say, your system is probably one of the best thought-out I have yet to see around. It has alot of the primary features I've thought of or considered adding to any future upgrades for myself, and more, and you've managed to make them all work so well together.

I have only two questions:

1. The tank's 'body'(the wood frame/sides) does not appear to have much bracing or be very heavy? And the plywood doesnt look to be extremly thick, I would guess at maybe 5/8... 3/4" at most? What are the dimensions of the 'main' tank?

2. I notice on your (ingenous ofcourse) self-cleaning head for the skimmer, you 'squeegee' both sides of the cup neck, both inside the neck, where the column of foam rises, and also in the cup itself, where the foam would simply pass over the edge causing the bubbles to pop and skimmate to fall into the cup. Skimmate buildup in the cup itself I wouldnt think would affect the skimmate production? Aside for on the top rim itself, and maybe 1/4" down into the cup itself on the neck? Also, does your cleaner target the top lip or rim of the neck at all? Im sure the second squeegee inside the cup however would add stability to the 'tool' itself as it rotates as well?

Thank-you for entertaining my questions!

And thank-you very much for sharing your system here with everyone! Im sure your ideas have helped motivated many people in here and possibly helped solve some of their problems!

Cheers,

Chris