thanks Frans, am going to try some once I can find some nice liverock to play around with
My new tank project
- Thread starter H0nda42
- Start date
leslie hempel
Professional Aquarist
very cool, it takes alot of vision to pack rockwork, and then have the patience for it to colonise with the various corals . patience my friend is a major part of the recipe
Am hoping I can find some nice small pieces and setup something similar to what was done in the pics. Scaping is something I am never happy with, so I would really like to do it right.
Patience is not my strong point, but am biding my time by planning. I just want to get the tank running and cycling so the growth and colonising can begin. Thats when the best part starts by sitting back and watching it grow.
But am still researching to pick up ideas I like and try and incorporate it into my tank.
Will keep this updated as soon as I have more news.
thanks Leslie
Patience is not my strong point, but am biding my time by planning. I just want to get the tank running and cycling so the growth and colonising can begin. Thats when the best part starts by sitting back and watching it grow.
But am still researching to pick up ideas I like and try and incorporate it into my tank.
Will keep this updated as soon as I have more news.
thanks Leslie
Hi all, does anyone know if you could build liverock using Live or dry course Aragonite?
I had a crazy idea when seeing this guy building his perfect rock structure, but had questions on whether it is possible to use live stuff and if building this way is a possibility.
It is really to get the basic shapes and structures as a good system will cover in coralline in a few months.
Could you use live, course Aragonite and then mix with cement and build a structure. Obviously you will need to let it run in a separate bucket to lose impurities.
Has anybody ever thought of building rock this way and then possibly dropping it in the sea for a few weeks? That way it would be sure to see as well as not be illegal to remove.
Any thoughts?
I had a crazy idea when seeing this guy building his perfect rock structure, but had questions on whether it is possible to use live stuff and if building this way is a possibility.
It is really to get the basic shapes and structures as a good system will cover in coralline in a few months.
Could you use live, course Aragonite and then mix with cement and build a structure. Obviously you will need to let it run in a separate bucket to lose impurities.
Has anybody ever thought of building rock this way and then possibly dropping it in the sea for a few weeks? That way it would be sure to see as well as not be illegal to remove.
Any thoughts?
leslie hempel
Professional Aquarist
honda the concept of building your own rock isnt a new one, i see alot of the guys on RC doing it. i actually read through that very thread. there are comercially available equivalents known as bio rock available. alternativley you coud use aragonite and protland clay to construct rock to your liking. the reason for curing it is to let it leach the nasties out and so that it wont affect your alk and ph levels as it is fairly rich in these values once constructed.
as for curing it in the sea, it may work in durbs owing to thehigher water temperatuers and it being a more tropical climate but id personally start from scratch with a few kilos of LR to seed the rock structure you have constructed.
you never know what unwanted travelers you may invite by letting it lay in the sea and not to mention the very interesting explination you will need to come up with for parksboard should you encounter then when fetching your rock.
as for curing it in the sea, it may work in durbs owing to thehigher water temperatuers and it being a more tropical climate but id personally start from scratch with a few kilos of LR to seed the rock structure you have constructed.
you never know what unwanted travelers you may invite by letting it lay in the sea and not to mention the very interesting explination you will need to come up with for parksboard should you encounter then when fetching your rock.
Hi,
Does anyone know what sort of glass thickness I need to have to avoid bracing on a 1300l X 700w X 600h tank.
I want to go rimless, but the builder wants to put in bracing and cross struts.
Are Rimless systems stable and secure?
If not, is it possible to go with a very thin strip of bracing?
Anybody have experience on this?
Does anyone know what sort of glass thickness I need to have to avoid bracing on a 1300l X 700w X 600h tank.
I want to go rimless, but the builder wants to put in bracing and cross struts.
Are Rimless systems stable and secure?
If not, is it possible to go with a very thin strip of bracing?
Anybody have experience on this?
Hi all, got the go-ahead for the tank and the ordering will be starting today. I am in 2 minds now about the Reeftek 160 OCTX and the 200. Most people on the forum suggest the 200.
The only pic you usually see is that of the 200 and thats why I thought they were the same.
Besides taking up more space and costing more. Am I really going to see more skimming benefits or do you think re-sale value is also affected? My system is going to be around 580l.
Who are the experts on this? But I am sure I can't go wrong?
Also Anybody have any experience with the Siccie pumps. I see the extreme range now uses these.
My LFS recommended these for my return and flow in the tank. He says good value and they are super quiet and strong.
Thoughts?
The only pic you usually see is that of the 200 and thats why I thought they were the same.
Besides taking up more space and costing more. Am I really going to see more skimming benefits or do you think re-sale value is also affected? My system is going to be around 580l.
Who are the experts on this? But I am sure I can't go wrong?
Also Anybody have any experience with the Siccie pumps. I see the extreme range now uses these.
My LFS recommended these for my return and flow in the tank. He says good value and they are super quiet and strong.
Thoughts?
Hi Honda - Sicci pumps are some of the best pumps on the market. Locally and internationally. Them, and Red Dragon pumps.
They are VERY VERY expensive - so, AquaMedic OceanRunner pumps should be cheaper than Sicci, but also a VERY good pump to go for, w.r.t you return pump.
Personally, I use "cheap" LifeTech pumps for my return - so far I had NO hassles with them at all.....
W.r.t the skimmer - I would personally say, IF you can afford the OTX 200, then go for it. The bigger/better skimming ability will assist you HUGELY in giving you a LOT more space for things to go wrong - meaning - you have "extra coverage" for in the case you might lose a fish or struggle with detritus issues.....
They are VERY VERY expensive - so, AquaMedic OceanRunner pumps should be cheaper than Sicci, but also a VERY good pump to go for, w.r.t you return pump.
Personally, I use "cheap" LifeTech pumps for my return - so far I had NO hassles with them at all.....
W.r.t the skimmer - I would personally say, IF you can afford the OTX 200, then go for it. The bigger/better skimming ability will assist you HUGELY in giving you a LOT more space for things to go wrong - meaning - you have "extra coverage" for in the case you might lose a fish or struggle with detritus issues.....
Hi Jacque,thanks for the reply. I have heard a little more about the Siccie pumps after doing some research. But was certainly not told about them being expensive. When I enquired about the OR pumps the LFS said that the Siccie were better as they were powerful, quiet and cheap in relation to OR. Will have to see what the quote holds in store for me. Won't be ordering if it costs an arm and a leg.
I am going to take your advice and upgrade to the 200. Although I saw the Reeftek Bubble blaster and if I win the lotto tonight, i am ordering on Mon
Thanks for the advice. Hopefully all will be up and running in the next 3 weeks.
I am going to take your advice and upgrade to the 200. Although I saw the Reeftek Bubble blaster and if I win the lotto tonight, i am ordering on Mon
Thanks for the advice. Hopefully all will be up and running in the next 3 weeks.
Hi All, does anyone know where a good source is for lighting hardware in Durban. I am going to design and build (with a friend who has more hardware skills than me) a light unit to hang above my tank.
I am looking for 2 X 150w MH's and 6 X T5's. I will be needing ballasts', end caps, wiring, bulbs, switches and good quality reflectors.
Any ideas?
I am looking for 2 X 150w MH's and 6 X T5's. I will be needing ballasts', end caps, wiring, bulbs, switches and good quality reflectors.
Any ideas?
Hi Honda Best Place To Buy Lighting Is In Briadene Place Called Lamp House They Are By Far The Cheapest You Can Get Your T5 Lgobes And M/h Globes Not Sure About The End Caps As Well As Ballast You Can Try A Place Call Lumina Lighting In Sprg/fld Park Opp Makro Hope You Luck
Hi all, well my glass finally arrived and the tank build is underway. Here are some pics of the tank 1350l x 800w x 600h. The bracing went on last night and the sump should be built today too. Will take more pics as soon as I can go past the lfs.
Am super excited as it is finally coming together now.
Cheers
Am super excited as it is finally coming together now.
Cheers
the black silicon looking very cool. Good job honda
Hi all, does anyone know if you could build liverock using Live or dry course Aragonite?
I had a crazy idea when seeing this guy building his perfect rock structure, but had questions on whether it is possible to use live stuff and if building this way is a possibility.
It is really to get the basic shapes and structures as a good system will cover in coralline in a few months.
Could you use live, course Aragonite and then mix with cement and build a structure. Obviously you will need to let it run in a separate bucket to lose impurities.
Has anybody ever thought of building rock this way and then possibly dropping it in the sea for a few weeks? That way it would be sure to see as well as not be illegal to remove.
AND!did your tray it?
Hi Ben, no, unfortunately I did not try making rock. I am rather going with using existing rock and drilling small holes into them where I will then insert small plastic dowl rods to be able to elevate the rocks as well as join them together.
Am studying my MBA at the moment and the tank is arriving with 3 assignment deadlines in the next 2 weeks. So am feeling the pressure.
Am studying my MBA at the moment and the tank is arriving with 3 assignment deadlines in the next 2 weeks. So am feeling the pressure.
Hi Lanzo, thanks - I must admit I really like the look too and was very impressed with how it came out.
Another aspect of the tank you can't see is the bevelled glass edges. It's something I had to wait a long time for to see it before building but it does look very good. Will post some close-ups tonight if possible.
Another aspect of the tank you can't see is the bevelled glass edges. It's something I had to wait a long time for to see it before building but it does look very good. Will post some close-ups tonight if possible.
Looking good
i just love black silicon