Richard L Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 If you're ever free sometime I'd love to check out that setup and pick your brain a bit... If I'm not at work I'm screwing around with my tank, so come on over! Is that Todd's ORA Red Planet on the left side of the tank, mid level? Yes sir. Killer piece that looks like its been growing out of my rock for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjr_wertheimber Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Beautiful tank, man. Great setup, lots of great touches. Thanks again for the invite! Can't wait to see the room once the wood paneling is in place! If any of you guys get a chance to check out Richard's tank, I highly recommend it. Word of warning, though: on your way to his fish room, as you pass through his backyard, suddenly your backyard is going to seem like a slum by comparison. Absolutely fantastic yard and incredible tank, man. I still can't believe it's lit that well with only three Radions!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 I still can't believe it's lit that well with only three Radions!! Funny coincidence, I just scored a used Radion to add to my trio. As I mentioned to you I only have the three Radions set at 80% during the day with good growth and color with my SPS so I'm not looking to add more light intensity (if that's the right word). Rather I'll reconfigure the light arrangement to more evenly light up some of the areas shaded by things like my loc-lines and rock overhangs. BTW, thanks for the kind words. I look forward to meeting Wendy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoggyDollar Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hey Richard, It was nice meeting you the other day. Your reef tank setup is very impressive in the pictures and even more in person! (not to mention your koi pond) One day when I grow up... Subscribed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjr_wertheimber Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Hey, thanks again for having Wendy and I over the other day. She LOVED your tank, but (as I feared) has now started in with, "Why doesn't OUR backyard look like that???" LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjr_wertheimber Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Oh, and unlike mcallahan, Wendy and I happen to LIKE the scallop shell on the back wall... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsquared Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Great looking setup. When are we going to see pics of the water change system? I would like to try to simplify my setup in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 Great looking setup. When are we going to see pics of the water change system? I would like to try to simplify my setup in the near future. I don't have an automatic system for water changes but the proceedure is pretty simple. A valve diverts water from the primary pump to a drain. Before I put a frag tank in my sump I would just drain down the refugium area of my sump which just had chaeto in it. That gets approximately 15 gallons (about 5% of my total water volume). I'd close that valve, start pumping water from the saltwater mixing station (see my description on top of page 2) via the mixing station's pump and then turn the primary back on. As the water level starts to get close to the old level I turn my ATO back on. When the ATO clicks off I know I have refilled the tank perfectly so salinity shouldn't budge. BTW I installed a three way switch in the DT room and in the garage to control the saltwater mixing pump. I use my Apex on the Iphone to control the primary pump and ATO during this opertation. Takes me about 4-5 minutes w/out distractions. The only caveat is that I have put a frag rack in the refugium so I can't draw the water down from it without hurting the corals. Temporarily I have been siphoning out of the DT and planned on replumbing a more permanent fix. Now that I purchased Medi's 100g rimless, I'll probably move my frags over to it and keep the original design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 Oh, and unlike mcallahan, Wendy and I happen to LIKE the scallop shell on the back wall... Yeah, it's just tank bling. All the hip tanks in France are sporting them right now. I have my eye on a bubble activated treasure chest next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjr_wertheimber Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Dude, that would be pretty epic... Only second behind the bubble activated Spongebob Squarepants... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted April 20, 2012 Author Share Posted April 20, 2012 Apparently my tank is up for lease! I'm guessing the diamond goby is behind it. He is always making trouble in my tank. Actually my BTA is on the move again and I was using this plastic sign to shield the light from behind the rocks (his favorite place). I came home yesterday and found the sign wedged between the live rock and corals with surgical precision. Amazingly no damage was done. A few of the LPS were closed up because the flow of the Vortechs was being redirected. It kind of looked like one of those Disneyfied monstrosities those guys on the "Tanked" show build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michae52 Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 That is so funny. Bet it's in the high rent district. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Jeez, I'm with you Richard. I'm fighting a monster RBTA as well (12") and he is itching to move! I don't have as much real estate as you but at least my real estate isn't up for lease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Well its been two weeks since my RBTA started his walkabout and of course he's right back where he started. My clownfish has this look like he's saying "really?". I guess I can't complain since he didn't sting anything and avoided the Vortechs! I'm going to wait a couple more days to make sure he's staying put before I put my corals back where they were. Then I'm going to print up some 2012 Tank Tour tshirts to celebrate the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted May 25, 2012 Author Share Posted May 25, 2012 Ok, started phase...um...oh just pick any number. Expanding the aquarium room to allow for more furniture, adding can lights and finally building the cabinet around the tank. Fish are confused but the crabs don't care. Also did a little exploring in the koi pond today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Sweet photo of the koi pond. I'd love to build one at our house. My wife isn't really that keen on it though, she'd rather have a real pool. I'm hoping to add both while we have the tractor digging the holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Rangoon Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Who made the sump for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusstar Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Tank looks great. I may have missed it but what company built the tank? And what are the dimensions? What is your fish list? That you have and intend to add in the future. Great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Tank looks great. I may have missed it but what company built the tank? And what are the dimensions? What is your fish list? That you have and intend to add in the future. Great work. Since I built the tank with Richard, I can answer part of your question: Dutch Aquarium Systems built the tank 72x24x30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Who made the sump for you? Ditto. I need a new sump and that one looks good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Who made the sump for you? Ditto. I need a new sump and that one looks good. prof built that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusstar Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Thanks for the info mark. I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 In case anyone missed them here are links to Mark Callahan's video's about my build: Video #1 http://www.mrsaltwat...-a-reef-junkie/ Video #2 http://www.mrsaltwatertank.com/how-to-upgrade-your-saltwater-tank-like-a-reef-junkie-part-2/ BTW, the construction of all the components for the tank's cabinet is now complete. Before I do the final assembly, I need to reorganize all of the equipment that is attached to the back wall so that it will be easily accessible. Should have some final pics this weekend to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 this is relevant to my interests Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard L Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 Today I am declaring this tank build done! It was an difficult 9 month journey but well worth it. I am very pleased at the results and I'm excited about just letting the tank grow out without the contractors, saw dust, drop cloths, power outages, paint fumes, etc. Here's a few pics: Overall view Closeups of cabinet. Iridescent black glass tile with a dark grey bamboo laminate. View from my desk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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