Let me guess...you started with one RBTA?Here's examples of pillars with drilled rocks. Pay no attention to the cyano or algae on the windows, we have been closed for visitors for almost a month
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Let me guess...you started with one RBTA?Here's examples of pillars with drilled rocks. Pay no attention to the cyano or algae on the windows, we have been closed for visitors for almost a month
It’s true. Even the best builds we do rarely age well. Especially when there are things that can’t be seen and are there for function over beauty. Little bit of neglect, some dust builds up, some salt creep, and then we look like amateurs.Great thread! I feel the same way with many things at my work, both built by me long time ago or the staff before me
Not easy coming with ideas when I haven't seen the tank and all the angles first hand. But I can try!
Just like you wrote, magnets for streamers in the dry box. Maybe also in the overflow box, if the magnets are okey with being in water. No easy task to take out them and clean though..
Maybe try a more light rock work, accepting some of the black wall become visible. With some rocks and corals in front of it I don't think anyone will notice the black wall that much. We've done a couple of pillars with drilled live rock and an acrylic rods or a PVC pipe inside, allowing us to stack rocks of different size on top of each other. This way the base doesn't need to be so wide. You could also run the pipe/rod all the way up and attach above the surface if you want it to be more secure. I can post a couple of pics of our pillars when the light come on later.
If you want to hide the gyre pumps you might try them behind the rock work on the back wall, outlet pointing upwards the surface. But then you need the tank to be water safe above the surface where the water comes up. This can create a pretty nice wave from the back top of the tank.
We have a couple of 1 meter deep tank and I really hate them.. I can't say I'm happy with them even if I've had many years to work with the rock design. I think I've gotten to the the stage "good enough" and then just let them go.
Keep up the good work and keep the posts coming! Some more pics of the tank would be great.
Yes. But in another tank. And I've tried to erase them from that tank ever since.Let me guess...you started with one RBTA?
@Sallstrom (and others, of course)...
What about painting that black back area/overflows/dry chamber a darker blue?
Realistically, with the amount of rock I have, and building other lighter structures to get toward the top, I would only paint the top half.
This would be painting the inside of the tank. Possible? I was also thinking about just getting some blue acrylic panels cut to fit that space.
It really doesn’t take a lot of blue to make the tank pop. Here’s a softie tank I do...very little of the blue back shows, but what little does really adds a lot, especially when you can see the reflection on the underneath side of the water surface.
I agree on blue background, thats so much better than black IMO. I didn't know you were thinking of changing it. Will you empty the tank?
As for paint, we've used epoxy floor paint for our current propagation tanks. It has worked fine, but urchins might do some marks or holes in it. I'll check if I can find what type of paint we used exactly.
But I have no idea how the results will be on glass. Might get a better surface and colour with acrylic panels.
Another thing, blue is great on a back wall in a reef tank, but blue back wall with algae on it looks crap. So make sure it's possible to clean easily.
If you empty the tank you could also look up different types of backgrounds to attach to the back walls. We've used a brand called Back to Nature. They have one type called Slim line, just 2 cm thick. And it's easy to drill holes into and hide pumps behind. Check @Lasse 's build thread or https://www.backtonature.se/en
@Gregg @ ADP could you post a picture or two of the tank from further away to give a little more perspective of how it sits in the house? I love this thread so far. can't wait for the next episode! When you re-cap on your posts you should write "Previously on How About A Nightmare Build Thread?" like it's a reality TV show. In fact I wish it was. I'd watch. it could be like Bar Rescue, or restaurant Impossible!
In fairness, I believe that was all done 15 or so years ago.Ya know what's even more ridiculous? That is really not good wood working!
I bet they paid a fortune for it too.
Hey, thanks a lot.I must say that you've done a heck of a job with an awkward (to say the least) set up. It looks outstanding for what it is.
Oh, for sure.Anyone who has had to maintain a tank has stories. I have a few but some of them reflect my desire to give the customer what they wanted when I should have said no thanks. The following is a couple of no thanks.
One in a Cabelas Store near Spokane. I was called in after they bought the tank and the filtration to fix their problems. Tank was already in the wall and dry walled inside the lid area just like your tank. Had to walk away since I have never seen such a poor quality acrylic tank sold at such a high price. The panels were raw cut with a hand circular saw (no guide) and glued together with Weld on 40. Gussets were made out of the scrap to prevent the tank from leaking placed inside all the major joints to prevent leaking. The top was made out of two layers of scrap acrylic material laminated together with so many bubbles you could not see thru the lamination's. The filter was even more of a joke and was smashed in shipping. Made them a sump to replace the broken one. I remember right the tank was about 96" x 48" x 48" out of 1"or 1 1/4" material. Told them to check on their insurance for personal injury in their store and left. Pass
Another was in a bar/restaurant/hotel in Spokane and a customer threw a chair into the front panel of a 120" long tank...they wanted me to repair the panel on site instead of a replacement of the tank to conserve cost...ah NO! They just paneled the tank openings on both sides and encased the tank in the wall. I am sure it still smells of rotting fish to this day. What a bad joke by the Hotel "engineers". Pass #2.
I don't think the woodwork is that bad, not my style or how I would have done it myself personally as I'm a carpenter, but we all do different.
I think someone was just following a bad plan, and that floor layout does not help at all, have not seen a sunken floor in some time, really robs space and makes it awkward, especially w/ that step right there.
Must be such a nightmare to maintain, even if you did have good access above.