I think you have a great looking build going. There are a lot of great looking builds going and sometimes people do not always see them with the large number of builds and system updates being posted everyday. I post on my build to share progress, successful projects, and failures. Sometimes people reply and other times they do not. For me it is about sharing the journey. I would not get yourself down on a lack of interest in your build thread and be excited for what you have accomplished with your build.
Yes I get your points, it isn’t really about my particular build thread and this has been a problem with the Reefing Community since the invention of social media be it RC or here! Reefing is hard work most don’t agree they believe you can buy something and it will cure whatever it is that concerns them. There is no magic potion or piece of equipment you can buy that will give you the perfect reef tank! Talking to people and learning the basics and building on a solid foundation of knowledge is key. If you don’t learn the basics you will always be chasing the newest best light, skimmer, reactor or antibiotics to make your water cleaner and clearer!
Is there anything wrong with buying everything off the shelf? As Kalare mentioned, a lot of us don’t necessarily have the time … and if we are in a season where we can afford to have those things made for us, why not take advantage of it?
Absolutely not! There’s plenty of fine reefs with complete Red Sea setups tank, stand, sump, skimmers the works. But IMHO a BUILD thread is to impart knowledge on others as to either DIY or how you overcame obstacles when everything wasn’t designed to be plug and play!
And I’m sure your pasta is far superior;Happy
System health is the ultimate goal! Understanding that most of my knowledge stems from a long history of reefing at a time that things weren’t readily available commercially. If you wanted an ATS or a Big Skimmer you had to build it! There is no better way to understand something and how it works than to build one (sometimes it takes several versions to get it right)
www.reef2reef.com
Sweet build with some unique approaches! I’m definitely going to deep dive into the lighting/ TV arms for my setup! My last tank had a similar background, except I used Travertine Tiles as the foundation and I’ll be adding them to this build as well in some capacity or another!My question is, what is your goal by "building something?" For me, building my tank was a big part of the hobby. I built my own stand, canopy, floating wall mount, LED/T5 light, 3D rock background, auto top off system, algae scrubber, 75 gallon sump, automatic battery backup, heater controller, all plumbing, and electrical. However, I bought the glass box. Does that mean I didn't "build my tank?"
Build Thread - 220 Gallon Volcanic Lava Rock Reef Tank Build
Fantastic build! Love the tech, going to embark on the UPS backup solution shortly. And welded Aluminum stand to boot!
It would appear that most people are not as interested in building things as I am. I spent hours putting together a comprehensive build thread with pictures and videos. About 10 people replied to my build thread and couple of people sent me messages. If I was doing it for the recognition, I'd be pretty disappointed. However, I think of it as a success because it inspired a couple people to enhance their own tank. I feel like that it was the least I could do to give back to this community who's threads and posts helped inspire me to build the tank I have today. That checks off my goals for having a living piece of art in my living room, and giving something back. It doesn't matter to me if others consider me a tank builder or not.
this is debated in the car hobby too...where it use to be strictly do it yourself to create a hot rod, the availability of off the shelf performance parts has turned it into "build by checkbook"...buy a chassis from this manufacturer, an engine from another,send it to a body shop for paint and an upholstery shop for an interior....then brag how YOU built the car...
