Hey Everyone - I am new to Reef2Reef but have been very active on various other forums over the past three years. So far I really like the Reef2Reef and enjoy the new environment, it is refreshing in some ways, compared to another popular forum. Apparently someone has already taken "Logzor" (which I use on just about every other site) so I had to use "-Logzor"...kind of disappointing.
I have been in the hobby for almost four years now. I began like many people, getting into the hobby because of a friend. That initial interest has turned into a full-blown addiction. This is my third tank upgrade. I'm going to go ahead and show the newest stuff (my new rimless reef!) and then provide some background on my previous systems and current holding tank.
The aquarium was built my Miracles in Canada, dimensions are 48x30x24, three sided starphire, drilled for glass-hole overflow. This is actually a replacement tank from Miracles, the first one was covered in hard-water spots from the factory, which were nearly impossible the remove, they worked with me to try and fix the spots but in the end, they sent a new tank. The new tank looks much better but I still notice some small spots, very disappointing but I don't think they will be visible. So I have another identical tank sitting across the room, not sure what to do with it...not sure if I can even get it out of my basement!
On to the tank build:
I designed the stand similar to the ELOS stands by utilizing full-frame door and panels without any trim work or extra ornamentation. I really like the clean / modern look and I think it will match the rimless tank really well. The main difference between this stand and the ELOS stands is that it will have an edge at the perimeter, I didn't want to risk hanging the tank over the front edge without support like they do.
Here is the finished stand with the aquarium:
The high-gloss paint turned out awesome, I just used rustoleum oil based high-gloss. In total, three coats of primer, three coats of oil paint.
Side View, on the far side there will be a Vortech MP60, I can't wait to hook it up!
I built a small electrical panel inside the stand, it is designed to be removed if I need to add more things or move stuff around. You can see the vortech battery backup in there, as well as a DJ powerstrip, which I painted white (it was rusting out a bit).
Plumbing dry fitted, waiting for glue! Got the return plumbed last night, going to work on the drains this evening. I have designed the drains so that I can remove the union to change filter socks (if I end up using them). The black acrylic piece is designed to be removed if I decide I don't like having it. I really like to have a flexible system. I plan to have this reef up for at least 4-5 years so I want to take care to make sure everything is the way I want it!
I am using the glass-holes overflow and return, they are pretty awesome!
You're probably wondering where my top-off and two-part systems will be located, as there isn't much room inside the stand. I will be running 1/4" tubing behind the tank, through the ledge in the celling of the basement, and into a small closet, which will fit my litermeter, two 5 gallon buckets for two-part, and the top-off reservoir, which will be connected to my litermeter top-off unit. The peristaltic pumps used in this system will allow me to move the two-part and top-off easily from the closet to the aquarium.
The new system will be geared mostly towards sps....pics to come of my old system and some corals.
I have been in the hobby for almost four years now. I began like many people, getting into the hobby because of a friend. That initial interest has turned into a full-blown addiction. This is my third tank upgrade. I'm going to go ahead and show the newest stuff (my new rimless reef!) and then provide some background on my previous systems and current holding tank.
The aquarium was built my Miracles in Canada, dimensions are 48x30x24, three sided starphire, drilled for glass-hole overflow. This is actually a replacement tank from Miracles, the first one was covered in hard-water spots from the factory, which were nearly impossible the remove, they worked with me to try and fix the spots but in the end, they sent a new tank. The new tank looks much better but I still notice some small spots, very disappointing but I don't think they will be visible. So I have another identical tank sitting across the room, not sure what to do with it...not sure if I can even get it out of my basement!
On to the tank build:
I designed the stand similar to the ELOS stands by utilizing full-frame door and panels without any trim work or extra ornamentation. I really like the clean / modern look and I think it will match the rimless tank really well. The main difference between this stand and the ELOS stands is that it will have an edge at the perimeter, I didn't want to risk hanging the tank over the front edge without support like they do.
Here is the finished stand with the aquarium:
The high-gloss paint turned out awesome, I just used rustoleum oil based high-gloss. In total, three coats of primer, three coats of oil paint.
Side View, on the far side there will be a Vortech MP60, I can't wait to hook it up!
I built a small electrical panel inside the stand, it is designed to be removed if I need to add more things or move stuff around. You can see the vortech battery backup in there, as well as a DJ powerstrip, which I painted white (it was rusting out a bit).
Plumbing dry fitted, waiting for glue! Got the return plumbed last night, going to work on the drains this evening. I have designed the drains so that I can remove the union to change filter socks (if I end up using them). The black acrylic piece is designed to be removed if I decide I don't like having it. I really like to have a flexible system. I plan to have this reef up for at least 4-5 years so I want to take care to make sure everything is the way I want it!
I am using the glass-holes overflow and return, they are pretty awesome!
You're probably wondering where my top-off and two-part systems will be located, as there isn't much room inside the stand. I will be running 1/4" tubing behind the tank, through the ledge in the celling of the basement, and into a small closet, which will fit my litermeter, two 5 gallon buckets for two-part, and the top-off reservoir, which will be connected to my litermeter top-off unit. The peristaltic pumps used in this system will allow me to move the two-part and top-off easily from the closet to the aquarium.
The new system will be geared mostly towards sps....pics to come of my old system and some corals.