Cali Kid Corals

Michael's 300 In Vegas

" One idea was to make a wall out of small rocks and either sand or bare bottom the last 1/4 of the tank."

That'd be cool. Would look like a beach. I did it on mine and loving it. People ask about it more than anything.
 
H2OPlayar said:
Working on rock shapes and structures. Thanks to @Coral reefer for the great pieces. Most of them made it mostly. Now time for epoxy sticks and super glue to make it taller and more interesting.

I was debating on doing something different for the substrate. One idea was to make a wall out of small rocks and either sand or bare bottom the last 1/4 of the tank. I know things will move and change but it could make for a cool effect. I'm leaning towards trying a little bare bottom, then 3/4 of the tank has crushed coral.


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Bare bottom in a tank that deep seems perilous. My frag tank is bare bottom and gets covered in coraline and vermetid tubes. Not a problem necessarily, but likely won't look like a bare bottom for long and would be very difficult to clean in that deep a tank.

I'd go for a sand area personally. For awhile I was going to do what you're saying here in my display, but after that frag tank I figured the effect wouldn't last. However, in my current tank there's an area that gets blasted free of sand by my gyre and that stays clean because it is only temporarily clear.
 
derek_SR said:
Looking good! Are you starting with all dry rock, or what's your plan there?
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I have some of my biome from my big tank that I drove out here, and got some more crushed coral I am "cooking". So the structures will be dry, then I'll likely have the sump and a pile of live rock in the corner. I learned from my last system that the structure changes every year or so anyway so don't get too attached to any one part.

popper said:
That'd be cool. Would look like a beach. I did it on mine and loving it. People ask about it more than anything.
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How did you make your wall? Feel free to just direct me to the page in your journal where you talk about it ;)

I'm thinking 2x4's, crushed coral, and clear epoxy to make a 3-4" tall wall to try to keep the sand in place.
 
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Reefinglens said:
Nice custom sump and ATO @H2OPlayar! You’re famous! Lol
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I haven't posted pictures yet...it hasn't even shown up yet...are you the builder? Or is he just sharing with everyone he knows, lol.

Working on designing the plumbing now. Was debating schedule 40 vs 80, then some at an lfs here rolled their eyes and said "you know you get what you pay for". So I am designing a dark blue with grey fitting schedule 80 plumbing setup. I really liked my in sump salt mixer I had in my last system, so I'll do that again, then maybe splice a spot for a reactor off, even though I already know it is better to run a dedicated pump for a reactor. So maybe just the mixer then...
 
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Reusing my rodi water storage container from my last system, and giving myself a little more room and organization for the lines.

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At least he is doing it now. I'll be there at the end of July for my son’s basketball tournament. Last summer it was 114 degrees
 
More room for the fish to swim
And assuming you’re doing it right...you corals will grow
As they do, they will fill the space
Fish want the headroom when they swim over the reef
 
Getting some plumbing done, one more gasket should come today so I can get rubber between the overflow and the tank. I know you don't "need" that one, but I had so much trouble with my last overflow leaking, I am likely going to silicone everything first go.

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In tank salt water mixing station!


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Arvin R said:
How old is your son? My son has a ball tournament on Vegas on July 18-22.
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Hit me up and you guys can cool off in the tank, or pool. If you come next year, I'll have you bring coral.
 
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H2OPlayar said:
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CDA recommended 3 straight pipes at 1.5", 3.5", and 5" length for primary, secondary, and emergency
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Interesting, that certainly makes things simple. I plumbed mine like this:

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Which is what most of my research indicated, but it seems needlessly complex. I don't know what the advantages are (I guess maybe slightly quieter this way?) but it certainly has plenty of disadvantages. Wish I had just gone with straight pipes like yours.
 
derek_SR said:
Interesting, that certainly makes things simple. I plumbed mine like this:

View attachment 57105

Which is what most of my research indicated, but it seems needlessly complex. I don't know what the advantages are (I guess maybe slightly quieter this way?) but it certainly has plenty of disadvantages. Wish I had just gone with straight pipes like yours.
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It is all slip fit for now so if I want to add "U's" for noise reasons I can, but there is a decently sealing lid on the top of the overflow which may help quiet the overflow. I am getting water delivered next week, so I will let you know.
 
derek_SR said:
Interesting, that certainly makes things simple. I plumbed mine like this:

View attachment 57105

Which is what most of my research indicated, but it seems needlessly complex. I don't know what the advantages are (I guess maybe slightly quieter this way?) but it certainly has plenty of disadvantages. Wish I had just gone with straight pipes like yours.
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A noob question here, is there two drains, or two emergency drains, I'm curious as to the 3 at 3 different levels? (Or is one of them the return)
 
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