Dirt4dinner's new display Refugium!! PICS!

[Dirt4dinner]

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! It's done. This is a 15 gallon acrylic tank with two bulkheads drilled and mounted in the back wall up near the top corners, I foamed the back wall and one side wall, and plumbed it to the main tank. It's fed with a Rio 1100 from the sump through a flex house and through one bulkhead. Then it overflows through the other bulkhead back into my sump via PVC pipe. Came out pretty good. In the picture where the display tank is seen, you can see one HUGE whitish rock in the left center...that rock is going in the refugium in the morning. It has been hanging out in my display getting some coraline and microstars. I am going to put a Mantis Shrimp in the refugium along with a variety of planted macros. More photos when I find a Mantis Shrimp! Enjoy, and ask questions if you have any.

[graphixx]

good lord, its about time!!!! tyler, that turned out pretty damm nice buddy. that will look awesome once you get some stuff in there. THUMBS UP

[jojo22]

Ok why do you have to go and make more projects for poor old Joe???? LOL

Looks SWEET bud!

[Dirt4dinner]

It was a LONG project! I was building on a budget!!

Tank w/ bulkheads = FREE
Odyssea T5 fixture (with only 1 working bulb) = FREE
Sand = FREE (traded for half tub of Kalkwasser)
Foam = 2 cans for $15
PVC = laying around from other projects FREE
IKEA shelf unit = $80
Ikea baskets to hold/ hide my fish stuff (thanks to wife) = $40
One big chunk of LR = $30 on sale
Minmax stain = left over from tank staining FREE

TOTAL COST = $165

[Reef_Angel]

I'm glad you told me about this Tyler. It sure does look great. I don't think I've ever seen a tank that utilizes the back wall and side wall, but what a nifty idea. Are those walls expensive? What a great way to help hide the bulk heads! Great work! Nice talking with you tonight! ....Angel :angel1:

[jojo22]

Any build pics buddy??? Or is my mind not working due to lack of sleep??

[Dirt4dinner]

The "walls" are just covered with sealant foam out of a can, I used 2 cans and it was about $15 for the two cans. Just to warn anyone attempting this...it's NOT as easy as you might think. I had a lady help me locally who did her refugium in this manner. You have to wear plastic gloves, and the stuff is so INCREDIBLY sticky that it can be very difficult to work with. However, the results look amazing when covered with coraline! Not to mention Pods are in heaven with all those hiding places. My recommendations is buy an extra can or two and practice on a piece of plexiglass until you get the results you want...then do your tank.

I didn't take any build photos. There wasn't much to it. The tank came pre-drilled and ready to go. I just had the foam done, but I didn't take photos. Then I bought the shelf from Ikea and made my wife stain it...she wasn't happy about doing the staining and I think the camera may have got me injured! I will take more photos as it progresses though!!

[jojo22]

Did you just not foam around the bulkheads or drill passeges for them??? does the foam sit directly on the glass or is that a false wall???

[Dirt4dinner]

the foam goes right on the tank! It comes out like a big snake, then you let it expand a bit, then you start breaking it up by poking it and moving it around. As it starts to harden you pop any large bubbles and when it gets a little harder than that you smash it down to make sure it sticks to the tank and to give it a "natural" rock texture. It was pretty interesting to watch her do the work...it's all about timing, as it is to sticky to work with part of the time and then to hard to do anything with after awhile. You have to be quick!

We put blue painters tape over the bulkhead openings and then just didn't put foam right across them. Let's put it this way though...those bulkheads are NEVER coming out!!!!

[Whoyah]

Lookin good Tyler. I really dig the foam walls. I am going to try that on my 38 soon. Can I get the dimensions of the area you covered with foam and how much left over foam did you have??

[Dirt4dinner]

This is a 24" tank and I needed about a can and a half. There is no such thing as "left over" foam, the stuff just keeps oozing out of the can after you get done, you just toss out the can, even if there is a little left. Like I said above, I would definatly buy an extra can or two just to practice with. Getting the texture right is really tough, and they can come out horrible.

[Whoyah]

Thanks Tyler for the information. It sounds like a little practice is in order. Is this the stuff you used??

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9232&Ntt=foam&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=62728&Nty=1

I really like your texture. It looks like the back wall actually a couple large ridges in it.

[greg97527]

Hey shad you can get that stuff over at richrds (frog prince)

[Dirt4dinner]

Yeah thats the stuff! Weirdest stuff I have ever seen. It comes out like a never ending black turd....and sticky like super glue!! Practice is definatly in order before you try this on anything of value!!!

[Sweetpea]

Wow, Tyler! That foam came out GREAT! Patience really has paid off for you! Now for the mantis... we've got to find you one! ;)

[greg97527]

found one
ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Live-Coral-Saltwater-Fish-Green-Rock-Mantis-Shrimp_W0QQitemZ230041236709QQihZ013QQcategoryZ667 88QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem)

[Dirt4dinner]

Thanks Greg. I think I found a red one w. wennare is the species from a guy in Florida. Going to be $30 shipped to my door. I can handle that. Thanks again.

[Reef_Angel]

Now go figure! That would make a cool wall, and you're right! The little crevices and such will make excellent places for all the tiniest critters to make their homes in. I must say, you did a very good job on your walls. I'd really like to see it done. Next time you decide to do that, flip on a camcorder and make a video to share on the board. I can't wait to see how the rest of it turns out. Thanks for sharing! ....Angel :angel1:

[hummer]

good idea reef angle video is always best for learning

[Dirt4dinner]

Hey gang,
I got some stuff in the tank and thought I better get another round of photos. Here is what we have so far! I put one nice big piece of live rock with some nice arched caves on the bottom side. I also added Bam Bam, my Peacock Mantis shrimp, he isn't very photogenic yet, but I got a couple of him staring out at the camera. I also added the damsel...which is either going to be Bam Bam's friend or meal...so far they seem to just ignore each other. I also have added some macro algeas the red one (I don't know what it is called), some Alameda, and some shaving brush. There is also a little pile of live rock rubble in there. Then I tossed in a few hermits, and some snails for clean up crew, and snacks for Bam Bam. And just tonight, I picked up the 96W coralife fixture used locally and set it up there. So that should be the final lighting setup; the Odyssea T5 fixture (with only 1 working bulb) and the 96W Coralife Fixture with a 50/50 bulb.

Here are the photos.
Here is the full tank shot. The powerhead in the photo is temporary...the suction cups do everything but SUCK...so that sucks!
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/Dirt4dinner/DisplayRefugium001.jpg

Here is a little closer look with the damsel, and the macros.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/Dirt4dinner/DisplayRefugium002.jpg

And last but not least...BAM BAM!!!! What a stud! This is the coolest saltwater critter I have ever had!
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/Dirt4dinner/DisplayRefugium003.jpg

[Reptoreef]

That is one terrific system... looks incredible and that foam is exactly what I am intending on using on my next tank. Question though... did it expand at all???

[graphixx]

right on its about time I saw a pic of him. I have heard soooo much about him. that fuge is looking good. cant wait to see it in a month or 2 when its got some growth on the foam.

[Dirt4dinner]

The foam expands a lot when it is drying. About 10-15 min after first applying it, you have to smash it down hard, that gets rid of the bubbly, fluffy look and helps it adhere to the glass better. All I can say is, practice practice practice before you try it on a tank of value!

Thanks guys, it means a lot getting compliments from the crew around here!

[hummer]

what is that critter under the rock on pg 1 ?

[Dirt4dinner]

I think you are referring to Bam Bam...my Peacock Mantis Shrimp.

[hummer]

it thought those were dangeris in a tank thay can crack the glass( i heard )

[graphixx]

it has happened in the past, but from what I gather its very rare that it happens, I have heard of them busting heaters more often than tanks. and yes they are dangerous. IMO they are on of the most intellegent inverts you can get. you want to keep them by themselves. they are very cunning hunters. but they are such a cool critter and the color that peacocks have is AMAZING.

[Sweetpea]

Looks great, Tyler! I can't wait to see how this tank matures over the next few months!

[Dirt4dinner]

Hummer,
There have been "stories", possibly true of Peacocks breaking glass tanks. That's why mine is in an acrylic tank. I don't have anything in there for him to break, except snails, and hermits. When I work in the tank, I keep an eye out for him, but he seems to want to keep his distance. He has taken a few shots at my prongs when I have been moving stuff around, but it just makes me jump. He is absolutly amazing to watch, the way he hunts, the way he moves....and most creepy the way he stares at me. When I am looking in the tank, he will look right at me. They are smart! They need to be housed alone obviously, as anything else alive in the tank is a potential meal. But with the right set up they can be very fun "pets", and they are incredibly hardy to boot. I am looking forward to watching him get bigger for sure. He is still pretty small at about 4".

Sweetpea,
Thanks, I can't wait either! I am picking up a nice piece of LR from a friends VERY active refugium to give mine a jump start. Hopefully that will boost the pod population and get things rolling in there.