DBarsotti's Tank On A Hill

[DBarsotti]

New to CR, just wanted to share my tank!


The system now includes, 40g display, 15g frag tank, and a 15g sump.
Display Lighting: 36" Current USA Outer Orbit 2x150watt MH, 4xT5.

I am Upgrading to a 120g very soon.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0055.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0005-1-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0084.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0250.jpg
My new favorite :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0135.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0123-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0155.jpg

[DBarsotti]

Picture of the whole system.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0041.jpg


More corals.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0045.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0051.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0008.jpg

Some of the frags in my Frag tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0034.jpg

[bigbill]

very nice setup
:thumbsup:

[DBarsotti]

Heres a video of my frag tank i took with my phone

YouTube- ‪Sps frags‬‎

[BK's Reef]

very nice setup! love the sps growth!

[DBarsotti]

very nice setup
:thumbsup:

Thank you!

[XSiVE]

wow thats some beautiful stuff!

[DBarsotti]

thank you, i cant wait to upgrade to a bigger system.

[XSiVE]

thank you, i cant wait to upgrade to a bigger system.

definitely, it looks like you need the space :)

[DBarsotti]

definitely, it looks like you need the space :)

Yeah corals are definitely getting in eachother personal bubbles, ha

[tankdude]

I love your setup! I didn't reed all the posts, are you going to eventually upgrade to a bigger tank?

[DBarsotti]

I love your setup! I didn't reed all the posts, are you going to eventually upgrade to a bigger tank?

Thank you! Yes HOPEFULLY this weekend i will be picking up my new 120g if everything goes as planned.:big_grin:

[demonclownfish]

can you say AEFW paradise?lol jkin, sweet tank..... but wheres the zoas and LPS????

[DBarsotti]

can you say AEFW paradise?lol jkin, sweet tank..... but wheres the zoas and LPS????

thanks, yeah AEFW would have a blast in there.. nothing goes in my tank without being dipped in various things.:smash:

whats a Zoas or a LPS??? ahahha I have a few but i'm real into sps, once i upgrade i'll most likely start adding some lps since i'll have a lot more space to work with.

[ReeferRob]

Dude, glad to have you over here! You tank is schweet and some killer growth. What kinda light are you using?

[rmalone]

Well done, it's not easy to grow such a nice sps tank in a 40g. You've really watched your p's and q's!! One question though why just a 120g, you'll have that outgrown in 18mo. You need to go at least 180g, you know, a little room to play. You obviously know how to play so don't cut your space short. Lovely tank, nice job.

[schminksbro]

Beautiful! Absolutely stunning! A bit of advice though,,,,Stay away from the "weeds" in your new tank. You clearly have the "Reef Thumb" with SPS. Why downgrade?;) Great job, please post a build thread when you get the new tank.

thanks, yeah AEFW would have a blast in there.. nothing goes in my tank without being dipped in various things.:smash:

whats a Zoas or a LPS??? ahahha I have a few but i'm real into sps, once i upgrade i'll most likely start adding some lps since i'll have a lot more space to work with.

[DBarsotti]

Dude, glad to have you over here! You tank is schweet and some killer growth. What kinda light are you using?

thanks! I run a 36" current USA outter orbit 2x150watt 14k Phoenix MH
4xT5


Well done, it's not easy to grow such a nice sps tank in a 40g. You've really watched your p's and q's!! One question though why just a 120g, you'll have that outgrown in 18mo. You need to go at least 180g, you know, a little room to play. You obviously know how to play so don't cut your space short. Lovely tank, nice job.

thank you, I don't have room for anything bigger than a 120 at this point and plus the new tank will only be set up for less than 2 years till i move, so i figured a 120 was my best option. pluuuusss i already have alight that'll fit the 120 :thumbsup:


Beautiful! Absolutely stunning! A bit of advice though,,,,Stay away from the "weeds" in your new tank. You clearly have the "Reef Thumb" with SPS. Why downgrade?;) Great job, please post a build thread when you get the new tank.

thanks and i'll make sure and start a build thread.

[Mike]

Looks awsome!!!

[streetrodder007]

You certainly know how to grow coral. Fantastic looking setup ! Welcome aboard.

[DBarsotti]

Playing around today with my new iphone4:big_grin:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-61.png

These were taken with the Metal halides off so the color is kinda funky.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo2-24.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Wow man that phone takes some killer pics huh! What kinds of fish do you have in there?

[DBarsotti]

Wow man that phone takes some killer pics huh! What kinds of fish do you have in there?


yeah the phone is sooo awesome, the HD video is insane.

fish list.

1 purple tang
3 chromis
2 blue streak cardinals
1 false perc

[Sir Patrick]

Outstanding tank!!!

How long has it been running??

[iyachtuxivm]

Yeah corals are definitely getting in eachother personal bubbles, ha

Wow! hard to believe that is only 40g. looks awesome cant wait to see what you do with a big tank!

[DBarsotti]

Outstanding tank!!!

How long has it been running??

Thank you! The tank has been up and running for 3 years, It has been full blown sps for about 2.5


Wow! hard to believe that is only 40g. looks awesome cant wait to see what you do with a big tank!


Thanks, Hopefully this weekend I'll be bringing home my new 120g! I'm driving up north to look at it on saturday.

[igot2gats]

Absolutely amazing tank! Your phone sure takes some sweet shots as well!

Keep us posted on your new tank!

[cephalotus]

can you say AEFW paradise?lol jkin, sweet tank..... but wheres the zoas and LPS????

You don't plant dandelions in a yard full of bluegrass sod. :big_grin:Nicest 40 gallon sps tank I have ever seen.

[DBarsotti]

You don't plant dandelions in a yard full of bluegrass sod. :big_grin:Nicest 40 gallon sps tank I have ever seen.

Haha well put. Thanks!

[DBarsotti]

whoop whoop!! After a 5 hour round trip drive and an entire day of taking down a tank, I'm the proud owner of a 120g tank!!! yeeeeeaaaa!

I'll post pictures tomorrow once I get this beauty cleaned up.

[XSiVE]

woohoo! I cant wait to see how you set it all up, your SPS won't know what to do with all that room.

[DBarsotti]

woohoo! I cant wait to see how you set it all up, your SPS won't know what to do with all that room.


Yeah this is a big change and i'm waaaay pumped for it. I pretty much have everything I need to set up this new system, aside from new sand, and a sump. The next month is going to kill me waiting to put everything in it.:smash::doh::stupidme::tear:

[shovelhead91701]

you may have made me a believer in sps only tanks...WOW man! The old setup was beautiful! Can't wait to see the new one!

[DBarsotti]

you may have made me a believer in sps only tanks...WOW man! The old setup was beautiful! Can't wait to see the new one!

Thanks!

heres the new tank after a serious cleaning, it has a LOT more scratches than i originally thought, I am going to try and buff them out i think. I don't really even care about the scratches anyway tho, i just want more room!

Here is it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-6.jpg

[ReeferRob]

WOW! The tank is pretty nice too! LOL Are you like 8 feet tall or are you going to use a step stool to get in that bad boy?

[XSiVE]

WOW! The tank is pretty nice too! LOL Are you like 8 feet tall or are you going to use a step stool to get in that bad boy?

LOL i have the same size tank and am 6'2, I use a stepstool if I want to (comfortablly) get to the sand bed to make any changes..

[DBarsotti]

Ha yeah, I am going to cut the stand down a foot.. or two. It think its cool that tall so you don't have to bend over to look in.. but, #1 my livingroom is tiny so that thing would look HUGE in there, #2 The tank is usually enjoyed as we sit on the couch watching tv so it needs to be low, and #3 I always have my hands in the tank so thats not going to work for me.


Has anyone had success removing scratches from glass??

[adalius]

I've seen it done a couple ways, haven't done it myself. Depends how daring you are.

You can rub it with hydrochloric acid, usually a 20% solution, and if you're careful not to go too deep and very careful about cleaning up any acid that drips you can get the scratch out with that. Basically you dip a cotton ball in some and rub it over the scratch, douse with water to thin the acid out, check if it's gone yet, if not, repeat from step 1. I'd suggest gloves for this. It won't eat through your hand in 10 seconds or anything but prolonged exposure isn't fun.

You can use Jewler's Rouge (cerium oxide), which is basically like rubbing compound you'd use on your car, it's a super super fine grit paste that will pull out most scratches that aren't too deep. Deep ones it won't do much to except make them less deep. You'd be best off using a drill and a buffing head if you go this route as it's extremely slow and labor intensive.

Both of these methods can weaken the glass as you're thinning it, but if you're careful it shouldn't be any worse than the weakening caused by the scratch in the first place, especially since you're removing the sharp transition from normal to scratch and making it a smooth transition.

Lastly, who's the babe in the picture? :big_grin:

[DBarsotti]

I've seen it done a couple ways, haven't done it myself. Depends how daring you are.

You can rub it with hydrochloric acid, usually a 20% solution, and if you're careful not to go too deep and very careful about cleaning up any acid that drips you can get the scratch out with that. Basically you dip a cotton ball in some and rub it over the scratch, douse with water to thin the acid out, check if it's gone yet, if not, repeat from step 1. I'd suggest gloves for this. It won't eat through your hand in 10 seconds or anything but prolonged exposure isn't fun.

You can use Jewler's Rouge (cerium oxide), which is basically like rubbing compound you'd use on your car, it's a super super fine grit paste that will pull out most scratches that aren't too deep. Deep ones it won't do much to except make them less deep. You'd be best off using a drill and a buffing head if you go this route as it's extremely slow and labor intensive.

Both of these methods can weaken the glass as you're thinning it, but if you're careful it shouldn't be any worse than the weakening caused by the scratch in the first place, especially since you're removing the sharp transition from normal to scratch and making it a smooth transition.
Lastly, who's the babe in the picture? :big_grin:

Thanks for the input, very helpful, i think i'm going to go with the rouge method since the scratches are really shallow, I'll definitely post some pictures when i do it.

Ha, thats my very helpful/beautiful girlfriend who helped scrape and clean the whole tank with me.

[adalius]

Lucky, I can barely get my wife to put her dishes in the sink on a regular basis, let alone help me with my tank, her tank, or her betta bowl.

[DBarsotti]

Lucky, I can barely get my wife to put her dishes in the sink on a regular basis, let alone help me with my tank, her tank, or her betta bowl.

yeah, shes a keeper.



Update.
Hopefully this weekend I will be cutting the stand down for the new 120 and repainting it. Once all thats done I'm going to move it into its spot and fill it about half way, add the live rock I have for it and start the cycle. Most of the plumbing is done but I need to add another line for the return on the frag tank. I havent found a sump/fuge for it yet, so I think i'm going to go buy a sheet of acrylic and make my own.
The main task I'm going to have to undertake is moving my existing system 4 feet off the wall so I can set up the new 120 in its place, its not going to be easy.. I'll take some pictures to post as things move along.

[DBarsotti]

Ok so last night i partied a little too hard so today nothing really got done with the new tank aside from having some friends help me move it off the stand so i can cut it down and paint it tomorrow.

Anyway besides that I have been thinking about a stocking list for the new tank. I've never had a tank bigger than my 40g so i don't really know what amount of fish is acceptable for a 120g. What do you guys think?
Here is the fish I would like to keep in the tank.
Anthias, not sure which species yet
Blue chromis (smallest ones i can possibly find)
blue streak cardinals
How many of these fish do you think i could keep? Also, I will be adding my small yellow tang, Tim, to the system. He'll be the only large fish in the tank. Maybe I might want to add a good looking wrasse at some, maybe.
Lets hear your input, thanks.

[DBarsotti]

Well I didn't get as far along on the new tank as i would of liked this weekend but i did break the stand down, cut it down from 40.5" to 32", reenforce it and repaint it.. I guess i'll have to wait till next weekend to get some water in it and start the cycle.

heres some pictures of the stand, fully taken apart and then just after we got done painting it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-66.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-65.jpg

[XSiVE]

Looks good.

I think you could probably keep all of those fish, you may want to put the tang in last, however, so he doesnt get agressive as you add others.

[DBarsotti]

Looks good.

I think you could probably keep all of those fish, you may want to put the tang in last, however, so he doesnt get agressive as you add others.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind about the tang..


So.. I want to set this new tank up sooo bad! Really, the only thing stopping me at this piont is i need to get some good pictures of my 40g one last time before i move it but its been extremely hot at my house the last few days 105+ yesterday, so i've had to keep the halides on my tank off. HOPEFULLY, today after work i can cool the tank down flip on the halides and take some pictures.
Last night I put the tank back on the stand and did a final water test to make sure moving it around didn't hurt it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-68.jpg

It still holds water so thats good:thumbsup:

I am fairly certain friday is going to be the day for moving and setting up the 120g:highfive3:
I'll take lots of pictures

[ReeferRob]

Looking forward to hit, here's to a smooth move:cheers2::40ounce:

[schminksbro]

I would think your fishlist would be fine. You could probably even add some more down the road depending on your skimmer. I have Barlett's Anthias in my 100 gallon SPS tank and I love them. They are one of the heartier species. Action packed water column fish that won't nip at corals. Also you can't go wrong with some of the flasher or fairy wrasses. Beautiful fish.

[DBarsotti]

ok ok.. here we go..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo2-31.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo3-21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo4-16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo5-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo2-30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo3-20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-69.jpg

[DBarsotti]

Mwahahahahahahahaha!

ITS ALIVE! ..kinda

Once the water clears up I will start adding the live rock in the last picture.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo2-33.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo2-32.jpg

[adalius]

Gonna keep it like that with 3 tanks in one room? That'd be a sick display. I don't think my floor could handle it though...

[Sir Patrick]

Is it cleared up yet?? Cant wait to see it w/ live rock!!

[DBarsotti]

Gonna keep it like that with 3 tanks in one room? That'd be a sick display. I don't think my floor could handle it though...

Ha yeah, Thats what my living room is going to look like for at least the next month.. It looks like a dang LFS in here.





Is it cleared up yet?? Cant wait to see it w/ live rock!!


Its clearing up, I put the live rock in the s'morning, but you cant see it yet, ha. Hopefully by the end of the day it'll be clear.:smash:



I'm SOOOOO excited for this tank!

[John]

I do enjoy reading entire threads. I'm looking forward to seeing what this beast will look like in another month or so.

[DBarsotti]

I've been so dang busy with work and upgrading but here is some more pictures!
I would also like to add that I am half ninja, the s'morning i netted 2 chromis out of my 40g in one swoop. ha

All these pictures are with my phone so take it easy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-70.jpg
Had this light laying around so i put it over the tank till i finsh the new hood
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-71.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo3-22.jpg

AND since my 40g is off the wall for the first time i got to see in from the back.. It was like finding a whole new part of the reef.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo2-34.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Nice work ninja D! You starting to sweat moving all those dope colonies over yet? I mean getting the new tank in place and moving the others is pretty stressful. But moving all those colonies over and scaping the new tank is a whole different kinda stress.

I call dips on any broken nuggs!

[DBarsotti]

Nice work ninja D! You starting to sweat moving all those dope colonies over yet? I mean getting the new tank in place and moving the others is pretty stressful. But moving all those colonies over and scaping the new tank is a whole different kinda stress.

I call dips on any broken nuggs!

Ha yeah i'm pretty worried about it, actually EXTREMELY worried.. I have been doing a lot of aqua scaping in my head, most of whats in the 40g is connected by encrusted corals so theres really only 5 major chunks of rock that are going to come out of it. I'm hopefully just going to use the rock thats in the 120 to make two flat islands(kind of whats in there now) and just take whats in the 40 and set it on top of the islands, so it will more or less look like what it looks like in the 40 but just spread apart.

I'm sure none of it will work out how i think its going to.. ha:stupidme:

[ReeferRob]

Ha yeah i'm pretty worried about it, actually EXTREMELY worried.. I have been doing a lot of aqua scaping in my head, most of whats in the 40g is connected by encrusted corals so theres really only 5 major chunks of rock that are going to come out of it. I'm hopefully just going to use the rock thats in the 120 to make two flat islands(kind of whats in there now) and just take whats in the 40 and set it on top of the islands, so it will more or less look like what it looks like in the 40 but just spread apart.

I'm sure none of it will work out how i think its going to.. ha:stupidme:

Wish I lived closer to come help you man. I love scaping tanks, plus I don't have much hair left to pull out anyway. Just take a couple Xany's and grab cautiously so not to cut and infect yourself. Licking your fingers or rubbing your eyes during a project like that probably wouldn't be too good either.

[DBarsotti]

Wish I lived closer to come help you man. I love scaping tanks, plus I don't have much hair left to pull out anyway. Just take a couple Xany's and grab cautiously so not to cut and infect yourself. Licking your fingers or rubbing your eyes during a project like that probably wouldn't be too good either.

ha sounds like a good plan to me.

Is infection from coral a fairly common thing? I've always got my hands all overeverything in the tank

[adalius]

Is infection from coral a fairly common thing?
It happens here and there, its usually not very serious, or not as serious as it could be.

I'll just leave this article here...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palytoxin

[DBarsotti]

"considered to be one of the most toxic non-peptide substances known"...

So you're saying i shouldn't put it in my mouth? haha:stupidme:

[adalius]

Yep. One of my hardcover books actually has a little blurb on one page about the author's reefer buddy getting palytoxin poisoning from rubbing his eyes with it on his hands. It was minor in that it didn't kill him but his eye was all swollen shut.

[DBarsotti]

Thats pretty crazy, I once got stung by a torch coral in a cut on my finger. It didn't swell up or anything but it was fairly painfull

[ReeferRob]

You should be good D, you don't have any z's or p's in there right? Still be careful though, I cut the inside of my middle finger scapping someone's tank on here months ago and still am trying to get to heal properly.
Our very own fearless leader Jim had a few nights stay at the hospital for a tank related injury. If you get anything on your face just rub them on your girlfriends.......shirt! LOL:borat:

[DBarsotti]

You should be good D, you don't have any z's or p's in there right? Still be careful though, I cut the inside of my middle finger scapping someone's tank on here months ago and still am trying to get to heal properly.
Our very own fearless leader Jim had a few nights stay at the hospital for a tank related injury. If you get anything on your face just rub them on your girlfriends.......shirt! LOL:borat:

haha good plan.


Ok so today i went to the LFS to get some chromis for the tank. They didn't have any, bummer.

BUT, they had this! The last main ingredient to my tank!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-72.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo-73.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Are those flowers in the background? So you have a green thumb and a blue thumb! You ever figure out what pump your gonna run for a return?

[shovelhead91701]

I noticed in your pic that you didn't have any high density foam under that sump in your stand.... I highly recommend that you go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy a 4x8 sheet of it then cut it to fit your sump dimensions and install it under it in the cabinet.... this allows for any inconsistencies in the floor of your cabinet to compress into the foam and not into your sump causing a crack. I made a sump for a buddy once and was wet testing the flows without putting the foam on it once and actually cracked a seam due to the uneven pressure under the sump!

[DBarsotti]

Are those flowers in the background? So you have a green thumb and a blue thumb! You ever figure out what pump your gonna run for a return?

Ha, yes we try and keep our yard very colorful and blah blah blah.
hmm, I'mm still stuck on what return I'm going to use, how many GPH should a 120 have through the sump? I was thinking about using something big becasue i was going to split it with the frag tank, but now i think after the tank is set up i'm going to move my fragtank to the garage so i'll just use a seperate, smaller return for the frag tank for now.


I noticed in your pic that you didn't have any high density foam under that sump in your stand.... I highly recommend that you go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy a 4x8 sheet of it then cut it to fit your sump dimensions and install it under it in the cabinet.... this allows for any inconsistencies in the floor of your cabinet to compress into the foam and not into your sump causing a crack. I made a sump for a buddy once and was wet testing the flows without putting the foam on it once and actually cracked a seam due to the uneven pressure under the sump!

thanks for the heads up, i'll definitely look into getting some of that foam, the sump will most likely not have water in it for a few more weeks. I still have to figure out how i want the plumbing and i want to use as much WC water out of my 40g as possible. Also, the sump still needs to be drilled for ATO and i may or may not add a few other things to it. I was mostly just putting it in there to get it out of the way and see how it fits.

[ReeferRob]

Check out the Quiet One pumps, they run really cool, draw little power, are very affordable and pack tons of punch.

[DBarsotti]

Check out the Quiet One pumps, they run really cool, draw little power, are very affordable and pack tons of punch.

I'm pretty sure right now i have a magdrive 9.5 950gph on my 40g, overkill i know for a 40 but its what came with the sump. D you think i could use this pump at the return on my 120? the dang 120 has 2 returns that spilt again, so 4 outlets.

[ReeferRob]

Well it's currently providing sufficient dwell time to grow macro for you so in that aspect it should be fine. But as far as providing additional flow in the tank, not so much.
Its a tuff balance when you have a refugium and you grow mac for nutrient export. You need the flow to be slow enough so the mac can actually absorb the nutrients and grow, but at the same time you want it to provide flow for the sticks.
You banging any vortechs? What about drilling that beast for a CL?

[DBarsotti]

Well it's currently providing sufficient dwell time to grow macro for you so in that aspect it should be fine. But as far as providing additional flow in the tank, not so much.
Its a tuff balance when you have a refugium and you grow mac for nutrient export. You need the flow to be slow enough so the mac can actually absorb the nutrients and grow, but at the same time you want it to provide flow for the sticks.
You banging any vortechs? What about drilling that beast for a CL?

psshhhh i wish i had some vortecs!:cryin: The return wont be for water movement for the sticks, simply to get water throught the sump. I think i've got 3 koralia3's and 3 koralia2's that i'll be putting in there for now. At some point i'd really like to get some vortecs or a tunze wavebox.. but thats not in the cards at the moment. Mmm chirstmas is kind of soon:big_grin:

[ReeferRob]

Yo Dom, you looking to move any of those sticks you got in grow out? You should start a VorTech fund! PM me some dealy yos!

[DBarsotti]

Yo Dom, you looking to move any of those sticks you got in grow out? You should start a VorTech fund! PM me some dealy yos!


once everything gets moved i'll be making a ton a frags, a lot of the stuff in the frag tank picture got sold off recently to fund the new tank. I'll be sure a shoot you a pm when i got some tasty little nuggets ready!

[DBarsotti]

ok.. ok... ok...


Rob has been making me feel bad for leaving this poor little thread all by its lonesome and so I apologize but there are so many forums and I have been crazy busy with all sorts of awesome, neat-o reef projects..

So I'm not going to write out everything i've been up to but I am going to post a whole bunch of pictures! sound like a plan? ok, perfect.

Heres we goes.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo5-10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo4-18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo1-18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo2-38.jpg

[DBarsotti]

had to re-bend it since it got bent in shipping, and add a few extra switches..
check it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/ddd387f7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/1d8aaec7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/dbdf8c0d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/7aac72e1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/20886a86.jpg

Light on the new 120g
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/9b408bcc.jpg

[DBarsotti]

heres right went i moved everything over from the 40g, took around 7 hours ha..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/c94f0bf4.jpg

[DBarsotti]

!Heres a video of the 120g!

YouTube - 120g SPS Dominated Reef

[DBarsotti]

ok so I figured.. new tank means more corals.. and more corals means more frags.. so here is the new project i have been working on.

48x36x12

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/0a671210.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/5cdb697a.jpg

[DBarsotti]

SOrry the frags look so crappy they ahd just gone through my dipping routine before i took the pictures


Pink Jade (new)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0736.jpg

Ultimate stag (New)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0731.jpg

20k (new) .. wooo
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0726.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0730.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0727.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0749.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0724.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CSC_0725.jpg

[DBarsotti]

YouTube - False Percs & Nem

[DBarsotti]

when i first started filling the new Prop tank


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/47d2649d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/photo3-26.jpg

[DBarsotti]

Stoli
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0753.jpg

Hermosa
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0720.jpg

Pink Jade
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0699.jpg

Premo Berry
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0750.jpg

Forest Fire Digi
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0704.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0702.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0746.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0711.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0718.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0717.jpg

[DBarsotti]

so these are the only zoas that i have that i actually try not to kill.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/DSC_0695.jpg

[DBarsotti]

Let there be life!.. a little..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/a4ee8ad1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/3c5f39f9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/7ffb2ee0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/183206a8.jpg

mwahahaha!
this skimmer kicks so much butt, this is after like 30 minutes and its already gotten about half up all the crap from the sand out of the water.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/306f4690.jpg

[DBarsotti]

Silencer for the prop tank overflows


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/2d600c95.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/d5fd153e.jpg

[DBarsotti]

OK.... So thats pretty much everything thats been going on!

[cephalotus]

How well does the silencer work? Any more pics or detailed information on the silencer?

[jolson10450]

How well does the silencer work? Any more pics or detailed information on the silencer?

i made a silencer just like that and it works great! i use it on my HOB overflow and its dead silent. they work great! they are called a gurgle buster, you can look up how to make them, just remember to face the bell shape down! the DIY thing i followed had it facing up and it was still a little loud so i flipped the bell and now it is perfect!

[DBarsotti]

How well does the silencer work? Any more pics or detailed information on the silencer?


here are some more pictures of an old one i built and also a little drawing... I know.. i spelled "putty" wrong ha

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/CPRsilencer.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Photo_2008_10_11_22_50_41.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Sweet silencer!

[DBarsotti]

Sweet silencer!

Thanks, they work very well and the first one I posted is great for overflows that are small and don't have room for the regular design using T's and elbows.

[DBarsotti]

Thanks, they work very well and the first one I posted is great for overflows that are small and don't have room for the regular design using T's and elbows.




ok few things.. first off.. those silencers CAN NOT BE TRUSTED, SO DONT USE THEM! they are way too small for the amount of flow i have through my overflow...The other night I did a water change on the prop tank and flipped the return back on.. Well, next thing i knew water was pouring over the side of the tank all over unmounted power strips. I ran through the puddle of water like Superman and ripped the plugs out of the wall before it burned up heaters, powerheads and my return.. I was really unhappy about all this.


Anyway.. things are back on track, I have removed the silencers to redesign them..


I added a few frags from my display to the prop tank and they are doing well, although they REALLY dislike the move from my 80 degree display to the 74-75 prop tank without acclimation, ha.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/2c80541c.jpg

[jolson10450]

looks good! as for the sileners, you got to literally pepper them with holes or cut them out so only a little bit is holding the top of the pipe on, if it caused you an overflow then the silencer tube was placed in the wrong spot and not down deep enough to draw air into the overflow and it created a block from water entering the silencer, try making the tube that goes down in the silencer longer so the tube hangs under where the water enters from the side. they require a lot of tweaking, i have a reekeeper 2 so it was easy for me to tweak mine, too about 20 minutes to do but now that i got it in the right spot i give it 100% trust. the design of yours was different than mine though, almost the same but was not.

[DBarsotti]

Thanks!

Yeah I need to mess with it but I just haven't had the time, I'll get it to work its just a matter of doing it.ha

[jolson10450]

another thing that i seen people do is put 3 tubings in the top, all 3 at different levels just to be safe, the more air drawing in from them the better it will flow, maybe the tubing you used was to small and could not keep up with the flow so you need more, ive seen people use up to 5 straw's in the top of it. just some ideas, do some testing, leave it off while you are gone if you still do not trust it and just keep testing it, i get learly like that with new equipment too. i just got a lifereef HOB overflow and it took me about a week to trust it because it requires no pump to hold the suction, it is all in the design of the thing so i got really worried but they do indeed hold it! anyways back to your tank, is the recent shows a new FTS or just a section?

[DBarsotti]

Thanks for the advice, I was told to add more holes but was lazy and never got around to it, ha. I'll take some pictures of what I come up with when the time comes.

I don't have a FTS right now because my display is scattered with frags and I think it looks like crap. ha. The one I posted is a side shot. When I get everything moved into the new prop system i'll definitely be posting some new pictures.

[cephalotus]

Lookin good keep us posted on the silencer.

[DBarsotti]

Building welded frag racks sucks. its wayyy too time consuming.. This is only half of what I need for the one frag tank and it still needs to be painted.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/6bc1490d.jpg

[DBarsotti]

ok so i finally got my nikon out and attempted to take some pictures of my prop system... I suck at taking pictures so go easy on me..

The system is still really young so everythingi put in there lightens up but theres Great Polyps extension and everything is growing like crazy so i'm not worried :wink:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0120.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0130.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0121.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0117.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0133-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0106.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0123.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0124.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0129.jpg

[MizTanks]

That is sweet! Corals look beautiful. Your picture taking skills aren't so bad, those sps make you look like a pro ;)


There is nothing like being a REEFER!

[DBarsotti]

That is sweet! Corals look beautiful. Your picture taking skills aren't so bad, those sps make you look like a pro ;)


There is nothing like being a REEFER!


thanks!




Last night i think i got some neat-o topdown shots in my frag tank, i cant wait to get home and edit them. I also got some killer ones with my iphone4.

Check it.


DD acro

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/e675245c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/6961772a.jpg

[DBarsotti]

Ok, got them edited.. here you go, hope you enjoy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0240.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0233.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0229.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0236.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0232.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0237.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0243.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0238.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0239.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0246.jpg

[DBarsotti]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0242.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/CSC_0241.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0193.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0191.jpg

[DBarsotti]

Guess i should update my thread. Ha


Hi..

I took down my 120g and moved it into a 90g 48x36x12..

Introducing... Lagoon On A Hill!!!!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0732.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0721.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0722.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0731.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0730.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0727.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0724.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0719.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0708.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0706.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0704.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/dbarsotti/Macros/DSC_0703.jpg

[adalius]

Looking sahweet!

[demonclownfish]

that actually looks really really good! im loving these shallow tanks

[DBarsotti]

Looking sahweet!

thanks!



that actually looks really really good! im loving these shallow tanks

Thanks! Yeah it was actually fun doing the scape in such a shallow tank as compared to a deep tank where you are up to your ears in water trying to reach the bottom.. There wasn't a single time i got mad and wanted to throw a rock like when i was scaping my 120ghaha..

[larryandlaura]

Sweet dude!

[jimsflies]

Wow nice!

[DBarsotti]

Sweet dude!


Wow nice!

Thanks guys!

[larryandlaura]

Any time.