Because the tank is so small, and will be sitting on my desk, I had a specific goal in mind - I want it to feel as if you swam right up to the edge of a reef and stuck your face inches away. Only when you stick your nose on the glass will you notice many of the intricacies within. The tank is long enough that it's easy to get lost in it and forget you're gazing into just 12 gallons.
Chort - I certainly wouldn't not join the contest (although there are numerous entries that look Great!) As with anything new, there are lots of unknowns with this design. One concern is maintaining flow with this much rock. To counteract the restrictions of the design, I've planned much more flow than a typical 12 gallon tank (2 Tunze 6025's are planned with alternating flow handled by the Apex in addition to the output of the 3165) The rock outcroppings use jetties designed to "direct" the flow to lower flow areas. All of the rock was hand selected and carved using a Dremel and Inland Wet saw to maximize flow. If you look closely, you'll note water can flow through virtually every piece - there are very few solid areas.
There are areas with specific goals. Low flow/low light (chalices), low flow/mid light (Z/Ps, softies...) mid flow/mid light (Acans...)and high flow/high light (SPS.)
All that said, I won't know for sure how it works until I get it wet :D
Oh wow that is just to sweet! If you don't mind me asking where did you get your rock from?
There is nothing like being a REEFER!
Thanks Jamie
I ordered 10lbs each of Pukani and Shelf from BRS. I then hand picked out the lightest, most hollow pieces from that and about 50lbs of leftover stuff I had on hand from prior builds.
The BRS stuff is very nice, I still have a lot of beautiful shelf on hand - I guess I'll have to do another tank (after this one is done of course