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1700 gallons - Then and Now (1 Viewer)

Energy

Drink
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Feb 24, 2007
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Well it's true- I removed the monster reef. Since I have had a lot of questions about what is going on with the system I thought I would make it official and share with everyone.

This is back in it's glory days.
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And now:
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Then
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And Now

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Since this is a reef site I don't expect anyone to like the changes but -Oh well-:jump3:
 
So here's the scoop. This has both land and water. The water section is designed for a freshwater stingray and the land is set up for gecko's chameleons and poison dart frogs.

I still have a lot of work to do! This is the initial build- I need to tweak and scape everything over the winter. I needed to get it up and running to see what kind of changes I want to make to turn it into something really cool.

So far- I have setup an automatic watering system for the plants and another system to do daily water changes without ever lifting a finger! It's pretty experimental but works - I am sure I will change it though!

I need more branches for the aboreal species.
 
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This the drip wall and part of the natural filtration system. The water is pumped from the lake and then goes into a 90 gallon elevated sump behind the main tank. There it is heated and filtered and is returned down the rock wall which is planted with moss and Anubias.

The Main lake area is 4'x5' and about 8" deep. This is connected via a stream to the other end of the tank(about a 10 foot run) to a smaller lagoon. This end holds the two returns pumps- a whopping 2 maxijets 1200's!
 
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This end holds the return pumps hidden behind the back wall which is designed to grow plants and will hopefully someday be covered in vegetation.
 
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The logs and vines are all fake- I built them out of PVC.
 
is that all real rock?? that must be super heavy.


Their is one or two real heavy pieces but the rest are small and easy to handle. I needed a few large stones for Drama-just to get that WOW response. The big ones are supported by 9 inches of styrofoam to cushion and spread out their weight. And with the water in the system and the fact that styrofoam floats - It has practically little downward pressure on the tank bottom.
 
yup. nothing half butted...

I wish I could have seen it as a reef in person. but what your up to now looks darn nice to. I'll bet the electric demand from this setup is lower as well :)
 
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My little stingray swimming down the channel to the other end of the tank.
 
yup. nothing half butted...

I wish I could have seen it as a reef in person. but what your up to now looks darn nice to. I'll bet the electric demand from this setup is lower as well :)

About 1/5 of the old set-up. My electric bills used to be about $500-$600 a month JUST for the reef. Now they are about $250 for the entire house and tank.
 

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