John March 4, 2011 Share March 4, 2011 (edited) My previous 30G tank was my first reef and from the moment of introducing the first frag of zoas I was hooked. That tank had its successes and its failures, but most importantly it inspired me, educated me, and always kept me motivated to do better. After keeping that tank for over a year I decided that I would need more real estate to acheive the things I wanted to get out of the hobby, and so this 57G Rimless has been born. Equipment list: Deep Blue 57G Rimless 29G Sump Reef Octopus Super Reef 1000 Skimmer IceCap 250W Metal Halide Ballast/Pendant Mag 5 Return Pump NextReef MR1 Koralia #2 Powerheads Blueline 250W Titanium Heater DA ReefKeeper2 AquaFX Barracuda RO/DI I really enjoy woodworking, and so there was no question I would build the aquarium stand. I find most manufactured stands to be too short and I like to be eye-level with the tank, so I made the stand kitchen countertop height. I also incorporated some features that are rarely found on manufactured stands. I made each side accessible by putting the raised panel doors on hinges, I created a ledge that wraps the tank and hides the plastic base trim, and I finished the interior with spar urethane. Oh, and its made of real wood! My previous tank used tubing and I really liked the 'flexiblity' of tubing, but I wanted to experience the challenge of hard plumbing a tank since I had never done it before, now had I ever worked with PVC before. I wanted to keep the same flexibilty as my previous tank, so I quickly realized how valuable unions and valves really are in plumbing design. Thankfully, my buddy had all the tools to work with PVC and we were able to knock it out in a day...I am extremely satisfied how well the plumbing came out. Tank has been up for a week with some new rock: (please excuse the Xenia, I just fragged it) Stayed tuned... Edited March 4, 2011 by John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals March 4, 2011 Share March 4, 2011 I love it! Very nice! I need to add sand to my tank ASAP. Your's looks so much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterDog March 5, 2011 Share March 5, 2011 Awesome! I've always liked the look of rimless tanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John March 14, 2011 Author Share March 14, 2011 I met some WAMAS members this weekend for some frags and colonies. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyD March 14, 2011 Share March 14, 2011 That looks great! Tank's coloring up nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John March 15, 2011 Author Share March 15, 2011 Duncan opened up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 March 15, 2011 Share March 15, 2011 Nice looking tank. I really like those royal blue looking mushrooms. Makes me want to give up on sps, and get some nice mushrooms. Nothing beats the motion of large soft corals in a tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyD March 15, 2011 Share March 15, 2011 Nice looking tank. I really like those royal blue looking mushrooms. Makes me want to give up on sps, and get some nice mushrooms. Nothing beats the motion of large soft corals in a tank. I agree. Those blue mushrooms make the whole tank pop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebman74 March 17, 2011 Share March 17, 2011 Nice tank. Those Deepblue tanks are pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epleeds March 18, 2011 Share March 18, 2011 (edited) John The tank looks awesome Where did u get those blue mushrooms? I need some. Can u pm me the info. Thks Or if you want to trade some, I have some sps Frags available Edited March 18, 2011 by epleeds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjm817 March 20, 2011 Share March 20, 2011 I like the Duncan and Hammers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John April 17, 2011 Author Share April 17, 2011 (edited) I had the pleasure of meeting several WAMAS members over the past 4 weeks to obtain some new additions. I've also switched to a 20K Radium, added a fan inside the stand, finally got the skimmer dialed in, and have nailed down my husbandry/maintenance routine. Edited April 17, 2011 by John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John July 26, 2011 Author Share July 26, 2011 So, my tank sitter failed to stop by the house...Lost most of my SPS due to the Alk/CA drop...since I have not yet automated Alk/CA buffer. Continuing to supplement CA, but still low...LPS is doing great...had to move the torch coral a little further from the Duncan, I hope the warfare has ceased. Added a Wellos and cleaner shrimp recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpallas July 26, 2011 Share July 26, 2011 Looks great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roni July 26, 2011 Share July 26, 2011 tank is looking great. sorry to hear that about the sps. i've been using a marine magic dosing pump to automate things. it's a pretty good deal in terms of automating 2 part that you may want to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John August 27, 2011 Author Share August 27, 2011 Update: Still need to learn how to take photos of the tank... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John October 28, 2011 Author Share October 28, 2011 Swapped clams around and finally starting to get a hair algae situation under control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella October 28, 2011 Share October 28, 2011 Hey John, Tank looks great as usual. Definitely love what youve done with it... Keep up the good work.!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John June 1, 2012 Author Share June 1, 2012 February: Today: Added ORA Mandarin a few months ago, eating prepared foods... Recently lost Duncan for reasons I cannot explain...hope to create a clam corner in the front left now that the Duncan won't be shadowing it...regret trading my other clams now...oh well... Chalice didn't like the Halide or the Shade...no more chalices for me... All other livestock not pictured has moved to my new biocube... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alieu07 June 1, 2012 Share June 1, 2012 Sorry to hear that you lost your big colony of duncan. But the tank still looking good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf June 2, 2012 Share June 2, 2012 Looks great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef June 2, 2012 Share June 2, 2012 It's looking GREAT! Cant wait till i get my 50g up! Im jealous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John September 21, 2012 Author Share September 21, 2012 (edited) Still missing Duncan, but the replacements are doing well...Garf Bonsai lost its color...can't find its happy place...it will probably find a new home soon... Mama Clown had been very aggressive to all tank mates a few months ago...lost my ORA Mandarin and two Chromis...thinking about getting rid of the remaining Chromis...and just running Clown pair... This what it looks like today: Edited September 21, 2012 by John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella September 21, 2012 Share September 21, 2012 Tank looks awesome as usual John.!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 September 21, 2012 Share September 21, 2012 Great coraline algae growth. Very healthy looking tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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