Gimmito's 450 Gal L-Shaped Display

maroun.c · May 11, 2011

Yep it's always interesting to know a few reefers in each country you travel to and go check out their setups and the LFSs with them....
Already started my build thread but that's going to be a very slow build.

gimmito · May 11, 2011

Maybe we can start a new sub forum called the "slow" large aquariums build forum.

gimmito · Jun 12, 2011

I finally got around to work on my rockscaping w/help from a fellow reef club member who has a great eye (thanks Jestersix !).

gimmito · Jun 12, 2011

Re: Gimmito's 450 L-shaped display

Here's a pic of the left side of the tank. There's two huge 40+ lbs of Marco Fiji Rock stacked w/2 pieces attached w/mortar and fiberglass rods on the sides. In the front is a small bommie which will house anemones (rainbow, sunburst,etc.) and 5 anemones (snowcassos or smores).

gimmito · Jun 12, 2011

Re: Gimmito's 450 L-shaped display

Here's a pic of the right side of the tank. There's 3 pieces of Fiji rock glued w/the largest rock sitting on top (Marco Fiji Rock). I really wanted to soften that corner and hopefully w/the right coral placement I can achieve that.

gimmito · Jun 12, 2011

Re: Gimmito's 450 L-shaped display

Full tank shot (that didn't include glare or a pic of me in it).

nater · Jun 12, 2011

looking awesome Gim ! love the thought into the system. like the L shape design. what kind of temp probe is that on the frag tank? been looking for a better one myself. Keep it up

gimmito · Jun 12, 2011

nater said:
looking awesome Gim ! love the thought into the system. like the L shape design. what kind of temp probe is that on the frag tank? been looking for a better one myself. Keep it up

Thanks Nater. The L-shape was born out of necessity. The temp probe is a JBJ tru temp probe.

rygh · Jun 13, 2011

Rockwork is looking good!
That is definitely one of the fun parts.

Some thoughts: (from problems I had)
1) line the sides of the tank with a bit of cardboard when moving those big pieces around.
They can get out of control, and scratch things.
2) Consider cementing the bottom of structures onto egg crate.
It keeps the base of the structure solid, and allows you to build up
more complex shapes and bridges.
3) Make several smaller standalone pieces, that touch each other tightly,
but are not cemented together into one gigantic piece.
So you can assemble rocks without a forklift.
4) Let the concrete set an extra while, then wash heavily.
For me, the concrete set up very fast, but fully cured very slow. And there were
a lot of small crumbs that came off.

gimmito · Jun 13, 2011

rygh said:
Rockwork is looking good!
That is definitely one of the fun parts.

Some thoughts: (from problems I had)
1) line the sides of the tank with a bit of cardboard when moving those big pieces around.
They can get out of control, and scratch things.
2) Consider cementing the bottom of structures onto egg crate.
It keeps the base of the structure solid, and allows you to build up
more complex shapes and bridges.
3) Make several smaller standalone pieces, that touch each other tightly,
but are not cemented together into one gigantic piece.
So you can assemble rocks without a forklift.
4) Let the concrete set an extra while, then wash heavily.
For me, the concrete set up very fast, but fully cured very slow. And there were
a lot of small crumbs that came off.

What's up Rygh.... Now you tell me.

1) I used some extra FRP I had laying around to protect the acrylic, but it was hard not to get the ocassional scratch.

2) I was going to use pvc or 10"x10"x1" pieces of acrylic (that Gen made for me), but Jestersix and I were able to make solid platforms out of the pieces of live rock I already had.

3) We made the base outside, drilled in a fiberglass rod, mortared where needed, and slide the rest of the pieces on top. The small stand alone piece is the bommie in the front, but I'm thinking of having a floating piece attached via magnets on the back.

4) Jestersix used Emaco 400 & Acryl 60, really easy stuff to mix and apply. It cures in 20 minutes an, not much crumbling, & doesn't leach much.

How's your tank doing ?

bige · Jun 13, 2011

This is so awesome. You take so many pics which I love. Keep it coming. Have you totalled all the water yet? Dt is 450, then with all else how much water is total sytem?

gimmito · Jun 13, 2011

bige said:
This is so awesome. You take so many pics which I love. Keep it coming. Have you totalled all the water yet? Dt is 450, then with all else how much water is total sytem?

Thanks for the comments Bige.

The main display is 450 gal+100 gal sump+40 fuge=590 gallons. I have a 300 gallon Rubbermaid vat and I'll get a more accurate number once I fill the tank up (I'm guessing around 475 gallons of water)... I'll be sure to take plenty of pics and maybe a video. :wink:

gimmito · Jun 14, 2011

After looking at the rockscape for a day, I made a few small changes to the left side. LMK what you guys think.

rygh · Jun 14, 2011

That slower set emaco seems like the way to go.

I think you need a bridge or a big cave.

Maybe connect the two sets on the left with an overhanging bridge rock?
But I tend to go overboard. It looks good.

My tank ... well, not going so well. Pump failures caused water quality issues, then ich ran rampant, now algae.
I am getting it under control again.
But I still have a pile of rocks outside that I have not had time to glue together into my center section.
Maybe your set of posts here will get me going on that again.

gimmito · Jun 14, 2011

The hardest thing to do in a big tank is restraint. Jestersix and I were joking about doing a large arch coming from the back to the front (to test the length of the fiberglass rod we could do). I wanted to balance the left side a bit, but I'm pretty happy with it now.

Sorry to hear about your tank troubles...such is life in the hobby huh ? I hope things turn for the better. Swing by if you're ever in the area.