Great white sps reef

[27ppatel]

Hi everyone. So now the build actually begins! I've made a custom aluminum stand with custom sump. I actually thought about dosing containers for Cal, Alk, Mag and Kalk, however after much experience and research, I think a calcium reactor would be the BEST bet for a full SPS dominant tank.

I have also gone with a custom aquascape that is one of a kind! I've used 1/2" thick acrylic to get the desired shape and then heated them in the oven to form the shapes I wanted. With some Weld-on glueing and cementing.... Well you make your decision

 

[27ppatel]

Custom SPS Aquascape

So the idea was to have an aquascape that is about 30% to 45% from the bottom, leaving the top of the half for SPS growth. There still is enough rock for fish and inverts to hide out yet keeping a clean aquascape.

 

[27ppatel]

Tank in PLACE!!!

ALRIGHT! finally the tank is in place. This is a custom rimless tank. Measuring 36"x22"x20". It is a 3 side starphire with 3/4" phantom bottom or others might call it floating bottom! I went ahead with a all new concept to the look of the tank. White silicone with white background. The reason for the white background is that I noticed that with black backgrounds that corals do look good in, that the light reflection was really poor with corals placed towards the bottom of the tank. What I actually mean is light reflection that some corals do not get towards the bottom of the corals. With many tanks, due to the black background, it absorbs majority of the light. with this white concept, I'm hopping to get this issue resolved for SPS lovers. To have a coral that is fully going from the top and tips but also the sides and towards the bottom. Hope you like it?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Wow this baby is already awesome! LOL!

 

[27ppatel]

Wow this baby is already awesome! LOL!

HAHAHA thank you SOO much! Yea I'm waiting to cure the silicone and it feels like it's taking forever! can't wait to get water in here!

 

[27ppatel]

Quality Shots!

So here are 3 pictures that outline the quality of the build. 1st: the glass is super high gloss finish leaving a sparkle at any angel of the shot. 2nd: I didn't want an external overflow or "box type" internal overflow looking all bulky and taking up the look of the tank, so I went with 2 bulkheads that are 1.5" and bulkhead strainers. 3rd: is a shot of the aluminum stand with white inserts, 3/4" double ply acrylic white/red and phantom bottom 3/4" thick glass with white silicone! The first of it's kind!

 

[Carlitosway84]

Beautiful build! Following along!

 

[Sicks Rocks]

Very nice.

 

[shrimplet]

wow that rock scape looks amazing! ill be watching this thread !

 

[Sicks Rocks]

Very unique sump. I just got done with mine but is not any where near as clean as yours.

 

[Bernie21]

I need the details of what materials and how you did you rocks please. That is awesome!

 

[27ppatel]

Beautiful build! Following along!

Lots more to come Carlos, For the next 2 months it will be a slow process as I will cycle the rocks in RO/DI water to lower the pH and then 1 months of salt water cycle. But just after August CORALS!!!!

 

[Carlitosway84]

Lots more to come Carlos, For the next 2 months it will be a slow process as I will cycle the rocks in RO/DI water to lower the pH and then 1 months of salt water cycle. But just after August CORALS!!!!

Awesome!
I'm about to convert my 55 from fish only to reef in the next month or so. Then hopefully can convince the wife that we need to upgrade to a 120
Slow and steady definitely makes a huge difference!!

 

[27ppatel]

I need the details of what materials and how you did you rocks please. That is awesome!

LOL TOP SECRET! Well there is a youtube video "The ULTIMATE Aquascape" on youtube. But other then that, it's usually consist of bending the acrylic in the oven at 250 degrees. and bend away.

 

[27ppatel]

Awesome!
I'm about to convert my 55 from fish only to reef in the next month or so. Then hopefully can convince the wife that we need to upgrade to a 120
Slow and steady definitely makes a huge difference!!

oh WOW! yea it doesn't sound much but it's defiantly a HUGE difference! You'll enjoy the 120

 

[Dixie_reefer]

This is amazing! I love what you created with the scape, can't wait to see coral in it!!

 

[Carlitosway84]

oh WOW! yea it doesn't sound much but it's defiantly a HUGE difference! You'll enjoy the 120

Well really want much larger but probably will be moving in the next couple of years and waiting for that to set up the mega reef!! But yeah the love the 48x24x24 size.

Can't wait to see your progress!

 

[WVUreefer]

I love the octupus aquascape and the shark on the back glass....

 

[Jimbo662]

WOW...talk about original

 

[nelson.jdautobody]

That has to be one if the sickest rocks I ever seen in an aquarium-that's gona look awesome loaded down with SPS