my floating reef, what do you think?

FLSharkvictim · Jul 11, 2017

Lunulata said:
Hi Guys,

I recently had the chance to take a few pics.
That is the result, what do you guys think?

I think I am on a good track with my Acropora-Garden, but still a long way to go.

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@Lunulata - Absolutely incredible mate!

Addicted2ACRO's · Nov 10, 2017

Great job...Love the idea. Do you think that with the opens spaces under and around the corals you see better growth?

Reefphd · Nov 10, 2017

Thank you!
Honestly, I don’t think it helps at all.
I don’t have much detritus on my sandbed, because I have a ton of flow. Though, if I were to rebuild my reef, I wouldn’t build it the same way.
I would still make it a floating reef, but I’d have part of the structure touching the sand on one side or the middle and have it taper up to the base. I find I have large open spaces that are great for flow, but don’t look that good.
I think once it fully fills in, it’ll look great, but I’m not happy with end results so far.

Addicted2ACRO's · Nov 10, 2017

Reefphd said:
Thank you!
Honestly, I don’t think it helps at all.
I don’t have much detritus on my sandbed, because I have a ton of flow. Though, if I were to rebuild my reef, I wouldn’t build it the same way.
I would still make it a floating reef, but I’d have part of the structure touching the sand on one side or the middle and have it taper up to the base. I find I have large open spaces that are great for flow, but don’t look that good.
I think once it fully fills in, it’ll look great, but I’m not happy with end results so far.

What tool or tools did you use to cut the rocks to fit in the acrylic support

Reefphd · Nov 10, 2017

I used a 1” and 1/2” diamond bit. With lots of fresh filtered water to keep the bit from smoking.
I drilled half way through each rock and glued the rods in with crazy glue. Both tops and bottoms of the rods are inserted into rock on the top rocks.
If I do it again, I’ll shorten the rods.

Addicted2ACRO's · Nov 10, 2017

Reefphd said:
I used a 1” and 1/2” diamond bit. With lots of fresh filtered water to keep the bit from smoking.
I drilled half way through each rock and glued the rods in with crazy glue. Both tops and bottoms of the rods are inserted into rock on the top rocks.
If I do it again, I’ll shorten the rods.

O.k., so the rocks are not just resting on top of the acrylic strip as seen in your pics below?

Reefphd · Nov 10, 2017

No, I’m using clear acrylic rods straight down into the sand and on top of the rocks.

Wow is that a nice setup!
How did they get the acrylic to not bow in the middle?

Addicted2ACRO's · Nov 11, 2017

Reefphd said:
No, I’m using clear acrylic rods straight down into the sand and on top of the rocks.

Wow is that a nice setup!
How did they get the acrylic to not bow in the middle?

Thats funny, because I don't see the rods straight down into the sand from those pics

Reefphd · Nov 11, 2017

Uh, yeah, I used counter balances, like a boyancy control vest.
They actually float... hahaha

I just found a crack in my tanks brace last night. I might get that chance to redo my Reef sooner than I thought.

SuperDragon · Nov 11, 2017

The floating reef idea is awesome, such a brain teaser and keeps things interesting and in sure great for flow

Reefphd · Nov 11, 2017

Flow is great, but it means less hiding places for critters.
I like my design, but I’m going to do it differently next time.

SuperDragon · Nov 13, 2017

Reefphd said:
Flow is great, but it means less hiding places for critters.
I like my design, but I’m going to do it differently next time.

What would you do differently?

Reefphd · Nov 13, 2017

Well, I’d do s single tier and have more rock touching the sand.
I feel I concentrated more on function than form.

Addicted2ACRO's · Nov 19, 2017

PM sent

Addicted2ACRO's · Nov 19, 2017

Hello Lunulata
I'm curious...
What is the length, thickness and weight of the acrylic material you used?
Is it too heavy for the tank structuraly?

Thank you

Reefphd · Nov 19, 2017

I used clear acrylic rods. 1/4” and 1/2”
The rock is table/shelf that I purchased (dry) from BRS.

Some rocks were drilled into 4 times, some 8. 1/2” & 1/4” diamond bits. The bit would go about 1” & 1/2” into the, depending on their position.

There are two levels. The bottom level got the 1/2” holes/rods. The top 1/4”. I then would drill 1/4” holes into the top potion of the bottom rocks.

The rods were inserted and glued into place for the bottom rocks. The top rocks received their rods (unglued) and I would then sit the top rocks (with their rods inserted) on top of the bottom rocks. Mark the locations of were their rods touched the bottom rock and then drilled out the recieving holes. After it all matches up, I glued the top rods in on both sides.

It’s such a solid structure that you could stand (on the bottom shelf) and it would hold a full grown mans weight.

If I did anything different, I would cut the length of the top rods to 4”-6”, instead of the 8” I used.

The structure is approximately 18” tall in a 24” tank. I’d rather it be 16”-14”.

Addicted2ACRO's · Nov 19, 2017

Ok...to me looking at the pic you posted...it looks like you used a slab of acrylic that runs almost the length of your tank...if that is the case I was wondering what is the thickness of that slab piece?