Nothin' but DROP! - Build Thread

bobman · Jun 10, 2016

Even with lighting being an issue at the bottom one can always add non photosynthetic corals and stuff along those lines and that would be pretty cool. Feeding them may present a challenge but with a little thought it can be done

Bloody.Knuckles · Jun 13, 2016

Unfortunately, there will be a 1-2 week delay. Small fire at my house, but all people and fish are safe; thank you battery backups!

I was planning on getting the steel this weekend... we'll see.

Bloody.Knuckles · Jun 15, 2016

Since I have some time, I made a 5 foot high, 3 foot wide version with a 2x3 reef flat/crest area. I think this may be a more manageable design in practice.
Numbers below

Overall: 60h x 36w x 39d
Flat: 12h x 36w x 24d
Drop: 60h x 36w x 15d

DT Gallons: 170
DT water(lbs): 1420

Tateopotatoe · Jun 16, 2016

Bloody.Knuckles said:
Good suggestions. I was definitely planning on going very few and small fish, mostly corals.

Yeah, that's a good idea. The limited horizontal space definitely restricts some fish. For example, I wouldn't get a tang.

The new fish on the block · Jun 16, 2016

If your wanting to put corals on the drop off I would suggest building a removable wall of rock so you could just pull the wall out when you want to place corals on it.

donnievaz · Jun 16, 2016

The new fish on the block said:
If your wanting to put corals on the drop off I would suggest building a removable wall of rock so you could just pull the wall out when you want to place corals on it.

That's a great idea. Maybe even mount it in some sort of slide with the ability to pull up almost all the way out and lock it into place while you work on the wall.

Bloody.Knuckles · Jun 16, 2016

The new fish on the block said:
If your wanting to put corals on the drop off I would suggest building a removable wall of rock so you could just pull the wall out when you want to place corals on it.

My current plan for aquascaping is in three parts; the flat will have sparse rock and be mostly sand, the lip of the drop as rock fixed to each other, and the wall of rock will have several rocks cut off in back to leave room in front. I am planning on predrilling spots for coral mounts and using a, probably heavily modified, grabber to place and arrange corals... unfinished plan and open to ideas. I don't want to have to remove a now *only* 4 foot rock wall every time I want to place or rearrange a coral.

*my reasoning for the design is largely aesthetic, but I am also concerned about the weight of the water; adding a foot in front adds near 1000 pounds

Bloody.Knuckles · Jun 16, 2016

donnievaz said:
That's a great idea. Maybe even mount it in some sort of slide with the ability to pull up almost all the way out and lock it into place while you work on the wall.

I think the slide mechanism wouldn't last in saltwater unless it was insanely expensive and came from the now defunct shuttle program, lol

I imagine a pulley system would work for that, but I have to decide if I want to bother with that or some elongated tools

The new fish on the block · Jun 16, 2016

i would probably work with pvc

donnievaz · Jun 16, 2016

Bloody.Knuckles said:
I think the slide mechanism wouldn't last in saltwater unless it was insanely expensive and came from the now defunct shuttle program, lol

I imagine a pulley system would work for that, but I have to decide if I want to bother with that or some elongated tools

A stepped locking system similar to an extension ladder would be simple and impervious to saltwater if you used the right materials.

Bloody.Knuckles · Jun 16, 2016

Thanks! That could be an option. I will still only be able to get the wall partially out of the water due to ceiling height, but the remainder would be easily reachable. I'll think about maybe just some sort of tongue and groove style?

donnievaz said:
A stepped locking system similar to an extension ladder would be simple and impervious to saltwater if you used the right materials.

Bloody.Knuckles · Jul 3, 2016

***update***

Well, I have to put this on the back burner. I received free 125 and 55 gallon aquariums...

Here is a shot mid strength testing the steel stand.

Still talking to glass suppliers about this thread's tank, specifically the 6 foot column of water, but it is still on the table. Just easier to weld up a stand for free tanks than DIY a water tight vessel... which I have relatively zero experience doing.

I don't mean to "ghost tank" but it dropped down the priority list.

*last update until I'm back on this project.