The White Build- 167 Minimalist Crystal Dynamic Reef

[InsaneClownFish]

Finally, after 18 months of waiting, planning, and building my new system is up. After 18 years in this hobby, I can truly say this is a dream tank for me. There's so much to discuss and add over the next few weeks about my journey to get here, but for now I wanted to start out with some tank specs and a couple of teaser videos shortly. I hope you enjoy, and as always, a thank you for your support and interest!

The Aquarium
Crystal Dynamic Aquarium Starfire Glass
65×27×22
167g
White Back With White Starboard Bottom
Double White Eurobraces
White Eurobrace Reinforced Bottom
Black Silicone
Armored Seams
Internal Bean Animal Overflow
Drilled for Dual 1" Returns

 

[blaxsun]

I'm curious about the rocks on the pillars?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

As Promised-

 

[InsaneClownFish]

25 Days In-

 

[InsaneClownFish]

I'm curious about the rocks on the pillars?

The rocks were created using pieces of original live rock from older systems that had been dried out. I created the platforms using the baking soda, sand, and thin cyanoacrylate method. The various pillars in the tank are made from simple PVC fittings and Gutter Extension parts.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

The Stand
Tube Steel With Stainless Steel Leveling Feet. This stand was provided by CDA and was custom built to have no center support so as to create a more sleek and open appearance.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

The Concept
Create a visual experience in our finished basement den in which the tank dominated the room without necessarily being a "center room" tank. Another important goal for this build was to have 360degree access to the tank.

 

[blaxsun]

The rocks were created using pieces of original live rock from older systems that had been dried out. I created the platforms using the baking soda, sand, and thin cyanoacrylate method. The various pillars in the tank are made from simple PVC fittings and Gutter Extension parts.

I was more curious why, ie: aesthetics choice or is there some benefit to your reef?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

I was more curious why, ie: aesthetics choice or is there some benefit to your reef?

I'd say it's a combination of both, but the benefits far out weigh the aesthetics.
-everything is modular so I can move things around at any time
-ease of siphoning detritus
-isolation of corals
-ability to isolate certain pests if need be
-nothing can grow directly into other rockwork
-flow patterns run up and underneath creating a more natural environment
-more open space for fish to swim
-with minimal rockwork, the pillars provide natural caves for fish and inverts

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Some quick shots from last night-

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Lighting
Dual Philips Coral Care Gen 2 power my reef. They're incredible lights and running at only 10% in the above videos. I built light carriers using 45 series extrusions from Vention in Canada in their signature deep teal. I tied them into our home's main carrier beam and reinforced them to the floor joists. I like overkill. The look is finished off by a couple of 1/2" acrylic plates cut to accent the far brackets. Wires are tucked into the extrusions and run through conduit to the opposite wall where I have a prep room, the controller, and GFCI units.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

A quick video showing the sump layout and how it's hidden away-

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Plumbing
I'm running nearly 50' of 1" PVC on the drains and the returns. I built a reverse durso on the open channel to make the sump nearly dead quiet. I also integrated 10 unions in key locations and a check valve at the sump for the return. There's one gate valve at the sump for the full siphon drain. I built plumbing supports out of poplar for key locations. My goal was to keep in minimal, yet functional while keeping everything open. I painted and wet sanded everything to the room's wall color.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Here's a cool nighttime shot through the side-

 

[MaxTremors]

I wonder if the there a reef safe white paint that you could use to paint all of the pumps and returns and stuff to make the white theme more cohesive? Also, some white cord boxes would help clean up the cord situation, I recently got some for my tank (white with wood/bamboo lids), and it’s made a world of difference in terms of making it look clean and organized.

Overall, it’s a really cool build, I appreciate the modern minimalist aesthetic (personally, I’m more into maximalism in terms of interior design, but I appreciate any coherent design aesthetic). It looks almost like a museum exhibit, will be really cool once some colonies have fully grown in.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Flow
Two MP40 Vortechs coupled with two VCA random flow generators provide plenty of flow. I run the Vortechs on continuous mode at about 55% and the Core 20 return pump runs at about 50%. Even with the long run it's plenty of flow. I bought these great covers off of Etsy. They're an added level of safety and they help the MP40s disappear into the background.

 

[JGT]

I'd say it's a combination of both, but the benefits far out weigh the aesthetics.
-everything is modular so I can move things around at any time
-ease of siphoning detritus
-isolation of corals
-ability to isolate certain pests if need be
-nothing can grow directly into other rockwork
-flow patterns run up and underneath creating a more natural environment
-more open space for fish to swim
-with minimal rockwork, the pillars provide natural caves for fish and inverts

So no plan to cover or hide the PVC columns?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

I wonder if the there a reef safe white paint that you could use to paint all of the pumps and returns and stuff to make the white theme more cohesive? Also, some white cord boxes would help clean up the cord situation, I recently got some for my tank (white with wood/bamboo lids), and it’s made a world of difference in terms of making it look clean and organized.

Overall, it’s a really cool build, I appreciate the modern minimalist aesthetic (personally, I’m more into maximalism in terms of interior design, but I appreciate any coherent design aesthetic). It looks almost like a museum exhibit, will be really cool once some colonies have fully grown in.

Thank you I appreciate that! Those are good ideas. I've always considered a system a continual work in progress. I'm always taking a look at how the tank looks in the room to see if there's anything I can tweak and I weigh that in mind to see if the benefit outs weighs the potential to muck it up.
There are white bulkheads but they are scarce. I've considered contacting VCA directly to see if they can make me custom pieces in white. I've thought about the same for the Locline since I know they make it in other colors than black. I've even considered building a custom bracket out of 45 series to make the way the lights hang look more seamless. While some people have mentioned they're not a fan of the vinyl chains, others have seen it in person and felt the entire aesthetic is outstanding. It's also bulletproof strong and functional. I'm going to order caps for the extrusions down the road to better hide the wires.
Thank you for your kind words!

 

[InsaneClownFish]

So no plan to cover or hide the PVC columns?

Not yet, but I've considered it. I just did a water change Friday night and I can say unequivocally that siphoning detritus is a breeze with the way I have it. I have considered ordering a bunch of stacks and creating rock pillars. Coralline is starting to spot all over the bottom, so I want to let the tank mature a bit and see how I feel.

 

[JGT]

OK, I mean to each his own but IMO with the PVC it looks like a high end QT tank.