What is a Crazy Idea you had that Actually Worked

[Gumbies R Us]

From time to time we might have this idea, which might seem either impossible or just downright crazy, but we go with it and it actually works out. I am wondering what is something that you thought was impossible for your tank or something crazy you thought of, and it actually worked out for your tank.

 

[Cthulukelele]

It might not sound crazy to a lot of people here, but I felt pretty crazy taking a 2.5 inch hole saw to a 20 gallon petco tank to make my gravity return external fuge.

 

[CasperOe]

To invest in a reef tank

 

[Bucs20fan]

Im not sure its crazy, but its been a road as im sure it has been for all of us. But I run a simplistic tank so to speak. I only have a hob filter, and hob skimmer. No sump, no fuge. I was sold what I was thought was monti digi, but turns out I was sold a green milli acro. The tank was only a few months old at the time, but the acro never bleached and continued to encrust, all throughout newbie issues, dinos, aiptasia, its still kicking to this day. I never ever intended to have anything besides lps corals and anemones. I always though sps would just die. And I havent looked back since. I have 4 different gonis doing great, several acro species, and they all are still growing and encrusting doing their acro thing. So i guess it was crazy to keep the milli, but here we are.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

To invest in a reef tank

Honestly it does sound crazy to some people but it is well worth it though!!

 

[Ancient Mariner]

100 gallon reef that slides out

 

[Gumbies R Us]

100 gallon reef that slides out

That's really cool it slides out like that and matches the stairs perfectly!!!

 

[John Bolden]

100 gallon reef that slides out

Can we get a video?

 

[DanyL]

100 gallon reef that slides out

You beat us all.
You win.

 

[DaneGer21]

Instead of just “floating” or hanging my canopy from the ceiling, I decided to install an electric winch in the attic and a few pulleys on the canopy that raises and lowers the whole canopy. No lifting, no removing, just hold a button to raise, and another button to lower. I have vaulted ceilings in that room, so I can raise it almost 11’, which gives about 5’-6’ of clearance IF needed.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Making acrylic aquariums, filters, light systems, overflows, and skimmers for a business. Don't worry I got over it and moved into the construction industry to earn a living lol!

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Can we get a video?

 

[Huey_Gnr]

100 gallon reef that slides out

That is incredible!

 

[AKL1950]

Oh, that is so cool. Wish you hadn’t shown that. Now I’ve got to do that too. What kind of railing system did you use to handle the weight? Is your plumbing on flex hoses so they can move in and out with the tank. Sorry, so many questions. Is there a build thread for it?

 

[DanyL]

Oh, that is so cool. Wish you hadn’t shown that. Now I’ve got to do that too. What kind of railing system did you use to handle the weight? Is your plumbing on flex hoses so they can move in and out with the tank. Sorry, so many questions. Is there a build thread for it?

Still going through it myself, amazing build!

Build Thread - Custom 100 gallon built in stair landing with slide access

Current status May 2025 https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-of-the-month-may-2023-ancient-mariners-100-gallons-of-acropora-splendor.919/ This built in 100g reef was constructed in 2003 when we did a major whole house renovation. It was placed inside the landing of the stairs as that really was...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Instead of just “floating” or hanging my canopy from the ceiling, I decided to install an electric winch in the attic and a few pulleys on the canopy that raises and lowers the whole canopy. No lifting, no removing, just hold a button to raise, and another button to lower. I have vaulted ceilings in that room, so I can raise it almost 11’, which gives about 5’-6’ of clearance IF needed.

Do you have a video of this? i'd love to see it in action

 

[AKL1950]

Still going through it myself, amazing build!

Build Thread - Custom 100 gallon built in stair landing with slide access

Current status May 2025 https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-of-the-month-may-2023-ancient-mariners-100-gallons-of-acropora-splendor.919/ This built in 100g reef was constructed in 2003 when we did a major whole house renovation. It was placed inside the landing of the stairs as that really was...

www.reef2reef.com

Found it. Absolutely amazing. Having the right floor plan is a must. would be fun to try doing it.

 

[DaneGer21]

Do you have a video of this? i'd love to see it in action

Here is my “build” thread…

Floating AND motorized canopy finally done!

This has been a long building process. Not from lack of time, but the location for all my pieces and parts to raise my hood. I like symmetry and things need to look thought out. I decided awhile back I would be suspending my canopy BUT I wanted it to easily move as well for working in the tank...

www.reef2reef.com

Here is an old video when I just got it up and running. I’ll redo do it one of these days… just over 3yrs, no issues…

 

[RedoubtReef]

To invest in a reef tank

Ditto

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Here is my “build” thread…

Floating AND motorized canopy finally done!

This has been a long building process. Not from lack of time, but the location for all my pieces and parts to raise my hood. I like symmetry and things need to look thought out. I decided awhile back I would be suspending my canopy BUT I wanted it to easily move as well for working in the tank...

www.reef2reef.com

Here is an old video when I just got it up and running. I’ll redo do it one of these days… just over 3yrs, no issues…

Wow, that's really neat!!