LOL! I thought about that.



Most of the rock work is Fiji and will held together with rods and epoxy making up 3 islands (all different sizes) leaving lots of open sand area for clams. All the plumbing will be covered (or a much as possible) with the rock work.



That's the goal, I hope I don't disappoint.



It's about 136 gallons (inside dimensions, acrylic is 1/2") plus the sump volume.



Thanks, I only have 1 return so a SCWD or wave maker wouldn't accomplish anything. All the outputs are from the closed loop (run by a Dart 3600 GPH).



Thanks!

i wish i was 1/2 as patient as you! if i cant build it in a day i go crazy...awesome tank

Yeah, I used to be like that... But when a tank start leaking, you learn to be patient. Not to mention, after all the different tanks I've done, I always seem to enjoy the build process even more so it's nice to have a project last as long as this one has.

It's funny how I enjoy the "potential" a tank has, as much as making that "potential" actually happen.

Thanks. I plugged your dimensions into an aquarium calculator.

Which is usually very close. But with 1/2" material is makes a difference when you drop 1" from all the dimension, and that would be if the water level was all the way to the top of the tank, which it's not.

Right. That's why I asked because I only had your external dimensions.

I call it the living room, it's the main room of the apartment. It's pretty much all aquarium, couch, and tv; which is all I need in there. It's actually around 625 sq ft, still small enough to flood the whole place if my tank ever cracks.

floor plan: http://www.tributeproperties.com/images/FloorPlans/2.jpg

Progress is looking good. Looks like you can just keep that RO unit running as evap makeup once you've got the salt mixed in there.

WATER!!!!



BTW, please mind the furniture, it's the crap I had in the office which is now another bedroom and will be thrown out as soon as we can get it replaced.

I doubt anyone was paying attention to the furniture Simply amazing.

HOLY MOLY!!!!! That looks SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!...

very sweet!!! nice to see ya finally got her filled n runnin! everything looks so perfect! i just cant get over it! even your filtration system looks so damn perfect! patience has really paid off for u my friend! and i would go with the vortech, one its just awesome, and two you dont want to add a big wave box to ur beautiful display, at least with the vortech you could place it on either end and barely notice it. great job!!!

NICE

I'm so jealous.

when i go out to visit my mom in colorado springs and also to do some snow boarding late jan and feb and march, can i come see this thing, that thing is freakin sweet

Awesome everything looks great!

Wow!

I can't believe how quiet it all is too. Great job! Now let the cycling begin!

dude amazing tank i like it alot.

Very nice! It has become a ritual to check this thread every day for water, now its here! I can die happy lol

wow that is trully amazing first time i saw this thread i couldnt wait for water now its all full. just cant imagine you stocking the whole thing. what type of lighting are you going to use. dont member reading about it or dont member period.

this really has been a fun build to watch.

I can't say enough good things about this tank. It's BY FAR the coolest, most thought out, unique build I've seen. It's just incredible Calvin, seriously...


I can't wait to see this thing in 6 months!!

LOL! You know if I didn't say something, someone else would have.

Thanks!



LOL! Thanks!



Thanks! I'm leaning towards the vortech, but will probably try them both out. With the wider chase I could probably still get away with a box.



Thanks bud!



Please don't be...



It's possible...



Thanks!



Thanks, I still need to try to quiet the overflow (need to raise the durso) by raising the water level so there is less crashing.



Thanks!





LOL!

im going to come one night and steal your whole tank.

Thanks! Yeah I still have so many stocking ideas, but don't know what it will look like until it's there. Lights will by 4 bulbs wide T-5's.



Thanks!




Thanks Glenn!


I threw some rock in, but not sure if I'm happy with the rock structure...









Skimmer is like MILK!!!

I like this build and you style!

I feel like a proud relative watching a child grow......



What kind of skimmer?

it's just starting...

This tank is amazing. I don't even know what to say, it's just soo awesome. Fantastic job! I wish I had your tank building skills.

For the aquascape, I would take out the middle island (maybe just leave one small rock), and add a little height and length (but not very much) to the island on the left. I think a long stretch of sand in the middle there would look really awesome. Whatever you do I'm sure it will look amazing. There is no way you could go wrong with this tank!

JEEBERZ! i missed the pictures! it has rocks!

Oooooh, I like Jaime's idea of larger sand area....now's the time to move rocks and see if you like it.

Wow what a display !
It is going to take some creativity to setup a rock structure for a tank that long. Maybe varying the height of the rocks a little more will help???

Thanks!



LOL! Thanks, it's a Reef Octopus DNW 200 Recirculating.



Yep!



Thanks, but I can't remove the middle island, all the rock is covering the plumbing from the Closed Loop. I think I'll try to make is smaller, but it has to stay to cover the fittings.



LOL! Yep! Sand will be next, just have to go buy it.



Sorry... Can't pull the rocks, but I will try to reduce the size.



Yeah, not sure what else I can do, covering all the plumbing is job #1 and it's tough with the limited width... I don't want the rock work near either viewing panels making everything a tough balancing act.

SWEEEEET!!!

I like the 3 island aquascape, but would maybe pull out a little of the rock to open it up a little more.

Rocks! I think you should try to take some outlying rocks and put them above so the islands don't appear so close to each other, or you could have overhangs so the plumbing is still hidden but the aquascaping is more open.

i think its good how it is. NOW ADD SAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

where did you get your acrylic?

I always thought it would be cool to have a little bit of rock just above the surface. The water would be lapping at it. Crabs and snails would crawl over it. Just a crazy idea of mine.

All this work for some water and rocks, only in this hobby would people get that excited over it. i think it looks like you piled it in there. you might have to do alot of drilling, and custom rockwork to get it looking great. i think you should take the time to do that, as everything else about this tank is a piece of artwork.

This tank is awesome! maybe you should make the middle island the largest and not so compact looking and make to smaller islands at either end. It's gonna look good with corals, either way.

Maybe make the middle and one end kind of connected and a small one on the other end. Jmo, awesome tank!

it looks nice... i think you could use some bigger pieces of LR in there.. but when it fills in it will look fine... looks great though... i would give my left arm for this tank

wow its looking great. the aquascape will blend more after the rocks get some color

HOLY MOTHER!!!!!!!!!! Eric you mad man!!!!!!!

Ah, right, forgot about those. I like the idea of making it smaller though, should look great.

Looks INCREDIBLE!
I wish this was in my house! I like the rock structure, but do agree, maybe the middle island could be a bit smaller, and the front island, maybe make it like a gradual increase in rock up to the back structure?

Also, don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but won't the metal clip/tightener/whatever it's called holding the tubing to the skimmer, rust?
Cheers,
OwNeD

DUDE!!! AWESOME!!! i think either way u do the rock, it will look awesome...but im also leaning to a larger swimming area in the middle. maybe something long, almost touching the other islands. you could use small peices so the nozzles just sit at the outer edge of the rocks...since the will eventually be covered in nice coraline. this could make a nice swirling motion for the fishies in the middle! but any way, awesome man! im so excited to finally be seeing this great tank startup!!!

That looks STUNNING with the rock in it now!

It won't be long now still you got tangs tearing down the length of the tank at top speed.

i vote to plug up the middle bulkhead and cover it with sand.

I'll see what I can do. Need to go get some epoxy putty and rods to help hold some of the rocks at more crazy shapes first...



I'll see what I can do...



LOL! Soon enough.

Acrylic is from A&C Plastics but it's Plexi-G which you can get from probably any plastic shop.



Thought about it, but with this shape, I don't think it would be attractive.



LOL! Tell me about it! Figured someone would tell me to start over.



I would if I could, but that's the way it's plumbed, the islands are based on the plumbing layout. I could combine them, but I guess it will depend on how everything flows one I have some rods and putty.



Nah, I wanted smaller pieces to help give the tank a larger feel. Keep you're arm, it's worth a lot more.



Thanks!



LOL! Been a while bud!

Thanks! I'll see what I can do!



Thanks for the thoughts, I'll see what I can do.



Only time will tell, it's not in the water but if there is enough mist it might... If there is any indication of rust it will be replace with a plastic clamp. Thanks for the attention to detail!



I'll see what I can come up with using rods and putty.



LOL!



LOL! Sorry, I think I really need the flow.



ROTFLMAO!!! Shenanigans!!!! LOL!