mlreef 450 gallon mixed reef build

lunacris said:
Nice let me know how that pump sounds running im looking at similar pump when i get mine going just dontbwant a loud pump nice rock btw i like it
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris, I will definitely let you know about the volume of the pump when it is operational. I'm glad that you liked the rock work, do you have one that you particularly liked?
 
I thought they were all sperate structures you were gonna use they are allnsweet imo im guessing you are using other rock as well but i like the open space inbetween them looks clean and not busy imo
 
I would suggest E-Marco 400 mortar.I used this on my rockscape and this thing is great. It hardens in one hour and it is fully cured 24 hr.later.You can add it to the tank without PH spike.
 
MMreefcrazy said:
I would suggest E-Marco 400 mortar.I used this on my rockscape and this thing is great. It hardens in one hour and it is fully cured 24 hr.later.You can add it to the tank without PH spike.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark for the heads up on the E-Marco 400 Mortar. I was planning on using a combination of either acrylic rod or fiberglass rod with cement... Is there any preference on either acrylic or fiberglass rods? Also what is the best way to drill rock? I tried with my dewalt screw gun and a and 1/8" drill and then worked my way up to 1/4" drill bit. I used a normal wood drill bit and it took a while to make a 2" deep hole.

Any suggestions for maybe making this an easier feat?

Thanks in advance.
 
nailbender said:
at the very least I would think you would need a carbide tip masonary bit, and depending on the rock a hammer drill
Click to expand...

Someone told me not to use a hammer drill because you will end up splitting the rock. I will get some carbide tipped ones this weekend.


Any preference on acrylic or fiberglass rods and the diameter of them or (depth) length that they should be in the rock?
 
Drilling branches will be tough i used fiberglass yard markers twice just did mine which you seen and a friends 210 as well went well no side effects besides some being seen tried drilling his base rock and no matter what i did didnt work rock cracked hammer split right away i used 3/8 inch masonary bit and regular drill some clear zip ties i think four total here and there rods were four feet long and fit nicely in the hole little play but nice fit super glue on end of rods where i cut them down just what i did
 
That rock is insanely hard to drill, compared to normal rock. Have fun. I have the same rock you got, and it's far from easy. I ended up splitting the piece I was drilling, so be careful.
 
Yes,the Tonga branches rock is extremely dense and hard,so take time drilling,don't push too hard.Use regular masonary drill. Other regular rock is very easy.It took me all 10 sec. to drill a hole.It went like through butter.
 
lunacris said:
Drilling branches will be tough i used fiberglass yard markers twice just did mine which you seen and a friends 210 as well went well no side effects besides some being seen tried drilling his base rock and no matter what i did didnt work rock cracked hammer split right away i used 3/8 inch masonary bit and regular drill some clear zip ties i think four total here and there rods were four feet long and fit nicely in the hole little play but nice fit super glue on end of rods where i cut them down just what i did
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris, I will get 2 4 foot fiberglass rods and give it a shot.


markitekt said:
That rock is insanely hard to drill, compared to normal rock. Have fun. I have the same rock you got, and it's far from easy. I ended up splitting the piece I was drilling, so be careful.
Click to expand...

I figure just take my time and having some patients will help hopefully. Thanks for the heads up.

MMreefcrazy said:
Yes,the Tonga branches rock is extremely dense and hard,so take time drilling,don't push too hard.Use regular masonary drill. Other regular rock is very easy.It took me all 10 sec. to drill a hole.It went like through butter.
Click to expand...

Mark, I ended up using a 3 step process on the drilling, I went from a 1/8", 3/16" and then to a 1/4" drill bit and it seemed to work OK. I will get a regular masonry drill bit and hopefully it will be much easier.

Thanks again all of you.
 
Lil BamBam said:
This might be crazy!!! I never seen a closed loop system or know how it works :( Hope you post some videos and can explain the benefit of one..

The pump looks like a beast!!!
Click to expand...

Oh Dear God for the love of knowledge and understanding, PLEASE video and explain this closed loop. I've seen others and think I might understand. But I know me.

Sometimes you fish guys don't seem to be talking in English......sigh.......
 
anicemess said:
Oh Dear God for the love of knowledge and understanding, PLEASE video and explain this closed loop. I've seen others and think I might understand. But I know me.

Sometimes you fish guys don't seem to be talking in English......sigh.......
Click to expand...

I will post a video of the closed look in a couple weeks when I start plumbing the tank.
 
Here are some pictures of the cabinetry work that I am having done from J C D Woodwork. What you are seeing right now is the fascia made of walnut that will cover the steel. The door panels will be made of cherry. The wood combination should be very stunning when it is finished.

2012-04-19_16-31-07_515.jpg


2012-04-19_16-30-59_963.jpg


2012-04-19_16-29-58_263.jpg


2012-04-19_16-29-44_978.jpg
 
Wow Mike this is turning out really nice and that combination of woods is awesome. Hopefully I can check it out once it's all set up.
 
Not cutting any corners anywhere love that your doing everything so that its only done once hopefully all the new hobbiest will take your build thread and apply it on their build well thought out gotta come see it soon
 
DJE said:
Wow Mike this is turning out really nice and that combination of woods is awesome. Hopefully I can check it out once it's all set up.
Click to expand...

Once everything is up and running you are more than welcome to come check it out in person. I think I might have a BBQ on one of the weekends this summer and have people from CR come over and enjoy. I think it would be a great social event.
 
lunacris said:
Not cutting any corners anywhere love that your doing everything so that its only done once hopefully all the new hobbiest will take your build thread and apply it on their build well thought out gotta come see it soon
Click to expand...

I will say that the build is taking a bit longer than what I had anticipated but then again like you had stated, I only want to do thing once. If I can help out any new comers with some advice it would be, write down everything that you would want in your tank, and setup goals to achieve what you want. Take your time think a lot, visit other members tanks and see what you like about theirs and apply it to yours. On a side not go for as large of a system as your space will allow, this will allow you to maximize your spectrum of possibility's.

Chris, I have been by your place probably at least 4 times. I think you might need to stop by my place this summer to check it out once it is up and going. Like I told DJE you are more than welcome to stop by and take a look and relax and have a couple beers, bring your wife as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top