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fsureefers 40g Fringe Reef Build

7196 Views 85 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  fsureefer
fsureefers 40g Seagrass-Fringe Reef Build

Hey everyone! For those of you that remember me from back when, well...I'm back. For those who don't..well I'm still back.

Been holding off posting until I made some progress on this build. About a month and a half ago, I got a 40 breeder up and running. The idea behind this tank is to follow the logic I have used for planted FW tanks in the past- simplicity. NOTE: this is experimental. I have not confirmed that anything I have done or am planning will work, so this is a learning experience.
<O:p
While scalloping last season, I really began admiring the fringe reefs that are all around this part of North Florida. The areas on the fringe of the grassflats where intermittent rock outcroppings occur with various species of seagrass all around it. The beauty, especially as seen from underwater is shocking. I have had the itch to get back into reefkeeping for about a year now, so my goal is to (somewhat) replicate this biotope.
<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:pI wanted something manageable, yet large enough to do what I would like it to do so I settled on a 40 breeder. Got it at Petsmart when they had the $1/gallon sale earlier this year.<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
I built the stand (structurally similar to my old 75g stand) and used pine craftboards as the façade. Stained it all black and used mineral spirits to get the "rustic" look I was after. Finished with 3 coats of Tung Oil Finish.<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Now for the important parts- Like I said before, simplicity was the name of the game. I am running a 400gph HOB filter with only floss and a modified inlet tube to incorporate some surface skimming. The surface skimmer is a working-work in progress. Lights are the 24'' CurrentUSA Orbit LED, circulation is by two (soon to be 3) cheap 528gph Chinese amazon wavemaker pumps on a Hydor Koralia Smart Wave Wavemaker. A sump may be added if it is necessary, but not sure yet. As of now, everything seems to be working out well. <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
I found a source for the seagrass (floridapets.com) I was looking for, Shoal Grass (Halodule wrightii) and that was ordered today. <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Current inhabitants are two ocellaris clowns, handful of snails and hermits, star polyps, two types of ricordea mushrooms and fruit loop zoas. <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Updates and pictures to come.
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I like the finish too. Looking forward to seeing this tank grow!
Alex man! WB brother.
I haven't seen you around since Tim Tebow was QB for the Gators :evillaugh3:

Tank sounds interesting. I cannot see your pics though. Google pics huh?
Alex man! WB brother.
I haven't seen you around since Tim Tebow was QB for the Gators :evillaugh3:

Tank sounds interesting. I cannot see your pics though. Google pics huh?
Thanks! Its good to be back, it was only a matter of time before the addiction reared itself again. And now he is going to run for office, just cant escape that freaking guy...

Yes, Google photos. Are they not showing up? The direct link wasn't working but pasting the photo works on both my computer and phone. I'm sure this isn't the first time this issues has come up, what's the preferred solution?
Good question. The TRT Gallery is still wonky.
You can upload to it, but your thumbnail will no doubt be a different picture :p
Resizing for one will be beneficial, especially for those phone users.
Attachments work quickly but use your allotted space just as fast
so attachments work fine under 200Kb and 1/2 that or less even works good too.
I'm using photo bucket now, some use imgur, but it could just be the link you're
copying Alex. It pasted a very long link when I copied one of the grayed out minus signs
I get to see for each pic. I', on a Mac desktop will check the iPad in a few.
Good question. The TRT Gallery is still wonky.
You can upload to it, but your thumbnail will no doubt be a different picture :p
Resizing for one will be beneficial, especially for those phone users.
Attachments work quickly but use your allotted space just as fast
so attachments work fine under 200Kb and 1/2 that or less even works good too.
I'm using photo bucket now, some use imgur, but it could just be the link you're
copying Alex. It pasted a very long link when I copied one of the grayed out minus signs
I get to see for each pic. I', on a Mac desktop will check the iPad in a few.
10-4, let me know if it works or not. I don't want to have to use something else since these pictures automatically back up from my phone to Google photo, but Ill do whatever I have to. No use in a build thread without useable pictures.

Are some of the old members still around?
Just checked the iPad and just get a square for each pic.
ChiWing and CRP saw them, but not sure if they still can or not.

What are your options when selecting a google image addresses or links?
That might be helpful if someone else could chime in.
I know the gallery and a couple other image providers use a BB code.
Here that was a thumbnail from TRT gallery pics.

Sure, theres a few old farts still in the forum, and a few resurrected.
Tom, tdwyatt passed away :( Cream Horses, Dave changed to Daves Not Here,
Doc is hard to catch and Nate weaves in and out from time to time just to name a couple.
I can still see them. And the finish still looks good:)
I can't see them now that I'm on my phone, but saw them fine on the iPad.
Just checked the iPad and just get a square for each pic.
ChiWing and CRP saw them, but not sure if they still can or not.

What are your options when selecting a google image addresses or links?
That might be helpful if someone else could chime in.
I know the gallery and a couple other image providers use a BB code.
Here that was a thumbnail from TRT gallery pics.

Sure, theres a few old farts still in the forum, and a few resurrected.
Tom, tdwyatt passed away :( Cream Horses, Dave changed to Daves Not Here,
Doc is hard to catch and Nate weaves in and out from time to time just to name a couple.
Most importantly, that sucks to hear about Tom. He was such a great guy, one of the best. Such a wealth of knowledge. Rest in peace brother man, enjoy the giant reef tank in the sky.

Google gives a link to the pictures but when I try to paste it, it only shows a black box with an x in it. I'll do some testing tomorrow and see what I can find out. Might have to go back to photobucket.
I attached a screenshot of what I get.
I checked my settings for viewing pics on TRT and all is go there format wise.
I can tell though that those are some large pictures.

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I attached a screenshot of what I get.
I checked my settings for viewing pics on TRT and all is go there format wise.
I can tell though that those are some large pictures.
I'll check it at the office tomorrow morning and come up with a solution. I didn't realize how large the pictures were.
I'll check it at the office tomorrow morning and come up with a solution. I didn't realize how large the pictures were.
Do you still have a reef going?
I attached a screenshot of what I get.
I checked my settings for viewing pics on TRT and all is go there format wise.
I can tell though that those are some large pictures.
I just uploaded all of them to photobucket, and edited the posts to include the image links. This was how I uploaded photos back during my 75g build, hopefully it still works. Can you see them now?
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