Matt beamans tank

[mattbeaman]

I've been asked by several people for pictures of my tank - as I am still struggling with websites http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif so in the meantime i've added some piccies to the Webshots albums.

The tank is being changed a lot at the moment - I have just added more rock - and have completely redesigned the middle section last weekend. There are no pictures of the left as it is just a pile of plate and branching rock at the moment http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif with a few softies and cave corals.

My intention is to redesign the right hand side and left this weekend and add much of the branching to the middle to 'bring it to life' and remove much of the sloping wall effect.

The tank is moving to predominantly SPS with some LPS and softies for movement.

Its 8x2x2ft with three sumps of 25 gallons each and a separate refugium I am just installing above the tank - with a DSB of Aragamax which is another 50gallons.

I have 4 x 4002 (am adding another two shortly) Tunze centrifugal pumps over the tank which provide max flow of 974 gallon per hour each and they are controlled by the pulsing controller unit.

Any comments are appreciated. http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Tanks shots (http://community.webshots.com/user/matthewbeaman)



Last edited by mattbeaman at July 10 2002,15:32

[jamesc]

Matt,

Your design in the middle section - looks good. Can you describe how you have built it up ? What supports did you use for instance ?

James.

[mattbeaman]

Thanks for the complement James.

All of my rock is 'plate' type as I like the idea that i maximises surface are and allows best flow both in front and behind with no stagnant spots.

It is supported on glass racking that I made myself. I actually used the glass form a small spare tank I didnt need and cut it with a floor tile cutter (the scribe and snap types) then siliconed it together.

In fact I still have one to put in at the left hand side - so i'll take a piccie and post later so you can see how its constructed.

[jamesc]

Matt,

Yes - it looks fairly solid, but at the same time I can see it is fairly sparse in it's construction. I look forward to seeing the pic of the glass frame, as well as the rest of the tank when it is completed.

Interesting that you are going to run 6 Tunzes on your tank. I currently run 3 on my 6x2x2 and am thinking of a fourth, but I know some reconstruction is needed beforehand so they blend in better.


Cheers,

James.

[bilko]

lovely tank matt great layout one question about the tank im looking at an 8x2x2 also and just wondered if you wish you had gone deeper or wider now i know access can be a problem but what do you think many thanks.

[mattbeaman]

Bilko

I would love to go with more depth front to back. To me this creates the most amazing effect as you can look 'through' colonies and see others behind etc. However it does bring unique access problems as you point out.

By choice I would go 8 x 3 Front to back X 2.5 high. However this would have imposed into the room width too much. Therefore I have tried to create depth with the branching rock that I still have to add, and things like some large staghorn piers which fish can swim around and behing which arent pictured in these albums.

Cheers

[bilko]

oh bugger i was hoping you were going to say you liked it now im thinking again ahhhhhhhhh.......

[Mushroom]

Ok I know this may sound rediculous but would the effect be even better if the smaller, more colourful acros are lower down at the front with the green/brown large acros higher up at the back?

[mattbeaman]

Mushroom

thanks for the suggestion. The reason I've laid it out as I have is twofold;

1 - I dont have any brown acros http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif - but as with most larger colonies the predominant colour is seen from above - so I want to have an angle where one looks down on them rather then up at them - to see most colour. Wheras the smaller colonies are more colourful as the light has less branches for shadowing etc.

2 - The larger colonies will reach the surface too quickly if I move them up - as I am not wanting lots of frags - this is not ideal. With less light lower down the two sizes should start to catch up. My intention is to grow the colonies large enough that we can start to see their true shapes. (as Andy Hipkiss and SimonH have managed to achieve with some of theirs now)

[simon garratt]

Hi Matt...........

Im not gonna offer any suggestions m8.........an artist at work doesnt need em............



Superb m8.


Regards

Si.

Well I would have expected something much better from someone with such knowledge....nah only kiddin m8

Fantastic set up, something to be proud off - gives the newbies to this game, like me, great incentive to try and achieve the same standard.

Best regards

Paul

[salty]

Your' Kidding us Matt you took these pictures whilst on a diving holiday http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Dave.

[BrianO]

Matt

The " Branching Rock "

is this Tonga LR. Where did you get it.


Cheers

Bri.

[mattbeaman]

Brian

its branching Pacific Storm Rock - a lot thinner stems than any of the Tonga i've seen - got it from Shirley Aquatics - but they haven't had any since (though they keep threatening to get some in http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif )

I also have two large branches which are like Tonga which I have as a centrepiece (i'll get a photo soon) and these were out of the display tank they were breaking down.

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

[BrianO]

Ta.

Had a good look at your pics some nice Acro colonies there.

Would love to see a few more detailed coral photos, incl a pic of your sump arrangement. ( and that Blue Monti )

Im interested cause as u know am having my tank built in Mid.Sept. so am getting my plans currently in order.

The Pacific storm rock, you think looks better than the branching Tonga ? would have thought the oppisote ?

How are you fixed for current down towards the sandbed, and what depth is the DSB ? Makeup ?

Thats just to start with M8 http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif



Cheers


Bri.

[mattbeaman]

Bri

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Pacific storm rock, you think looks better than the branching Tonga ? would have thought the oppisote ?

[/b][/quote]
Sorry mate - not following ?

I'll try and post some piccies of the kind of rock later.

As for the sumps nothing to see really - just three black polyproplylene header tanks (25gallons each) skimmers in one (which receives the flow from the tank) and fans to help with cooling when needed.

Then through the wall again back under the tank to the other two - which contain the kalk stirrer and the output from the Ca reactor - along with the heaters and the return pumps.

As for DSB - I don't have one as yet - all my DSB's are in the culture tanks for critters etc.

I am collecting a new tank at the weekend which is going to be a refugium above the tank (in the filter cupboard in the kitchen) measuring 29" x 20" pumped upto and returned to the tank by gravity, using Aragamax.

As for flow - I have 4 4002 Tunze's and flow at the substrate is good. I'm adding two of the new propeller pumps when they arrive (12,000 litres/hour each)

[BrianO]

Matt.

In relation to the Branching Pacific & Tonga rock, what I mean is, from what u said above, I assumed you preferred the lighter /thinner Pacific to the thicker Tonga ?

I would have thought the thicker Tonga would give more space to adhere corals to, along with the flat pieces you mention, also does the thicker Tonga not aesthetically look better, as in forming a multitude of openings as opposed to the few got with std. LR "boulder" pieces ?

Re: the DSB , presuming your current would not allow for same at the lower levell and you want a detritus shifting current through/around the rockwork.

I had planned/am planning to try and setup a DSB in the main tank deflecting flow away from it, know it does to a certain extent limit the flow at this levell but as a plus, provides a large area for filtration, large area for microfauna to thrive with the associated benefits, and I think is visually pleasing .

Disclaimer http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Regardless of how the above reads it is in the tone of a discussion, http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif as I am interested to hear views and opinions on the abovementioned methods.


Thanks


Brian

[alsbeth]

Hi Matt,could you let me know if you are still doing the critter kits,cheers Alsbeth

[BrianO]

Matt http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif


Whaddyya Think ?


Bri.:)

[elliot]

Irish Reefer,

I had a look at your pics of the reef tank, and basically what to duplicate your reef structure.

Can you explain to me, if you have time, what kind of structure there is.

I am planning on a 4 x 2 x 2 with 50kg of Caribbean Live Rock.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cry.gif

Many thanks

Elliot

[BrianO]

Hi Elliot

Only saw this post now as I have been away for a coupla weeks http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Dont want to hijack Matts post so to be brief,

Structure based on a " central valley " ( sounds a bit grand http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif , ) in the centre with rock sloping up to a peak at either end.

Tried as best as poss, and succeded through a lot of early repositioning of rocks to create as much open structure as poss. as in caves etc.

Then a DSB of 3 to 4".


Any further questions PM me as this aint my post http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif



Cheers


Bri.


PS: Matt, Cmon M8 , not letting u off that easy, u gonna reply to my questions above, or do I have to call in the heavies http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[clegggs]

thats one hell ov a setup i could only wish for looks so natural
the plankton your growing using air could you explain how your doing it abit more plz