Pirate's Reef

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Anonymous

Guest
I just happened to remember the name of the person that inspired me to be so over the top with this nano reef. I believe he used to write a column for FAMA magazine. His name was John Burleson. I was blown away that he had a 29 gallon tank that had practically an entire room full of equipment running this one small tank. Anyone remember that article or ever seeing that tank. This was probably 15 years ago. I will have to see if I still have that article laying around somewhere. That would be fun to scan and post.
 
Dickie52

Dickie52

New Member
Yeah, I remember reading Burleson, but the one that really got me going was, George Smit. He pushed the planted tank with a wet dry filter. It was going to be the end all filter and tank system!!! :razz: :lol: :mrgreen:
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Well, there is always going to be the next big thing. I guess it is bare bottom tanks at the moment. I do wish I could find that old article though. There was a picture of Burleson and his wife standing by this little tank with a room full of equipment running it. As I recall, the tank really wasn't anything special either. :lol3:
 
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Anonymous

Guest
i like your "off topic" conversation guys - funny stuff, those of us who have been around a while have seen many of these "next big things" come and go, we were talking about this in the last nano chat......... i say avoid fads, do what works for you, and leave more to nature and less to tech and your reef will be better off. lights, flow, skimmer and a good old fassion water change now and then..........the rest is just us tinkering
 
skipm

skipm

Moderator
Staff member
I know I have read some of Burlesons stuff and the article you mention kinda rings a bell in the back of my mind but I can't recall any detail. I used to read everything I could get my hands on back then, when I would go into a LFS I would scan their books to see if they had any I hadn't read yet.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
johnanddawn said:
i like your "off topic" conversation guys - funny stuff, those of us who have been around a while have seen many of these "next big things" come and go, we were talking about this in the last nano chat......... i say avoid fads, do what works for you, and leave more to nature and less to tech and your reef will be better off. lights, flow, skimmer and a good old fassion water change now and then..........the rest is just us tinkering
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I agree - except this project is a little over the top because I was just trying to find a use for some left over equipment. We really weren't that far off topic, since I had mentioned earlier in the thread that the inspiration for doing this project was this individual. I just remembered who he was.

Now we can get back on topic. :)
 
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Anonymous

Guest
:) - amazing what one can do with an idea and a few tools.............its because of people like you i can't quit tinkering.......gotta love this hobby!!!!! now where in the heck can i put a 5th tank........hmmmmmmmmm.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
johnanddawn said:
:) - amazing what one can do with an idea and a few tools.............its because of people like you i can't quit tinkering.......gotta love this hobby!!!!! now where in the heck can i put a 5th tank........hmmmmmmmmm.
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I had five tanks once and I wouldn't recommend it. I had a 200, a 77, a 58, 48 and a 10. Something always needed attention and usually at the most inopportune moments. Before the hurricane I had three, but have reduced that to two. There will be no more. It is better to have one or two and concentrate on keeping them looking their best, than having four or five mediocre tanks always needing some attention.

There we go getting off topic again. Easy to do when there is not much progress on the project... :)
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Managed a significant milestone today. Got the main part of the plumbing done and I am currently leak testing it. Only a couple of very small drips in the between a couple of pipes and fittings. I guess I am out of practice. I can fix them no problem. I wanted to get this done before I finish the enclosure. The box will have access doors on both sides, but wanted to make sure the tank and plumbing would hold water. Seems to run pretty well. No major problems.

PS - The crooked 1" drain line is just temporary. I have to finish a couple of things before I return to the skimmer tub.



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Jordan8008

New Member
that is one crazy contraption :mrgreen: I am going through this process right now aswell and I can definatly see that you planned this one out to perfection, I am definatly going to consider your plumbing setup when i get around to my tank

thanks

Jordan
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Jordan8008 said:
that is one crazy contraption :mrgreen: I am going through this process right now aswell and I can definatly see that you planned this one out to perfection, I am definatly going to consider your plumbing setup when i get around to my tank

thanks Jordan
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Yep, it is indeed a contraption! :lol3: You are probably too young to remember the game, but I spent a lot of time playing with my Mouse Trap game when I was a kid. :) Also specialized in making ridiculous "contraptions" with my erector set. Hey, had to do something. Video games wouldn't be around for another 25-30 years. :)
 
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reefman23

New Member
WOW!! What a setup... i love the PVC work you have done. Very well done and very clean!

Great work.

How many GPH are you lookin at here?

Jesse
 
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Anonymous

Guest
reefman23 said:
WOW!! What a setup... i love the PVC work you have done. Very well done and very clean!

Great work.

How many GPH are you lookin at here?

Jesse
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Thanks Reefman. I am using two Mag 3 pumps, which are rated somewhere around 350gph each. Now keep in mind that one of them is blowing through a SCWD (I hate them, but I am using it anyway), which reduces the flow considerably. I haven't really figured it out exactly, but I would guess that with the other plumbing and distance back to the tank that I am probably getting 350 to 400 gph total. I didn't want to have too much flow. So far, it looks like I am getting about what I had hoped for. Of course, I haven't put the sand in it yet. :)
 
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Anonymous

Guest
reefman23 said:
Any heat issues with those Mags?

Jesse
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Time will tell, I suppose. One thing is that the sump is open on top and has a good bit of surface area. I will have a 4" fan blowing fresh outside air into the cabinet and across the top ot the open sump. I am hoping that will help cool down the water. I ran it for a good while yesterday and the temp never got over 77.5 degrees (with the tank light and refugium light both on). So, I am hoping I will be ok.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Worked a little on the enclosure today. It's done except some trim and painting. I opted out of the doors on the side and decided to cut some access holes in the back to reach valves and unions. Also went with screws on the sides and back panels. I can have this whole thing apart in about 10 minutes, should I ever have to really get in there. The tank will come out without taking it all apart though (believe it or not).

Things are closing in....









Now it's on to the canopy...
 
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