Suspended Reef

No problem.  I'll bet Dion and Eva would be more than happy to help you here.  Dang who had the nice suspended with the arch?  I can't remember now.  Either way I'll make the other two see this post to help out...

nice orangespot! mines pretty fat. I keep him well fed. I did a minor freakout after he nibbled on that gorgonia. I noticed a few nibbles missing out of a  leather, but that was right after the gorgonia incident. I gave him a taste for coral. I havent seen any problems since. I make sure he has nori daily and he has no reason to bug anything else. He finally realized food i give him is way better ;)

It's really funny that this topic came up again today.  I just finished building the suspended reef for my 180.  My hands hurt from pushing pvc together. 
I'll see if I can get some pics up of how to do it.  I also have a ton of extra materials if you are interested but they can be picked up at just about any hardware store.
Here is a list of what is used:
PVC pipe (I use 1/2")
90 deg elbow joints
T joints
Couplings
egg crate
zip ties
you can also get the joints that are a cross between an elbow and T-joint but they are kinda expensive and hard to find this time of year.

The basics of assembly are to frame out how you want the shelf using the pvc and elbow joints.  Then add the T joints as legs with the couplings at the bottom of each for extra support as you probably won't cut the pvc perfectly.  Top the whole thing off with egg crate zip tied to the pvc.  Depending on how much rock you are planing on putting on the reef and how big the shelf is, you may need extra supports under the egg crate.  These can be worked in along the edges of the pvc frame.

This is a little hard to understand without pics, but I don't have a digital camera that works with my comp right now (stupid card reader).  I should be able to borrow one tomorrow.  So keep fingers crossed for pics tomorrow evening.

I think the monitor stand would work great. Is is a solid shelf or can water flow through it freely? Solid would not be too good.

Eva, Mine is very similar. From your description the only major difference is the egg crate. Mine is "piped" across to support the rock. The + side to this is letting the fish get through the underside. I stacked the rock to give passage through the structure.

Sounds cool

I have to agree, those pics look sweet.  Thanks again for the advice.

Hey Dion what are the dimensions for that tank? I have a 180 that I am going to do a semi-suspended reef and i want a blue spot ray but not sure if its big enough. 6x2x2. also does the ray ever come out and swim higher in the water column or does he generally just stay down low in the sand?

180 I feed it at the top of the water Column every night. It travels every inch of the tank. If you go Blue Spotted make sure its healthy and eating well. DO NOT take anybodies word for it. YOU MUST see it for yourself. These rays ship very poorly and there survival rate is marginal at best.

Holdencraft 33 wrote: We had the discussion of them eating lps (hammer). Hes been in with this colony since I got him. Never even a bite!   He hasn't bothered the leathers or galaxy either. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.