Suspended Reef
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22971
Printed Date: August 01 2026 at 2:46am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Suspended Reef
Posted By: rdbrown
Subject: Suspended Reef
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 9:14pm
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I want to put a Suspended Reef in my 215. Is there anyone here that would be willing to post a DIY on putting one together, or helping me put one together and I can post the DIY with images?
Thanks, Richard ------------- Kauai, Hawaii |
Replies:
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 9:40pm
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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...
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 10:34pm
I will draw a diagram and post it. It would benefit you a lot, to come and see how mine came together with the rock. I can only describe so much and for me if I can see something then I can build it.
  ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: cl2ysta1
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 11:07pm
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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 ;) ------------- I <3 Boxers Achilles tang lover |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 06 2008 at 11:50pm
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.
  ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: CrimsRayne
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 12:36am
 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. ------------- "What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer "The Puffer Girl" Zoo freak :) West Jordan |
Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 12:50am
| Not to butt in, but while I was planning how to make a suspended reef I came across an acrylic monitor stand. It is a 12" x 12" piece of acrylic with four acrylic legs. It is as solid as can be (I can stand on it). Any reason not to use this? If not, I am going to go for it as it is clear, and I don't have to build it! |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 12:57am
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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.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: CrimsRayne
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 1:03am
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I can't think of any reason to not use it if it meets your needs. The only reason we build them is cause of the space/ size requirements. For example my 180 has end overflows and I build the suspended reef around them. Odds are that I would have never found something the right size or shape. But for fairly cheap and a bit of time I had exactly what I needed/wanted. BTW Adam this is the suspended arch you were probably thinking of http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20617&KW=check - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20617&KW=check There was another post for a HUGE tank that had rocks zip tied to pvc that went all over. Very cool aquascape. I've been looking for the site, but haven't found it yet. ------------- "What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer "The Puffer Girl" Zoo freak :) West Jordan |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 1:12am
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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.
Your pictures would be great. I was going to photograph mine when we moved it from the 120 to the 180 but forgot in all the rush  ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: CrimsRayne
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 1:31am
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Forgetting in the rush... like that would happen.  I have been meaning to build the suspended reef for weeks and just haven't gotten around to it till tonight. If I had a camera that I could get the pics onto my comp from I would have taken pics of the process. Oh well. I will try and get the pics up tomorrow, I just have to borrow the camera again. I like the egg crate because I can make caves and put plugs in the egg crate and I don't have to worry about the rocks falling through. It also gives my huge green starfish a place to stay. I hope to be able to cover the pvc and egg crate in the 125 in star polyps so they look more natural. The one in the 180 I am thinking of covering in zoos. ------------- "What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer "The Puffer Girl" Zoo freak :) West Jordan |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 1:37am
Sounds cool ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Adam Haycock
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 3:59am
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wow, Dion, that looks amazing!! ------------- 
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Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 9:28am
| I have to agree, those pics look sweet. Thanks again for the advice. |
Posted By: bbauman
Date Posted: January 07 2008 at 9:36am
Hairmonkey had it. ------------- 28g Cube http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23030" rel="nofollow - Beginners Guide to Saltwater Aquariums Brandon in West Jordan |
Adam Blundell wrote:Posted By: Jhamb
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 11:38pm
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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?
------------- Jeremy 40B INW USAF |
Posted By: pa_reptileman_4
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 11:43pm
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from the ones that i saw they like to swim all over up to the surface and everything. ------------- pitiful guppy tank. shane |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 11 2008 at 12:37am
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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. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Jhamb
Date Posted: January 13 2008 at 2:56pm
hmm.....ok thanks for the advice probably still be awhile before i get setup though ------------- Jeremy 40B INW USAF |
Posted By: cl2ysta1
Date Posted: January 13 2008 at 3:26pm
Mine has been with frogspawn and hammer now for quite a while. he isnt interested. He is also with zoos *has never touch a single polyp*, xenia, sps, mushrooms, leathers, etc!!!!
and the only thing he ate was purple gorgonia. Mark informed me that anthony calfo said it was toxic to fish and they wouldnt eat it. therefore great for fish only tanks....
pshhh. Mr. rabbit proved him wrong. he went back for more. and didnt even die ------------- I <3 Boxers Achilles tang lover |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 13 2008 at 5:20pm
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Just goes to prove we never know ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |