Haha, a great video which shows the true trials and tribulations of the DIYer. Had a good laugh at the screen reading parts. Paint job looks great. Persistence pays off. Build is looking fab so far. I'm guessing the pvc pipe is a framework for your live rock or something along those lines. Well done, keep up the good work.
I have multiple freshwater tanks, and haven’t got any marine (still trying to convince the wife! 😂) and have only found your channel a few days ago, it was really great to find an Aussie aquarist! binged all your videos! I can’t wait to see what this tank is going to look like when it’s finished! Ps G’Day from Vic!
Cheers mate from Coffs! It’s funny and frustrating how RUclips works. I start to wonder how videos are served up to potential viewers these days, as I’ve had a few people say that they only just found the channel. I’m glad you did, and that you got some enjoyment from it. Spread the word for me in VIC!
I think you’re on the right track! Not to deliver the water itself, but to hold the rocks and coral off the island and allow water circulation around and through
I have thought about it, but the tank runs off one return pump, 4 wavemakers and average lighting. I feel I would definitely need to upgrade the lighting dramatically to support a mangrove, and at this stage I need to direct funds towards the Palau build
@glub9075 The best mangroves I’ve seen have had intense illumination. Otherwise, they kind of look a little sad. Maybe, but I’ll keep chugging along with the Palau tank for the time being!
Binge watching this build from the Carlson Surge device video. Hugely impressive! I would love to combine my absurd woodworking/design ideas with your extensive knowledge to create elegant and functionally awesome devices; would be so much fun!!! I love finding ways to make things look more impressive. Your ideas for this tank highlight that same passion. So excellent mate!
It is looking so gorgeous! I'm extremely interested, I've had this thought going that it would be easier (and far lighter) to simply build a bigger aquarium so this is very fascinating to learn how it might be done should I ever have a living facility capable of accomodating a bigger tank.❤
A plywood tank is probably a bit lighter than a glass one, when it gets to these sizes. But the main reason for me , is to save money! The cost of thick glass in Australia is REALLY EXPENSIVE!!
Hi, would it not be cheaper and easier to use a brick / cement / concrete tank instead of plywood, especially in Australia with so many tradies available? I would assume the base, back and perhaps one side would be made of brick or concrete and the rest in glass. Regards Bill
The background looks great Adam. If you ever give up keeping fish, you could probably make it as a half decent artist. I'm thinking the struts are to support rockwork?
Yes, I’ve got a wedgetail trigger which I caught as a 4cm juvenile locally. It makes me smile often when I hear people on videos or podcasts blanketing certain fish groups as unsafe with corals. Triggers, large wrasse, most butterflies and angels, most puffers etc do not include coral in their natural diet. I also believe many reefers massively underfeed their fish , to limit phosphate and nitrate for their coral growth. Hungry fish are inquisitive fish. My tips would be: 1. Start with a small juvenile. 2. Feed your fish well. This means chunky foods not just mysis. My trigger ( and every other fish) gets squid, mussels in the shell, prawn heads, nori, pellets and ramshorn snails. 3. Realise that coral nipping is not the same as eating. I’ve never had a coral eaten , but have had an Acro nipped. May have been the trigger, but could also have been the Toby puffer. 4. Keep him busy - lots of fish tank mates, strong water flow, frequent feeding. 5. Unlike angels and butterflies which are more prone to nip LPS, I feel triggers ( and puffers) are more prone to nip SPS. It’s probably a hard mouth/ beak/ tooth thing. Might do a video on this in the future. Thanks for your question!
How do you clean coraline and algae off the ply wood aquariums without ruining the waterproofing? Sometimes I have to scrape with a metal scraper to get my coraline off the glass, are you able to use the same method or would that ruin the coating? Great channel, you have me thinking about trying a plywood aquarium or a waterproofed core filled block and glass aquarium.
Yep, that’s the big problem with plywood tanks. You can’t scrape them with a blade. The only way is to keep on top of algae cleaning, before it starts to harden. The other plywood tanks I keep, have black backgrounds and I just leave it to blend in. Being 4ft front to back, the back wall just sort of blends in with the hardscape. I wanted to try something a little different with this build however. If you’ve got the space and some handyman skills , I say go for it. I think this style of aquarium most suits tanks that are wide. That’s when you see the money savings over an all glass construction! Thanks for watching. Do want you can to share my videos around. I’d really appreciate it! Adam
You my friend are the devil because of you I'm now building a low to the ground ply reef pond that will be 12ft long 6ft front to back and 4ft deep thank you very much nah I just blamed you to the wife for the idea and thank you for recommending Fish Frenzy great food. Keep up the good work mate
Haha, a great video which shows the true trials and tribulations of the DIYer. Had a good laugh at the screen reading parts. Paint job looks great. Persistence pays off. Build is looking fab so far. I'm guessing the pvc pipe is a framework for your live rock or something along those lines. Well done, keep up the good work.
Bingo! It certainly is to support the rock, and to maximise water flow around the island. Trials and tribulations, tears and beer!
Nice job! Respect for not taking the easy route learning adapting and teaching us something in the process.
That’s very nice of you! I knew Mr Ross from high school art taught me something
I have multiple freshwater tanks, and haven’t got any marine (still trying to convince the wife! 😂) and have only found your channel a few days ago, it was really great to find an Aussie aquarist! binged all your videos! I can’t wait to see what this tank is going to look like when it’s finished! Ps G’Day from Vic!
Cheers mate from Coffs! It’s funny and frustrating how RUclips works. I start to wonder how videos are served up to potential viewers these days, as I’ve had a few people say that they only just found the channel.
I’m glad you did, and that you got some enjoyment from it. Spread the word for me in VIC!
The sponge for the win looks awesome mate well done
Thank you very much! I’m pretty happy, but it was a wild ride getting it done!
Mate Looks good, I now know why you've been a bit quiet, it looks like it was frustrating but it worked for you in the end 🙂
Yes
I shrunk into my hermit shell of frustration!
Epic build 🙌💯🔥👏
Cheers
Frustrating but I think it turned out well
Cheers for the updates buddy, so invested in this channel, I love all the content buddy keep up the great work 👍
You’re being very kind..!!!!! Onwards and upwards, the build ending is getting closer each week!
The back looks amazing.
The PVC struts are for circulation (or something)
I think you’re on the right track! Not to deliver the water itself, but to hold the rocks and coral off the island and allow water circulation around and through
one of the most exciting builds on youtube!
Big call! I didn’t think I was that good looking
Yep well done, it looks really good!
Appreciate it apanhaesta
Cheers man, cant wait till its done
you should try some mangroves in the estuary
I have thought about it, but the tank runs off one return pump, 4 wavemakers and average lighting. I feel I would definitely need to upgrade the lighting dramatically to support a mangrove, and at this stage I need to direct funds towards the Palau build
Myself also!!
probably could just hang some cheap grow bulbs above a spotlight area@@australianaquarist
@glub9075
The best mangroves I’ve seen have had intense illumination. Otherwise, they kind of look a little sad. Maybe, but I’ll keep chugging along with the Palau tank for the time being!
Binge watching this build from the Carlson Surge device video. Hugely impressive!
I would love to combine my absurd woodworking/design ideas with your extensive knowledge to create elegant and functionally awesome devices; would be so much fun!!!
I love finding ways to make things look more impressive. Your ideas for this tank highlight that same passion. So excellent mate!
Absolutely! That video shows a very frustrating part of the build process, but I’m happy with the way it turned out.
It is looking so gorgeous! I'm extremely interested, I've had this thought going that it would be easier (and far lighter) to simply build a bigger aquarium so this is very fascinating to learn how it might be done should I ever have a living facility capable of accomodating a bigger tank.❤
A plywood tank is probably a bit lighter than a glass one, when it gets to these sizes. But the main reason for me , is to save money! The cost of thick glass in Australia is REALLY EXPENSIVE!!
You should’ve got one of those fellas who paint Harley Davidson’s lol 😂, but mate it’s looking great so far 😊
Funny John, I studied a video of blending spray paints on motorcycles before getting started!
Hi, would it not be cheaper and easier to use a brick / cement / concrete tank instead of plywood, especially in Australia with so many tradies available? I would assume the base, back and perhaps one side would be made of brick or concrete and the rest in glass. Regards Bill
The background looks great Adam. If you ever give up keeping fish, you could probably make it as a half decent artist. I'm thinking the struts are to support rockwork?
Bingo Gil
Did you receive the bits and bobs from Frenzy Fish Feeds yet?
@australianaquarist Yeah I have thanks. When I get a chance I'll make a quick video trying it out.
Hey question. Ive noticed in a previous video you keep a trigger in your reef. Im planning on getting a bursa or picasso triger for mine. Any tips?
Yes, I’ve got a wedgetail trigger which I caught as a 4cm juvenile locally. It makes me smile often when I hear people on videos or podcasts blanketing certain fish groups as unsafe with corals. Triggers, large wrasse, most butterflies and angels, most puffers etc do not include coral in their natural diet.
I also believe many reefers massively underfeed their fish , to limit phosphate and nitrate for their coral growth. Hungry fish are inquisitive fish.
My tips would be:
1. Start with a small juvenile.
2. Feed your fish well. This means chunky foods not just mysis. My trigger ( and every other fish) gets squid, mussels in the shell, prawn heads, nori, pellets and ramshorn snails.
3. Realise that coral nipping is not the same as eating. I’ve never had a coral eaten , but have had an Acro nipped. May have been the trigger, but could also have been the Toby puffer.
4. Keep him busy - lots of fish tank mates, strong water flow, frequent feeding.
5. Unlike angels and butterflies which are more prone to nip LPS, I feel triggers ( and puffers) are more prone to nip SPS. It’s probably a hard mouth/ beak/ tooth thing.
Might do a video on this in the future. Thanks for your question!
Not worried about overspray getting in the uncovered tanks all around you....?
I was when I saw the video back and how much mist was in the air. Everyone’s ok though I won’t be spraying in the fish shed again
Hi mate why don’t you paint or seal the sub frame?
There’s no need to. It’s not in contact with water, and it’s treated framing timber. My outdoor turtle tank is framed with H3 treated pine
How do you clean coraline and algae off the ply wood aquariums without ruining the waterproofing? Sometimes I have to scrape with a metal scraper to get my coraline off the glass, are you able to use the same method or would that ruin the coating?
Great channel, you have me thinking about trying a plywood aquarium or a waterproofed core filled block and glass aquarium.
Yep, that’s the big problem with plywood tanks. You can’t scrape them with a blade. The only way is to keep on top of algae cleaning, before it starts to harden. The other plywood tanks I keep, have black backgrounds and I just leave it to blend in. Being 4ft front to back, the back wall just sort of blends in with the hardscape. I wanted to try something a little different with this build however.
If you’ve got the space and some handyman skills , I say go for it. I think this style of aquarium most suits tanks that are wide. That’s when you see the money savings over an all glass construction! Thanks for watching. Do want you can to share my videos around. I’d really appreciate it!
Adam
Thanks for the reply!
You my friend are the devil because of you I'm now building a low to the ground ply reef pond that will be 12ft long 6ft front to back and 4ft deep thank you very much nah I just blamed you to the wife for the idea and thank you for recommending Fish Frenzy great food. Keep up the good work mate
I’m jealous now. I’ve been thinking of another similar project for jardini saratoga