Dune Sea of Tatooine 327 gallon FOWLR

[David@wegetkraken]

So I wanted to do something a little different for our next build and really wanted to incorporate some livestock not at all and rarely reef safe (Morays, Triggers, Large Angels, Squirrelfish, Puffers, etc...)...more of a semi predator tank. Problem with a lot of FOWLRs is they can look somewhat dull so that began my creative dilemma. Fortunately as I was debating the design an old Star Wars movie came on and it hit me...since you really only have sand and rock to work with why not a desert style tank!? That began the creative process...

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Then I found the inspiration for the stand...really came from this picture of the Slave Quarters of Tatooine from one of the Star Wars movies. Custom designed the doors and painted them all different colors to resemble these and used a textured deck paint for the stand itself to resemble the desert....

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Wanted to go as large as would reasonably fit in the space I picked out and shopped around a lot of custom tank builders for this one....Tank Me, Glass Cages, Coast to Coast, Reef Savvy, etc...and got quotes from all, but ultimately settled on Miracles out of Ontario for a variety of reasons (would be happy to share my experiences with all in a different thread if anyone has interest)

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Reef Casts has 3D printed a lot of the elements I'll incorporate and I'd worked with them before on other builds. Have recently discovered Jester 6 and his rock work is neat so picked up a piece from him as well. The builds take time and I iterate as I go, but I am usually pleased with the end result when I follow my muse.

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Thought about a custom sump turning to equipment, but decided the Eshopps Royale 400 met enough of my needs to forego the cost of a custom build. I did upgrade it from the perforated return pipes it came with (detritus traps) to PVC slip bulkheads as a cheap upgrade

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Really struggled with return pumps as well and want to showcase some higher end equipment on this build and landed on the Abyzz A200. Wanted to go with two return pumps for redundancy, but after talking with the Royale rep two Red Dragons just weren't going to have room in the sump and I didn't want to go external and drill so the Abyzz it is (tough to beat a 10 year warranty... although I will have to plan for potential failure warranty or no)

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Build will have purple PVC drains with red PVC returns (light saber colors) with sch 80 joints. Leaning either MP40s or Tunze wavemakers and already posted another discussion on the lighting. Really looking to create some nice vertical spires for the rockscaping as it again mimics the movie and not something you see often. Will use mortar and acrylic rods to create them. That is the short version of where I sit today...so much more to come. Hope you enjoy the pics and come by anytime to see it firsthand. I'll also be hosting our August or October meet so good time to catch up with where the build stands then too. Cheers!

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Giving the silicone a solid week before I untape the bottom pane on the external overflow, trim away the excess, and start getting everything plumbed in. In the meantime I am beginning to design my eel maze. Going to incorporate a clear PVC section or two to view him as well. Planning phase, so sorry not a lot of pictorial updates to share...just working through it in my head.

 

[Mark_C]

Love the idea, love the theme.
Looking forward to the build, though, personally, I'm not much into that Star Wars garbage...

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Love the Jeep! My daily is a WK2 Trailhawk, but that one is much cooler! A seven slotted Jeep grill with the round headlights painted back glass would make an awesome tank back drop ..dog faced Puffers...I'm feelin it!

 

[David@wegetkraken]

I'll obviously incorporate some caves and hiding places for the livestock as well (aquarium health always takes precedence over design elements), but here is some of the inspiration I'm working with for the rockscape. Should create some very interesting swim lanes for the large fish.

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Will obviously be using a lot of acrylic rods and mortar....this is going to take a bit

 

[Sponge]

Was just scoping out your pics in the gallery. Where do you get your... I guess Mylar stickers for the glass and stuff.

 

[David@wegetkraken]

They're vinyl....same kind as you see people put on their cars and designed to weather external elements. I just surf the net for what I'm looking for...variety of vendors... typically Etsy

 

[David@wegetkraken]

So FINALLY had some time to start the plumbing today. Bean animal drains in progress .

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Have return plumbing pieces on order, got my second batch of rock curing and getting the shop set up for scaping. Between my day job and work I do for others progress is slow, but steady.

 

[Sponge]

Coming along nicely

 

[David@wegetkraken]

Picked up some great foundation rock for the 327 gal after Bash.

 

[deepblue68]

looks nice! I was at the bash sorry didnt get to meet you

 

[diana a]

That looks nice!