I also decided to make my sand bed in my sump/refugium a little deeper.
Here's a pic of the beginning of this process.
The current sand bed is 3" deep, the new section is 5" but I'll probably drop it to 4.5" when all finished. I'll leave it sit like this for a week or two before I add more to slowly bring it all up to 4.5" deep.
The sump is a converted 20gal tank, with the refugium section being 12"x12" with the top of my baffle being 9". So it won't leave much room for my cheato, unless I only go 4" for the sand bed.
__________________ Tank setup 8-5-05
26 gal bowfront
scott, whats that star effect on the back and side walls, they aren't air bubbles im presuming, i see some on the pump and return spout as well, is that Coraline-growth, .
They are actually spiral tube feather dusters (spirorbis)....from page 221 in my "Marine Invertebrates" book by Ronald Shimek. They glue themselves to the glass, rocks, whatever, and as they grow they spiral. I don't bother cleaning my back glass on the tank, only the front and sides. But with the black painted back...it does have a cool look to it, at least I think so.
I don't know if I have any close-up pics of them. I let them grow on all the glass in the sump, so I could probably get a good pic there.
__________________ Tank setup 8-5-05
26 gal bowfront
Looks like you did a great job there Scott. Another trick to spur coraline growth is to take a piece of live rock (Like that one in the upper left of the picture) and while you have it under the surface of the water in the tank, scrub it with a clean toothbrush. That's supposed to release their spores or eggs or whatever they release to spread.
ah yes... that would make sense. Jimms method would also be far less destructive to the existing coraline than my method. I love forums... you learn something new every day.
while we are on the subject of bowfronts, i thought u guy might like to look at some of these--Elliptical suspended aquarium with no visual obstructions.
Jim, thanks for that trick....I think I'll do that today as I need to scrub for algae in some locations too. I had bought two toothbrushes....so I'll label one Algae and the other Coraline. LOL
__________________ Tank setup 8-5-05
26 gal bowfront
yeah, thats a contempory design pipeline that i originaly saw it, i have spoken to the company and they have sent me additional information, i'll post it below.
Veriann,
as requested, here is more information on our unique concept of suspended
aquariums.
Two models of Spacearium are available: pedestal mounted or suspended
directly from the ceiling.
Standard sizes are 72 inch long X 28.5 in high X 12 in wide (55gals) or
60X28.5X14 inches (58 gals). Others lengths are available on request.
This new concept is so unique that few patents have been applied for. This
aquarium allow you to divide your living space with a "virtual partition".
This partition let the light come trough, has no bulky furniture to support
the aquarium as such and due to is elliptic shape, give you a please view of
the marine life wherever you stand in the room since there is no visual
obstruction around the tank.
Prices begin at $4,900 US for a 5 feet system with basic suspended
configuration.
The sophisticated filter system is mounted in the stand base or remotely
when the aquarium is suspended from the ceiling. Remote filter can be
installed in a closet or cabinet close from the aquarium, in the basement,
in a closet at the upper floor.
Please contact us for your specific needs so we can provide you a formal
quote and the name of our local installer or if you need any additional
information.
Well, I don't think that I will ever forget that when the College of Agriculture got the first ever PC at The Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) in 1980 it cost $5000 and you had to write all your own code. It was to be the wave of the future and every family farm would have one. In 1980 $5000 was nearly half a year's salary for a new college grad and I didn't see them on every family farm but the geek in me loved it! Plus, you didn't have to punch cards like you did on the mainframe. Noe, they really do cost $299 and software is simple enough that your average 5 year old can operate a PC.
V-series Productions 
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 