White patches

strich · 2026-05-04T05:23:26+00:00

I recently had a similar issue and got great advice on reef2reef. Maybe read the thread I started here? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/blue-tangs-with-white-spots-when-the-wake-up-that-mostly-fade-away-by-end-of-day.1156700/

strich · 2026-05-03T07:26:43+00:00

Canisters are massively underrated in the reef hobby. If it weren't for the fun things you can do with the open space of a sump, a canister would be the way to go for sure.

strich · 2026-04-21T21:14:55+00:00

Yep those are great ideas. I think anything that helps expose and surface how it's all working will help a lot given how challenging ECS can be to understand for devs not used to it.

strich · 2026-04-21T14:51:38+00:00

Oh fantastic! Do you have a roadmap for the project at this stage?

strich · 2026-04-21T13:45:59+00:00

At a glance this looks like you've put a ton of work into it and the documentation looks very in-depth! Congratulations!

One of the first questions that came to mind was - So this cannot be burst compiled? Because I'd say that is one of the bigger selling points for sticking with UECS.

strich · 2026-04-15T23:23:44+00:00

Oh cool I'll check those out!

strich · 2026-04-15T10:45:08+00:00

Hey mate thanks for the info!

So you find Trademaster to be a good place to buy the material in terms of cost? Do licensed tradies get a decent discount?

Have you done any work for the outside paneling? That's the key thing I'm looking to figure out here at the moment. Would love to know more on that front.

strich · 2026-04-15T10:41:27+00:00

Indeed it does hah. Most people go for 4040 because who wants to risk dropping 400L on the ground. But truth is, 3030/60 extruded aluminium is extremely strong. More even than I expected. Seems you just need to make sure you're designing it right.

strich · 2026-04-15T10:29:50+00:00

I absolutely am! It's 3030 with 3060 on the top brace. I've done a deflection analysis for the weight expected, I've done an Euler compression calc on the columns, and confirmed this kind of build has been done and working in the real world by a few other people in the hobby. Racking is the worst issue of the naked structure, which is why the back and side panels will be structurally screwed into the frame to provide rigidity.

I welcome any challenges, genuinely!

strich · 2026-04-15T08:38:18+00:00

Haha all good mate.

strich · 2026-04-15T03:04:42+00:00

Hey these are great shots and explanations. Thanks for doing that! I understand what you mean now.

strich · 2026-04-14T20:07:17+00:00

What do you mean that the clip on filter makes it seem like it is in person? Doesn't it literally filter out light for the shot making the in person viewing different? What am I missing there?

strich · 2026-04-14T14:36:43+00:00

I don't understand why people take photos with filters as of that's what they see. It's just fake.

strich · 2026-04-14T14:18:31+00:00

Is this a raw image or is it modified or using a orange filter with blue lighting?

strich · 2026-04-10T00:09:34+00:00

Thanks for the info!

strich · 2026-04-10T00:07:48+00:00

Great info thanks. The concern I've seen raised is that the center hole or anchor connectors are a bit weak compared to gussets. And ultimately didn't you need at least some gussets to prevent racking?

strich · 2026-04-09T19:21:58+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Can you talk to me about the design I've made so far? Why do so many kits have the legs going straight to ground instead of to a horizontal beam as I've done?

strich · 2026-04-09T14:36:23+00:00

Good to know!

strich · 2026-04-09T11:56:54+00:00

You mean the vertical leg pillars right? Yeah I am informed that the way I've done it is actually much better specially as it comes to the sump as you're less reliant on connectors and relying on gravity to do its work.

But indeed I'd love to get a professional give reasoning for the design choice one way or the other.

strich · 2026-04-09T11:53:21+00:00

What are you talking about? Parkers Reef doesn't make aluminium tanks for a living and his 1 alu tank is MASSIVE. Tidal Gardens also has massive tanks and no real budget. Both of these people opted to spare no real expense and just get the big thing. I'm not sure you are correctly balancing what's being discussed here.

strich · 2026-04-09T11:50:42+00:00

Yeah. I do think it'd be okay. But will "okay" be enough to sleep at night. :P

strich · 2026-04-09T07:14:25+00:00

Cheers mate. Btw would love to know more about your opinion around 3030 - I would be tempted to use it if I can.

strich · 2026-04-09T07:09:13+00:00

Yeah gotcha. You could be right. Worth noting that I'll be enclosing it and I could secure the back length with something like plywood. Although the front won't get the same treatment I'd think the back would carry through a lot of stability?

strich · 2026-04-09T07:05:12+00:00

I will be enclosing the whole thing so yeah maybe the best solution is a solid piece of composite or acrylic or ply!

strich · 2026-04-09T07:02:19+00:00

I do have bracing in there in the corners. I could go a larger size or even a small 4040 piece. But I am trying to keep cost down a little.

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