180 gal reef build

[Musbtr1pin]

Awesome, thanks for the input... I was leaning more towards sand rock and a bunch of chaeto.... and i mean a BUNCH

What do you recommend for aquascaping? I have 200 lbs of marco's dry rock coming... should I drill holes in the rock and run pvc through it? to make my overhands an what not??

 

[vegasr]

Yes, those overhanges always looks best. If I ever started with dry rock, then drilling and fiberglass rods or pvc would be a for sure.

 

[sledge760]

Looking good!

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Yessir

Yessir

Rock will be here tomorrow and the sand will be here on friday... perfect... I will let the rock formations sit for 24 hrs to let silicone dry, and then soak in regular freshwater for 24 hrs... then I will start to add to my tank

I am using 220 gallons of water from my LFS.... He is going to come pump it in my tank for me when i'm ready... His water is excellent.... This guy specializes in saltwater ONLY... So I know i'm getting good advice... He has 3 tanks that have been going for 20 years.. and a shark tank thats 1000 gallons, and has TWO 5 ft Nurse sharks in it... SOOO COOOL!

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Rock is here!!!

Rock is here!!!

Just wanted to say that my rock from Marco's came in today.. I ordered on sunday night, and it came today (Thursday). This rock is AMAZING!!! First time ordering from Marco's and wow, this is my permanent hot spot for rock from now on... Here is some pictures...

200 lbs of rock and 200 lbs of sand for about 450$.... Amazing price for the quality...

 

[stangd1909]

Nice rock....a lot of it to.

 

[vegasr]

Damn, that's some nice rock. Will have to give that place a try. Can't wait to see your aquascape.

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Aquascape Progress

Aquascape Progress

So instead of cutting holes through the rock, I have decided to use the rubble from the box's and imply a stack method with silicone... I am using #1 Dupont silicone... Same stuff my LFS uses to aquascape... Once I am finished with the silicone, any pieces that have been in contact with the silicone, after allowing 24 hours to cure will be place in a tub of Freshwater and allowed to sit for 48 hours before going into my tank.

Heres some pictures folks!

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Going well.... Arch is almost done.. VERY FRAGILE.... It's going to be a PITA to move into my tank..... If all goes well it will be all in one piece and will look pretty amazing! Post more pictures once I can find my darned camera... haha

 

[AC2020x]

Awesome aquascaping job... I got some marco rock too for my 125g and it really is amazing! I love it. I just stacked mine though.. By the way nice gun! Can't wait to see this thing finished.

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Could I house a Bamboo shark in my 180 with my inhabitants listed earlier? Instead of Zebra's I am going with Snowflake eels.. Already have em bought...

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Awesome aquascaping job... I got some marco rock too for my 125g and it really is amazing! I love it. I just stacked mine though.. By the way nice gun! Can't wait to see this thing finished.

Thanks bro.... The aquascaping is turning out to be a PITA... Its EXTREMELY FRAGILE and I have no clue how to get it into my tank without it breaking into pieces...

I have decided that this will be the only arch in the tank... The rest of the rock will be stacked on top of some PVC that I have for my eels...

That S&W .460 is my baby, I have a Burris 2x-7x scope for it sitting next to the case... Just have to buy mounts and tactical rings for it.. 400$ Unbelievable!!! Then again, with a scope, that gun would be INSANE! Dropped a coyote from 100 yrds dead in it's tracks with iron sights

Will post more pictures as soon as I find my camera.... I got kinda lit last night, and misplaced it...

Oh yea, my 200 lbs of sand is here!!!!!! I think I need more tho :eek2:

 

[helicoprion]

Could I house a Bamboo shark in my 180 with my inhabitants listed earlier? Instead of Zebra's I am going with Snowflake eels.. Already have em bought...

I wouldn't house a bamboo in anything less than a 3x8 360... just me.

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Rgr that! Still working on this stupid arch for my aquascape..... 6 tubes of silicone so far... I will be ready to start the cycling mid week....

I am changing my tank inhabitants around a bit.... I bought a Hamilton Beach Metal Hallide lighting system... Had a 1400+ price tag brand new, got from my LFS for 800 and he put 3 BRAND NEW MH 175 watt bulbs in there and two actinic bulbs... it also has nighttime LED build in...

SO IM going LPS maybe some SPS... My buddy has a CandyCane thats the freakin size of a beach ball in his 90..... I am taking almost ALL of his livestock... rocks, and other goodies.... CANT WAIT!

 

[Musbtr1pin]

I've done some research... I got the 3 Lamp and 70 inch t12 Super Actinics... with my Hamilton Technologies MH system... They sell brand new for 835$... bulbs are 70 ea... So I think I got a good deal, and feel good about my purchase....

FOUND MY CAMERA! More pics to come!!!

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Pictures pictures pictures!!!

Pictures pictures pictures!!!

Heres an update on the Aquascape progress, and tank setup.. As you can see I have filled the tank, but my sand has clouded my water sooo bad... I have two 1 micron filters in there with a rio pump... just taking forever... but then again nothing in this hobby goes fast...

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Can a Moderator move this thread to the "Reef Tank" subsection of this forum please? I am going REEF route and would like some more feedback, and some more attention to this build thread, that way I can get everyone's input...

Amazing forum!!!! This place rocks!

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Tank water is clearing up still... I should have washed the sand a little better.. It has been 2 days... Micron filters are taking a beating!!!

I have my lights, just need the ATO, Skimmer, and some other small goodies...

 

[stangd1909]

How did you wash your sand?

 

[Musbtr1pin]

Can you guys give me some advice on my 55 Reef in Progress..

My PH is always REALLY low.. Like 7.4 because my water quality is soo bad.. Even after my water softener the PPM is 275, and without the water softener it is 750!!!!

I am dosing my tank with Seachems Reef Buffer.. I am having to dose multiple times because my PH keeps dropping to around 7.8, even after a day....

My inhabitants include...

1 Blood Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Aarow Crab
2 Ocellaris Clowns
2 Domino Damsels

My shrimp are molting as we speak, the blood did yesterday, and the cleaner did 3 days ago.. The Peppermint shrimp are full off eggs...

Any suggestions to keep PH up, and I use a API calcium test... PITA... Anyone have any better ideas? Salifert maybe?