20g Tall Build

[zoasguy]

I know this is a small build, with little to no DIY, so I don't expect it will garnish much interest. But, this is a way for me to look back on my journey and get input on my 2nd reef tank (first in 5 years).


Equipment:
Eheim 2215 (135-140 gph)
Tunze 6015 Powerhead (475 gph)
Aqueon 150W Heater
Skkye 30W LED 10,000K
2 Blue 1 Watt 465 LED


Stock list:

Fish:
Clownfish pair
Goby (Open to suggestions)
Shrimp (Open to suggestions)
CUC

Coral:
Softies and LPS
GSP


Hardscape:
Pukani
3.5 inch sand bed of CaribeaSea Bimini Pink




I picked up the tank at Petco for their dollar a gallon sale. And immediately went to work on a DIY background I have envisioned. I am a geologist in training and an amateur fossil hunter. That being said I wanted to include that aspect of me in the tank. I took some ammonite scraps, gastropod fossils, and bivalves that I have found over the years, not worth anything to anyone but they still look OK. These I set in a pond foam background and covered with fiberglass resin. Still a bit worried, after my 3rd water change their is still a very slight resin odor. Praying this will fade, as I am pretty certain I used the correct amount of hardener, although not 100%.

Welcome to my build. (Or at least my arranging of off the shelf doohickies):wave:

 

[zoasguy]

 

[Bogue Chitto]

You are doing a good job with it from what I can see. The resin smell takes a while to dissipate.

 

[zoasguy]

Boy did I just get a deal. Picked up these four massive pieces of pukani. The guy had it on craigslist listed as 20lbs. Well thats a bunch of bull! One piece alone weighs 20lbs. I am easily looking at 50lbs and all for only $25!!!

Problem is they are way bigger than expected and wont fit in my tank.
I think I am going to break the two up and save the biggest (and also coolest looking) as house decor. That is, until I get a bigger tank

 

[Bogue Chitto]

That is a good deal.

 

[zoasguy]

Yeah and on top of that he threw in a very powerful powerhead.

 

[cymen]

Is the foam painted to make it look like rock? I'm interested in your build as I've got a 20g high too. Although I'm making my rock out of cement and crushed coral (using MasterEmaco cement so no ph cure time). But I'm curious to see your rock arrangement. I like the looks of the back wall piece.

 

[zoasguy]

No it is not painted. It is made with pond foam and then covered in fiberglass resin and sprinkled with sand while its curing. Here is a link

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f76/diy-3d-background-207405.html

 

[mgoulding]

Nice rock

 

[mgoulding]

I'm interested to see how the backdrop turns out. Seems like a good way to make use of all space in a small tank.

 

[zoasguy]

2.5 months later, I've added a Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue, as well as rescaped the tank. I have added some Zoas, LPS and one SPS a Green Slimer. Was told it was a good beginner SPS. Also have a ocellaris pair, a yellow goby and a pistol shrimp.

 

[Highweigh]

That background is super cool, nice job!

 

[zoasguy]

Hey thanks! I appreciate it. Some old fossils I had laying around.