30 Cube Foam Rockwall Reef Tank

[sam.basye]

You and me both! I really want to transfer stuff after 2 weeks, which would put me at New Years, but I also don't want to kill things because I rushed it. I will be introducing some of the sand from the 26g so hopefully the cycle will happen a little faster!

I forgot to mention I added the damsel that's been living in the 2.5 over to the 26g when I made the move.
They all seem to be getting along, although I haven't really been watching the tank much.

Miss them I will not! I'm liking the current hands off property manager.

 

[fabulousfavia]

I am going to do a Rockwall on my ten gallon. Just ordering some dry rock.

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[sam.basye]

That's awesome!

Make sure to post your progress or any questions you may have in here.
Got any preliminary ideas for it yet?

 

[sam.basye]

Tank progress..

Got most of the plumbing figured out. Gotta return some PVC fittings and buy a few 45° elbows and I'll be set to start gluing it!
The new sump layout is better than I had it set up in previously posted pictures. Even less mess, and I thought it looked good before. Lol

I might add a baffle or two now that I've created more room in the sump.
I won't have any filter socks or skimmer air silencer till after Christmas, but the tank will only be cycling till then.

Tank is still on the floor, empty now.

I still need to cut out holes in the back of the stand for the plumbing and surge protector. Once I get that done, I can set the tank up on top and crank it all up for the first time!

 

[kampo]

i'm super tempted to try a wall for my cube setup...was going to do the cliche island scape but kinda like this idea...hmmm really excited to see how this turns out.

 

[sam.basye]

Do it!

You could combine the two and make the island out of foam, that way you get a more versatile island. Create structures off the island you normally couldn't do with rock alone. Just use a lot of rock and silicone it down when you're done so it doesn't go anywhere.

If you decide to come over to the foam side, post pics!

 

[fabulousfavia]

I am not going to have a sump for my ten gallon but the wall will hide filters etc. This tank has been up for 7-8 months, so I might add some soft corals to start it out, and a rbta. This qt won't be for treating ich or other disesaes but for fish to get used to eating the food that I feed.

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[fabulousfavia]

I don't know why my pics turn out sideways does anyone else see that. Maybe it's just a thing that the pixel 2 does.

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[fabulousfavia]

I stuck in the egg crate for now but when I get dry rock I will attach it to the egg crate. I am also thinking about growing coral off the egg crate, are you going to do this.

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[sam.basye]

Rotated it for you, using the Tapatalk app.

Sounds good!


Here's a picture of my 26g in it's prime with coral everywhere. The foam is great for wedging frag plugs into. Just cut a slot and cram! Don't make the hole too big or you'll end up with a loose plug that will continually fall out...

 

[fabulousfavia]

Wow looks great, I️ hope I️ can pull something off like that. May go to pick up some soft corals soon as I️ am on break and have infinite time.


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[fabulousfavia]

What foam did you use, sry if you posted it and I️ forgot.


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[sam.basye]

30 Cube Foam Rockwall Reef Tank

Thanks!

Guess I forgot to add that info..
I used Great Stuff Pond and Stone, not the generic yellow insulating foam. It does have a yellow cap though.

I've used 3 different brands, but great stuff is the cheapest and no noticable differences between the 3. I think I paid $8.74 for each can off Amazon.

I've used 3 different brands, but great stuff is the cheapest and no noticable differences between the 3. I think I paid $8.74 for each can off Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/GREAT-STUFF-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P0VJ1EXR6F2NDRKS95EH

I also used black aquarium safe silicone this time. It MUST be aquarium safe. It took me months to figure out why I couldn't keep anything alive in the 2.5g until I found a tube of old silicone in the closet and decided to check the instructable thread and sure enough, there was a picture of the non-aquatic silicone being used!
One more reason why a build thread is helpful.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Making progress! I'd love to see pics of the system setup, with sump, etc. So you struck a deal with the ex-landlord?

 

[sam.basye]

I'll get pics up tonight. Gonna start jig-sawing after lunch!

Still trying to determine what PVC I'm going to glue and not glue. Probably only going to glue the ball valves and everything behind the back panel, but not sure if I will for the interior plumbing yet. Just in case I need to change stuff..

Well, the ex-landlord came up with a deal and I decided to go along with it so it all ends..

 

[fabulousfavia]

Finally picked up some coral. Bowlopho gave me some Xenia and a month frag. Should be getting the rock for the background around Christmas, at which point I will pull out the egg crate and make the background.

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[fabulousfavia]

*Monti

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[fabulousfavia]

Some pics of the frags.

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[sam.basye]

Nice. I've got some Xenia floating around. That almost looks like a Digitata.

Got all the plumbing done! Minus the gluing, which I've decided to pretty much just glue all of it.

I started the cutting using my jig saw, but it wasn't cutting as clean as I was hoping. I then whipped out the oscillating tool and it worked much better. Easier to reach the tighter spots.

Still gotta mount the timer, mp10 controller, and ATO.

I set up the plumbing so I can shut off both the return and drain lines and open the crossover to recirculate the sump of I want to clean the display, etc. Also I something happens, each line can be shut off

 

[kampo]

baffeless, sockless sump? just asking because thats the way i'm leaning, I have always been pretty minimalistic in my fresh tanks on filtration, let nature do what nature is supposed to and well if nature is going to do work for me I rather not clean filters every few days lmao.

just curious if thats how you ran your previous tank?