500G (84X48X30)- NOW REAL !

Status
Not open for further replies.
You may want to drill with a smaller "pilot" bit first, say 1/4- 3/8". Do NOT use the hammer function if using a hammer drill, just let the bit do the work. Try not to let the rock wobble at all when drilling, it could catch the bit and break the rock.
HTH
 
That cement you're using is pretty cool stuff. I've used cement to make sculptures out of smaller pieces of baserock for several years now. I think it's a great way to build a reef. I think you could do something similar with the cement you're using and not have to use the drill or the rods. I realize that working with baserock is a little easier in that you don't have to worry about the rock drying out on you but with the cement you're using you may be able to do it the same way I did only under water.
Here's some pics for a better visual. The only thing I ever needed to use to secure the structures was wire ties when I was making the branch rock sculpture. But even that only needed two.


ReefSculpture001.jpg
ReefSculpture003.jpg
ReefSculpture002.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8284639#post8284639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by olemos
Just trying to learn here... Why is everyone so concern about rock siting on the sand?
Click to expand...

There are several reasons for not wanting to have rock sitting on the sand.

1) If you set the rock on the sand, and have fish that like to burrow they can cause the rock structures to collapse.. had this happen to me with my first tank. Put a pair of valencia gobys in and came home to a rock slide.

2) 2nd time I did this I set the rock on the glass bottom and put sand in afterwards, they way there would be no rock slide later by burrowing fish and shrimp. This time around I had used southdown sand it got all clumped up and turned to rock. A lot of detritus was collecting in spaces under the rock. I ended up having to remove the sand bed, but I could not reach into the caves under the rock piles to get to it.

So this time around, I still want the sand bed (1-2"), I do not want it to be able to get into caves under the rock, i want to reach it if I have to siphon it. I want the rock pillars to have good flow and not have to deal with creating a large rock pile to get the height. Using the flat landscaping rocks will help be keep the sand out from under the rocks, and stacking up to create the pillars will help with flow issues.

sanjay.
 
Congrats Sanjay :D

I am liking the Thorite assembled LR. Keep up the construction. Pretty nice that they came out to your place to install the glass. :)
 
Just my two cents but BB tanks hurt my eyes. :( Wouldn't a good solution for placing rock right on top of the sand and not having it topple is to avoid burrowing fish. If your aim is to keep the sandbed stirred up then small snails and inverts could do that. I'm sure many of you already know that! Also with bb or thin layer of sand you couldn't have any burrowing fish anyways.

Great tank Sanjay. Can't wait to see it filled with stuff.
 
Last edited:
Kenny does bring up a good point. A pair of sand sifter gobies would keep all that sand clean. Add some nassarius, and who knows. But even with these buggers, there is still some stuff left over that only worms and detritus eating pods will take care of, and in our reefs, the fish density is too high to allow those things to live long...lol. Perhaps a cuke or brittle star, but all those things require at least an inch or two of sand, and they will forage around more in the sand (Im thinking gobies and snails mostly), possibly causing things to topple.
 
In case you are wondering and looking for an update....

The tank is now filling up again. Its almost there, a few more days.

tankfilling-new.gif


Abd NO that is not another scratch.. its just a cobweb hanging in there :o

sanjay.
 
good thing I read your reply bellow the picture or I was going to give you a call :) Nice job on the rock and great idea there. So you are building the rock outside and then putting them in the tank.

WetSleeves: nice job on the rock there and like the one on the right.
 
Ok.. tank is full. Added the salt and got the temperature up to 77 degs. I could not wait to see how the rock pillars would work out and look in the tank.

Here is the first one. I have basically stacked them using the drilled holes and not glued them any further. I think this will be fine and hold, although the plexi rod is a little flexible and I was getting some swaying with the water current.

rock-pillar-1.gif


Here is a pic with 2 of them side by side.. this 2nd one has 2 rods with a taller pile inthe back and a shorter one in front. I may cable tie them to prevent the swaying. I not really want to glue the rocks together even though it might be more rigid, but more difficult to handle the large heavy rocks and also make modifications later.

rock-pillar-2.gif


sanjay.
 
I agree and am putting in my vote for the zip tie or electrical tie the two rock pillars together. If you ever need to move them you can easily cut the plastic tie and handle the pillars seperately. If you glued the two together it would be a bear to work with in the future. :)
Keep the pictures coming. Looking good.
 
It looks good Sanjay. It leaves lots of room for coral attachment and free swimming space for the fish.
 
This thread is ridiculously overwhelming. Freakin awesome Sanjay! Just curious on the money side...if you dont mind...how much would it take to set up a tank like this (equipment, tank, livestock, and everything else)? Just a ballpark figure would be nice. Thanks, and what an awesome tank!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

U
New build
Replies
3
Views
301
griss
griss
F
New Reef - Need recommendations
Replies
13
Views
322
Cdentata
C
M
Iam about to build my forever tank. Any advice? I want to migrate my current two ranks
Replies
5
Views
241
Paul B
Paul B
cilyjr
Cilyjr 320 gallon on the central coast
Replies
12
Views
525
rogerwilco357
rogerwilco357
M
Iam about to build my forever tank. Any advice? I want to migrate my current two tanks
Replies
8
Views
307
markjmbond
M
Back
Top