750 gallon glass tank

[NeverlosT]

I think that you are in a terrific position. You have a blank canvass, you are creative, you have looked at some tanks to see what you like and you don't and you have the resources and the materials to make something incredible.

Just get wild, keep creating, and your rock structure will look awesome.

I usually put big powerheads 1/3 of the way down the tank depth to avoid too much sand blowing around.

The wall may look a lot different now than when there are lots of corals in there, so keep that in mind. Keep it up!

 

[rygar]

Hey thanks! But Im having a difficult time deciding whether to go open scape or more dense. Leaning towards a bit more dense than open. Watching the kids look in all the nooks and crannies, overhangs and caves, when I had my last tank always put a smile on my face.

So far, its more open. still needs the back ground. Probably will start out with black, then when corals come in, will change to blue. And the background needs a bit more work to finish that up. Theres some foam yet that needs to be cut down and epoxied.

That overflow on the left is going away too...don't think I need it. One 24" overflow with 3 3" holes for bulkheads should be enough. Big time eye sore.

I did put the 2 spots for the mp60's or 40's about 1/3rd down in the wall on the right side. So sounds like that will work.

Anyway, here's what I got so far. Would like to add a lot more rock, but don't want to ruin it. Maybe 100 pounds of pukani rock for the left side of that middle section to start. Looks a bit off right now. What do ya think? Any ideas?

 

[Moosemj]

Very nice!

 

[dave.m]

Leave some room for the corals and fish!

Dave.M

 

[McPuff]

I think this is going to look really cool.

 

[Dmorty217]

Leave some room for the corals and fish!

Dave.M

I agree, sometimes less is more in a large tank

 

[rygar]

Ok. Sounds like you think theres plenty of rock in there now. Maybe too much? I changed it a bit and took a picture with a pop can for size comparison. And messed around with photobucket coloring for the background.
If you have any ideas, please let me know and I'll give them a try. Can't hurt. Not adding water for a few weeks anyway.

 

[rickztahone]

Looks really nice. So you do plan on removing the other overflow setup? Or just covering it up?

 

[rygar]

The plan is to silicone a piece of glass over that overflow cutout and leave the actual overflow box there for a while to see how it goes with just the one which is under the rock wall now. If its all good after maybe a year or so, I'll remove it.

Only 2000 gph or less thru the refugium so I don't see the need for that second one.

 

[McPuff]

Wow, the pop can really adds perspective. That's a huge tank! I do like the rock work as you currently have it. Still lots of rock but tons of open space which will be great. In my opinion you'll be happy to have lots of open water. I have been removing rock from my reef to get back to a more minimal rockscape. The size of the structure isn't much different, but it's more open, which allows for better flow, more light to reach all areas (the tank looks much brighter now), and the fish are more active.

 

[dave.m]

The left side looks like a solid mass. You need to open it up or you'll end up with a dead spot/low water circulation in the whole back corner.

Dave.M

 

[rygar]

ughh...I know. Once I put that other rockwork in there, that hill started hurting my brain. All alone in there, it looked great...I know it doesn't look quite right anymore, but think I just needed to hear it from somebody. As I type this, Im cringing because , man!!...what a bummer. that thing took me FOREVER to build. Kind of looks like 2 separate tanks to me now. Time to bring out the hammer and chisel.
Anyone else agree? Please be honest.

 

[albano]

The left side looks like a solid mass.

I think there may be an ancient pyramid buried under there!

 

[dave.m]

No, wait! You might disturb a dormant UFO or something! What if it's carrying one of those Alien thingies?

I'll bet they eat LPS. Everything else does.

Dave.M

 

[WaReefer458]

i am by no means a large tank expert but one thing I personally always have in my tanks are " fish only" non viewable areas. With your current Rock work they really don't have any hiding spots for when they are stressed out or first introduced to the tank to hide/acclimate to the tank mates. I would personally build a large cave system right in the middle with lots of holes and about 8-10" off the back wall so they can go behind. I've noticed with an open tank I had a lot more aggression to new fish introduced opposed to after I built in lots of holes and hiding spots. Yeah my fish do hide sometimes and I can't see them but I'm not building a zoo exhibit where they are put on display 24/7, I made my own little sanctuary for my fish.

 

[rickztahone]

Can you add any type of dimension to the hill? Say some ledges or something of that nature? This may give the left side some more contrast to the busier right side.

 

[rygar]

i am by no means a large tank expert but one thing I personally always have in my tanks are " fish only" non viewable areas. With your current Rock work they really don't have any hiding spots for when they are stressed out or first introduced to the tank to hide/acclimate to the tank mates. I would personally build a large cave system right in the middle with lots of holes and about 8-10" off the back wall so they can go behind. I've noticed with an open tank I had a lot more aggression to new fish introduced opposed to after I built in lots of holes and hiding spots. Yeah my fish do hide sometimes and I can't see them but I'm not building a zoo exhibit where they are put on display 24/7, I made my own little sanctuary for my fish.

Good points. There really is no place for fish to hide out in there right now. Will definitely keep that in mind when finishing the rockwork.

 

[rygar]

Can you add any type of dimension to the hill? Say some ledges or something of that nature? This may give the left side some more contrast to the busier right side.

Thought about that, but it would be impossible to make it match the right side unless the hill gets removed. I can use those rocks to make more background sections and make the whole thing match up better.

Oh well, I tried. Thought it was a good idea and it did look cool. But just not cool enough.

 

[rygar]

No, wait! You might disturb a dormant UFO or something! What if it's carrying one of those Alien thingies?


Look in the cave of the hill...it looks like something is peering out...kinda creepy. Don't remember that being there when I took the picture.

 

[rickztahone]

Thought about that, but it would be impossible to make it match the right side unless the hill gets removed. I can use those rocks to make more background sections and make the whole thing match up better.

Oh well, I tried. Thought it was a good idea and it did look cool. But just not cool enough.

I wouldn't give up on it quite yet. You do have resources tied in to it, so maybe try to make it work? I'm sure many here may suggest some more options? Either way, I think it looks really good, but had the hill possibly extended all the way to the top, it would have given it that added dimension you are probably seeking.