birth of 2 builds totaling 30k gallons

[Elliott]

Question for reefers. Is anyone opposed and how much if I added those synthetic rubber fake coral table tops to the Marco rock for time being until reef matures. It gives structure and outline to rock pile and caves and I think it will be long time before coral and matuire coral in tank suitable size to make reef look right. I need to decide soon cause they need to frill holes in rock before water goes in. The purist in me says no. But these things look so real and look good. Series of table top acros that don't stn!! Can always take them out as tank matures. Can only go in now. They have natural brown tone and span 1 to 3 feet in size. Was even thinking once hardened could use as shelves to place coral on. Mistake or not????

YES! DO IT! above all this is YOUR tank!

I would not hesitate, it's a good interim, as it will be some time before it looks like you have anything in there besides a pile of rocks, when corals mature into large colonies you can slowly remove them

 

[hedgedrew]

That was my impression also

 

[Gangous]

I think watching that pile of rocks turn in to a Mature grown out reef will be part of the fun hope too see lots of pictures as it grows I'd leave out the replicas !!!
I look at a pile of rocks in my tank every day lol wish these damn things would grow quicker !!

 

[dave.m]

I would suggest drilling lots of holes all over the rock anyways for siting future coral plugs. Whether for real or fake corals is not the point. Preparing your rockwork for where you hope to go is the way to do it.

Dave.M

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I think watching that pile of rocks turn in to a Mature grown out reef will be part of the fun hope too see lots of pictures as it grows I'd leave out the replicas !!!
I look at a pile of rocks in my tank every day lol wish these damn things would grow quicker !!

+1 You're spending some serious coin to create a huge living reef in your home. You don't want to taint it with replicas.

But it's your tank and these are just opinions.

 

[hedgedrew]

Thanks for all opinions guys from do it to don't and for drill and don't. I knew I was going to get this. Next as paper is folded down I'll take pics of rocks with and without replicas.

 

[DNA]

Mistake or not????

Even though these fake corals are well done they don't grow and will collect algae and coraline or anything else that grows in the tank making their fake origin even more obvious.

Bleached or fake corals are the least tasteful things to put in a saltwatertank in my opinion so I'd call it a big mistake.

 

[dave.m]

Dave.M

 

[humaguy]

lol, dude, no fake corals....
let's talk tonight or tomorrow...

 

[griseum]

I believe there are a few companies out there that have some excellent artificial coral structures, that can be custom made from a small 1 or 2 foot piece, to gigantic reef crests on tank sides, or arches 8 feet long. If you are familiar with the chain of restaurants Rainforest Cafe, and some of the Aquatic themed Disney Restaurants, they have these in most of their gigantic Aquariums throughout the seating area in the restaurant. They are seriously impressive. And serious Coin $$. Especially to replace them with Live Coral at some point... Just a thought.
Google 'Rainforest Cafe Aquariums' and there are tons of pictures.

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Wow, just wow. Beautiful tanks

 

[Dmorty217]

lol, dude, no fake corals...

+1 :ape: :deadhorse1:

 

[Editour2]

Maybe you can post pics of these coral replicas.....however I for one vote for leaving the structure as is and waiting for your coral to grow in naturally. Do you plan on moving some of the pieces from your 900 gal tank here? Have you ever seen the fake coral on Tank Kings and the other cable show....pretty cheesy, (IMO).

 

[SantaMonica]

How about huge real leathers and photo gorgs; they will stick up one to two feet and will add to the eco system. Also they will help other reefers when you later donate them

 

[benjc]

You are working on a scale few of us can fathom. Normally I'm against fake corals, but they may make sense in your large tank...that tank is so big that what I would think of as a big colony in mine would like tiny frags in yours. Plus, the fake corals may provide an ideal interim habitat for any schools of little fish you may be adding.

 

[hedgedrew]

Editour I hate them. But these plate table corals look real. I'll get company name for you.

 

[hedgedrew]

Yup santamonica. That's what I plan to do. I'm little scared with these 100 watt exotic canons that I may burn leather coral but ya the plan in this tank is flowy and long!!!

 

[hedgedrew]

Yes benjc and I would probably just do the tabling acro and pull them out after while. I was thinking jkust first 6 month to year until fish mature. No ich and coral starts to get higher bigger. But still purist in me might fight it. Need to see how it looks filled

 

[doggydoc]

I would def consider those table tops replicas. Good thing about them is that if anything you can remove later. I have seen them in person and they look good. And honestly for the size of tank you have, I don't think they will look bad at all!

 

[Kschweer]

birth of 2 builds totaling 30k gallons

Wow great build!! Like others have said this is your tank and ultimately your decision. Some of the fake pieces actually look pretty real as long as they are not neon colored. If you do go with them make sure they are cleaned very well before being put into the tank. A release agent is used in the manufacturing of these so that they come out of the molds easily. A fair amount tends to stay on the finished pieces and will get into your tank water. As far as I know it's not dangerous for fish, however it will make your skimmer go crazy for as long as 6 months. I have no experience with a tank this size but have seen it many times in other tanks. A soak in either distilled vinegar and RO water or peroxide and to water seems to be the best. Some manufacturers Say to wash with dish soap but I have never tried it something about dish soap and aquariums just doesn't seem right to me. Looking forward to following the progress.