Foam/Rock Wall for my 265 gallon Tank!

[Speckled Grouper]

Speckled Grouper,
Your tank is going really nicely. I will be doing a foam/rockwall as soon as my rock comes in.

What are you using for in tank flow if I may ask?

Also with all of the coral growth are you still happy with your water flow or are you thinking of increasing it?

Thanks,
Mark
260 gal getting set up

Beside the returns on a Super Dart, I have a closed loop, also on a Super Dart with 2 x 2" intakes, very little restrictions and short pipes. Comes out 1.5" to an OM 4. Additionally I have two Vortech MP 40's, they REALLY make a difference. I have no plans of increasing the flow.

If you have any question when you start your project, please feel free to ask.

 

[marc111]

Thank you Speckled. I appreciate the offer. Look for me to start a build thread this weekend.

Mark

 

[MrineLfRlz]

can i see some pics of your sump as of now and what hardware you are running?

 

[Speckled Grouper]

can i see some pics of your sump as of now and what hardware you are running?

Here is my "underneath".

75g Sump with live rock and BK Skimmer

Separate 30g refugium

Hardware:
2 Super Darts (one on return, the other on closed loop)
OM 4
2 Vortech MP 40
BK 200 Skimmer
Geo Calcium Reactor
Phosphate Reactor
Aquacontroller AC3

72" Solaris LED fixture :hmm5:
2 60" T5
4 36" T5

 

[Mentat]

Just read the whole thread, very nice tank worth the effort, congratulations!

 

[Mav2]

A think a round of applause is in order!!!!

A think a round of applause is in order!!!!

Great Set-up/ Just read the whole thread beginning to end. Will definetly utilise the rockwall technique on my new tank (90 gal) next year

 

[MrineLfRlz]

Here is my "underneath".

Hardware:
2 Super Darts (one on return, the other on closed loop)
OM 4
2 Vortech MP 40
BK 200 Skimmer
Geo Calcium Reactor
Phosphate Reactor
Aquacontroller AC3

72" Solaris LED fixture :hmm5:
2 60" T5
4 36" T5

i aways like to see whats under the hood
thanks

 

[bigffish]

It may have been discussed already but here goes, I want to know if we are giving up surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow as a result of using foam; ie surface area of pond foam v.s. natural reef rock?

 

[mikelaubach]

I would argue the contrary, bigffish. Hardly anyone has a full back wall covered in live rock. As such, the building of that structure increases the rough-surface square area for bacteria to populate (as compared to the smooth glass normally there). I will have a mix of the foam background (almost done) and regular live rock stacked in the tank as normal. And any dead rock used in the making of the background will become live to some degree as it ages and matures.

 

[Bob 1000]

Were there any float issues in this build?? Beautiful thread..

 

[Speckled Grouper]

I agree with mikelaubach, lots more area for bacteria to populate and dead rock turning into live over time. In addition, I have a chamber in the sump full of live rock to compensate for lack in the display.

Bob, not float issues whatsoever. The whole structure was so big and compact, there was really no chance for it to float up.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks was it heavy?? About how many lbs was the whole structure it came out beautiful?

 

[mikelaubach]

Mine is for a 65 gallon tank, and is nearly done. There is a cave section (missing area in the background), and a single pillar. The background spans from left to right, and from teh bottom of the tank to the bottom of the overflow, which is almost 18".

It weighs in at precisely 20 pounds. I'm pretty surprised at how heavy it is given that it is not loaded with rock. To float, it needs to displace 2.5 gallons or more of water, but I don't think that it will.

I have a "coast to coast" style (though not edge to edge) overflow in the tank, so it won't float upwards (you can see the cut out for the overflow). There will also be a piece of egg crate on the right side (as viewing it) to keep the bottom of the structure at the rear of the tank, and I am going to use some dabs of silicon to ensure it does not go anywhere. Overkill? Likely, but if you're going to use a hammer, why not get the biggest one in the toolbox? hahahaha

 

[Speckled Grouper]

That looks good, real good!
Mine was a lot heavier because I used lots of rocks, I could barely lift the sections up after they where completed.

 

[scubabum1983]

thanks for the thread it was alot of help. i used alot of the same materials and methods you used and here is a pic of my 140gal. I still have the two short sides to the overflow to build in and im trying to figure out how with the tight fit.

 

[Speckled Grouper]

Wow, that looks good too! Now, explain the spaces you have in the first picture. Are you just leaving that off or putting something else there?

 

[scubabum1983]

center v beind the pillar will be so the tangs and swimmers can go behind it, and the spaces on the side of the overflow havent been built yet. also the tape along the bottom was a refrence for me to approximate the sand bed depth.

 

[Speckled Grouper]

I think I understand what you mean. A picture with day lights might explain it even more....
When are you planning to add water?

 

[DaddyReefer12]

Grate tank set up they look really good. ill be starting mine in about 3 weeks on a 40 breeder.

 

[Chupakabra-King]

Speckeled you have the prettiest tank I have ever seen in my life , I am not joking . I shed a tear looking at the finished pics.

I am getting a used 29 gallon Biocube from a friend that I might try this on . Hey its free so why not ?