Here is my big tank so far.
- Thread starter gooch
- Start date
Hi, long time RC stalker first time poster. First of all just wanted to say that the tank looks amazing so far and i'm sure will look even better once populated.
I was just wondering if you could write a 'how to' on your ceramic rocks or could point me in the direction of one.
Just buying my first house (*scary*) so will finally have space to set up my own large reef which means lots of planning.
Matt
I was just wondering if you could write a 'how to' on your ceramic rocks or could point me in the direction of one.
Just buying my first house (*scary*) so will finally have space to set up my own large reef which means lots of planning.
Matt
I do not think the material is something the average hobbyist will be able to make. You need access to a kiln.
Once I start making my rock again I will take pictures of the steps. The clay I use is not expensive or hard to work with but until my tank is up and running for a year with no problems I do not think I am going to say what type it is. Honestly I am not sure if it will matter but it is better to error on the safe side than to watch some one destroy their tank.
It is time consuming. A rock takes about three weeks to get from clay to where it is ready to go into a tank. Probably longer this time of year.
Scott
Once I start making my rock again I will take pictures of the steps. The clay I use is not expensive or hard to work with but until my tank is up and running for a year with no problems I do not think I am going to say what type it is. Honestly I am not sure if it will matter but it is better to error on the safe side than to watch some one destroy their tank.
It is time consuming. A rock takes about three weeks to get from clay to where it is ready to go into a tank. Probably longer this time of year.
Scott
Everything looks fabulous Gooch! It's amazing what corraline alge can do to artificial rocks to make them look natural. My styrofoam rocks can't be differentiated from the real rocks they support after only 8 months. Great idea on the rock rack with the integrated closed loop. It does look a little familiar - like I've seen it somewhere else or something. Bob and Grege did an awesome Job on your tank and accesories (Like usually). Now - get off the computer and go get the tank running so we can check it out some more!
I had done something similar to this in a few of my tanks over the years. The only thing different was making it the closed loop as well. This will be the first attempt at an almost complete artificial rockwork. The only true liverock going into the tank itself will be rock with corals growing on it.
I did get a lot of ideas after talking to you. I was doing a sponge filter on one of my tanks but then after seeing that you incorporated it as well made me decide it would stay on this system as well.
Right now I am fighting back and forth on whether or not to include a sand bed. Right now I just plan a shallow(less than 1/2 inch) bed in the front of the tank and bare under the rockwork. The closed loop is intended more for circulating the water under the rack to keep materials suspended so they can be taken out by the skimmer or filtered out later on. I will have a deep sand bed suspended about 8" off the bottom of the tank kept in a shallow bowl. It will be about three inches deep and hope to keep a jawfish happy for my daughter. Pictured is the bowl for the sand bed.
I really do plan this to be a simple mixed reef tank with the focus on my blasto merletti collection. Gonna put a few more zoanthids than I had planned as well as ricordia. SPS will be kept down to about 20 easier to keep types. We will see. The tank is still a few months from water. It will be nothing compared to your stingray reef. I actually had to stop looking at all the pics because it was starting to give me to many ideas. It was like sensory overload.
I did get a lot of ideas after talking to you. I was doing a sponge filter on one of my tanks but then after seeing that you incorporated it as well made me decide it would stay on this system as well.
Right now I am fighting back and forth on whether or not to include a sand bed. Right now I just plan a shallow(less than 1/2 inch) bed in the front of the tank and bare under the rockwork. The closed loop is intended more for circulating the water under the rack to keep materials suspended so they can be taken out by the skimmer or filtered out later on. I will have a deep sand bed suspended about 8" off the bottom of the tank kept in a shallow bowl. It will be about three inches deep and hope to keep a jawfish happy for my daughter. Pictured is the bowl for the sand bed.
I really do plan this to be a simple mixed reef tank with the focus on my blasto merletti collection. Gonna put a few more zoanthids than I had planned as well as ricordia. SPS will be kept down to about 20 easier to keep types. We will see. The tank is still a few months from water. It will be nothing compared to your stingray reef. I actually had to stop looking at all the pics because it was starting to give me to many ideas. It was like sensory overload.
Glad you were able to get some ideas from me. That deep sand bed is a good idea for the jawfish. If you have any wrasses they will also utilize it. I tried to limit the sand to the front of the aquarium but it eventually migrated under the rocks and now I have just as much behind the rock work as in front. Their is some inovative ideas going on in TCMAS about faux sand beds. I was also able to build a faux sand bed out of fiberglass resin and aragonite. It was very realistic and practically indistinguishable (SP?) from the real thing. If you need ideas on producing one their are quite a few sources of help (including me).
The benefit of the clay is that I hope it keeps the sand out of the back of the tank. I am building the bottom of the rocks on the first level flat so they sit flush with the tank. Another thought I had was to let the entire bottom encrust with zoanthids and start polyps. It probably wouldn't take that long.
I will definately ask if I have any questions. You all at TCMAS Rock!
Scott
I will definately ask if I have any questions. You all at TCMAS Rock!
Scott
rickyb
Active member
Just had an idea, first make your doughnuts, then detail your rock based on your doughnuts so it fits perfectly on the stamp you will make on the rock. I hope this makes sense?
If this is possible then you won't have rocks falling all over the place because the doughnuts will fit in like a puzzle.
RickyB
If this is possible then you won't have rocks falling all over the place because the doughnuts will fit in like a puzzle.
RickyB
DerrickBrown
New member
WOW. I have neve seen such a tank.
Please keep us posted.
Please keep us posted.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Da Da Da Goooooch!!! Sorry Gooch, whenever I see that name it reminds me of my frat days with your younger brother.
Howzitgoin. So does this mean you are getting rid of that other 6'x3'x14" acrylic vat? I like the one that Bill has.
Howzitgoin. So does this mean you are getting rid of that other 6'x3'x14" acrylic vat? I like the one that Bill has.
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