Need recomendations from you Aquasculpting pros...

[Splach]

Hey TBS pros and customers I have a couple questions for you.

We are having our acrylic tank built for a cabinent that was built by a guy who apparently didn't know alot about aquariums. That said we had to go with a really custom size (47 1/2 long, 24 wide, 31 high). The Tank sits in an openning between my office and the entry so the front and back are both open. We would like a nice tall reef kind of diagonal across the tank with lots of tunnels or an open "V" groove so that there is room both front and back for various things (the 24" width should help with this) and so that you can see between the rooms somewhat.

We are planning on going with TBS sand and rock (package actually) since all the pictures seem to indicate great encrustation and this will help us with creating an appealing look back and front. My question is just what do we do to create a stable, and tall, reef when we can not stack against the front or back of the tank (acrylic scratches... ).

 

[liverock]

Big rock!

Big rock!

Easy, when ordering tell Mary you want gig rocks!

Richard TBS:rollface:

 

[liverock]

Thats BIG

Thats BIG

BIG....that is<G>

 

[Dazz]

Well, there are a couple options that I can see...

#1) You tell Richard about your situation and I am sure he would be able to find some sutibally large rocks so you wouldnt have to lean them against the glass.

#2) You could make a framework out of plexiglass rods that hold the rock in the center and then have the rock on both sides of the framework.

Hope that helps a little

 

[Dazz]

haha Richard beat me to it

 

[hdtran]

Lean the rocks against each other, like an upside-down "V". In other words, if you've got rocks which are flattish, set one down like "/", and set another one like "\" so they lean against each other, running down the middle of the tank.

You'll notice that the rocks generally have a side which shows less life (if you look really hard ), and that's the side that you want on the inside of the "V". That'll make a nice tunnel, just what you're looking for.

The biggest problem you'll have is putting the rock thru the cutout on the top of your acrylic tank.

Do you have a sump, or where are you going to stick your protein skimmer & other assorted heaters?

 

[Splach]

Yep, I am putting a sump underneath the tank in what was originally 4 file cabinet drawers, but is now a large equipment area. My total volume should be just over 200 gallons, but I wont really know until they are done building it (current estimate is 2 weeks).