New Tank

[garvin90]

Have you finalized how the rest of the rock will look or are you still deciding? I was thinking it would look nice as one last pillar added and then connecting some of them with "bridges" sort of. Im assuming in doing those that you are trying to keep all rocks off the glass and make just a large raceway right tom?

 

[tom obrecht]

Ray...yeah I'm thinking just that. Add another smaller pillar or two, add some rock down lower and maybe a couple tie ins or bridges. I am however going to keep things much more open so as to keep more exposed sand and more swimming room for fish. There is still lots of real estate available for frags on the columns so that in time it will still fill in alot of the open space.

 

[garvin90]

It should look very nice when your done. With columns like those, monti caps will end up making them look like mushroom capped tree trunks hehe.

Not to hijack the thread. Wanted your advice on how Im planning my new tank setup. Im laying out plans for a 120 and Im thinking about building pvc racking around the overflow boxes and then a framed circular pillar in the middle with arches connecting it to the back posts. I will then drill rock(possibly making my own rock) and attach it to the racking so you can see the overflow boxes and then having bridges leading to a pillar in the middle. The middle pillar will be hollow for fish to swim/hide in. Do you see any issues with this, such as dead spots or such?

 

[tom obrecht]

Ray, I think you have a good idea. The problem I see with pvc used as a frame is two fold. First of all you have this big "frame" in your tank that needs to be covered up to look visually appealing. White pipe is not easy to look natural. Second pvc is not easy to attack rock to. Even if you drill holes and cable tie rock (or what ever other means to attach rock to pvc) you use it never has been as easy as it sounds in my experience, I even tried to attach rock to pvc across the top of tanks before for a cave or overhang look. Not only was it a major pain but it never looked right either.

My suggestion would be to get (or make) larger pieces of rock and drill 1/4" holes and peg them together like I did. If you get nice shaped, porus rock it is really easy to drill and you'll be suprised at how quickly it goes together. I drilled a dozen pieces of rock in about 10 minutes. You can use 1/4" fiberglass rods (I went to Lowes and found driveway reflectors with the fiberglass rod attached for cheap) then just take a hacksaw and cut the rods to length. Tap in gently with a hammer and you get a larger cool shaped rock.

I think by pegging, you will be much happier with the look and you can get alot of heigth by this method as well. Some of the pieces I made are almost to the top of the water height (28").

Sounds like a fun project! Good Luck!!
Tom

 

[garvin90]

that might work out alot better since the pvc I was contemplating working with would be small grade and probably not very sturdy if it was cut short.

What do you think about me making my own rock with preplanned holes for fitment and frag plugs?

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9606687#post9606687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by garvin90
[BWhat do you think about me making my own rock with preplanned holes for fitment and frag plugs? [/B]

Sure why not. Another option would be to just drill holes in regular rock. I saw that done on a reef video. Think this is the link.

http://www.reefvideos.com/reefshowcase_04_content.html

 

[lvpd186]

Tom, I really like the way the tank is coming together. I originally wanted to have two rock structures in my tank. The first one I wanted to look like the edge of the reef, something that would go from the sand bed and up to (almost) the top of the water. I then wanted to add a free standing pillar on the other side. That way I would have room for corals, for fish swimming and for some different depth and angles in the tank. I'm not quite there yet but I might have to use your idea and try it out.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9606824#post9606824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
. I'm not quite there yet but I might have to use your idea and try it out.

I think if you try it you'll be amazed at how easy it is and very happy with the results. If need be you can always trim or break the rock pieces so they fit easliy together to achieve the exact shape you want.

 

[tom obrecht]

Here are some updated pictures of the filter/work room.

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Storage bins for both ro and new saltwater.

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And of course the display tank plumbing.

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[tom obrecht]

One more of the sump and skimmer.

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[zenn]

With a fish room like that, it's got to be almost a pleasure to do water changes. You're doing good, can't wait to see more.

 

[zenn]

Tom,

Could you explain what you did for overflows? They look boxless, and neither internal or external.

Also, all your flow looks to be on a closed loop and sea swirls. What flow rate are you shooting for? I'm guessing you like the closed loop design....do you have something against powerheads? Just curious about your overflow and closed loop designs and why you decided to go down those routes.

Thanks!

 

[tom obrecht]

Zenn I'll PM you the details.

I figure the flowrate on the tank is roughly 6500 to 7000 gph (15-16 times per hour). I'll see how this works. If I need more flow than this I've already been looking at the Vortec pumps, but as many of you know I do not like any powerheads in my tanks so that might be an issue.

I hope to finish the rockwork in the next few days and then test to see if levels are ok for livestock. I hope (noticed I said hope) to get some new pics up soon.

 

[tom obrecht]

Here's the latest on the rockwork. Added another 100 or so pounds of rock so I could create some bridges ect. The aquascape this time around is much more open and I hope I can keep it that way. I want to be able to vacuum the sand if needed and give the fish more open swimming space. Not sure if this is the final layout or not. May have to sit on it for a few days and see.

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[Goodwin9]

Rock work looks GREAT! I really like the openness it gives.

 

[tinatuom]

Tom,
Your tank looks great! That is the same approach I am taking with my new tank. Of course I didn't need nearly as much rock as you! Can't wait to see it all filled in, unfortunately I am not one of the lucky ones to have seen your old tank!
Tina

 

[lvpd186]

Looks great Tom! Even when you have the tank stocked with corals it looks like there will be plenty of room for the fish to swim around, plus I think it adds some depth.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9740925#post9740925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinatuom
I am not one of the lucky ones to have seen your old tank!
Tina

Just click on the my red house and you can see the old tank.

 

[Pet World Bill]

Looks great Tom. Glad to see it all coming together nicely. I am trying to imagine what your tank is going to look like in a few years with massive growth of SPS entering the spaces between the columns. Exciting. Keep up the creative streak. Also for everyone asking about using the rods to connect live rock, it works better than anything else I have ever tried and I have tried a number of different things. You can even cement the rods in place to create overhangs and caves.

-Bill

 

[jeolson]

Tom the tank looks great can't waite to see some livestock in it