Reefing on a Budget: 75g Tank Build

[zachtos]

Oh, the rock pillar idea was something I originally wanted to do but then realized what a pain in the *** it is. It's hard to drill most of the rocks w/o them crumbling. I drilled maybe 10 or so rocks until I decided to drill 1/4" holes in them instead for mounting with zip ties. A $10 masonry bit will tear right through that rock like butter. I can't recall if I used 3/4" or 1" though for 1/2" PVC frame holes.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I've been using a 1/2" masonry bit, but it's too small. I'm going to fork over some cash soon and get a 3/4", and it should be more than enough.

 

[cweber]

Speaking of, I looked and the biggest i have is the 1/2". Sorry bud.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

No prob, Cory. Thanks for looking though.

 

[cweber]

Oops, lied again. I have a 5/8", lmk if you want me to bring it.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10523877#post10523877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cweber
Oops, lied again. I have a 5/8", lmk if you want me to bring it.

Sure, why not. We'll give it a shot tomorrow and see what happens. I've got some rock we can practice on.

 

[cweber]

I have a 24 volt hammer drill, but that might make rubble of the rock. haha

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10523914#post10523914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cweber
I have a 24 volt hammer drill, but that might make rubble of the rock. haha

I got that covered thanks to Krbekk And it doesn't do much to the rock.

 

[djc1026]

Travis, you've mentioned this tank in your 2 gallon thread and a CRASE thread. I have the impression that it is up and running with some corals...updates?

Dave

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Nope, but it is getting VERY close. I have about half of the rock attached to the back. All I have to do is finish drilling the rest of the rock, fill in the negative space with Great Stuff foam, and then make the pillars. After that, all I have to do is fill it and I'm good to go.

While I had it all running, I did encounter a problem. The canopy's inside wasn't sealed good enough, so the wood was getting wet. I'll have to take it outside one day and put more sealant on it.

 

[richieb]

Hey Travis, do you have to seal the foam ?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

As far as I know, no. I'm going to add a thin layer of cement over it in order to give it that rock look, but other than that, I'm going to leave it as is.

 

[magellan007]

pictures!!! 8)

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I was wondering when someone was going to ask me for them :lmao: I don't have any at the moment.

 

[magellan007]

how about now? =)

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

lol Keep poking at me, I'll get them up ASAP.

 

[gm333]

Hey Trav, its been a week, where are the pics?
Dont make us break fingers to get em'. :bum:

 

[captbunzo]

I'd use the "this thread is useless without pics" logo now, but can't find the URL... So this post will have to do instead.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

:lol: Here's a picture that will kill two birds with one stone:

:lmao:

Seriously though, I was going to take pictures when I got home the other day and it was the day Sonya decided to move all of our plants from outside to insider. It turns out that all the equipment that I had on the tank is now in the tank. And the freed up top is now home to all of our plants That's what I get for procrastinating. I guess that means I'll just have to work on it some more in order to get the plants off of it to take pictures

 

[papagimp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11088533#post11088533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
[B It turns out that all the equipment that I had on the tank is now in the tank. And the freed up top is now home to all of our plants [/B]

I can sympathize completely travis, that's the kinda of stuff that made me give up the green thumb hobby, not enough room for both fish and plants, lol. So I get plants for the fish now