Travis and Jessica's 400G Build
- Thread starter A_CoupleClowns
- Start date
A_CoupleClowns
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Island teaser...
A_CoupleClowns
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whyamisofly
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VERY nice rock work! !!
A_CoupleClowns
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Thanks! Took quite a few revisions to get to this point but we are both pretty happy with the way it turned out.
Thanks! Still haven't secured any of the rocks together but it is all remarkably sturdy. A few of those smaller rocks sitting on top are loose but the main foundation and everything is really solid. So now I am wondering if some of these rocks even need to zip tied or secured together. Maybe just the smaller and loose rocks need zipties and I can epoxy the bigger rocks into place. I went to HD and picked up some (4 sticks :lol
JB water weld epoxy. It will be used to epoxy rocks together and also to cover up zipties to keep them out of sight.One thing I found key to making the aquascape work was using the flat cut rocks for the foundation. Flat cuts are rocks that are cut in half so one side is perfectly flat, great for placing on a flat surface. I think we had 6 flat cuts, those played the biggest role in keeping everything stable IMO. Also have a hammer and chisel ready to shape any rocks flat for better stack ability or shaping if needed. The hammer and chisel were used on our rock more than once to make everything "work" and fit together nicely. The other big thing is to have fun with it, don't force it to go together. Sit and play with it for awhile, stack and re stack to see what is pleasing to your eyes.
Oh one more thing, once you have it how you like it, take 100 photos so you can put it back together in your tank. Even take photos as you dis assemble it. That way its semi easy to figure out exactly what rock goes where.
sarens
Member
Thanks! Took quite a few revisions to get to this point but we are both pretty happy with the way it turned out.
Thanks! Still haven't secured any of the rocks together but it is all remarkably sturdy. A few of those smaller rocks sitting on top are loose but the main foundation and everything is really solid. So now I am wondering if some of these rocks even need to zip tied or secured together. Maybe just the smaller and loose rocks need zipties and I can epoxy the bigger rocks into place. I went to HD and picked up some (4 sticks :lol
One thing I found key to making the aquascape work was using the flat cut rocks for the foundation. Flat cuts are rocks that are cut in half so one side is perfectly flat, great for placing on a flat surface. I think we had 6 flat cuts, those played the biggest role in keeping everything stable IMO. Also have a hammer and chisel ready to shape any rocks flat for better stack ability or shaping if needed. The hammer and chisel were used on our rock more than once to make everything "work" and fit together nicely. The other big thing is to have fun with it, don't force it to go together. Sit and play with it for awhile, stack and re stack to see what is pleasing to your eyes.
Oh one more thing, once you have it how you like it, take 100 photos so you can put it back together in your tank. Even take photos as you dis assemble it. That way its semi easy to figure out exactly what rock goes where.
-my problem is I want to use some live rock, how do I do all this with live rock?
A_CoupleClowns
New member
The little rock tower on the back left is 21" tall, the other tallest spot is 20.5". From the floor of the tank to the water line should be around 25".
With live rock I think it turns into under-waterworld :lol: You could try and take it out of water and keep it wet, but every time I have taken live rock out of water for seemingly short periods of time I have had some sort of die off. At least if you do the aquascaping right in the tank you don't have to re set it up a second time, its set it and forget it.
We will be relying on our corals to bring in the coraline and live rock life to the display. We also have around 100lbs+ of live rock that will go in the sump right from the beginning plus any other dry rock we decide to throw in with it.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
While setting up the rockwork inside the tank I found a large air bubble in the bottom rear silicone seam. The bubble is on the inside thick seam that protects the structural seam. The bubble is basically as wide as the seam just a little narrower on each edge. When pushed on it feels completely hollow.
Well should we be worried here or what? We wanted to finish setting the rock up and put the sand in tonight.
Well should we be worried here or what? We wanted to finish setting the rock up and put the sand in tonight.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Well here are a few photos of the bubble. Am I being overly picky or does this seam like an issue?
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Thanks!
Yes it does look like someone stuck it with a needle to pop it, that kind of frustrates me, because that would mean they knew about the bubble. Maybe they forgot about it and just sent us the tank. :uhoh3:
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Any other opinions on the bubble?
I sent AGE an email last night but haven't heard anything back yet, if they don't respond by 12:00 I am going to give them a call. Would like to hear some more opinions before I call
I sent AGE an email last night but haven't heard anything back yet, if they don't respond by 12:00 I am going to give them a call. Would like to hear some more opinions before I call
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Well just got off the phone with the AGE sales manager. Apparently they got my email, the managers are reviewing it and they are going to call me. You would think that they would be able to get back to me right away if it was no big deal. :uhoh2:
The sales manager tried to tell me she didn't think it was a problem, but honestly after spending the money to have a custom aquarium built by one of the bigger names in the business I feel the silicone work should be near perfect. Definitely not a huge bubble that spans the full width of the seam.
Keep the thoughts and opinions coming on the bubble please.
The sales manager tried to tell me she didn't think it was a problem, but honestly after spending the money to have a custom aquarium built by one of the bigger names in the business I feel the silicone work should be near perfect. Definitely not a huge bubble that spans the full width of the seam.
Keep the thoughts and opinions coming on the bubble please.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
***Update***
Ian from AGE called me this afternoon. We went over the photos and he asked me a few questions about the bubble. Turns out the bubble is no big deal at all. All we need to do is cut the top of the bubble off with a razor blade and apply some silicone over that spot. AGE even went out of their way to get us a tube of the exact same black silicone sent out via fedex today, along with everything we will need for the job, and some basic instructions packed in the box.
We are very pleased with the way AGE handled the situation! Glad we went with a company that stands behind their product and takes care of their customers. :thumbsup:
We are also SO relieved its a simple fix, thank The Lord!!! :dance:
Ian from AGE called me this afternoon. We went over the photos and he asked me a few questions about the bubble. Turns out the bubble is no big deal at all. All we need to do is cut the top of the bubble off with a razor blade and apply some silicone over that spot. AGE even went out of their way to get us a tube of the exact same black silicone sent out via fedex today, along with everything we will need for the job, and some basic instructions packed in the box.
We are very pleased with the way AGE handled the situation! Glad we went with a company that stands behind their product and takes care of their customers. :thumbsup:
We are also SO relieved its a simple fix, thank The Lord!!! :dance:
daplatapus
New member
Nice, glad to hear things won't be held up long.
