ZeeSparrow's 75G LPS tank build

[mmittlesteadt]

I like it a lot. Just one thing would make it complete. An arch going over and tying the two islands together!

VERY easy to do. Just use regular gorilla glue. It expands and is reef safe when cured.

Find the right "puzzle" pieces of rock and go from the highest point of one island over to the highest point of the other. Get the first attachment piece (on each side) to lock in to the highest rock and the lower one immediately adjacent to it (on each side), then go from there until you have an arching bridge. Support it iwth something if need be until the gorilla glue expands out of it and is hard. [TIP: I use old small paint brushes I can discard and keep an eye on it and "smush" the glue back into the rock as it expands so you don't see it as much when done].

 

[Swope2bc]

Got a picture of that?

 

[mmittlesteadt]

If you meant me, here's a pic of what I mean (sort of). I did use DryLok hydraulic cement and fiberglass rods on the bigger pieces (you can see it in the dark gray sections) but Gorilla Glue on some smaller ones.

Not to hijack Zee's thread, but perhaps this might give some inspiration...

 

[ZeeSparrow]

I've only got one "extra" piece of rock, which isn't enough for an arch. Maybe if I get more, later.

I redid things and really like the left structure, which is very stable without any epoxy. The right one looks pretty good, but is not as stable on top. The "extra" rock is rather heavy so I don't want to put it up high (it's in the sump with rubble). I might look at picking up some lighter pieces to top this differently. It's okay for now, though. Growing on me, actually.

FTS (angled down a bit to reduce glare):

Left side:

As this is in the corner, very few will see it from the right:

The GFO reactor is offline, but everything else is running, including the skimmer which is just draining back into the sump. I keep having to adjust the drain/pump/fuge to get the level right in the overflow. Hopefully that settles down and won't require constant attention for long. Still have some cleanup and organization in the sump area, and need to set up the Tunze ATO.

But I'm cycling! I added some salt to bring my salinity up from 1.019 to 1.023 maybe an hour before these tests were done, so I'll test alk/mg/ca again tomorrow for a true baseline. I probably won't test them again until I am done cycling and start to add coral.

5/3/2015
Ammonia: .5-1
Nitrite: n/a
Nitrate: n/a
Salinity: 1.023
Alk: 11.5
Calcium: 500+
Mg: 1320

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Very cool! I like the aquascaping and I think you'll find that down the road you'll be glad you kept it open so water can flow all around the structures.

I'm jealous! I still don't have water in my tank. ATO float coming tomorrow, and I have to get my RO/DI ready to go. Spent the whole weekend caulking and painting soffits on the house. Why do responsibilities always have to interfere with fun? LOL.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Thanks! Yep definitely wanted to keep it more open. My husband suggested more caves and higher structures but I think it's good as is. For now.

You'll have water soon! It's been a very long road but the end ... Start? Is in sight!

 

[Swope2bc]

One of the links on aquascapeing earlier in this thread mentions the idea of caves and the like. They said that it's not a big deal to leave them out as they will form naturally with the addition and growth of coral. They said that it's better to have a solid foundation that you like rather than attempt to build or fashion caves. All of that to say, I think the adjustment looks great and I also believe you will be happy with the open water .

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Thanks, I must have missed that comment... or forgotten it. Other than the bit of instability in the upper part of the right structure, I do like the way it is now.

And my drain is stable this morning! No adjustment necessary. :bounce1:

 

[mmittlesteadt]

You might find you'll have to adjust the drain a bit over time. It takes a while for the pipes to develop a bit of slime coating, in which case the water will flow a tad bit faster. But maybe not either.

But it's cool everything is going well. I'm hoping to fill mine with water this coming weekend, but I'm not counting on it. I've spent months thinking it would be already.

 

[JMorris271]

I completely have enjoyed your post. i saw this done many times in several tanks to create caves. 3 or 4" PVC pipe was used and covered with rock in an artistic manner with the front hidden to provide perfectly stable scape safe not abrasive passage for your critters. Should you change your mind about your caves later you may want to consider that option as it seems it would be less messy.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

ZeeSparrow's 75G LPS tank build

Interesting concept ... PVC for caves. I'll keep that in mind for sure!

I did a bit of research this morning and realized the stand I had built for my skimmer was not tall enough. Additionally, I wasn't certain about the water level in the sump. A separate post on here was quickly answered (thanks again Rocket) so tonight I made the necessary adjustments.

I tested ammonia and it was very low... Maybe .25. But with all the additional water I added that really didn't mean much.

So I added more ammonia and waited a bit for it to mix then tested again. Now we'll see how it looks in a couple days.

Ammonia: 2.0

Here's the sump showing the water level now.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Aqua scaping looks good.Looks like you have a lot of flow through your sump.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Thanks SNAKEMANVET! I've got the DCT up to full power now which is definitely a lot of flow.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Looks great. Call me jealous.

I am SO looking forward to using a test kit!

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Ammonia is down already. My plan is working! (I added ammonia or fish food to the brute can with the rock periodically). [emoji2]

Ammonia 0.5
Nitrite 0 (surprising)
Nitrate 20

Added ammonia to get back up to 1.0. If it's down to zero tomorrow I'm good to go!

We'll be out of town for the weekend so I'll just keep dosing ammonia and will get CUC and my first fish for QT when we return.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Can I start adding coral with the CUC or should I wait (two weeks...a month...longer?)?

 

[mmittlesteadt]

It's been so interesting reading yours and others build threads that are kind of coinciding with mine. Beyond being a shared experience, there are so many things I'm learning along the way.

It will be interesting to see where our tanks are at a year from now.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Can I start adding coral with the CUC or should I wait (two weeks...a month...longer?)?

From what my friend does at my LFS and what I've read, you might want to add the CUC and just see how they are for a few days or up to a week. If they are doing well and your tests are good, then you could add some coral shortly thereafter. But I hope others chime in on it.

Coral apparently are almost easier to keep than fish, given correct water parameters.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

ZeeSparrow's 75G LPS tank build

Yes it has added to my experience, enjoyment and learning to read other threads as well. I'm so grateful for this site!

As for adding corals, that's what I was remembering also. CUC now with fish in QT (tank transfer for ich first), then maybe a week or two later I can start adding corals.

If anyone else would confirm or correct us, please do!

 

[ZeeSparrow]

ZeeSparrow's 75G LPS tank build

I already see the value of an ATO. Last night I set it up. Also made a few adjustments on the pump and drain flow.

Curious, I tested ammonia and nitrite this morning. Ammonia is down to about .75 and nitrites are still showing zero.