Planning stages for my setup

sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
Hey everyone,
So I'm working on getting all the items I need to fix up my tank and get it back to looking brand new. But then I started to think more about what will be inside of it... and now I need to put my ideas on paper (or the modern day paper). I've learned from my mistakes and my cutting corners when I had the tank set up before and I want to avoid doing those same things.
As a refresher the tank I own is the following:
150 Gallon - 5 1/2' Long, 1 1/2' Deep, and 2 1/2' Tall.
To start, I will be going a different route with the rock. Previous I had approx 150 pounds of rock in my tank. The new will be anywhere from 75-100 pounds of live rock. I'm very fond of see open real estate in the aquarium. It looks clean and not overly crowded, similar to the way I had it when I initially started this out. I will also be looking into the epoxy method so I can attach rocks together so I can create caves and an aquascape this is easy on the eyes. My last one I don't feel had that va va voom to it. More just a "Ah... you have rocks in there because you need them... right?" I'm looking to have the rocks be just as much a part of the masterpiece as the fish and coral I plan to keep.
Next I will be buying anywhere from 150-200 pounds of live natural white reef sand. My last tank had a pathetic two inches of sand depth and was a nasty black and white color. It didn't look clean, and I'm surprised my LFS wasn't offering a buy one get one of that sand as anyone in their right mind (apparently I was not) wouldn't buy that sand. Anyway, as I mentioned above I'm going for clean, and elegant. Nothing scream clean like white sand.
Although I purchased a new T5HO setup only two months before breaking everything down... I decided the color and lack of shimmer wasn't doing it for me. Which is why I am spoiling myself to the AI suggested of three AI Vega's. This will provide ample lighting and will allow me to keep anything I wish in my tank.
So my main requirements are set. Sand, rock, and lighting. Now onto what I can't stop thinking about... the fun part.
My live stock that I hope to have (unless anyone has any objects. By the way, if you do, please express why as well) will be the following:
2 Clowns
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Yellow Tang
1 Hippo Tang
1 Porcupine Puffer
1 Dwarf Fuzzy Lionfish - This breed does not grow to be large and can be taught to eat brine shrimp fairly easily.
Bubbletip Anemone
Hammer Coral
Frog spawn
Green Star Polyp
Zoo's (Undetermined the kind)
Brian Coral
Based on what I have seen and read, it's possible to keep all of these living happily under one canopy. It will be mainly about the timing I present them into the tank and if I need to tweak some of their behaviors by putting them in time out which I would hope wouldn't be a necessary form of action.
Let me know what you all think. I plan to add a few other corals along the way but as of now, this is what I'm thinking will leave me with a tank that will cause my jaw to drop every time I look at it.
---Also, I am aware I left out CUC. Those will be added as well, but didn't think I would really delve too deep into those as of now.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
LOL...I am not going to say much on the choice of stock you will change it 10Xs before you add them anyway.
I used one of those fake resin branches to build my rock on. That way if anything showed thru it would look natural unlike PVC pipe, plastic zip ties are my friend. Also I would not recommend that you build up the rock and attach it to each other, and if you do...do it in sections because it's going to be super heavy and being able to remove rock to get to your critters could be needed.
You can't use live rock if you use any kind of sticky method since it must remain out of water to cure....don't use epoxy, rather use black pond foam so if you ever have to seperate the rock you can, yet the stuff holds like concrete. It is UV safe and it is made to be submerged in water. Resin decor and base rock will seed just like live rock in no time.
Sounds like an awesome build ....I'm following along.
I have this branch, I turned it upside down or on it's side (I have used it over the years in different ways) and built rock around it, so it made an awesome cave.

Also I have sealed a wood ships wheel and a wooden anchor with plastic chain in epoxy resin....I am going to add them to my seahorse tank. Who made the rule that we have to use all rock...LOL, we are only limited by our imagination.
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member

Hey Flower. Thanks for the heads up. I'm actually looking at attaching the smaller pieces versus the larger ones. Just something that can make a bridge for the fish to swim under. I'm going to look into that bond foam you were referring to. That's interesting and should do exactly what I need it to do! Thanks!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///t/392955/planning-stages-for-my-setup#post_3492816

Hey Flower. Thanks for the heads up. I'm actually looking at attaching the smaller pieces versus the larger ones. Just something that can make a bridge for the fish to swim under. I'm going to look into that bond foam you were referring to. That's interesting and should do exactly what I need it to do! Thanks!
Google Home depot and type in Black pond foam...it will come right up, I just purchased some because my wooden pieces will need rock attached so they won't float.
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
Awesome. Buying it right now so I have everything I need when I start. Thank you!
Another addition that I will be using will be the SmartWave by Hydro. I will be hooking up my two 1400s and two 1050s to the device and will hopefully be able to create a nice wave momentum! Has anyone used this or heard whether or not it worked well? I tihnk I'm willing to test it out for $70.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I don't use any adhesive on my rockwork - it only comes back later to bite me when I have to redo the rock design because of aggression problems with new fish. Instead, I drill 1/4 inch holes into the rock and use 1/4 inch acrylic dowels to join two pieces. It holds together well, and is easy to disassemble when necessary.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
BTW - congratulations on doing your planning ahead of time. I recently set up a new 220 gal system without adequate planning, and it is going to cost me mucho $$$ to fix the lack of pre-planning.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeriDoc http:///t/392955/planning-stages-for-my-setup#post_3493332
I don't use any adhesive on my rockwork - it only comes back later to bite me when I have to redo the rock design because of aggression problems with new fish. Instead, I drill 1/4 inch holes into the rock and use 1/4 inch acrylic dowels to join two pieces. It holds together well, and is easy to disassemble when necessary.
Great point Geri! Agree 100%... There must be at least 100 good reasons to not connect the rock permanently and not to be able to get it apart.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeriDoc http:///t/392955/planning-stages-for-my-setup#post_3493333
BTW - congratulations on doing your planning ahead of time. I recently set up a new 220 gal system without adequate planning, and it is going to cost me mucho $$$ to fix the lack of pre-planning.
I too have learned the hard way...so indeed congratulations for doing it right to start with...and making a plan...
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
I learned my lesson haha. I remember when I first start my tank up and didn't do ANY planning... didn't even know what I needed for a SWT. That later bit me in the butt and since then I have vowed to myself that if I wanted to have a showcase like aquarium that planning is the only way it'll be possible. I'll look into the acrylic Geri. However, does that mean I'd have to cure the rock again once I drill? I plan to buy from a LFS and I know leaving it out isn't ideal. Also, where do you find the sticks to attach them, and how much do they typically run you (price)? I like that idea, I've heard it from a few other back in the day but happened to forget about that option. That would be the ideal option though... thank you for resurfacing that route.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I learned my lesson haha.  I remember when I first start my tank up and didn't do ANY planning... didn't even know what I needed for a SWT.  That later bit me in the butt and since then I have vowed to myself that if I wanted to have a showcase like aquarium that planning is the only way it'll be possible.  I'll look into the acrylic Geri.  However, does that mean I'd have to cure the rock again once I drill?  I plan to buy from a LFS and I know leaving it out isn't ideal.  Also, where do you find the sticks to attach them, and how much do they typically run you (price)? I like that idea, I've heard it from a few other back in the day but happened to forget about that option.  That would be the ideal option though... thank you for resurfacing that route.
Home Depot will have acrylic rod. It comes in fairly long pieces (maybe 36 inches), but you only need 2 inches or so for each joint. The rock will only be out of the water for a short time, so don't sweat it.
I am really embarrassed by my lack of planning for my tank since I have been in the hobby since 1973. My wife and I were looking for a new cabinet for the 110 gal tank when my wife asked about a larger tank. I learned many years ago to strike when the iron is hot, and this iron was red hot!
 
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