Buffy's 1st Ever SW Build - Reef Tank

[1Vampiregirl]

Looks neat, more shaped or something. The big rocks you have there look like nose and ears lol!

I'd put the bigger rocks at the bottom underneath the smaller ones, though. I think it gives more room to play with the scape 'coz you can stack the smaller rocks in different ways.

But you can glue corals to your big rocks too. Several different ones will make a cool combo rock!

 

[Gregcoyote]

I own a big boat that I had to teach myself how to drive, so I can relate. Weighs in at 35 tons, so everything happens real SLOW.
YOU need to check out getting certified as a diver. Keeping a artificial reef is one thing, but exploring a natural one teaches you volumes of information. If you are a decent swimmer and not claustrophobic, you will be good to go.

 

[Buffy]

I own a big boat that I had to teach myself how to drive, so I can relate. Weighs in at 35 tons, so everything happens real SLOW.
YOU need to check out getting certified as a diver. Keeping a artificial reef is one thing, but exploring a natural one teaches you volumes of information. If you are a decent swimmer and not claustrophobic, you will be good to go.

I tried diving when I was in the service, was going to go to scuba school but I was too bouyant, lol, passed all the tests except staying under. They kept piling the weights on me and even had 2 guys stand on me and I still floated to the top.

I did alot of underwater exploring and found alot of stuff when I lived in Hawaii, course I couldn't go too deep as I couldn't hold my breath that long, I didn't get far enough down with tanks on either :-(.

 

[Buffy]

I make collums out of my rock then stack more rock on top i creates lots of caves over hangs and spots to put coral in

Can you post a pic or two so I can see what you are talking about. I tried stacking and they kept falling over. I've hit my glass I don't know how many times and am sooo glad I didn't break it.

 

[Buffy]

Nope, no affect at all. You can move til your hearts content.

Til my hearts content LOL, my fingers are cut up and scraped. I can barely hold onto the rocks right now lol. Gotta heal a bit.

 

[Buffy]

Looks neat, more shaped or something. The big rocks you have there look like nose and ears lol!

I'd put the bigger rocks at the bottom underneath the smaller ones, though. I think it gives more room to play with the scape 'coz you can stack the smaller rocks in different ways.

But you can glue corals to your big rocks too. Several different ones will make a cool combo rock!

Nose and ears LOL, I can't see that but that's funny. The bigger rocks were outside for awhile hoping to exterminate the icky creepy crawlies. I just put those last few in today.

With as heavy as they are, I am definitely not comfortable with them on top like that.

 

[Grizz]

Can you post a pic or two so I can see what you are talking about. I tried stacking and they kept falling over. I've hit my glass I don't know how many times and am sooo glad I didn't break it.

k it's really simple like me lol you just build a rock wall but in a circle here some pics here's the base

and up it go's

Had to use some rocks from the yard

I make 4-5 of these in my 90g hope this helps As you can see lots of caves and places for corals you can also make a table out of PVC pipe i'll try to find some pics of mine

 

[Gregcoyote]

The fish will want nooks they can hide in and cruise around behind the rocks. Tangs want tall, narrow slots to fit thru, while other fish want a nice overhang to hang out under. Many fish like blennies like a perch to sit on.
Only real rule is to use your bigger rocks on the bottom in direct contact with the tank bottom. Plastic egg crate can also be used to display and to propagate corals. Once the coral encrusts it, the egg crate is invisible.

 

[Buffy]

Thanks guys.

My bigger base rock is on the bottom. These last few pieces were outside.

@Grizz - Got it now, thanks.

@Gregcoyote - I've heard bout people using egg crate. I've finally seen egg crate but I wouldn't know how to use it in my tank.

The big rock I have now are on the bottom glass. I just gotta shift these last 5 pieces down under.

I'm hoping I got enough nooks and stuff but I think it'll all change once I start moving the bigger pieces down where they belong.

 

[Buffy]

Ammonia >4ppm and <8ppm

 

[Buffy]

TDS Meter

Does anyone know if this TDS Meter would be good to use:

DIGITAL TDS METER WATER PPM FILTER PURITY TESTER w/Case - eBay (item 280684745095 end time Jul-24-11 11:00:03 PDT)

 

[Buffy]

RO/DI

Am still waiting on my replacement DI section. However, Does anyone have any ideas on how I can hang the unit on my bathroom wall?

Right now it's home is in my lunch box (but I'm gonna need that for work LOL). I'll be setting it back in the sink while I wait for part.

Here is the wall where I want to hang it. And a pic of my leaking RO/DI

Thanks ya'll

 

[Smitty]

That TDS meter looks like the free one I got when I bought my RO/DI unit. It nice and easy to use. I like it.

 

[Buffy]

That TDS meter looks like the free one I got when I bought my RO/DI unit. It nice and easy to use. I like it.

What unit did you buy? I didn't get a free one :-( wahhhh

 

[Mike-words]

Is there a backing plate on the ro unit

 

[Smitty]

I bought one from airwaterice.com. It was a lot more expensive than what you get on ebay though... It came with a built in TDS meter and a hand-held one.

 

[Buffy]

Is there a backing plate on the ro unit

No, just the double canister clips that came with it.

 

[Buffy]

Ordered my TDS Meter.

 

[scottayy]

I still need to get me one of those. I'm sure my water's still good but it'll be nice to know when I need a replacement cartridge.

 

[Buffy]

I still need to get me one of those. I'm sure my water's still good but it'll be nice to know when I need a replacement cartridge.

YupYup, I've run out of money and still need lights, sump, stand and few other things. I'm no good at diy either, that's why I'm still struggling with just making water. LOL