Ibrahim
Aquarium Advice Addict
Looks good.
The Rebirth/Rebuild of my 180g sps thread
- Thread starter Acronuts
- Start date
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OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
Thanks, man!
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
A few more things that were taken care of this weekend.
Here is a pic of the beginning of the drain. Funny how the fish don't wanna get caught!
Here is the 55g tank that the fish and some of my remaining corals will be housed for awhile.
Star board clean, cut and ready for install next week.
Tank finally empty. Corals and fish are all out. Look at the coralline algae growth on the back of the tank and over flow boxes.
Bleach went in last night and in less than 24 hours the coralline algae has turned mostly white. The anaptasia's were gone after I added just the tap water. The majano's were closed but look still alive until I added the bleach.
This evening I started to siphon any remaining sand and the majanos came off the glass very easily. I do suspect they were no dead.
Here is a fts. Wow it is surreal!
Here is a pic of the beginning of the drain. Funny how the fish don't wanna get caught!
Here is the 55g tank that the fish and some of my remaining corals will be housed for awhile.
Star board clean, cut and ready for install next week.
Tank finally empty. Corals and fish are all out. Look at the coralline algae growth on the back of the tank and over flow boxes.
Bleach went in last night and in less than 24 hours the coralline algae has turned mostly white. The anaptasia's were gone after I added just the tap water. The majano's were closed but look still alive until I added the bleach.
This evening I started to siphon any remaining sand and the majanos came off the glass very easily. I do suspect they were no dead.
Here is a fts. Wow it is surreal!
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
Well I decided to rebuild the aquascape and I knew going in that since I had only pics that possibly the rebuild of it may not be exact.
While one island ( the right one ) was easier because of the unique shapes, island two was more difficult.
Here are over head shots so you guys can see how much space there is at the tops of these islands.
The 1st pic I have between 5-7 inches across tapering to about 2 inches
The 2nd pic I have between 9-10 inches at the thickest to 4-5 to 1.5 inches.
I will see if I can add angle shots to show the ledges.
While one island ( the right one ) was easier because of the unique shapes, island two was more difficult.
Here are over head shots so you guys can see how much space there is at the tops of these islands.
The 1st pic I have between 5-7 inches across tapering to about 2 inches
The 2nd pic I have between 9-10 inches at the thickest to 4-5 to 1.5 inches.
I will see if I can add angle shots to show the ledges.
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
It's been a busy week here. After I ran bleach in the display tank for 4 days I got to empty the tank out.
I guess I was feeling paranoid because I decided to remove all the dead dried coralline algae. You can see the difference.
Once done I moved on to test the star board. There was a slight cutting adjustment but took care of it and laid the three pieces inside the tank.
One of the things I found out that even though I took pics of the aquascape, once I tore it down I was freaken out at how hard it was trying to place the rocks back exactly how they were in the pics.
Then guys I was itching to see the aquascape inside the tank. Man what a day!!! 1st the space seemed to SHRINK! What space I thought I had was gone. Either way I made some adjustments. Nothing is mortared yet.
I have some good things to show like: A more natural looking bridge
Another bridge on the rt side island
These bridges I am not so sold on yet. They don't seem natural enough and they seem as though they are just shelves to put stuff on them. I am seriously considering not having this whole middle section.
Here is the FTS without the store shelves section and before I added the more natural bridges
I guess I was feeling paranoid because I decided to remove all the dead dried coralline algae. You can see the difference.
Once done I moved on to test the star board. There was a slight cutting adjustment but took care of it and laid the three pieces inside the tank.
One of the things I found out that even though I took pics of the aquascape, once I tore it down I was freaken out at how hard it was trying to place the rocks back exactly how they were in the pics.
Then guys I was itching to see the aquascape inside the tank. Man what a day!!! 1st the space seemed to SHRINK! What space I thought I had was gone. Either way I made some adjustments. Nothing is mortared yet.
I have some good things to show like: A more natural looking bridge
Another bridge on the rt side island
These bridges I am not so sold on yet. They don't seem natural enough and they seem as though they are just shelves to put stuff on them. I am seriously considering not having this whole middle section.
Here is the FTS without the store shelves section and before I added the more natural bridges
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
Ultimately I know you guys want to see FTS and side shots so here goes and let me know what you thoughts are.
Rt side on the side panel
Lft side on the side panel
Finally a look at what the aquascape looks like with actinics on only
Rt side on the side panel
Lft side on the side panel
Finally a look at what the aquascape looks like with actinics on only
Ibrahim
Aquarium Advice Addict
It looks amazing! But if you have any extra rock I'd make an another arch in the middle at the very top of the tank for clams and SPS.
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
Hmmm that is a thought, an arch that connects the islands. Need to figure out how to mortar it and have it connect. Gotta put some thought into it. Gee thanks Ibrahim!
slitherbomb
Aquarium Advice Addict
That tank makes me want to make my tank bare bottom 
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
That tank makes me want to make my tank bare bottom
Slitherbomb u will not regret it! Say good bye to nitrates and phosphates! There are a couple of Bare bottom tanks in the thread the best sps tanks on RC that show results and great results at that.
rdnelson99
Aquarium Advice Addict
The rockscape is looking great. Wish I was working on a tank that size.
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
The rockscape is looking great. Wish I was working on a tank that size.
hey thanks for the kudos rdnelson99!
rdnelson99
Aquarium Advice Addict
Not a problem. I am living vicariously through you. LOL
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
Lol! So when are you getting another present for your wife?
rdnelson99
Aquarium Advice Addict
LOL Soon I hope but that is wishful thinking. Although she did say she wanted a small tank in the master bedroom sooooooooo....... LOL
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
Hmmmmmmm
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
This update is a short one
I went ahead and siliconed the star board to the bottom of tank. As luck would have it one of my tubes of silicon bursed from the opposite end and made a big mess.
I took a trip to lowes bought a larger tube of 100% clear silicone and a trigger gun. Boy did it ever make the application easier.
Once that was done I went for rebuilding the aquascape so that I could get it memorized.
For one I made the decision to get rid of middle section. As I was frustrated with the right section I noticed a rock that was shaped just the right way. Shaped enough that when placed at a certain angle, voila made an archway.
Getting the kinks out of the aquascape is very important as once things are mortared you're stuck and pretty screwed. Even though you guys like the rock work I realized that the placement would not work. The rocks would have to be mortared in such a way that it would get too top heavy once the sps's grew. I opened things up a bit and arranged so that the rocks had more stability with each other.
Right side
This is it, FINALLY!! LOL!! FTS
Well this weekend is mortar time and fill up time!
I went ahead and siliconed the star board to the bottom of tank. As luck would have it one of my tubes of silicon bursed from the opposite end and made a big mess.
I took a trip to lowes bought a larger tube of 100% clear silicone and a trigger gun. Boy did it ever make the application easier.
Once that was done I went for rebuilding the aquascape so that I could get it memorized.
For one I made the decision to get rid of middle section. As I was frustrated with the right section I noticed a rock that was shaped just the right way. Shaped enough that when placed at a certain angle, voila made an archway.
Getting the kinks out of the aquascape is very important as once things are mortared you're stuck and pretty screwed. Even though you guys like the rock work I realized that the placement would not work. The rocks would have to be mortared in such a way that it would get too top heavy once the sps's grew. I opened things up a bit and arranged so that the rocks had more stability with each other.
Right side
This is it, FINALLY!! LOL!! FTS
Well this weekend is mortar time and fill up time!
rdnelson99
Aquarium Advice Addict
I like that too. Looking good.
OP
OP
Acronuts
Aquarium Advice Freak
Ricksreef
Aquarium Advice Addict
Really like your rock work,going to be a great looking tank.
