Building my first reef tank

[Candiifir]

Okay y’all! I’ve got my 150 gallon setup, and I’m SO excited!! I’ve decided to do a reef tank this time. I’m going to order a bunch of dry rock online-yeah? Then to get this look (see pic) can I just cement them together once I decide how I want them set? I’m really digging a similar style to this, to give my fish plenty of swim room underneath. I’ve still got about a week left before I start adding any live buddies, but I’m definitely going to get my corals setup and comfortable before I start adding my fish.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[sas226]

I'm so confused by this post.

 

[MarshallB]

Aquascaping, you can either do it quick or take 3 days like I did! It's good you have something you like to reference. I also built mine around maximizing swimming area. I don't know what kind of rock you ordered but buying some acrylic rods and inserting them into the rock to combine pieces really opens up vertical and horizontal placements you otherwise could not achieve.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

This will be sweet when you get it set up. How are you going to do your rock? BRS had a decent video on bonzi reef scape.

 

[Arthacker87]

I've tried to mimic this and it was hard lol. But I'd say go for it!!! It's an epic look. Happy to have ya a part of the group

 

[KingTideCorals]

So let’s break it down into a couple things!

1. Have you cycled your incoming tank (exciting)??

2. What kind of rock and adhesive cement/material did you wanna go for?

3. Remember to get your tank to be in best possible state for incoming livestock you’ll need to cycle the tank prior!

Hope you get a chance to take a look at my YouTube channel may be helpful! First video is a good one for beginners and the first tip is the best tip!

 

[Candiifir]

Thanks!! I’m so excited I can’t sleep I’ll for sure make some posts in the reef building section as I go!!

 

[Candiifir]

@ReeferBlaine cycling now. Just getting all of my ducks in a row before I start building . Going to for sure take my time with this one (even though patience is NOT my strongest virtue ) I’m thinking that cementing them is going to be the only way to get the style/shape I want. Recommendations on which rock to use?

 

[KingTideCorals]

@ReeferBlaine cycling now. Just getting all of my ducks in a row before I start building . Going to for sure take my time with this one (even though patience is NOT my strongest virtue ) I’m thinking that cementing them is going to be the only way to get the style/shape I want. Recommendations on which rock to use?

Tons of options out there... if you’re impatient and looking to get things going quicker if you can find a tank that is mature and looking to get broken down you could utilize their rock work and help speed up the process...


If not than you’ll be using dry rock which is clean

1. A benefit- no pests
2. No beneficial bacteria - longer cycle

I have used caribsea dry rock in the past and enjoyed it. Currently using some on my 25 lagoon can see it on my build thread

 

[sas226]

@ReeferBlaine cycling now. Just getting all of my ducks in a row before I start building . Going to for sure take my time with this one (even though patience is NOT my strongest virtue ) I’m thinking that cementing them is going to be the only way to get the style/shape I want. Recommendations on which rock to use?

Okay, so I have some questions..

• How are you cycling with no rocks in the tank? You said "I'm going to order dry-rock online" Tote? How do you need to order rocks if you have them already?
• You said you "have about week before you start adding live buddies". There's no way this can be true in any sense. I'm pretty confused on this.
• You said you're going to add corals before you add fish. I'd advise against that for a myriad of reasons, but again, so many questions. Whats your setup? Equipment? etc?

 

[JCTReefer]

Now you know, if you order about 440 Lbs of rock. And then trade in that 150 for a 1000 gallon tank, you can have a reef exactly like the one you posted!!! Now you’re gonna need a wetsuit and diving mask though. I believe that is the DSPS reef from Thailand. Beautiful tank by the way and a great inspiration! Wish I had room for 10ft x 4ft x 4ft tank in my living room.
Here’s a front shot of that tank for more inspiration. I personally love the bonsai and pillar look.