Is this a bad idea???

[SeahorseKeeper]

So I am looking at my tank and thinking I need to do something different to it. I just don't like my rock work and it seems to constrict the space in my tank. I have a 55 gallon mixed reef. I hate how narrow the tank is since it limits what I can do with the rock work. Here is what I am thinking of doing, I am thinking of adding a foam rock wall to the back of the tank. I would still keep most of my rock in the tank, but rearrange things a bit. The question is will it end in disaster since the tank is established?

 

[chort55]

Just upgrade... your welcome. lol

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Just upgrade... your welcome. lol

That is going to happen next year when I move. I don't have any room to upgrade my tank in my current apartment.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

I would avoid it, yes some are ok and actually seen one last week with foam doing great, but i also read some horror stories about it.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I would avoid it, yes some are ok and actually seen one last week with foam doing great, but i also read some horror stories about it.

Hmmm....my seahorse tank has one that is doing great. I have had it in there for almost a year. I think it depends on the foam. I would be using the black pond foam.

 

[chort55]

I still wouldn't mess with an established tank that's alot to risk. IF you don't care about trying to keep anything thats alive in it go for it I guess but I wouldnt. If you do, don't be surprised if you atleast have a mini-cylce.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

I still wouldn't mess with an established tank that's alot to risk. IF you don't care about trying to keep anything thats alive in it go for it I guess but I wouldnt. If you do, don't be surprised if you atleast have a mini-cylce.

+1 a mini cycle would be a major headache.

 

[JonnyJ]

I would avoid it, I ran foam rock for a year and a half.

75% of the time I had problems with phosphates and silicates.

Needed to run gfo and it exhausted very fast

Multiple diatom outbreaks that kept happening.


Better off purchasing/finding new rock with good shapes. Go with a minimal scape an you will enjoy your 55

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I would avoid it, I ran foam rock for a year and a half.

75% of the time I had problems with phosphates and silicates.

Needed to run gfo and it exhausted very fast

Multiple diatom outbreaks that kept happening.


Better off purchasing/finding new rock with good shapes. Go with a minimal scape an you will enjoy your 55

I am having the exact opposite happening with my seahorse tank. I feed that tank very heavily and I have no algae issues. The only CUC in that tank is a couple of snails.

Obviously, I do not want to put the health of my reef tank in jeopardy. I'll post some pics of the tank up in a bit and see if anyone has any suggestions as to what I can do to make it better.

 

[o2manyfish]

I used the black pond foam to mount slab rock to the back wall of my tank. It's been there for over 6 years without a problem. I have several reefing friends with high end systems that use the same technique to cover overflows and all have very successful aquariums.

If you have a bunch of established rock, and all you are adding to the tank is a bunch of foam on the back wall, then you don't have anything adding a bunch of ammonia to the system, and you have your established rock to handle the biological filtration so I think the worry of a cycle is a bit unneeded.

People switch tanks, and upgrade their tanks all the time without losing their livestock.

Dave B

 

[mfinn]

I noticed that you said you hate how narrow the tank is now, but you want to add a foam wall to the back?
Your going to loose a couple more inches in wideth. Even less space.

If you really need a change, just rearrange your tank, and save the time and effort for the new one next year.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I used the black pond foam to mount slab rock to the back wall of my tank. It's been there for over 6 years without a problem. I have several reefing friends with high end systems that use the same technique to cover overflows and all have very successful aquariums.

If you have a bunch of established rock, and all you are adding to the tank is a bunch of foam on the back wall, then you don't have anything adding a bunch of ammonia to the system, and you have your established rock to handle the biological filtration so I think the worry of a cycle is a bit unneeded.

People switch tanks, and upgrade their tanks all the time without losing their livestock.

Dave B

That is what I was thinking.

I noticed that you said you hate how narrow the tank is now, but you want to add a foam wall to the back?
Your going to loose a couple more inches in wideth. Even less space.

If you really need a change, just rearrange your tank, and save the time and effort for the new one next year.

The idea was to create a more open look by having the rock wall on the back. This would help open the front of the tank. I would be able to utilize the rock wall to place corals as well. I was thinking of incorporating PVC piping for tunnels as well.

 

[Downbeach]

Have you considered using magnetic rocks? Here's the idea:

Magnetic ceramic branch rock from The Alternative Reef can support coral and hide pumps

This might be a good DIY project using some of that Pukani dry rock from BRS.

 

[MGoers]

I would just wait until you upgrade. While it may work out it may be more trouble than its worth!