let's design a fish tank....

[SeahorseKeeper]

the only problem i forsee with the seahorse pipefish idea is that since they are not strong swimmers you'd have to reduce the flow in the tank and with it being so tall you might have stagnant nonaerated water lower in the water column

IMO, seahorses can handle a more flow than some would think. My seahorses swim right up to the output of my canister filter, stay for a bit, and then let the current push them back. They do this repeatedly. They also play in the bubbles from the open ended airline tubing that I have setup. I have a deep tank and use open ended airline tubing to move the water where I do not have flow.

 

[rng_pw]

I think as long as you strategically placed your power heads you could do the seahorse/pipefish tank. When I see tanks this size and dimension I always think of a ravine setup or a canyon with cliffs. Imagine looking straight at your tank and having sloped walls on the sides ( v shape). I saw one once and it was sick!!!! The top 12 inches or so had SPS and LPS and the fish used the canyon and triangle areas behind the walls for swim space. The tank I saw used LR to build the slopes and made sure there were holes in the rock big enough for the fish to pass thru to avoid having wasted space. It created almost 4 distinct swimming areas for the fish. He had gobies, anthias, blennies, a mandarin, two yellow tangs and several chromis. If I remember right he used acrylic rods to build/stabilize the rock work.

After remembering more about this tank, he had a small RBTA hosting two clowns about 15 inches down the slope right under a colony of hammer.

That sounds awesome. I'd love to see pictures of it. I don't think that I'm going to go the sea horse route after all.

 

[Dsdaley77]

I'll see if I can hunt him down and get some pics, gimme a day or two

 

[rng_pw]

Awesome thanks.

Ricky,

 

[rng_pw]

Here is one idea that I have. I can do a thin false pond foam wall against the back for texture. And I can take some pvc pipe that I will rip down the middle to save space and foam, and rock it to make it look like a tall rock pillar. I can make the pillar with some kind of base to support it as well as be able to remove it if need be.

Here is a picture of the tank with some pvc that I had laying around.

Here is a drawing that I did on my phone really quick to give you an idea.

Ricky,

 

[Dsdaley77]

I really like that idea. If you drilled holes in the PVC and fed acrylic rods thru it, you could attach rock to the rods to give depth and additional structure. I would also make the columns different heights and widths. And remember the rule of thirds

 

[rng_pw]

Might be a dumb question but what is the rule of thirds?

Ricky,

 

[Dsdaley77]

When aquascaping, it's always a great idea visually to break your tank into thirds and to lay out your focal points on the outer edges of the middle section. Here's a link to an article on here that explains more in depth.....
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...-tips-tricks-creating-amazing-aquascapes.html

 

[rng_pw]

Thanks for the link. I just asked for advice on it.

Ricky,

 

[Dsdaley77]

Sorry if you didn't want the link, thought I would give you the same info I learned since it was written so well

 

[rng_pw]

Sorry I meant Thanks for the link. I checked it out and asked for some advice on it as well. Lol. I didn't mean to sound rude on my last post. My last tank was a 450 gallon reef and there was definitely a ton more options when it came to aquascaping.

Ricky,

 

[Dsdaley77]

no problem, I figured as much. Just wanted to make sure just in case

 

[rng_pw]

The tank had some pretty bad scratches. I started with 800 and worked my way up top 3000 grit. I still have to use novus 3 and 2 to finish it off but man I needed a break from sanding. Here is a before and after on one spot.
Before

After 3000, still need to buff with novus 3 and 2. Oh and the cloudiness is just residue that I couldn't reach to wipe off.

The line that looks like a scratch is the acrylic on the back wall. The were obviously a few steps in between and few steps to go but it's coming along.

 

[rng_pw]

I also made some progress on the rock work. I still need to finish the center and the right pillar but it's getting there.

I'm thinking that it wok be something like this.

 

[Dsdaley77]

Looking good. Maybe have some of the ledges touch or make swim caves ??

 

[rng_pw]

I took some 4 inch pvc and ripped it down the center. I made them in different shapes and lengths and foamed them onto the wall to create little caves. I am going to pick up some more rock today to try make some more caves as well. I'll post more pics when I get it set into the tank.

Ricky,

 

[kschweer]

Have you decided what fish you're going to do in the tank?

 

[rng_pw]

I've been struggling with a list. My last tank was a 450 gallon reef and I had a bunch of tangs, so they are by far my favorite but i'm a little more limited this go around. Maybe a small hippo, and a couple bangai Cardinal fish. A few lyretail anthias, a couple clown fish and maybe a Copper band. Idk. I'd like a small school of something but like I said I'm struggling ha ha. Any ideas of something that might fit the tank?

Ricky,

 

[rng_pw]

Well, I'm not sure how excited I am about the way it turned out but unfortunately I didn't have a whole lot of options Lol. What do you guys think?

Its hard to see but I used some 3 inch pvc that I ripped down the middle and glued to the rock to make some little caves and hiding spots for fish.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

It think it looks good. I think it will take on a how whole new dimension once there is water in the tank and you start adding livestock. I hated the rock wall I made for the seahorse tank, but once I added the water it began to grow on me.