Making a sand bed not flat.

[WVNed]

Testing complete. Pond foam sticks really well to bricks, landscape cloth and egg crate and holds them to each other.

design has begun

I ordered 30 pounds of Marco rock I can use to embelish it. I am breaking the corners and edges off the bricks to get rid of the Lego effect. I used a 1.25 inch pipe for the eel.

 

[WVNed]

Something like this.

 

[WVNed]

Changed my mind once I got the bricks in the tank. I think this is simpler but better looking.
Still has 3 levels

Now waiting on the rock and sand to get here

I will use the rock and more foam to contain the edges.
I may get a cheap wet saw and cut the rock so it is flat on one side.
I plan on rock piles at the ends of the tube and where you can see the brick on the right.

I was going to try a DSB and some sea grass but after some reading that is a mountain I don't want to climb.

 

[krash7172]

+1 on diamond goby. lol. I fought mine for months to have a flat sand bed and he won. Seriously though, you can easily maintain an uneven look by simply using rock. I have a gsp island that acts as a barrier between shallow and deep areas. It doesn't block 100% of the sand from moving but it's enough to prevent power heads from changing the scape. From the looks of your pics, you are taking this to a higher level. (literally)

 

[Silver14SS]

Do you need to soak that stuff for a while to cure it? Just throwing it out there, I have no idea how pond foam and bricks react to saltwater.

Neat idea, I’m looking forward to seeing the finished tank!

 

[WVNed]

Do you need to soak that stuff for a while to cure it? Just throwing it out there, I have no idea how pond foam and bricks react to saltwater.

Neat idea, I’m looking forward to seeing the finished tank!

These bricks have been out in the weather since 93. They are from the hillside behind the house. Several websites list pond foam to be used to make reefscapes. It's not my original idea. I think the landscape cloth is inert. It is approved for organic gardening.
It is going into a 400 gallon total system. I think the dirt will actually be good for the tank.

I think it will be alright or I wouldn't do it.

 

[Silent]

Do you think the lime from the bricks will elevate your levels?
Will any brick be exposed to water?

 

[WVNed]

Do you think the lime from the bricks will elevate your levels?
Will any brick be exposed to water?

These are fired clay brick and not concrete so I don't think they will do anything. Especially not after being through more than 20 years in the weather.

 

[Silent]

You probably right about that.

 

[WVNed]

Now to let it sit for a day

and then add the sand. I dont think 40pounds is going to do this but I have some crushed coral I can fill with first.

 

[WVNed]

sorta like this

 

[WVNed]

and it's running and ready to move in.

 

[WV Reefer]

and it's running and ready to move in.

I like that a lot.

 

[WVNed]

Finished. I will start stocking it next week.

 

[Wolf89]

To be honest, I didnt really see your vision
But I see it now! And it looks awesome!

 

[jurgenph]

Vortech MP40 or a diamond goby...

AND


J.

 

[KrisReef]

These are fired clay brick and not concrete so I don't think they will do anything. Especially not after being through more than 20 years in the weather.

@WVNed
I've used a lot of rock from the garden for freshwater and I agree it is probably safe.
But, If you use pesticides for weeds, ants, or whatever it might be a good idea to run some carbon and polyfilter before you add livestock?

I got liverock from my neighborhood reefers and it was loaded with phosphates. I was glad I tested before I tossed it in my tank.

Just want to toss this out there now instead of later.

Cool build!

 

[Wolf89]

You inspired me to make my own last night!

 

[WVNed]

it worked

 

[SeaDweller]

I envisioned you going the planted tank look, where they create those awesome hills and valleys and stuff, with the illusion of (or real) continuous slopes.