My first attempt at a saltwater aquarium.

[hendrsn]

I have had freshwater aquariums in the past my largest being 90 Gals. I was giving a 160 gal tank and stand that was in pretty bad shape so I decided to refinish is and make some lemonade out of the lemons I had. Here are some pics from start to finish. The last pic was just this morning after I did the final aquascape.

The tank had a horrible white marble trim!

So I painted satin black and then painted on the navy blue back ground.

Then I built some custom light bars for the LED lights. (Ship is for scale)

Lights are hung, 3rd light to come and the water has been added. I also repainted the cabinet. (doors aren't done)

First phase of aquascape and added 2 clowns and 4 blue damsels (lost 2)

 

[CastAway]

Nice. What are the tank dimensions? What kind of filtration?

 

[hendrsn]

More Pics

Not to bad?

Thats Marlin and Coraline

Second Aquascape.

I will be replacing the little dead coal pieces with live ones down the road,

Happy Fish. 2 Clowns, 2 Blue Damsel, 1 Chocolate Chip Star, 1 Serpent star, 1 Goby and some cleaner snails and crabs.

 

[hendrsn]

Its 18x24x84" from what I was told its a custom tank. I could only find a few in that length online and with a tank and stand was over $2500. Right now during the setup and cycle period I am running a Fluval FX5 with a CPR dual skimmer and 2 Hydor 1200 GPH heads.

Nice. What are the tank dimensions? What kind of filtration?

 

[CastAway]

It sure is long!

 

[Eienna]

Wow, that's huge....

If you make your rock more like islands than a wall, you'll have more "coral real estate." Most people think it looks more natural, too, myself included. If you like a wall better, do what makes you happy, but it does tend to trap debris because of the lack of flow between the rocks.

 

[hendrsn]

The problem is that the tank is only 18" wide not 24 like most so it was kinda hard to do islands without it being all the way from front to back. After playing with it for 4 hours yesterday the "WALL" looked the best. on the left and right we tried to build a flat section for the Coral estate. I just added the 3rd light just now.

Wow, that's huge....

If you make your rock more like islands than a wall, you'll have more "coral real estate." Most people think it looks more natural, too, myself included. If you like a wall better, do what makes you happy, but it does tend to trap debris because of the lack of flow between the rocks.

 

[Eienna]

Okey dokey.
Maybe a few small rocks in front of it would give it a touch more depth?

 

[hendrsn]

Here are my Parameter results since I added water to the tank.

 

[Mtwreef]

Nice big tank. Do you have plans to upgrade the filtration down the road?

 

[glb]

Nice build. Can't wait to see it develop!

 

[joekool]

Good start. Have fun

 

[hendrsn]

Yes I am planning on going with a sump but I will have to build it because of the dimensions of the under cabinet and the size of the tank I am going to need an off size tank.

Nice big tank. Do you have plans to upgrade the filtration down the road?

 

[PaulKreider]

Off to a good start! I have the same problem with a skinny tank, hard to make islands with only 13inch depth, Check out my aquascape I think It turned out alright for being so narrow, But the berlin method is tried and true! Lights looks good, next thing id do is build a sump! What are you thinking of doing to get water to the sump?

 

[hendrsn]

Great tank Paul. I cant wait to start getting coral started in my tank. Water to the sump I don;t know yet whether pump to and from or gravity.

 

[hendrsn]

Some updated pics of my tank.

 

[ETORRES477]

if you pulled out the bottom rocks on the wall and made it slope to the back of the tank it would give you more depth and a more natural appearance, I like the rock walls myself, bringing the bottom rocks closer to the front of the tank will also add stability. And good choice on the sump, it looks like your headed down the right path so you will get addicted, no reef does well with a canister filter.

 

[Mike J.]

Well, you've come along way in just over a month. And, three beautiful tangs, too.