One Year Volcano Build

Tateopotatoe · Jul 21, 2016

This is going to be a 55 gallon tank build that's only going to be set up for one year. Many people say it's not worth it, but I think it is! My plan is to have it up and running with fish by September, and break it down by next June, maybe July. Why break it down and not move it? I'm not just moving across the country, I'm move across the world to China! There I'm going to set it up as an island aquarium. I've already built the stand and drilled the tank. I did every possible test on the bottom of the tank to make sure it wasn't tempered, and all said it wasn't. Guess what. It was! Any way, I've already replaced the glass after it shattered while I was drilling. Here are my plans for the tank:
Filtration: Wet/Dry filter turned into sump
The guy I got the tank from also gave me a wet/dry filter, which I've turned into a sump.

White-pvc pipe
Green- Refugium (w/ lava rock)
Blue- Bubble trap
Grey- Heater pump, etc.
For mechanical filtration I have a filter sock that will catch everything that comes out of the entry pvc pipe.
Rock scape:

I want it to be like two volcanos. The one with the green plant in it (what I want to be a mangrove, but I'm wondering if it will clog up the pipes) is the one where the water exits. I want water to be coming out like a volcano. Any ideas on how to make the pipes snail/everything safe? Thanks!

For stocking this is what I was thinking:
Blue/Green Reef Chromis- 3
Juvenile tang or dwarf Angel or wrasee - 1
Neon goby- 1
Clown goby-1
Dottyback- 1
Misc shrimp/ inverts
As for corals anything that grows FAST! Then I can have a full tank quick, and get money from frags. TIA for opinions and answers!

revhtree · Jul 21, 2016

Cool and following!

ReeferMaddness843 · Jul 21, 2016

You could make a sleeve style cap out of a knitting or crochet screen (don't know exact name). I had to add one to my standpipes as I didn't want snails making the plunge to my sump and possibly causing an overflow. Sorry about the blues in the photo. Will the pipe come above the volcano or be within the peak? If in the peak, can use the same stuff and just make a screen top and notch into the volcano cavern to secure to top of open pipe.

Tateopotatoe · Jul 23, 2016

ReeferMaddness843 said:
You could make a sleeve style cap out of a knitting or crochet screen (don't know exact name). I had to add one to my standpipes as I didn't want snails making the plunge to my sump and possibly causing an overflow. Sorry about the blues in the photo. Will the pipe come above the volcano or be within the peak? If in the peak, can use the same stuff and just make a screen top and notch into the volcano cavern to secure to top of open pipe.

Thanks for the idea! That sounds like something I might want to try out.