Putting together Waterbox 230.6 build

[siggy]

Thanks! It was a massive PITA but I am really glad I did it. Was convinced that I would spill on the carpet and would regret it... lol. I backbuttered the tile, which doubled the amount of mortar used and likely tripled the effort and mess. I wouldn't recommend it if your floor is not uneven...

I have Brazilian Cherry wood. So I have to refinish with a epoxy of some type. BTW she gave me the OK on a new tank as long as I get out of her living room. So I will be a copycat...Den WaterBox Build

 

[Grigs]

I have Brazilian Cherry wood. So I have to refinish with a epoxy of some type. BTW she gave me the OK on a new tank as long as I get out of her living room. So I will be a copycat...Den WaterBox Build

Mine is actually going to just be my study room. Big ole man/fish cave... lol. The office upstairs is too close to the commotion in rest of the house, so I tossed out the pool table and have commondeered that space

 

[Grigs]

Stand waiting for it's tank... fri3nds coming over at 1300 to lug it around the house and into its new home downstairs. Also excited to get my garage stall back...

 

[fabutahoun]

Stand waiting for it's tank... fri3nds coming over at 1300 to lug it around the house and into its new home downstairs. Also excited to get my garage stall back...

Nice looking stand !

 

[Grigs]

And now... with a tank... OMG was that thing heavy. 5 grown men and two wives to get if from garage to tailgate and from tailgate through basement door. Wow!

 

[Grigs]

Thoughts on this as an aquascape?

 

[pshootr]

Thanks! It was a massive PITA but I am really glad I did it. Was convinced that I would spill on the carpet and would regret it... lol. I backbuttered the tile, which doubled the amount of mortar used and likely tripled the effort and mess. I wouldn't recommend it if your floor is not uneven...

It is actually a very good idea to back butter the tile. However next time only use the flat side of the trowel. You will use much less mortar. And still employ the benefits of the additional Bond.

I typically use two buckets of thin-set. One-bucket is for the floor. The other bucket is mixed wetter and is used for back buttering the tiles with either the flat end of a trowel. or even better actually with a v-notch trowel that is intended for wall tile. I actually prefer to use the v notch when I back butter. Back buttering is especially important when using porcelain tile. Because it is not quite as rough or porous as most other clay.

 

[pshootr]

Thoughts on this as an aquascape?

I think that looks quite nice!

Although I might consider aiming for one side to go a little higher than the other.

 

[Grigs]

I think that looks quite nice!

Although I might consider aiming for one side to go a little higher than the other.

Thanks for your input! I'll give it a go in the morning

 

[pshootr]

Thanks for your input! I'll give it a go in the morning

I really like the design you created on the left side. I would likely consider the other side if I was going to make one lower.

 

[Grigs]

Couldn't wait till morning...

Reworked it a few times. Couldn't manage to establish significantly different heights, but made more interesting caves and more platforms for coral...

 

[pshootr]

Couldn't wait till morning...

Reworked it a few times. Couldn't manage to establish significantly different heights, but made more interesting caves and more platforms for coral...

Yeah, challenging I suppose to make a dramatic difference in height without sacrificing considerable amount of Rock from the right side. However I agree that this is an improvement. I suppose depending on how high you are already. You may be able to achieve this effect by placing another small rock up on the left side to make it slightly higher. That might be just enough to create the effect.

On the left side you have three main rocks at the top. If there was another small rock placed between the left and the center rocks. This may work well. To help achieve that goal. I think the right side is a little bit lower so if the left side goes just a little bit higher it will enhance the effect technically.

 

[fabutahoun]

Nice rock work, this will look beautiful when it is filled with corals !

 

[Grigs]

Nice rock work, this will look beautiful when it is filled with corals !

Thanks, Fadi. I'm excited to get it rolling. I tried to leave lots of shelves for monti's and sticks to take off from. Made several mid level shelves and plenty of shaded areas for a couple softies.

That area on the front right is not well represented by this angle. It is a neat branching piece that reaches down in a couple of places while providing a gently sloping upper surface. Plenty of flow will get through and I have a ton of surface area to fill! Lol!!!

First 50 gal of slatwater is mixing now and RODI is working like crazy...

 

[najer]

Great progress.

 

[Indiana Reefin]

I liked your original scape!

What a beautiful setup! I am jealous you have a basement! If I had a basement I would get a much larger setup

 

[Grigs]

Okay, reworked again and think I've got it! Love love love it! Now if I can just get it in the tank like this...

 

[Grigs]

I liked your original scape!

What a beautiful setup! I am jealous you have a basement! If I had a basement I would get a much larger setup

Thanks much! Have been out of it for a while, do decided to just do it to the hilt this time. "No regerts"...

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Now that new scape looks like a winner!

 

[Grigs]

Added sand and water and lo... behold... there be a PLAGUE in my tank.... appears that there were hundreds of bug carcasses in either my sand or the tubing that I am filling with... gross. Thank goodness for filter socks!!!