Rimless 75g reef build. From the ground up!

JcStark87 · Jul 24, 2015

ArieWasHere said:
Looking good

Thank you

b4tn · Jul 24, 2015

I wouldn't change a thing. Looks great! How many pounds of rock is that?

JcStark87 · Jul 24, 2015

b4tn said:
I wouldn't change a thing. Looks great! How many pounds of rock is that?

Really?? Well thank you! It's 67 lbs

dmort · Jul 25, 2015

Is the rock touching the glass or is so close to the glass that you wouldn't be able to clean it? It looks that way, especially on the back left. That's my only comment otherwise I think you've created a lot of good surfaces for corals.

JcStark87 · Jul 25, 2015

Haha yes it's very close. You pointed out the one thing I didn't like. I'm going to change that. Thank you for the suggestion

dmort · Jul 25, 2015

Yah - i have a 55 gallon and with such limited depth it is tough to not have the rock on the back glass. I find it frusturating.

Also what type of corals are you thinking about? A lot of the easy ones sort of grow like weeds but to an extent you can control that if they are trapped on their own rock islands. For example i have some gsp and when i got it i moved the rock around a bit so it could be separated from the rest of the rock work.

Reduck · Jul 25, 2015

Spectacular build. Your woodworking skills are superb!
Wanna build me a canopy?

Following along.

Harold Green · Jul 25, 2015

List of not on my rockwork. Anthelia, zenia, gsp, yellow polyps. In an older established tank each is capable of carpeting the entire tank in under a year. And just as bad, Kenya tree. It fragments and sprouts all over the tank and is nearly impossible to remove from rock work. At the moment I have six large colonies of pulsing zenia that all started as one polyp last year. I enjoy zoa's as much as anyone but I've seen the brown button polyps take over many an lfs tank. On that note can anyone suggest an lsp that will clear polyps from it's reach? The tank rock work looks good but I would suggest splitting the return flow to get it blowing down behind the rock work in both directions if you have a large enough return pump. It'll help keep debris out from behind the rocks.

mrpergo · Jul 25, 2015

I think you need some more hiding spots and some shelf rock for some nice coral

JcStark87 · Jul 25, 2015

dmort said:
Yah - i have a 55 gallon and with such limited depth it is tough to not have the rock on the back glass. I find it frusturating.

Also what type of corals are you thinking about? A lot of the easy ones sort of grow like weeds but to an extent you can control that if they are trapped on their own rock islands. For example i have some gsp and when i got it i moved the rock around a bit so it could be separated from the rest of the rock work.

Seriously I'm glad everyone is speaking the truth. All these comments have made me re think the aquascape. Will post photos tomorrow once it's cleared. Thanks for your feedback. I have though to much on corals yet. I have created a small island though. I know what you mean about some of them spreading like wild fire

JcStark87 · Jul 25, 2015

mrpergo said:
I think you need some more hiding spots and some shelf rock for some nice coral

I agree. I've re designed the aquascape. I wasn't feeling it 100% and seeing all the comments reassured that I needed to change it. Thanks for the suggestion!

JcStark87 · Jul 25, 2015

Reduck said:
Spectacular build. Your woodworking skills are superb!
Wanna build me a canopy?
Following along.

Thank you!! My father built me the stand. He used to be a carpenter and has since retired. No canopy in your future lol!

JcStark87 · Jul 25, 2015

Harold Green said:
List of not on my rockwork. Anthelia, zenia, gsp, yellow polyps. In an older established tank each is capable of carpeting the entire tank in under a year. And just as bad, Kenya tree. It fragments and sprouts all over the tank and is nearly impossible to remove from rock work. At the moment I have six large colonies of pulsing zenia that all started as one polyp last year. I enjoy zoa's as much as anyone but I've seen the brown button polyps take over many an lfs tank. On that note can anyone suggest an lsp that will clear polyps from it's reach? The tank rock work looks good but I would suggest splitting the return flow to get it blowing down behind the rock work in both directions if you have a large enough return pump. It'll help keep debris out from behind the rocks.

Thank you for the suggestions. I truly appreciate it!

Terry4505 · Jul 26, 2015

That was going to be my suggestion as well. Move the rocks away from the walls/back. Give yourself room to clean the sand/glass. Even if it means using less rock. I've mad that mistake in the past, it sucks.

Tank looks great.

dmort · Jul 26, 2015

I don't recall if you have a sump but you can always put some rock down there.

Also, if you have the time, I'd suggest doing two or three rock setups, take a picture, think about it. A lot of the people here who amazing tanks spent a long time scaping to get it just the way they wanted it.

Harold Green · Jul 26, 2015

Over the years I've seen hundreds of examples of beautiful rock layout and pretty much every one has pros and cons. A lot of the layout should be determined on what you plan to stock the tank with. Fish will need more open area. Corals may need more sand bed or more rock work. Tall growing corals don't need the rock work running up near the top of the tank. Time to decide what you plan on displaying in the finished tank and how big you expect it to get but as long as you allow cleaning room the skies the limit on layout.

JcStark87 · Jul 26, 2015

Harold Green said:
Over the years I've seen hundreds of examples of beautiful rock layout and pretty much every one has pros and cons. A lot of the layout should be determined on what you plan to stock the tank with. Fish will need more open area. Corals may need more sand bed or more rock work. Tall growing corals don't need the rock work running up near the top of the tank. Time to decide what you plan on displaying in the finished tank and how big you expect it to get but as long as you allow cleaning room the skies the limit on layout.

Great point. Thank you!

JcStark87 · Jul 26, 2015

dmort said:
I don't recall if you have a sump but you can always put some rock down there.

Also, if you have the time, I'd suggest doing two or three rock setups, take a picture, think about it. A lot of the people here who amazing tanks spent a long time scaping to get it just the way they wanted it.

Last night i changed the layout a few times and sat back to view it multiple times. I took everyone's suggestions and came out with a good layout. I'll post pics soon. Thank you for your suggestion!