55 Gallon Zoa Only Tank Build

[fishindude]

I am in the process of upgrading from a 20 Long to a 55 gallon tank. The end result will have a rock wall on the back and both sides and will be zoo/paly dominant.
This past meeting I was able to pick up the most important piece... the tank and stand (courtesy of Shane AKA skelley) and I started my project.

This is going to take a while, I plan on putting the coral in the tank by late August/September as I am trying to transfer into Emerson College in Boston and will have new living arrangements at that time.

So here are the pictures of todays work... staining the stand. There are before shots from the full stand and up close and after full and close. Sorry the first ones are a bit dark as the after shots are outside. Also threw in the tank itself.

 

[bpfan64]

looks good, can't wait to see things in there!!!

 

[s_kelley]

Hmm, looks familiar! LOL
Glad to see your already making progress, I could tell you were dying to get started.
The project sounded very cool, can't wait to see the end result.
Lookin good, keep us updated!

 

[Doherty]

"The end result will have a rock wall on the back and both sides and will be zoo/paly dominant."

Good call!!!!!! Cant wait to see it all set up!

 

[fishindude]

Thanks everyone! This idea has been in my head for a while now and it is nice to finally get the ball rolling. Next thing to do is to cut the egg crate to size. I have 30# Marco Rock Rubble coming in soon and I will see if that is enough to cover all three walls.
I was thinking of using Reef Epoxy to stick it on. Is this the best route to go or are there any other suggestions?

 

[Doherty]

Reef Epoxy like u said, would be my best guess

 

[Doherty]

Are u talking about sticking the rock directly to the glass?

 

[fishindude]

Are u talking about sticking the rock directly to the glass?

No, it is going against eggcrate first. Perhaps on the bottom glass it would be direct though.

 

[rusty18]

I made a wall with rubble and egg create for a 10 gal, I liked it a lot. I used a lof of zip ties to hold the rocks in place and drilled a few holes in some of the rubble.
After doing this first hand with the white egg create I would suggest using the black, I think there is some for sale in the FS section still.

 

[fishindude]

I made a wall with rubble and egg create for a 10 gal, I liked it a lot. I used a lof of zip ties to hold the rocks in place and drilled a few holes in some of the rubble.
After doing this first hand with the white egg create I would suggest using the black, I think there is some for sale in the FS section still.

Why would you prefer black? I already purchased the white, but if it was that much of a problem I can bring it back and get the black stuff.

 

[rusty18]

The black blends in much better than the white. I though I had the white covered completely but could still see spots of the white between some of the rocks and it was really annyong for me at least. If I did it again I would use the black.
My $.02

 

[Doherty]

If u wants to adhere the rock directly to the glass you could use clear silicone with the back of the tank painted black, you would have to lay the tank on it's side till the silicone cured. That would hold the rubble real strong to the walls. Either way it will look real nice when it is done.

 

[fishindude]

If u wants to adhere the rock directly to the glass you could use clear silicone with the back of the tank painted black, you would have to lay the tank on it's side till the silicone cured. That would hold the rubble real strong to the walls. Either way it will look real nice when it is done.

I didn't know the glass walls could hold up that much weight. I might do that instead if that is the case.

If eggcrate is the way I go, I will spend the extra few bucks for the black then. Sounds worth it.

The rubble came in. I ordered two 15# boxes of Marco Rock Rubble and it is clear to me now that I will need at least another 30#, probably more like 45# will do it.

 

[coralcor]

id go eggcrate. then if you ever upgrade again! you will be able to sell it much easier.


most people use great stuff.
http://greatstuff.dow.com/greatstuff/diy/index.htm
http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-49992/Detail
and i think you can get some black stuff to. but its little more expencive.

good luck!

 

[fishindude]

id go eggcrate. then if you ever upgrade again! you will be able to sell it much easier.


most people use great stuff.
http://greatstuff.dow.com/greatstuff/diy/index.htm
http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-49992/Detail
and i think you can get some black stuff to. but its little more expencive.

good luck!

Ahh very good point. The eggcrate would make this more open to change and breakdown. And thanks for those links! I've been looking for that stuff and haven't known the name!

 

[coralcor]

Ahh very good point. The eggcrate would make this more open to change and breakdown. And thanks for those links! I've been looking for that stuff and haven't known the name!

lol i love that stuff its great! used it for a science project once

 

[fishindude]

lol i love that stuff its great! used it for a science project once

What is in it though? It is reef safe? I know I've seen it used before on these types of applications, but what are the drawbacks?

 

[coralcor]

What is in it though? It is reef safe? I know I've seen it used before on these types of applications, but what are the drawbacks?

the only problem i have seen is if floats. ill find a few links. and you can buy stuff from um.... cant remember but ill find it.
found it!
http://www.customaquatic.com/estore...ssionid=4076314CA2E9975AF5AFEE64DE5C7980.jvm1
but its an extra 5$ or so. and if you dont get enough you need to order more... unless a lfs sells it. never seen it tho.
tis is a FW tank. but still some good info.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_aquarium_background.php
this one has lots of pics
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1300282
another.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181218

 

[Doherty]

I didn't think about the weight issue....... And like u said with the eggcrate you can remove it/ upgrade/ change it, sticking directly to the glass doesn't give you much ability to modify it......... Good point guys

 

[fishindude]

the only problem i have seen is if floats. ill find a few links. and you can buy stuff from um.... cant remember but ill find it.
found it!
http://www.customaquatic.com/estore...ssionid=4076314CA2E9975AF5AFEE64DE5C7980.jvm1
but its an extra 5$ or so. and if you dont get enough you need to order more... unless a lfs sells it. never seen it tho.
tis is a FW tank. but still some good info.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_aquarium_background.php
this one has lots of pics
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1300282
another.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181218

Helpful links... thanks Corey! Kannin's build I remember reading all about on vividaquariums forums a while back. It helped inspire this idea.