320g build/journey/experiment DIY :-)

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

looks like it doesn't give you alot of swimming room

Looks can be deceiving... there are several spaces that fish can swim through that are 6-12"... I know that it looks like everything is very crowded but all the rock is away from the glass and there is lots of swimming room. We will all see how it looks with fish and the rock in the tank.

Originally Posted by abcha0s

The rock actually looks really nice. Once the coraline starts taking over, it will look really natural.

I do agree that swimming space is limited. If you consider how large some corals will grow, I would suggest using less rock and filling in the space with coral.

I also think you should consider leaving more space between the glass edge and the inner rock. On my new tank, I am planning to leave sufficient space for small corals to groww on the rock facing the glass and still have sufficient space to get a cleaning magnet all the way around the tank.

On my old tank (90G) I have rock touching the glass and I can tell you that it is very difficult to clean in those areas without damaging something. I generally just let the algea grow, but I wish I had enough space to get at the algea.
Just my thoughts ...

- I hope that it looks good... there is a bit of space that is shaded as I have lots of tunnels and such, so the coraline might not look as good as I'm hoping.
- There is lots of swimming space (I think there is anyways...)
- At the front of the tank there will be some spots coral can grow but not right on the sand because it is quite deep... I believe that there is minimum 3" space all the way around the tank I think that's good enough for most magnets.
- If I have any touching the glass it will be at the overflow and more to hide it then anything... I'm also not that squeamish of algae...(it grows on real reefs too)
Thanks a lot for your input I will take it all into consideration and I hope that it will work out

Originally Posted by Nebthet

I love your home made rock. I can't wait to see it in your tank.

I'm just waiting for the hole saw and then I can put the tank on the stand do the plumbing and start a cycle Mid to end of August then fish in September.

Originally Posted by Lance

Coooooool! I like the looks of that home made rock. I kinda agree with the others though. There's a little too much rock IMO. When the corals grow in there's not going to be much water left.

We will see, I really like the look of the rocks and 3 of them make up most of the space taken in there. When growing corals how much space do you want for a minimum, from the top of your rocks to the top of the water?

[globaldesigns]

OMG!!! Holy rockwork... That is one major setup, very impressive.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by plutoniumJoe

Sorry to be off topic but you can get a smaller version at most Fly Tackle shops for around $10. For Vancouverites the flea market on Terminal often has them for about $8.

why would I want a smaller version. I bought them for my freshwater tank to plant in a 32" deep tank so I wouldn't be wet up to my neck and to keep as much of my body out of the tank as I could. I used them in my salt water tank also.

Steve

[Greenmaster]

These are the biggest holes there are some that only smaller fish would want to swim through but you cant see them at this angle they are about 4"x3" and 3"x3" hope that helps with the understandings of space.

[Greenmaster]

I installed my LED's on my heatsink... now I just need to do all the wiring... not looking forward to that.

[lastlight]

Wow that comes out to $60 shipped to me! Hells no!

Edit: Just paid $40 CDN for the exact same thing on Ebay. Heads up for interested parties.

Man your fish are gonna love all the little places to hide in that!

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

ok sorry they are hemostats not forcepts.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/24_Cur...p/aquasc09.htm

24" not 30 and yes stainless and they come with removable silicone covers for the jaws.

Steve

[Doug]

Well I think that rock work looks spectacular. One of the more impressive and innovative builds I have seen.

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

looks like it doesn't give you alot of swimming room

Just wait a darn minute that is a 320 gal not a 180 gal I can't speak.

now i get there will be alot of swimming space

[Greenmaster]

YAY!!! I finally got my hole saw... I will be putting the tank on the stand on Saturday

Here are the holes I cut... took about 5-10 minutes each... A little fast I think that's why the glass got chipped...

The hole I cut next to my 3 overflow holes.


The hole on the far side of the tank


Both holes will be for the line in. I hope that the build will start to finally come together once the tank is on the stand.

[Skimmerking]

Patience patience remember little grasshopper, don t get to crazy fast on us.