45 Gallon Reef - first FTS shot with scape and a FISH!!

[phi delt reefer]

so here is my rock from Eco-reefer - aka Torsten.

Ordered 45lbs, Torsten being the great guy he is sent me back with a little extra



here is what i came up initially - green tape represents the 23.5" width of my tank. My tank is only 12" tall so I need to keep my scape short for SPS growth







I was left with this much rock...



slept a couple days... had some reef dreams and figured I should use some more rock as a biological filter and so my fish have some hiding places, etc. So I added a couple more pieces;






There is about 9" of "rock free" area from the front glass to the closest rock. I think that will be sufficient swim room for the fish.



i will leave a small gap at the back of the glass to help ensure i get some flow back there;



I still have a few large pieces left that i might use in the sump or break up and try to glue a floating bonsai pieces. I have a lot of ideas...problem is that i am pretty lazy


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Do you guys/girls think I should go back to my original scape OR do you like the latest version better? I will have a 1 to 1.5" sandbed as well.

[phi delt reefer]

progress....


tank



overflow





stand - stained and assembled - still needs some detail work (sanding/re-staining)






reefkeeper mounted



sump area



ATI Sunpower - 8 bulb





random shots





why did i build such a big stand? Simple - I needed some place to store all this crap;

[freezetyle]

Thats going to look really good full on water. I like how you are hiding your overflow, it will give it a very clean look.

[phi delt reefer]

Originally Posted by freezetyle

Thats going to look really good full on water. I like how you are hiding your overflow, it will give it a very clean look.

thanks man - just came back from the sugar bush where i attempted to eat my weight in pancakes and sausage. Going to nap for a bit then finish painting/staining and start drilling holes for all the wiring.

[Skimmerking]

looking god man well done ya lots of stuff for a small tank

[phi delt reefer]

thanks man! I was showing the wife your build and she figured it must of taken you like 5 years to put that 8 footer together considering how long mine is taking. I showed her the dates on your posts and got a smack across the back the head for taking so long with mine. Its her fault really - she decided to move the tank to the other end of the room where the floor dips like 5/8" over 5 feet so now i need to add leveling legs. I have no idea as to how i am going to install them considering this stand weighs at least 300lbs. This project is turning into a bottomless money pit and i haven't even bought a single fish or coral yet.

[lorenz0]

Stand looks awesome man

Your doing it right with taking your time, from the looks of things it is really working out in your favor.