AQUASCAPING

[Adrinal]

I have / will have enough room on the side of the tank for the scraper to do its job.

What are your reef (not fish only) experieces with your aquascaping in relation to the back wall.

Plz let me know if the rocks are against the back or not and if you like that or wish you had done it differntly.

 

[waterwatereverywhere]

I don't have a reef tank now but I did for a number of years. I started with the rocks piled up against the back wall. But I decided I didn't like that, so I redesigned and ended up building the rocks into kind of little hills, with space around. Made for a much more interesting look IMO and also meant it was easier to clean all round.

 

[ste2k3]

It's completely up to you how you do it but don't build a wall as that looks soooo artificial. you could build two slopes going towards either end with caves etc or one in the middle. also, I'd only bring the rock about hlalf way up the back glass. thants just my oppinion anyway as these are the mistakes I made with my tank. My next tank (if I ever get it up and running) will be 4'x4'x2' with will give me pleanty of room for those reasons.

ste

 

[Great Lakes]

Adrinal, I have gone with the pile against the back, and currently I have it setup so I have room all around it.

Pattie and I have decided that we prefer the rock all the way to the back. It is far more stable, and gives you more room to develope the slope from front to back. This is especially neede with the 125 I am currently running. It is only 18" front to back.

This summer I am planning on my final upgrade. I will be searching for a 240. This will give me the much needed extra six inches of "floor space" in the front. I will pile the rock all the way to the back wall again. With a well engineered spraybar buried in it, I shouldn't have trouble with stagnant water. I have ceased worrying about cleaning the glass on the back side of the tank. I just let the coralline encrust it.

I also had more pod activity this way. The cracks and crevices IMO gave them a suitable place to multiply safe from many of the inhabitants.

GL

 

[Adrinal]

 

[ostrow]

Well, when frags DO fall to the back you are out of luck. I've lost lots that way, or at least more than I wish I had. Can't get them at all. But I like the rock all the way to the back. Helps stabilize the structures you are trying to build up high.

GL, if you bury the spray bar, what will you do if one of the outlets gets clogged?!?

 

[ste2k3]

GL, if you bury the spray bar, what will you do if one of the outlets gets clogged?!?

when you say burry, do you mean behind the rocks as a reef clean system?. if so, I have one running down the back of my tank and havn't had any probs with it so far. as long as it is fed clean filtered water, then there isn't usually a problem.

ste

 

[Great Lakes]

Yes, mine was buried in the rocks. Nochance of getting to it if need be, I was a little leery at first, but never had a problem. I use the locline brand of adjustable tube. You can put outlets whever you want. Amazing stuff.

Gl

 

[waterwatereverywhere]

I actually prefer the look of the tanks that have 2 VERY vertiacal islands (must be they are using plastic polls to make them stay that way) that go strait to the top.

Yes, I had plastic polls glued on to pieces of glass that sat on the bottom of the tank.

 

[Adrinal]

 

[Adrinal]

 

[Adrinal]

 

[ostrow]

I use the locline spray bar too. It is at the very top, along the water line, with jets aimed in various directions. Thing is, sometimes the tips get clogged with algae and that messes up the balance of flow in and out vis a vis the return pump. I occassionally have to use a paperclip to open up the jets. Of course, eventually the crabs to get around to it. I'd think burying them will make it hard.

As for "clean filtered water" through them, that never happens. First, it is saltwater, second, there is calcium and other stuff in the water that can form deposits over long periods of time.

 

[ste2k3]

As for "clean filtered water" through them, that never happens. First, it is saltwater, second, there is calcium and other stuff in the water that can form deposits over long periods of time.

oh, yeah, I know, I meant water with out pieces of crap in it that could block it quickly. once it is buried under rocks, then there shouldn't be problems with algae as there will be very little light.

ste

 

[Great Lakes]

Joel, is that the 1/2 inch ID tubing clogging on you? That is the size I have. I know they make a few different sizes.

\GL