diy part 2a still need epoxy and sand/shell mixture
 

well its taken a bit but im starting back on my build. got delayed buy company then a death in the family. so here we go.

i didnt take pictures of the complete build of this so ill try to explain.i used eggcrate as a base then tie wrapped piping to the eggcrate the one tube is sealed so that the water will push out through the two output pipes holding my flat frag rock shelf. and tied all the rock to eggcrate and pipe acordingly.

i still have to epoxy and sand/shell mixture to the foam but this will give you an idea of what it will look like and is the final rock piece. next part of the build is the stand/hood. im still unsure of lighting if i will do the led route or diy t5's 6 to 8 bulbs. still resesarching costs for most economical route.

anyways here are the pics by next week i should have all cotas of epoxy on and more pics.

jeff

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6486.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6485.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6487.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6484.jpg

thanks for loking

well the dry rockwork is done next step is stand and plumbing. here are the last pics of the rock work other than live rock i have to purchace to seed the dry rock or to build in between the two.

oh yes i have decided to name part 2 rock sculpture/return, my i was here rock. named after the random rocks you see stacked here and there. anyways here are the pics

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6490.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6489.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6491.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6492.jpg

I love your rocks :D

thank you. the second one is a heavy sob but my return line is built into it i forgot to mention i tested it and both pipes flow like a dream from the rockwork.

so i made a stand for the tank (just framed not finished yet) stuck a 20g tank under it and did some plumbing. so tonight i just did a fresh water test for the plumbing/ flow.

well first thing i should have leveled the tank before i started but nothing overflowed. close but it worked. i have to tweak the return it leaks a bit but thats minor

the biggest problem i am having is my one diy rock wall floats. sooooo i have to figure out how to make it not float. this is going to be a challenge.

just thought id give an update since its beena few weeks

To make it not float you can attach some marble or tile to the bottom... or you could glue it to the tank...

definately do not want to glue it. if i get bored of it i want to be able to remove it. and i know duct tape wont work :idea: but the marble idea is a thought other than itchanges the hight of the structure which will cause me a problem with the over flow it would have to be thinner than 1/4 inch. i may try notching a portion behind it out. i have a spare koralia #1 magnet/suction cup i can try to attach to the structure. ill have toremove it and dry it out and see.

very good ideas tho thank you i wasnt thinking marble, any other ides are welcomed.

the sump
 

yet another update..... i had searched for a long time for a sump gave up and posted on used regina a lf ad. i just felt a 20g sump just would not cut it for this build, even though all i run is a 20g sump on my 90(which works great, and this is only a 50. and poof within a day i had a reply from a guy who sold me a 36x12x15h. all was well with the world.



so the work began cleaning, scraping, measuring. and this is what i came up with. i got a lot of help searching sites for what other ppl did and liked this design. only downside is i have to make some plumbing adjustments but all in all im quite happy with it.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6497.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6498.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_6501.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSCN1089.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSCN1091.jpg

on and end note i think i did well no leaks no changes just have to finish the stand/ paint stand get a skimmer(pending) and order my30" 250w mh with pc lighting. (i will retrofit t5's in it at a later date).

Coming along nicely

thanks its been a blast building i need to work onmy syliconing skills if i could do a nicer job id build these things onn the side for ppl just cause i love doing it. all internal glass from the sump i cut and came from ppls discarded borken tanks.