lockrookie's 50g tank build

[lockrookie]

Originally Posted by Polscot

im bulding a foam wall right now also, what epoxy did u use, will Elmers spray adhesive work? how do i know what kind im aloud to use

i actually used fiberglass resin it seemed to work alright i had to do 3 coats to get the effect i wanted. i brushed on the resin and rubbed sand into it with bits of seashells. true test will be when the tank is running i wouldnt use a spray myself i dont think it will get thick enough to mix with the sand. the can of resin was only 17 dollars.

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

Looks like a good build I will be watching.

thank you its been fun thus far. currently working part 2 diy rock sculpture/return flow. im trying to hide the return lines within the rock pile with a flat rock shelf to use as a frag rack. hopefully i will get enough flow from the return pump i wont need to use any power heads or in the least very little power heads.

and i am following your build as well very cool tank

[lockrookie]

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






thanks for loking

[lockrookie]

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

[Greenmaster]

I love your rocks

[lockrookie]

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

I love your rocks

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.

[lockrookie]

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

[Greenmaster]

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