creating reef overhang

[Atlantic Fish]

Hey Guys and Gals...

I have been talking about setting up a 35g sw tank, however I have decided to hang on a little while for a few reasons:

1. I need to learn more before I dive into this
2. I dont want to tear up my 35g cichlid tank, thus the only solution is to save a little more "green" and buy a 55g.

Ill get on with it....

I want to create a "true reef", I mean wiht a nice overhang.. The LFS only has peices of rock, so how to I stick them together to create a nice overhang on one end of the tank??

I though about drilling a few peices of rock and using stainless steel rods, is there any easier way??

I tried to draw a little pic here, dont freekin laugh... Its the best way I knew how to express my idea....Check it out...
http://johnmacfish.tripod.com/cichlidtank/id7.html

 

[colesea]

Silicon or apoxy do great for glueing stuff together and making it stick. Just find something that is water-safe and you're all set. Home Depo or Lowes or a hardware store should have the stuff you want.
~~Colesea

 

[Atlantic Fish]

I thought about that, but will letting the live rock dry damage whatever is alive on the rock, it would have to dry for like 24-36 hrs...??

 

[boots]

Atlantic Fish,
Your right about the die off your gona have some, and thats gona cause a amonia spike in your tank, but back to the over hang idea, the drilling is a good idea for a over hang just use some real strong zip ties, I know someone who has done this and it works well.

Qoute: (I though about drilling a few peices of rock and using stainless steel rods, is there any easier way??)

Do not put any type of metal or steel in your tank.

HTH...

Boots

 

[dattack]

Never use any metals for a reef tank.  Although stainless steel is appropriate for freshwater tanks, it can rust fairly easy in a constant saltwater bath.  Trace amounts of metal can kill many inverts and corals and that could cost you money.

YOu will need to use acrylic rods or some kind of PVC for rock structure.

You can order some acrylic rods here.
http://www.mcmaster.com/

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.asp

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11472&highlight=acrylic+rods


http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?s=&postid=383486(check the acrylic rod)

 

[eseow]

I think what you are tying to create is a shelf-style reef tank setup. ??? If so, your need slab live rock and branch live rock. As for making them "stick", I use smaller broken pieces wedged into larger rocks. Some are braced against the glass only to stabilize, not to support weight, as this could crack glass. If this is what you are talking about, please post message. I could e-mail you pics of shelf overhang setup I completed so far. Takes some time to find the right pieces. *crazysmiley*

 

[Atlantic Fish]

Yes eseow!!  Thats what I want is a Shelf...Id love to see what you have done so far, you can email me at..

johnmac25@hotmail.com
or
jmacdonald@roadrunner.nf.net

Thanks dattack, the idea about the  acrylic rods sounds the best.  I'll get rods like about 1/2" in diameter by 5-6" long then drill out the rock and basiclly pin them together that way. Therefore there is no drying time on the rock, just drill and fit, just like fiting two apples together with a rod...PERFECT...

;D

 

[Atlantic Fish]

Well, I was up to my LFS today, trying to get some idea about size of the tank.  I was going for a 55g but its only 36"L. and I want a 4footer....so now its gonna be a 75g,,,where does it ever end...stop the insanity!!
a 75g is 48"Lx18"Dx20"H, and cashes in at a mear $249.99...hufffff *laughingcryingsmiley*....O well, i really want the 18"depth and the four foot length so I guess thats it....Its gonna be a 75g.. 8)

 

[eseow]

Go with the 18 inch. Usually the deeper, the better. Allows for better setup of Live rocks, with front area for viewing livestock. Gives tank better depth. ;D