24 gal build

[satch12]

I'm in the process of setting my old 24gal nano back up for a reef. And yes this is actually going to happen this time lol. This is going to be a drilled reef mainly sps tank. I will have a 250 watt halide that will be housed in a custom canopy over it. It will be plummed into a 29 gal that will be under neath a custom stand. I will have a prizm protein skimmer with a fuge area with cheato and a mag 7 for a return.

I already have the back of the tank drilled and will post pics as soon as I get my camera back.

I want your guys thoughts on what i should do with my background. I really like the idea of a rock, foam, and egg crate wall but im worried about sealling it to the nano's back. I don't want any detritus to build up behind the wall though. So should I attempt the foam rock wall or just leave the black back as is...

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

[marinelife]

I vote for Foam Rock Wall!!!
No dirt should get behind it at all.
I will be watching for pictures

[satch12]

the thing is though i have a few holes in my back ground now and think that crap will get back between it. i dont know i might just be over reacting.

[marinelife]

over reacting

[satch12]

over reacting

alright thats kinda what i figured. well i'll probably start that once i get some black pond foam.

[marinelife]

Amster on DaytonReef had some for sale. Or many people have been using Great Stuff foam from Lowe's/Home Depot with great results. I have a can I am going to use near the bottom of my tank.

[satch12]

yea i was origanlly going to use Great Stuff and might still use it i just like the black look. but its more expensive. I'm going to incorporate rock, sand and crushed coral into the wall and hope it looks "natural"

[Cloran]

I think Home depot also sells the pond stuff. Its like $11 a can, thou. You can get black silicon to cover the great stuff.

[marinelife]

Ryan if you do find the pond stuff at HD let me know I may want some.

[satch12]

yea im surprised if HD carries it but i'll go check it out. i should only need one can. i also need to get the epoxy resin. Not sure if HD or lowes would have the right stuff.

[marinelife]

I do not think HD or Lowes has the resin, but if not check that boat place over by Little York.

[satch12]

well i just asked over at RC if this resin i found at HD will work. I'm hoping it will it looks like it will to but not sure.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100371835&N=10000003+90237

[marinelife]

link no work, what is it called?

[satch12]

it works for me the guys over on RC said the same thing


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Product Reviews 2 x 8 Fl. Oz. Professional Job Size Epoxy, Loctite

Model 01-06824-01

$14.97/Each



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-Product shown is normally carried at your local store; availability may vary.

-Local store prices may vary from those displayed.
Description Specifications Product Reviews Warranty Description
This epoxy is a water-resistant, permanent two component adhesive for use on projects that require the highest bonding strength. This product is resistant to solvents, moisture and impact. It can be used on most common materials such as wood, metal, glass etc. This product is sandable and paintable. The product comes with a convenient dual syringe that allows precise mixture of resin and hardener. The epoxy starts to develop its superior strength after 5 minutes.

Can be used on most common materials
Begins to develop its superior strength after only 5 minutes
Bonded objects can be moved after 20 minutes
Full cure in 24 hours
Comes with convenient dual syringe—allows for a precise 1:1 mixture of resin and hardener
Resistant to water, solvents, moisture, and impact
Permanent bond
MFG Model # : 01-06824-01
MFG Part # : 01-06824-01

[marinelife]

hmm, not sure why I can not see it. Looks good to me, that are you using it for?

[satch12]

I'm going to cover the wall with it and sand and crushed coral. it keeps fish from picking at the foam and possibly eating the foam. Also people say that the foam might react with UV light so I'm doing it just as a percaution. and it looks better

[marinelife]

sweet, get on it so I can see how it turns out to see if I want to try it.

[satch12]

dude i dont have money right now for it should have some soon hopefully with a new job. I also might try to squeez some out of the better half so i can do this project sooner

[marinelife]

hehe, jobs help

[satch12]

yes yes they do lol.

[NORTHDIXIEREEF]

satch12 , I know you like ora's frags. I also know your not ready but I just got a update of a new release coral. It is a JOE'S coral. If you get a chance stop by and check out the pic. Thanks

[satch12]

yea i'll swing by for sure maybe tomorrow with ed.

[marinelife]

Were is Ed anyways??

[satch12]

computers, not really his thing

[marinelife]

he needs to be here so we can see what he has.

[satch12]

well i got some of the stand built today and will hopefully finish it on tuesday depending on Reefjunky.

i'll post some pics of the stand and the drilled tank tomorrow.

[marinelife]

I will be waiting!

[satch12]

ok here are some pics of the stand and tank the stand is far from done and still need to start on the canopy and the foam rock wall.

[marinelife]

looking good, off to a good start!

[Reef Junky]

what happened u never called to say one way or the other. last i heard u said you werent working on it. looks good man let me know if you want me to swing by.

[satch12]

yea sorry man i sent you a text that i wasnt going to be able to work on it that day dad had UD tickets so we went to that.

i will still need your help and was going to see if i could barrow your nail/staple gun to attach the playwood to the outside

[Reef Junky]

no problem let me know it's sitting here collecting dust. when we doin it?

[satch12]

not sure man i have exams next week and with starting the new job its hard to find time. i'll let you know

[Reef Junky]

cool good luck w exams

[satch12]

alright so i decided to scratch the rock wall not sure how i feel about using some of those epoxies in my tank, unless eric wants to let me use some of whta he has left over. lol. the stand is almost done just need to add another coat of stain and that will be all done, still need to do the canopy but should be able to bust that out pretty quick.

i will post pics here in just a bit of the stand.
since im not doing the rock wall anymore if anyone has any LR for sale shoot me a PM cuz all i had was rubble for the most part and now thats going in my sump.

[marinelife]

ahh what fun are you, If I have some left I will give you a deal. Just pick the right epoxy and you are ok. Skippers is close to you and has safe epoxy.

[satch12]

yea i dont want to pay more than like 15 bucks for any epoxyand what and where is skippers

[satch12]

here are some pics of the stand

[marinelife]

looking good

[satch12]

last coat is on now just gotta wait for it to dry then it should be in my room by tonight or tomorrow some time

[marinelife]

Skippers Boat supply in Vandalia, but you will pay more. I guess I am gonna epoxy over my foam when I start that part of mt project.

[satch12]

here's a pic of the stand completed just need to do canopy which i will start on tonight after work. im still debating on rock wall though.

let me know what you guys think i should do rock wall or no rock wall???

[marinelife]

Looks good and yes rock wall!!!!

[Reef Junky]

yes rock wall. stand looks great. can't wait to see this up and running

[marinelife]

me too, get this running!!!

[marinelife]

So you doing the rock wall!!

[satch12]

yep the rock wall is foamed and zip tied just need to put the epoxy and sand on it and i made a bonsai inspired island peice thats pretty cool looking IMO will post pics in just a bit.

[marinelife]

ok, waiting on pixs

[satch12]

here ya go... do you guys think i can cover up the gray putty with epoxy and sand??? Also the epoxy i bought isnt going to work it cant be underwater for long period of times. so now i need to go get some other kind of epoxy, (eric if you have any extra that would be awesome) but i might have to order it off line unless you guys know of a hobby shob that carries bob smith epoxy???

[marinelife]

West Systems at Skippers man I tell you that is what you need.

Looks good!!

[Cloran]

I did something like that to a frog tank I sold at one point.

[satch12]

about how much is that west systems epoxy???

[satch12]

i found one for 35 online but doesnt come with hardener and thats another 17 bucks.

[Reef Junky]

that will be sweet once you get some coraline on it!

[marinelife]

Just stop by hes has other kinds and smaller sizes!

[satch12]

alright i might have to do that tonight

[marinelife]

open until 6 I think, you will find something to use there for sure. I need to stop and get more for my rock wall.

[marinelife]

So now when you worked with the foam did you just spray it on or could you working it so it is not so bumpy? Some of mine is going to be on the bottom and I wonder if I could smooth it out to make a flat surface.

[satch12]

alright so i covered the rock wall yesterday with epoxy and sand i am going to have to go back and touch up with some more epoxy and sand tonight i am really hopping that the sand will stay on the foam and not fall off. greg(reefjunky) gave me a hand with some of the canopy too need to skin it, paint, and stain it still.

[marinelife]

Keep me updated on this as I hope to start soon.

How is it to work with, see post above.

[NORTHDIXIEREEF]

I do not belive it, you mean there might be water in it this year?

Glad to hear to have the wall done. Hope it works out for you. By bthe way i got the hawaiin sunset rock in, its almost like shelf rock but with some colors. And it is selling quick.

Thanks,dodd

[marinelife]

Sounds like nice rock, if there is any left I will check it out tomorrow.

Water this year forsale next year! :D:kneelsuckers:

[satch12]

you can cut it flat once its done drying. i dont know how well it would turn out if you try to flatten it i dont know about the foam you have but GS is super stickey and would of been hard to flatten down.

got some sad news depending on how you take it. i decided to scrathch the rock wall i just dont feel comfortable with putting in a reef system i just think in the long run there will be problems sorry to dissapoint.

I'm going with the more bonsai inspired rock scape inspired by this guys


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11540863

[marinelife]

What problems do you think you will have with the rock wall?

[satch12]

the sand coming off of it that epoxy isnt meant to be an adhesive and i just dont feel comfortable with the GS in my tank either.

[marinelife]

I see, Did you let is harden all the way? I have Handi Foam that is used for ponds. It is claimed to be safe. I have not heard of anyone having issues with it.

[NORTHDIXIEREEF]

Blame it on reefer3737, he talked him out of the whole rock wall idea.

[satch12]

if i would of used the pond stuff i wouldnt be that worried then agian i might still worry about the saltwater breaking it down since its made for fresh but then agian i could just be over reacting but im just not comfortable with it in my tank... it wasnt entirely reefer's fault Dodd was a part of it too...lol j/k i was never sure if i wanted it from the start.

[marinelife]

:bsflag:

Nothing wrong with the GF foam, many have used it, what is reefer3737 thoughts on this, way saying no?

[satch12]

i know but it has just been recent that people started using GS and really no one has any long term experience...this is just all my opinion though so take it with a grain of salt if you want, i just dont feel comfortable with it in MY tank.

[Cloran]

What foam are you talking about? Great Stuff? If so, it has to be covered up or it will break down in water.

[satch12]

great stuff i covered it in west system marine epoxy but just dont like the idea of it anymore

[Cloran]

As long as you can't see any GS you'll be fine. I did a freshie like that, except I covered it in black silicon. You should be okay, as long as you followed the direction with the epoxy. I used to have an email from GS stated the water properties of it.

[satch12]

yea fresh i would feel a lil more cofortable. salt is one of the most corrosive substance and plus the light you have over reef tanks is a lot more intense than most fresh unless you have a really nice planted tank. Hey if all those people that made rock walls for their reef tank and everything goes well more power to them I just dont like the idea of having it in my tank. I hope that in the long run people find that it is fine in saltwater and im proven wrong i love the idea its really cool and would be perfect for nano tanks that dont have much room to scape but until someone that has had it in thier reef system for a few years and says there were never any problems then i might try it agian on another tank, till then no rock wall in my tank sorry guys.

[marinelife]

What fun is that

[satch12]

i think you'll like my scape that i have going on.

[marinelife]

Maybe yeah

[satch12]

lol well i like it at least you got a PM ^

[marinelife]

Rock Wall!!

[satch12]

bite me!!!!

[marinelife]

All I have to say is thanks for giving me a reason to use some of our cool smilies

[satch12]

glad i could help lol

[marinelife]

:thanks:

[satch12]

here is a little update pic not much

[marinelife]

I miss the rock wall :(

[satch12]

what ya going to do... lol

[Reef Junky]

hows the canopy comming?

[satch12]

not to bad still havent decided on how im going to do the front door. right now i have it slide in and out of place. and waiting for dad to bring home the fans from his work

[Reef Junky]

pics!!!!!

[satch12]

here you can kinda see how i have the front panel slide down as my door. i dont really want to keep it this way but it will do for now. I'm not that happy with it but like i said it will do for now until after the holidays when i get some more time and money to make a better one.

any thoughts/comments/input is greatly appreciated

[marinelife]

Looks good so far!!

[Reef Junky]

y didnt u just hindge the front with a piano hindge hiden by the top molding?

[satch12]

the front peice wouldnt lay flat since its so thin

[satch12]

here are a few shots of the sump area i am going with the duplex system style with the cryptic zone. and i plan on eventually getting an ASM skimmer to put in there thats why there is a big open space on the right. until then my prizm will have to do might not even get the ASM cuz the prizm does a pretty good job IMO. we'll have to see

[satch12]

ok so everything is plumbed and its starting to fill right now with RO.

[satch12]

so i woke up this morning to find out that my nano has a leak in it some where on the bottom so eric im right there with you on the whole part. this sucks hard. i had everything running last night and now this. its a real slow leak so it makes it that much harder to find. what i thinkk i am going to do is just silicone the whole bottom on the outside and hope that works anyone see a problem with that not working

[marinelife]

Yeah welcome to my world, I am gonna rework my tanks bottom section to fix it. Silicone the tank is your best option

[satch12]

ok so now its not leaking its been sitting on a towel all day and the towel is dry so now i dont know whats going on

[marinelife]

That is odd, again welcome to my world!! that is how my tank is doing!

[satch12]

well there is no leak. everything is filled and has been running for 2 days now. hoping to get a sandwhich bag's worth of sand from greg and eric here soon to help seed my tank. I need to get the salinity up a tad bit but its not to far off.

[marinelife]

Yeah Friday has come and gone!! :)

[satch12]

yea i know i ran into what i thought was a leak, but everything is fine now i might call you tomorrow once i get off work if that is ok with you...

[marinelife]

well maybe!!

[satch12]

here's a few updated shots nothing in it yet. and a shot of my duplex sump

[marinelife]

Not bad looking at all!

[satch12]

thanks... still need to work out a few things but its getting there

[satch12]

ok so i figured i would update this a bit, seeing how its almost been a year. pics will soon follow. I added a little more live rock and a closed loop system with a mag 12 hooked up to a SCWD. I took the one that i was using on my return off because with only a mag 5 on it, it didnt do much. with the new mag 12 though there is a lot of flow now its great i love that SCWD other than it makes a bit of noise.

A couple of weeks ago i ran into a huge problem where my heater went on the fritz and heated my sump up over 100 degrees Fahrenheit fried almost all of the cheato and killed all the copepodes. The main tank got to about 98 Fahrenheit and i lost a blood shrimp, a frogspawn, and two sp. of acro, I also lost my beloved pygmy angel. Everything is doing better now I still dont have the pod population that i once had and would like to have, but time will/hopefully take care of that. Many of the corals bleached during this event but they are all showing signs of coloring up nicely now that its been about 3 weeks. I got a new heater and a new return pump in there and everything like i said before is doing better, other than my damsel is super timid now that she doesn't have a buddy to swim around with.

Also if anyone has a few extra pods in their sump I would love to repopulate my system asap.Thanks in advance.


Stock list as of today:

1-yellow tail damsel
1-ORA cali tort
1-large toadstool(with many red feather worms on the underside of the rock)
a few different types of zoos(pink, green and purple, bright green, and some bright green and bluish).
1-ORA pearl berry (my fave by far)
5-astrea snails
2-monti digis one red and one bluish green
1-Acropora milli (varying colors through out the single specimen)
2-little green toadstools
2-birdsnest different species

What I plan to add:

-i have to have my bloodred shrimp back
-a twin spot goby
-many other sp. of acro, montis, pocis, ect. If anyone has anything to frag for super cheap/free let me know please.


Thanks,
Ryan

[marinelife]

I can give you AEFWs for free.

[satch12]

no thanks I like my acros. lol

[marinelife]

Well I tried!