Suggestions for a 110 build

I have a few things here to say...

1st- look into acrylic rods for your build instead of PVC. They blend in better. Not saying that should be your go to thing, but at least check it out.

2nd- I love the idea with your type of rock / rock work. I'm not artistic enough for that. Haha. I'm not sure if your area has a good LFS that sells that type of rock. Your best bet would be to order it online. Check the club sponsor banners at the top of the web page. This part will cost you, so might be a great opportunity to order it cheaper then normal online this "Cyber Monday"

3rd- start a build thread. Would be cool to follow your build as you go along. Interested in seeing this rock work. And it's a great way to get more advice as you go along.

 

Build it outside of your tank first. Use cardboard to simulate the back & sides of the tank.

Epoxy rocks together with a good marine grade epoxy. 6ten epoxy by West Epoxy is incredible for this. Usually the rock will break before the glue joint.

 

Where can u get this epoxy from?

 

How long does it take this epoxy to cure? Any ill side effects ever reported?

 

Marco Rock sells a cement for aqua scaping also.

 

E-Marco-400

 

Isn't this what @CoralHaven used for the rockscape meeting?

 

Yes sir. I feel I was ever gonna start a tank again I would buy all dry rock and that cement and do it outside tank on some card board.
Right now I use 2 little fishes epoxy to hold rocks in place once they are set. I use the coral in colored stick. I use it to mount frags also.
If I use 1 whole stick or more my skimmer goes crazy for about an hour but otherwise no other side effects.

 

Two Little Fishies AquaStik Underwater Epoxy Putty - Bulk Reef Supply

 

Using tubes of that is unrealistic. If you want to do a large rock scape, you will pay out the *** for that. It's like buying aquarium silicone, when there is silicone at Home Depot that is just as safe and half the price. The best I herd so far is that Six10 epoxy. Just need to do more research on it. I'm sick of seeing products at fish stores that are the same thing you can buy half the price at any home improvement stores. Don't get me wrong Coral Haven maybe a nice store, but why pay all this money for epoxy "sticks" when your already gonna spend an arm and leg on your rock?

 

Number one. I don't buy it at coral haven. And I don't do the whole scape with it. It is just what I use to hold a few rocks together when tank is full of water . I also use it to mount frags. And after a few month no mater what you use. It will be covered on coral in and go unnoticed.

 

Dendro was talking about using it for his idea on his rock scape. My comment was geared towards his set up, not yours. However I agree with using the tubes in your case. Just not his. It's not cost effective. After he is done with his main scape, then yes that would work perfectly. Just didn't want people telling this person that those tubes are the best when there are many other cheaper options then Fish Store Brands. I also use the tubes my self for small things like frags, but not in a major rock scape project.

 

I agree with you. That's why I only posted the link to Marco rock stuff. But ray was asking about if the Marco rock stuff was the stuff that CH used to do their display scape.

 

This is actually all good advice for any rock-scaping tank build.

 

6ten I buy online, amazon or other places. West systems has long been used in aquarium applications.

It is a plastic epoxy, so should be reef safe. I have not had any ill affects.

I cut rocks and epoxy them to the back glass with it, and epoxy rocks together with it. Strongest epoxy I have ever seen. I tried getting a rock off the glass with it, and ended up breaking the rock into pieces before it finally let go of the glass. So make sure everything is where you want it, because it wont be moving when you are done. Which is really what you want as you dont want land slides once the tank is full and you have corals added.

 

What are the dimensions and what do you plan on keeping?

 

I am gonna have to try this out. Sounds like some good stuff. Does it put off a lot of fumes?

 

not much at all. Better eat your wheaties though because if you do alot your arms will be jelly. Takes alot of effort to squeeze it out of the gun.