Live Scaping

abtridge · 01/15/2008, 02:59 PM

Hi there,

I am building my first reef tank currently in a 40 breeder set up. I wanted something not too big for my first reef but something still decent enough size to be not a nano reef and a tank with the deep demensions (which is why I didn't do a 55. I have had all fish set ups for a while and want to venture into the world of reef. One thing I have been reading about is live scaping. The idea around it I guess is to build framework out of PVC piping and then attach the live rock to this framework and then the corals to the live rock. It also would allow me to hide the powerheads and drill tiny holes throughout the pvc framework to allow the current to get into the caves and crevices. I guess what has to happen is connecting the live rock pieces to pvc pipe and then fitting these pieces into the framing via pre drilled holes. This basically makes the entire tank into one giant reef-puzzle. I have only read about this while setting up my plan to build my tank but was wondering what ppl thought about it. Does it seem like it would work and be convenient (i.e. cleaning purposes, reef structure stability, etc...) Also has anyone tried it and how did it go? Please help with any ideas you may have as this will be my first reef and I would hate to mess it up as far as aquascaping goes.

joeychitwood · 01/15/2008, 03:14 PM

There have been many threads on structural frames of PVC for the live rock structures. Some have run powerheads directly into the tubing with holes drilled in the framework to insure flow throughout the LR.

People have glued the structures together with epoxies, used drilled holes and acrylic dowels or zip ties to contruct the structures. Do a search of RC for threads and photos.

lhoy · 01/15/2008, 03:28 PM

I used acrylic rod and found it much easier than ziptying the rock to PVC. I used 1/2 rod but I had some big rock. I mounted the 1/2 rod to 3/8" acrylic sheet cut into 1' X 1'. You can see some pics in my thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1283442

For a tank your size, use maybe 3/8" rod or 1/4" rod, get a masonry bit and drill the rock. You can make some wicked pillars, overhangs, etc.

Lee

abtridge · 01/15/2008, 06:41 PM

wow lee nice tank. any advise for someone who is doin first reef. what kind of ideas are there for keeping the nitrate down. in my aggresive tank i cant get it below like 40(ish) ppm. part of me thinks its cuz of the bioload they put in the tank being heavy eaters but im worried about that lvl in a reef. think its the fish in my tank now or could it be somethin else that i should plan for in the reef?

Snowboarda42 · 01/15/2008, 06:48 PM

Here's what I used on mine:

I used a masonry drill bit to drill holes through the rock and stacked it on the rods.

01/15/2008, 02:59 PM	#1
abtridge Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2	Live Scaping Hi there, I am building my first reef tank currently in a 40 breeder set up. I wanted something not too big for my first reef but something still decent enough size to be not a nano reef and a tank with the deep demensions (which is why I didn't do a 55. I have had all fish set ups for a while and want to venture into the world of reef. One thing I have been reading about is live scaping. The idea around it I guess is to build framework out of PVC piping and then attach the live rock to this framework and then the corals to the live rock. It also would allow me to hide the powerheads and drill tiny holes throughout the pvc framework to allow the current to get into the caves and crevices. I guess what has to happen is connecting the live rock pieces to pvc pipe and then fitting these pieces into the framing via pre drilled holes. This basically makes the entire tank into one giant reef-puzzle. I have only read about this while setting up my plan to build my tank but was wondering what ppl thought about it. Does it seem like it would work and be convenient (i.e. cleaning purposes, reef structure stability, etc...) Also has anyone tried it and how did it go? Please help with any ideas you may have as this will be my first reef and I would hate to mess it up as far as aquascaping goes.

01/15/2008, 03:28 PM	#3
lhoy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 431	I used acrylic rod and found it much easier than ziptying the rock to PVC. I used 1/2 rod but I had some big rock. I mounted the 1/2 rod to 3/8" acrylic sheet cut into 1' X 1'. You can see some pics in my thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1283442 For a tank your size, use maybe 3/8" rod or 1/4" rod, get a masonry bit and drill the rock. You can make some wicked pillars, overhangs, etc. Lee __________________ I'm not A.D.D., I'm just . . . Hey look, a Squirrel! Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon Current Solana, (2) Tunze Nanostreams 6025, (1) Koralia Nano, Current Outer Orbit 150 Watt X 2 65 Watt PC, Current Prime 1/10th Chiller, Soon to be upgraded Skimmer

01/15/2008, 06:48 PM	#5
Snowboarda42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 1,094	Here's what I used on mine: I used a masonry drill bit to drill holes through the rock and stacked it on the rods. __________________ 40B Mixed Reef 100% Captive Grown Corals See, that's the trouble with the world today. Not enough danger to kill off stupid people before they get old enough to breed. Bring back lawn darts! -PrivateJoker64 Current Tank Info: 40B, 20L Sump/Fuge, Mag 9.5 Return, 2x Hydor Koralia #2's, 150W 14K HQI, 139W T-5, Euro-Reef RS-80P Mesh Modded, 40LB LR, 80LB LS, 54x Turnover, Mostly SPS, Some Softys Too.

01/15/2008, 03:14 PM	#2
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	There have been many threads on structural frames of PVC for the live rock structures. Some have run powerheads directly into the tubing with holes drilled in the framework to insure flow throughout the LR. People have glued the structures together with epoxies, used drilled holes and acrylic dowels or zip ties to contruct the structures. Do a search of RC for threads and photos.

01/15/2008, 06:41 PM	#4
abtridge Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2	wow lee nice tank. any advise for someone who is doin first reef. what kind of ideas are there for keeping the nitrate down. in my aggresive tank i cant get it below like 40(ish) ppm. part of me thinks its cuz of the bioload they put in the tank being heavy eaters but im worried about that lvl in a reef. think its the fish in my tank now or could it be somethin else that i should plan for in the reef?