My 10g Reef

Well today I received my rock in the mail. At least I know I can't be the only person who ever got excited about getting rocks in the mail. However, since I was at work nosy coworkers had to ask me what was in the box. I got some pretty confused looks when I told them rocks. I also got a small tube of epoxy. I have been spending the last few hours trying to come up with a rock work scene that I like. I don't have anything epoxied because I am just messing right trying different things.

One thing I am trying is that I was thinking to add a layer of plastic canvas on the bottom of the tank. It helps make sure the rocks are in place by giving me a some what non slip surface as the rough rocks get hung on the canvas easy. It also keeps the rock from making direct contact with the glass. I makes me feel better as well. I will probably put a 1" layer of live sand or so in the bottom of the tank later so it will cover the canvas. There is a pic of the canvas in the tank after I cut it to size as I was test fitting it. I don't think it was laying totally flat in the pic so it looks off but I assure you they are straight and do lay flat.

I also have plans for something else later with plastic canvas but I need to wait till I get everything in the tank. Then I will be able to see what space is available for what I want to do.

The rock scape I attached isn't what will be in the tank for three reasons... First, I was test building and I had to disassemble it to move it to the tank and well, that didn't work too well. Secondly, I didn't realize before but the angle of the tank when you are reaching to put rocks in looks way different than what you see from the front and at distance. So in short building a nice scape is hard just because it is in a glass box. Anyway I have played with the rocks as much as I can tonight and I think I will get some sleep now.

 

I bet you did have some confused co-workers lol. I can't wait to see the rocks in your tank

 

Well I think this is the set up I am going to end up doing. I broke one of the bigger rocks up a bit and still used a big portion on making the cave. Then I finished it with rubble pieces. I think with a shallow sand bed it should end up looking pretty good. I think anyway. I also have small rubble pieces left I can put a few places in the sand in the big empty areas but it will depend on how it looks with the sand. I may just leave it be. I wanted to give myself a nice structure for corals and have plenty of room for them to grow in. After I get the FOWLR stable.

I still need to epoxy the cave pieces together. That way, I don't have to worry about it ever falling even though it is pretty sturdy. I think I'm just paranoid because it's 12 pieces, I think.

I'm stating to think about live stock for this tank. This will be slow introduction.

I'm thinking I would start with a Ocellaris Clownfish and see how it goes when I finally add a fish. I however I think I have this idea for a pod farm and will have Macroalgae in the tank growing as well. I realize the tank is slightly small for a clown but I left plenty of room and if I ever feel it is restricted I will take it to the LFS. In the end some would say this would be overstocking but I also want 2 Red Spotted Goby introduced together. Anyway none of this can occur until I get my lights. I called Aquatraders again and realized that I was mistaken before. The lady told me she was mailing me a return label for the light fixture and then when I drop it off they will know some how and just send out the correct fixture. I thought the label was coming by email so that is why I was so antsy.

Ah well I will get to t he epoxy later I think I am going to take a break for a while and play some Star Wars the Old Republic for a bit or take a nap.

 

I can't decide if I like the last build or this one. I also have about 4 lbs of rubble I can still goof with but I am pretty sure I am going to keep the cave at least. I apparently have plenty of time to scape with these rocks because I have to wait till Tuesday at least to get my return label for my lights... so that would mean it could take another week or two before I get them. Other than that I am just waiting on the powerheads and filter. Everything else is in. I could go to the LFS pick up some sand, ro/di water and some salt and start the cycle in a day or two. I could and then just rig a light for a fowlr tank above it until the others come in. Might get me through the cycle.

Anyway without further a due... the new scape. I think i like it but I'm still deciding.

 

I really like the cave.

 

Changed my mind again... I hope for the better. I like this one. I just kind of built it and I think I'm going to run with it. I also lashed the two pieces of canvas together so prevent them from separating. This also increased the stability of the build. I can't wait. I want to get everything set up and start the cycle. I'm going to put in some live sand and a small piece of live rock in after I fill it. Interested to see how the sand fairs with all the water circulation I will have going on.

 

I like that scape. It seems more "open" then the last one you had designed. It is hard finding something that you like though. I still don't like mine. I need to order some rock though.

 

I'll be along for the ride. I like that scape with the cave! but like stick said that's a pretty nice one with the openness.

 

What I decided this time was functionality. I was trying to balance that cave effect for the fish and still give plenty of surface area to place small frags later. I will rinse all of this out and epoxy the smaller stuff to make sure it is stable before I fill it. I received my power heads today but I been feeling a bit under the weather so I rested most of the day. I am looking forward to getting everything together and starting my cycle maybe next weekend. If everything goes according to plan.

 

can't wait. hope you feel better!