BowieReefer84

I’m going to use the 100gal stock tank as a sump directly behind tank. With that setup I did the plumbing pretty easy. I’m gonna run the old sump as another tank in the system and can plumb that in after stock tank in place. I’ll trim the full siphon right below waterline once it’s all setup. I left it long for now. I’m just gonna run one return line. I capped the other one off of I ever feel like using it in future. I may plumb the UV through it independently. Would also give me a backup return from sump if either one were to fail.

One layer of vinyl still had transparency. Luckily the piece I ordered was 10’ long. This is two layers of oracle 651 in deep sea blue. Now I can finish plumbing overflow and adding water. Not too much left to go. The front left gap in rocks is where my clam will go.

I’m tapped out. The acrylic paint I bought was NOT working well. Now I’m waiting on some vinyl to arrive. Hoping 3rd times the charm.

Google “negative space aquascape.” Bust up your rocks with a hammer. Get some foundation Marco rock for the base. Use liquid super glue and Marco powder plus some epoxy or Marco mortar. The BRS NSA is one of the nicest I used as inspiration. I kept watching videos and looking at photos online. I have about 32oz of liquid super glue plus the e Marco mortar holding this together. It’s 3 pieces that are easily moveable. This is going in a 120. Put in the effort now because you won’t want to redo this once it’s wet.

Frosted won’t work. Plumbing shows right through. Oh well. Now I have to paint back.

I pulled the black vinyl off. I’m putting frosted white vinyl on back this time. Used some suction cups and two buddies and it went quite smooth. I’ll start filling it tomorrow. I really want to keep it bare bottom this time for simplicity. I have purple 1/2” insul underneath. I wish it was only 1/4” to get things to line up better but it worked. It came with some thin black foam but it wasn’t cut quite square and I didn’t want the bottom black

I had sent you a PM. I got some dry rock from you a few years back. Check your messages and text me. Thanks!

I drip kalk 24/7 and still need to supplement with about 50ml of AFR a day in my system.

One tip would be do an icp test on brand new mixed saltwater. It will give you a good baseline. I was having issues and turned out the salt I was using at the time was the culprit.

My 120gal tank is coming Friday. It’s only liftgate service so assuming it will be in driveway or garage if I’m lucky. Is anyone around Ellicott City that can help move down 6 steps into lower level and put on stand. Or anyone local with suction cups I can borrow? I did the move last time with just one friend. Ideally this time it would be 4 guys. thanks

I’m not sure. It’s coming from CA. I have shipping info but no eta yet. It’s going to need delivery acceptance and scheduling. It’s coming freight.

It’s two pieces I can move individually relatively easily. Each side is one piece and they cross over.

I went through a ton more glue. I’m calling it done.

I basically setup the stock tank next to stand and ran the dosers/pumps/heaters right into stock tank. Everything is doing well. If you click images below it should take you to more of my Flickr photos. I just can’t use my weight bench for the time being. one thing. My nitrates are 16 now. They were under 3-4 before. I think no skimmer hurting. Depending when this new tank comes I may do a water change.

I’m going to plumb in the 100gal stock tank and all my current rock will remain in system. I’ll just be adding this new rock as well and hoping for the best.

Ordered a bunch of Marco rock, foundation rocks, Marco powder, and liquid super glue/activator to start fresh with a negative space aquascape when the new tank arrives. I busted up the pieces of rock to get smaller pieces. I started today and got pretty far before running out of glue. Will add more branches when more glue I’m quite happy so far. I need to add some front to back branches and get it a little higher.

120 leaked. New 120 on the way. Also ordered a bunch of new Marco rock 40lb and 5 different size foundation pieces to do a new negative space aquscape. The foundation pieces are super nice. Having them laser flat on bottom should make the scape look really good. I am going to go with the thinnest layer possible of crushed coral to simply cover bottom glass after rocks are in. Going to use 100gal brute for sump so I’ll keep all my current rock in system as well. right now everything is in a 100gal stock tank doing surprisingly well.

Love the acantho. Those are awesome.

SCA ordered!

Sent a message. Also laurel glass is nice to deal with. I bought a custom mirror from them once for a bathroom and they were very easy to buy from. also fwiw I used poly in a 40 breeder I silicone in with rtv or whatever and it’s been perfect.

You doing water changes? What salt? You test newly mixed to see if that’s helping or hurting?

I know Jeff passed away but he used to build tanks. Also there was a local acrylic builder. I think his name was Adam. I’m probably going to end up getting the SC from empire-USA. It’ll be a direct swap for my current tank overflow etc. I called and they answered and seemed pretty solid. Said they had a delivery coming in this week to restock the 120 inventory. Shipping only $100 for residential delivery.

Nothing local anymore?

Are there any local glass or acrylic tank builders anymore? Looking at SC via empire-USA but weighing other options. I need a 120 drilled for ghost overflow.