tidalsculpin Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Man that looks like fun! Wish I was out there with ya pickin up pieces of 300 million year old reefs today. Your build is truly a pleasure to watch evolve. I can't wait to see how you put those pieces together. I am sure it will be fun and a challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Looks like fun Curtis! Must be nice to pick up "ocean" sand and rock while staying completely dry! That does look like it will be some nice looking material for your aquascaping - can't wait so see that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hee! So, you can just go and get free rock and sand? Wow! Where exactly is this? May have to plan a little trip some day, and pick up some stuff for future tank redecorating! Nice pieces you got there! Looking forward to seeing it all come together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 That is feakin rad! I am going to have to get you to hall a bunch of that rock my direction lol. Pretty nice looking stuff and will seed up real well! Before you know it, you will not be able to even tell the difference between it and live rock out of the ocean(since it is really out of the ocean anyway lol). Crazy crazy cool to have that kind of access. Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Nice rocks! Can't beat free! You could have used window tint on the sides and it would peel right off if you don't want it there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Joel, I wish you were right along side me out there collecting rock. It is pretty cool to see an ancient reef on the ground, especially so far inland. I almost feel like I am giving the rock a new shot at life, allowing it to fulfill it's destiny once again. It does make the build more meaningful to me when I go out and collect my own rock and sand. Shawn, the aquascaping is coming along....kinda. I washed all the sand and had it in yesterday, and had about 3" of water in the tank. Today I washed all the rock and got it in the tank, but it isn't exactly how I want it. I still have a bunch of rock just sitting in the sand bed with no home yet. I may have to break some of the rock up since the pieces are so big. Susanne, yes you just go out and collect free rock and sand. The sand is easy to get and is great stuff. It is SUPER fine, oolitic sand, as you can see in the pics. Made of calcium carbonate, with no silica, woohoo! The rock is extremely difficult to find. We drove around all day and found nothing. Finally we drove up this rough as heck road and way back where nobody had been for a long time, well we made our own road too, and there was a bunch, a gold mine...I really think it hasn't been picked through because of how hard it was to get back there. If you plan a trip make sure you have a 4x4, and I will show you exactly where to go. Garrett, it is so cool to have this kind of access. I dont think I will be going your way, but if you get my way, I could hook you up with the spot and you could easily get a full truckload of rock. And you got a place to stay! Miles, I know I could have used window tint. Shawn (albertareef) had already mentioned that to me, but I dont mind the paint. I get tired of having backing fall off, and the cheap window tint isn't too much better. I dont know if my way was best, but it shouldn't be too hard to remove when it comes time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Ahh i must have missed it. My tank has tint on the back. 2 years and there isn't a single spot that is falling off FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 He didn't post the suggestion here, he told me in person. Of course I didn't listen because I thought it would fall off, heinsight is 20/20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 So I got the tank up and running, but still have a bunch of work to do with the rock. The canister filter was leaking so I just stuck it in the tank for now to clear up the water. The rocks under the canister will form anemone island. The rocks in the middle will most likely just go in the sump. Basically the structure on the right stays, and the structure on the left stays, but i am having troubles getting the open look I want. The left side needs to open up between the rocks and I cant seem to get it to do so. I am willing to shift rocks around in any way, so if you have an idea lets hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Looks like the rocks might be a bit too big for what you want to do. Can you get/make (hammer & chisel?) smaller ones then build a framework for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Yah smaller rocks for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 +3 Echo!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 He didn't post the suggestion here' date=' he told me in person. Of course I didn't listen because I thought it would fall off, heinsight is 20/20[/quote'] (laugh) Hey Curtis, no worries man, I'm used to people not listening to me Glad the paint plan is working out. That rock work is going to be awesome. You really did get some nice pieces - hope you can figure out how to get the look you want for that smaller island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 the plan is to break up rock tomorrow. i want to keep the larger piece in the back on the right. it is behind another piece in the pic, but it will be an amazing piece for corals to grow from. i want the "c" shape on the right to be cascading down as it comes toward the front of the tank. i may put the large flat piece on the left and break up those rocks some more. i really want the shelf look, with lots of open space and arches. it will take some work, but will be done... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerv503 Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Awesome tank, i'm so jealous!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share Posted June 14, 2009 Thanks for the complement tigerv503. Here is a new shot. Redid aquascaping. It looks better, but I am still not completely satisfied with it. I have about 50lb of figi premium coming, hopefully that dresses it up a little. I am thinking of adding another arch across the back, and just making it a giant u shape. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 looking good. Can't wait for corals to be in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 thanks. it will be a while. i am being patient and taking my time...or at least trying to. i still have to get the RDSB hooked up and the 100g sump plumbed in before i am ready to connect to the 72g system. i still have to seed the RDSB too. i have a couple small pieces of live rock in there now, but the fiji pieces i add should help. still have to get the pump too. lots of stuff before corals get in there, but yes i am excited about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefaquarist Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 where the hell did you get boulders from? mr slate from the flinstones? (whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Snowpunk has several pumps. Might not hurt to hit him up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 shawn, yes that is where i got them, and apparently where you got your car too. (enforcer) CA2OR, I think I have the pump figured out. I am getting one from Briefcase, Kevin. It has to be a major pump since it is pumping about 14' of head at 1500gph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 that sounds like it should work. It was just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefaquarist Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 shawn, yes that is where i got them, and apparently where you got your car too. (enforcer) CA2OR, I think I have the pump figured out. I am getting one from Briefcase, Kevin. It has to be a major pump since it is pumping about 14' of head at 1500gph. ehh(sad) got me(laugh). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I really like the rock setup and the size of the rock. If you lived in Eugene I would totally let you aquascape my tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 Zoolander: I kindof did your rockwork. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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