My first aqua scape

[stoned-reefer83]

So this past February I decided to start my first saltwater tank. Bad things happened rather quickly, I lost fish, coral, and an anenome. This was my own fault because I got to much, to fast and wasn't very educated in the hobby. I might add that all this happened in a 10 gallon aquarium. (Remember I wasn't very familiar with things) but still hopeful, I've tried to keep it running. It's been difficult to keep them water chemistry in check...I am now OVER IT! It's a constant battle to keep my ph in line while combating high alkalinity. Phosphates always on the rise, no matter what I do. I have been advised several times that a smaller tank is harder to care for than a larger system. So.....I'm taking everyone's advise. I finally started to build my 75 gallon I've had sitting for 5 months. I'm probably still about 2 months away before I start my cycle, but I'm looking forward to it! I have spent the past week
Planning and playing with my rock until I finally come up with an aqua scape I am in love with. I plan on taking it slow this, being patient and have learned to trust the process. I will keep everyone posted on my build that would like to see my process. I am also open to suggestions on things you all might have.

 

[Uncle99]

Nice rockwork!

Get that in a bucket with bacteria and flow that way, your totally cycled when you add saltwater.

The long it matures, the less trouble you’ll have.

 

[stoned-reefer83]

Nice rockwork!

Get that in a bucket with bacteria and flow that way, your totally cycled when you add saltwater.

The long it matures, the less trouble you’ll have.

A couple plastic tubs from Walmart and a couple powerheads should work?

 

[Uncle99]

A couple plastic tubs from Walmart and a couple powerheads should work?

Yup, get ‘em coooking.
Not too much flow, but flow.
Ghost feed small once per week.
20% water change weekly.

 

[dschuffert]

The rockwork looks good!!

 

[stoned-reefer83]

Yup, get ‘em coooking.
Not too much flow, but flow.
Ghost feed small once per week.
20% water change weekly.

Should I place a heater in the tub as well?

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

I love the layout. Is that Marco shelf rock? It is what I am leaning towards when I get a bigger tank.

 

[stoned-reefer83]

I love the layout. Is that Marco shelf rock? It is what I am leaning towards when I get a bigger tank.

It is! I caught a sale on Amazon a couple months ago, $139 per 40lbs ! Both boxes I ordered came with nice shelf pieces along with a few nice rocks I was able to use as my foundation. I bought 80 lbs and thev2 boxes together was actually just over 90lbs.

 

[exnisstech]

Scape looks good. Only advise I can give is ignore pH for now. Alk should be controllable by you and should be fine with just water changes untill you have coral consuming and then you can decide how to control it. I know pH has become a thing but I'm 8+ years in and it's not something I even care about. Keep it simple starting off and it will be much smoother until you get the hang of things. JMO

 

[SueAubu]

So this past February I decided to start my first saltwater tank. Bad things happened rather quickly, I lost fish, coral, and an anenome. This was my own fault because I got to much, to fast and wasn't very educated in the hobby. I might add that all this happened in a 10 gallon aquarium. (Remember I wasn't very familiar with things) but still hopeful, I've tried to keep it running. It's been difficult to keep them water chemistry in check...I am now OVER IT! It's a constant battle to keep my ph in line while combating high alkalinity. Phosphates always on the rise, no matter what I do. I have been advised several times that a smaller tank is harder to care for than a larger system. So.....I'm taking everyone's advise. I finally started to build my 75 gallon I've had sitting for 5 months. I'm probably still about 2 months away before I start my cycle, but I'm looking forward to it! I have spent the past week
Planning and playing with my rock until I finally come up with an aqua scape I am in love with. I plan on taking it slow this, being patient and have learned to trust the process. I will keep everyone posted on my build that would like to see my process. I am also open to suggestions on things you all might have.

That's really great!! I'm taking ideas for rockwork once I start loading a 500G we're working on. Lots of flat spaces to spread zoas, holes for the coral plugs, places for the watchman to hide from the dotyback. Oh... That's my tank, not yours... Lol

Just remember one of the most important parts of cycling a tank is the live rock and the critters that come with and grow in the nooks and crannies. You can't build that ahead of time, on the table.

So, your scape is gorgeous! I'm definitely going to borrow ideas! But, don't forget to incorporate where you're going to put the live rock.

Psssst: you can also go to the "build thread" forums and start a post so we can follow your journey. PLUS, you get a nifty badge under your screen name!

Welcome to the hobby! Let the trial by fire begin! (Again...)

 

[stoned-reefer83]

That's really great!! I'm taking ideas for rockwork once I start loading a 500G we're working on. Lots of flat spaces to spread zoas, holes for the coral plugs, places for the watchman to hide from the dotyback. Oh... That's my tank, not yours... Lol

Just remember one of the most important parts of cycling a tank is the live rock and the critters that come with and grow in the nooks and crannies. You can't build that ahead of time, on the table.

So, your scape is gorgeous! I'm definitely going to borrow ideas! But, don't forget to incorporate where you're going to put the live rock.

Psssst: you can also go to the "build thread" forums and start a post so we can follow your journey. PLUS, you get a nifty badge under your screen name!

Welcome to the hobby! Let the trial by fire begin! (Again...)

500G!? That's gonna be amazing! I'm jealous of my LFS owner, he has a massive 500 gallon mixed display in his shop and it is just absolutely gorgeous..it is PACKED with anything and everything you would ever dream of lol

Thanks for the feedback and compliment. I truly did try to take everything into consideration when scaping my structure, especially flow! I wanted to make sure I have minimal dead spots. I was trying to go for a NSA, or atleast as close as possible with what I had.

Thanks for the heads up on the "build thread" I plan on a long slow 'Re-Introductory' lol I had always wanted a reef aquarium but never had the time, so when I became disabled I figured I would finally be able to do it....my impatience costed me dearly and lost precious aquatic life in the process. But lessons learned and I know now more than I ever thought I did.

 

[Uncle99]

Should I place a heater in the tub as well?

I do. If water is cool, that’s ok, but may slow developing.