3' 65gal build w/Pics

SO, I got tired of my rocks changing position everytime I needed to grab something that had fallen in the tank.  And tired of them only stacking in certain ways. 

Break out the Gorilla glue!  Took a couple weeks to glue my rocks into formations I found pleasing, and that seemed balanced in the tank.

Made 3 sided cardboard guide with lines drawn on 5ths, and slightly smaller than the interior of the tank so that I made sure I didn't get the pieces too close to the sides.

I now have 2 large structures that are stable, and well fastened to each other.  I still need to incoporate my 3 new chunks of LR from KP Aquatics (Sealife inc), but they will probably go on the sand in front, and between the two pieces in back.

Here are pics, though I glued some more chunks on the large RH piece.  I'll get some updated pics with sand tomorrow.

You can also see where I popped out a clamshell on the glass (grrrrrrrr......) wrestling the tank around on the sink.  Didn't put me in a good mood for a bit.

Front shot:


Right side (you can see the clam shell break up on the top area):


Left side:

I've not heard about problems with Gorilla Glue. Is this a recent problem?

You may be right I haven't personally researched it. I just have two different buddies that used it to glue a rock and sand back wall in their tanks and both had non stop algae problems from day one. Both were experienced reefers and that was the only thing they had ever done different. It got so bad they couldn't even keep any corals in their tanks cause it would just get chocked out. They came to the conclusion that was the problem from talking to other reefers and reading forums etc. it may have been the amount they used or who knows something different entirely. I just figured I would give u a heads up based on what I have seen/heard what happened.

Edited by wickedsnowman - February 17 2014 at 10:34pm

Some updates,

Put more sand in, so total about 35-40 lbs of mixed sand, about 2/3 reef grade special and about 1/3 crushed coral with some rubble.  Gives a nice mix (for my taste).

Filled and leak tested the overflow bulkeads (since I resealed them), also overjoyed to find that even full of water my two overflow boxes are the same height and level (I did level the tank empty, and check while filling)!

Got the tank plumbed, all drains are 1" schedule 20, with slip fit for now--no leaks on them, and I wanted to be able to change them without hacking all the pipes off (might try to quiet the water sound a bit).  Return is 3/4" schedule 20, but I did glue the returns since its pressured (all but the 90* into the bulkhead, which is snugged tighter than all get out) so I don't have to replace the 90 if I change something.

Having some minor pump issues--main return pump has a nice humming sound (like a washing machine, and the skimmer pump blew the breaker and then zapped me later--new one on the way for that.

Total system gallons, including refugium and sump area is right about 65 gal.  I counted/calculated this while filling so that when I'm needing to know my water volume for calculations I actually know it and am not guessing.

Left 5.5" from wall to tank--I can get my hands behind the tank, clean the floor, and work on stuff still.  Didn't want to try and move 700+ lbs if something needed tweaked.

Some updates, pics and comparison pics to follow:

Edited by Crazy Tarzan - April 15 2014 at 9:59pm

New fish, thanks nsfw dave!  They are cleaning the sand bed below a small hollow on the rocks, and spend a good portion of time there now.

beautiful fish!

Some updated tank shots, from left side to right side. Also pleased to inform that the gorilla glue is almost wholly encrusted with coralline algae, and I certain spots I cannot pick it out any more. I'll try and get some better coral shots soon.

Decided I wanted to change my lights up.  Especially after my bank of white LED slowly died and all stopped working. 

Built new MH/T-5 fixture.  Ballast are all up on black shelf/box.  Using Ice-Cap ballasts, two different versions.  Reef Optix reflectors, and 2 odysea 15k 250W bulbs.  Also have two 39 W actinic T-5 bulbs.  Pic is with no color correction at all, taken on a phone.

Pic showing my wild light aparatus:


Tank with lights on and running:


It looked yellow to me for the first day or two, but that was from seeing the tank with only blue LED and an actinic and 10k T5-bulb for a week or so.  I really like the look now, but might do another LED with full spectrum colors later.