Is this going to work?? 3 pics

[heyfredyourhat]

I am trying to aquascape my tank. These pics are what I have done about 10 minutes ago. I am going to get about 50 lbs more LR to work the one side a little bit better. But for the most part, will it work?? I know every tank is unique, but I have seen almost zero in real life, and do not know what to expect.... I see most ppl just use the big wall of rocks, is that because it is easier or it just functions well??
This is where i will add more rock soon...
http://I238.photobucket.com/albums/ff157/heyfredyourhat/right.jpg
front shot
http://I238.photobucket.com/albums/ff157/heyfredyourhat/left.jpg
left side
http://I238.photobucket.com/albums/ff157/heyfredyourhat/front.jpg

Also how much of a pain will it be to add my sand now??

[demonsp]

Your rockwork will always be moved around for the first year or so. Its hard to see whats in the future. But loose rockwork is best as to let flow through and hiding spots for stock.

Im not sure what your tank will be FO,FOWLR,REEF. This would help but either way i would not use the undergravle filter.
Are you going to get any LS?

[mg426]

Is the LR sitting on eggcrate ???

[heyfredyourhat]

That is eggcrate under the rock, and it will be a reef tank...I do have about 250lbs of sand sitting here, just waiting for more spare time to add it.

The rockwork on the right side is just loose pieces that i didnt drill holes into, everything else would need some effort to remove or re-work.

[heyfredyourhat]

Also that is just base rock, i am going to order a box of LR monday.

[seapug]

That's not an undergravel filter, that's eggcrate to support the rocks, which is a good thing to do.

Looks to me like you are off to a good/normal start. Sand will be a pain to add after the tank is filled. It's best to do it before you add water, but you can minimize the cloudiness by putting it in plastic shopping bags, then lowering them in to the bottom and cutting them open. Be prepared to take out some water as the sand will displace quite a lot.

It'll take a few days for things to clear up but it eventually. Once you add the sand sit back and play with the aquascape while your cycles runs.

Good luck!

[demonsp]

A good mix of base and live is best. But i would not add sand ontop of that. This will cause nitrate problems after months or yrs and then have fun removing. With the right CUC and proper flow the SB will only contribute to a healthy tank but can be the cause of many headachs down the line.
Its about a balance with equipment,CUC, flow,LR,LS,and water changes with RO/DI water.

[stevelkaneval]

yea i used the eggcrate idea too and it was a huge mess i would advise against it. you are going to see the squares of the eggcrate thru the gravel no matter what you do, and when you clean the gravle the eggcrate traps all the ditrius and other crap that you cant get out cause its trapped in the eggcrate. there is some kinda plastic that you can use instead it comes in a flat sheet.

[Deb91]

I like the look of that base rock where did you get it? It hard to give you an opinion of how it looks because you are going to add more. But so far so good! :)

[heyfredyourhat]

It is just caribsea base rock...I got it from J&L in vancouver. I am just worried that i will have to many dead spots, or corals wont like them spots, or there is not enough flats, or steeps, or caves???

You know the normal second guess yourself stuff!

The rock i am going to add is only going to be on the right side of the tank.

Is it advisable to go higher up?? Maybe have a piece almost to the top??

[seapug]

I set up my last two tanks with eggcrate under the rocks and it has worked great. No more shifting rocks and avalanches. Measure and cut it right and add an adequate layer of sand and you'll never know it's there.

[demonsp]

If this is a 120 and you have 3 to 4 inch SB then be sure flow is up to par. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature/view

Then after tank is cycled add a few nass snails and a few hermits.Then next week add a fish or coral.Then next week add a few more CUC and a fish or coral. Then at the 3rd month get a sand sifting goby and never worry about your SB ever,Unless he dies. This guy is the best SB cleaner you could ever get. Just besure rockwork is secure or you could get some minor slides but any slides outway hes SB cleaning ability.

[demonsp]

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/startinganaquarium/tp/topmistakes.htm

[heyfredyourhat]

i am not opposed to adding a powerhead if i need to...

[reefergeorge]

Use a 6" piece of pvc to pour the sand to the bottom when you add it.

[heyfredyourhat]

well i just added sand about an hour ago....Too cloudy right now to tell if i got any on the bottom, or if it is just all on my rock work. Guess what i am doing for the next few days...Good thing i got my self a long baster!

[heyfredyourhat]

Its been awhile sincethe sand has been in there, still very cloudy...Should I be running my CL and returns and skimmer, or should I wait a few days??

And also if I do decide to leave it this way, when will the cycle kick in?? Or will it??

[seapug]

I cycle tanks with everything ON-- lights, skimmer, pumps, powerheads, etc. The way I see it is if it's good later on, it's good now. The cycle will happen regardless.

[heyfredyourhat]

things have cleared up very well. But I havent run my 4 way yet. I think it had some sand in it which caused it to stop turning. I will fire it back up tonite and hopefully it wont cause a huge sandstorm.