A smaller sps system but with all the goodies

[Stalactite]

Could resist putting the cat on lol, he like to lick my nose for some reason.

[awilson500]

great aquascaping

[customcolor]

it looks like you used great stuff for foam...is that correct??? if so did you cover it with epoxy??? just asking cuz it doesnt look like you did...
if you didnt i will worn you know it will break down and crumble...befor it breaks down it will turn an ugly brown.

other than that your scaping skills are really good!!

[Jay1982]

This is going to be one hell of a nice tank. Keep up the good work

[xanthometopon]

There is some interesting stuff here

I am gona keep an eye on this

[Johnny C]

OT... but I'm loving the Ferrari flag. A 300G system and a F430; someday!

As far as my question re. the dosing pump, I was more or less wondering what make/model it is. Those things seem to be a bit tricky to get dialed in... when you finally do, let us know.

Following Along!

[Stalactite]

Originally posted by customcolor
it looks like you used great stuff for foam...is that correct??? if so did you cover it with epoxy??? just asking cuz it doesnt look like you did...
if you didnt i will worn you know it will break down and crumble...befor it breaks down it will turn an ugly brown.

other than that your scaping skills are really good!!

Yes , i used Great Stuff foam, and i put 2 coating of epoxy. And your right the resin seems to leach into the water, and it gets skimmed . The skimmate is brownish. Have you done something like this. If so what happened. The foam stayed intact i hope. I,m counting on coralline algae to cover it. keep in touch i'm most anxious to hear what happen to you.

[Stalactite]

My tool shed lol




Rubble from drilling rocks



Basile my cat





A branch




You can see the exaust holes for the return pump




http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/Photo433.jpg[/IMG]





[IMG]

[Stalactite]

Almost complete the second structure without the branch








And with the branch




The cat is vain, viewing this morning snapshot lol

[Stalactite]

It took some hours to balanced this out, the branch is balanced with the pods nursery i had to add.
















The pods nursery

[Stalactite]

Doing the tips










The tips on the first sculpture in the tank, got to mesure often.

[Stalactite]

Cutting the crate was stressfull, the moment of thruth. Lots of weight on the branches.

[Stalactite]

Time for resin, i've lost the picture of the resin i used, you can find this at a hobby shop, look for epoxy resin with a time frame of at least 30 min. You need time to add a mix of sand and crush coral or on it. It come in two part that you mix equally, and i mean equally; if too much hardener you get craking all over, if not enough hardener, it too soft and drips.




Put it a tub to catch the falling crush coral.



Spoon it lol





You have to brush the excess



Take out the remains of crush coral, other wise you loose the rock effect.






Mesure your holes

[Stalactite]

Now its time to drill the foam, for plugs placement







Some hole where there from the start



Set up

[Stalactite]

Something you can't forget are the holes, they have to be glazed with resin as well




Its the best way, lots of debris you don't want in your water, i missed a few and what a messy water after; the foam floats so its not caught by the filtration, it has to be removed by hand, so don't forget a hole.



Those are the best to get rid of debris and you need to change every time to do this right.

[Stalactite]

I had an idea , just an idea, that turned into an experiment.









Same process

[Stalactite]

The stalactite is suppose to be in and under the water.
It didn't happen that way.



Forgot the water line.



Positioning was also an issue, too close to the return connection

[Stalactite]

After the set up other problem appeared.







The stalactite is lighter because of the foam, it wants to float, leave it to a frenchman to invent floating rocks.

I had to brace it to the side so it didn't swing sideways







The return connection to the structure worked very well


[B]

[Stalactite]

Another problem developed. Being out of the water meant, being into the light. The MH are so intense the resin stated to burn and so did the foam.



The solution, came to me in a dream as i cimbed to mountain.... ya !!! I added a piece of crate to make it lower, but still



It wants to float again, lol





So i phone up Hercules and asked for some help.



Some putty or epoxy a hole tube of it.









Let cure for 48 hours, when worked outside the water epoxy dries up in less than 2 min not 20 min like under the water so be quick. At let cure for 48 hours.

[Stalactite]

One problem solved, now for the swaying, i used another brace but used another accrylic rod and some putty again.





Another hole tube of putty is needed.

let cure for another 48 hours, don't rush it needs that time since its so thick.





Finally it work great






Much more esthetic

[Stalactite]

Some links to products and threads

http://greatstuff.dow.com/products/index.htm

http://paint-and-supplies.hardwarest...nt-633845.aspx

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpro...dHeader=Z-poxy

My reseach on the subject of rockwork

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-rockwork.html

[Stalactite]

Well since i'm gona house some wrasses and a goby, i had to do a canopy for it so here goes.

[rando45]

wow, great explanations!

[xanthometopon]

Hi

Whats the frame material that you used for your tank cover???

Do you not worry about your fish getting caught in that netting if they jump as it looks a bit large on the hole front??

Cheers

[Stalactite]

Originally posted by xanthometopon
Hi

Whats the frame material that you used for your tank cover???

Do you not worry about your fish getting caught in that netting if they jump as it looks a bit large on the hole front??

Cheers

Its screen doors aluminium frame. As for the holes no. If they get caught good they'll whiggle back in the tank. But i don,t think it'll happen.