changing tank look opinions

[cilyjr]

i have never been a big fan of tanks with a foam "rock wall" for the back of the tank mostly because i thought it looked fake. i have been doing alot of snorkeling lately though and now realized i was wrong.
when i built my tank i put a pretty bug overflow box in the center of my tank. i scrape it and the back to maintain a clean look but i have been thinking about something new (to me) maybe i could just build a foam rock wall area where the overflow is. i could make rock arches to the middle island from the wall

i am looking for ideas and suggestions please feel free to comment i will post a few tank pictures as well

recent

older and pre crash but shows the overflow better IMO

back when i installed but can see the overflow really well

 

[pallobi]

I love it friend... Open look is awesome...

 

[johnnyb]

I let my coralline algea grow on my over flows and put rock up the sides it looks like its part of the rock

 

[cilyjr]

i am thinking of putting something like this where the black overflow is

 

[FishHead]

well that will hide it but how it will look not so sure... i would maybe do 3 arches in that tank with the middle the tallest.. connect two of them on a low profile and leave a narrow openning from the other...

 

[SteveDola]

I like that overflow rock cover. It would look slick. Some of my favorite aquascapes are with pilers (with over hangs) staggered to give the preception of depth. Some reefers even make an archway between the pilers.
something similar to this...once the corals grow out they are amazing.
Large Image Link (195 kB)

 

[Phinfan]

Hey Chris I think that would look sweet.

 

[SteveDola]

BTW, I still have the green bali slimmer you sold me if need a piece back let me know----Id be happy to give you a piece.

 

[mchartier]

IIMO if you cover the entire overflow it may take away from the minimalistic look of the rest of the aquascape. I think it would look good if you do ledges or have the arches start off the overflow to the islands and let the coralline fill in the rest.

 

[cilyjr]

Thanks Steve. Actually the green slimer weathered the storm quite well. It's in the back on the right.
So I think I might try this. My plan is to buy a new acrylic sheet that will fit infront of the over flow. That way I will be able to both easily remove it in the future if I decide I don't like it. Also I can install with minimum tank disturbance. I have a lot of live rock in the back tanks that I can build some arches to the center island as well.

On another note.my large rose bta on the right island has split and I am trying to decide if I should keep it. It takes up Most of the island and any coral placed there would be in jeopardy. My other option would be to make it a place just for nems but I worry they might jump to one of the other islands in the future. Thoughts?

 

[SteveDola]

get rid of the bTA

 

[mchartier]

Just try and make sure there's very little space for gunk to build up between the acrylic and overflow

 

[cilyjr]

Yeah I most likely will have too

I will cut the acrylic insert to fit snug around the over flow

 

[cilyjr]

I have heard roumors of these things floating. Any validity to that?

 

[mchartier]

The ones made with the foam yes they do tend to float depending on the rock to foam ratio. How about embedding magnets in the foam to secure it to the overflow. Could use some old mag floats or something

 

[dannyp02908]

Thats a good idea right there. Old mag floats or koralias.

 

[cilyjr]

The ones made with the foam yes they do tend to float depending on the rock to foam ratio. How about embedding magnets in the foam to secure it to the overflow. Could use some old mag floats or something

not a bad idea matt. i have a few old korilia magnets as i cant throw things away.

i suppose i will post some build pictures. i am in the process of letting the acrylic insert dry at the moment. i used 1/8 thick even though i tried my best to make sure the sides are square they sometimes arent exact. so i figured the slightly thinner acrylic sheet will have some give and will fit snug around the overflow

 

[cilyjr]

Actually I am looking at the tank now. I have 2 power heads (see pics above) on either side of the overflow. I plan on leaving them there so I can use those to both hold the insert and the power heads. I will add another magnet to the front as well

 

[Docstach]

Actually I am looking at the tank now. I have 2 power heads (see pics above) on either side of the overflow. I plan on leaving them there so I can use those to both hold the insert and the power heads. I will add another magnet to the front as well

I think it is a great idea. Not sure if you have used foam before, just in case you haven't. Go kind of slow and make short, separate shots of foam. Also, make sure you get the pond safe/UV resistant foam. It floats more than I expected, but the magnets work well. My foam seems to be getting covered in coral(that I glued to it) /algae pretty quick.

 

[cilyjr]

Thanks for the tips. I have used it quite a bit actually after rebuilding the waterfall in my pond 3 times over the last few years.

I also found that dabbing the foam after it has sprayed gives it more of a rock look. I used a pencil. It is turning out to be a bit of a monstrosity but I think it will look good in the tank. Also I have drilled a bunch of little holes for future frag plugs. On the suggestion of another member