Questions Questions Upgrade in progresss

[VJ&POOPS]

Hi all....

I have a few questions....all leading up the setup of an upgrade in process.

205 rr Gallons w/ 1500 gph overflow

1. Since rocks will be placed in the center of the tank, I'd like to glue them together.

A previous suggestion was to use plastic rods and something else (some kind of silicone)

What rods exactly, and what type of silicone/compound exactly should be used to combine rocks, some pieces range from 5-15 lbs

2. Return pump (return minimal 1000gph) will be external, skimmer is rated for 350 gallons with flow rate up to 2700 gph, is it recommended that I use an external pump for the skimmer as well (Weirpro for 350g).

Rudy

 

[charile1]

Some people use plastic hangers. Can't help you with the other questions.

 

[cali_reef]

Two part putty epoxy you can get online will glue rocks together, but I don't think it is a good idea. You can drill holes in the rock with a 3/8" masonry bit and use cheap plastic hangers as rods to keep pieces from falling over.

Iwaki is the best pump in the 1,000~1,500 gallon range, Eheim 1260 or 1262 is also very good but only will do about 800gph. How do you know the overflow will handle 2,700 GPH? I would go for a Sequence Dart if the overflow can handle 2,700 GPH for sure.

Never heard of the skimmer you are getting so I can't help there.

 

[jejton]

How about using..damn it I forgot what they're called. The plastic ties you use to keep your wires neater. You pull one end tightly through a hole on the other end, and then it stays put. You can get them in HD for a couple of dollars/pack.

 

[cali_reef]

Tie wraps will work okay on branch rocks, hard to tie wrap round pieces.

 

[VJ&POOPS]

I am only going to glue a few pieces not all...it's just to keep those pieces that may be unstable due to their shapes, from falling over....

The Skimmer's flow rate is 2700gph....(I am not going that high), it is an in-sump setup but I wanted to know if it is ok to plumb the pump to stay external...(it may have metal screws), even if it can be submerged, so if it is ok or better to leave external, I'll use an external pump instead..

 

[barebucta]

Never really understood why people glue/tied rocks together; I must have re-arranged my rocks/landscape 6-7 times in a 1 year period before I was finally happy with the amount of LR in the tank as well as the setup. I guess I'm trying to say you never know what can happen where you may need to move the rocks (i.e. sick fish hiding b/w the landscape). Why not try this instead, put eggcrate at the base of the tank, then cover it with the live sand. This way the egg crate serves as a sort of sturdy support (i.e. the litte holes) and can balance those weird shape rocks. Just a though, something I wish I had done in the past but never did do it. Good luck Rudy!

 

[jejton]

Wouldn't the eggcrate be difficult to use if you have a fish, such as gobies, etc, that like to burrow and sift through the sand? Also, if you don't secure all of the rocks, aren't you taking a chance that a larger fish might knock something over, injuring other fish or corals, even if doesn't break the glass?