MatthewScars's 90g rock wall tank build

[MatthewScars]

Ive been meaning to do this for awhile. So here we go.

I started with a 55g freshwater, converted to 55g reef, then upgraded to 90g reef. Here are the highlights of the process.
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This is the first setup. Undrilled 55g with a unfinished sump. The light is a regular Nova Extreme 48” (I upgraded later)

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Newly created sump.

First super basic reef build
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FAST FORWARD to 90g UPGRADE

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This is the 90 next to the existing 55g. (thanks WWoF for the tank).

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Awesome temp set up for the 55g until the 90g was completed. Kick ass plastic sump eh?

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The building of the stand.

 

[MatthewScars]

Tank and stand in the final resting place.

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At this point I started to plan out the rock wall for the back of the tank. Using light diffuser, foam, sand, etc.


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This is the first rock formation I built – entitled “The bear”
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Once I started to complete the rock wall, I siliconed the pieces to the back of the tank. This was so it didn’t float.

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Rock wall complete and siliconed in.


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Toss in some other rocks and heaters and began the initial nitrogen cycle. I used a small live rock to kick it off.

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Also done staining the stand. This is a pick of the sump. Looks the same today but more stuff added and messier J

 

[MatthewScars]

Tank done cycling for a month. Upgraded to a Nova Extreme Pro (6x 54watt bulbs) (upgraded bulbs in later pic). Added some stuff. The tank is still pretty bare.

Added netting after my Firefish and 6-Line jumped. This was in September right after the frag swap.
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Bought new Geismann bulbs.
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Second rock formation built – entitled “The Skull”
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Skull in the tank.
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The tank today.
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More pics later…

 

[aznt1217]

wow that's awesome.

 

[brooklynblenny]

the rock wall came out great, i just setup a 46 bow about a month ago and wish i would have saw your pics then. great job

 

[MatthewScars]

I would have done it slightly differently, but it came out great. I added a third rock peice to the right of the skull and added rubble rock to it looks like it started from the sand and builds. The sand bed is only 1" and its only really visible from the back.

I'll take some close up pics later today.

 

[nick96ss]

great looking tank

 

[Wes]

love the rock wall. very natural looking. nice work.

can you go into detail a bit more on what type of foam, etc. you used and what you would do differently?

 

[seascape]

very very nice i have a 300g im getting ready to start want to come do a rock wall for me.LOL

 

[MatthewScars]

rock walls are an incredible amount of work, if the price is right, i will

Get eggcrate, get 12 cans ($7 a can) of this stuff, and A LOT of rock ($$$$$). you want the eggcate to bepacked with so much rock you dont even see it anymore. Then foam inbetween the cracks and pack the foam down a little when it starts to dry for a natural look. Buy some 2 part epoxy and paint it on the foam, then throw *MEDIUM* sized argogate on top of it. You will need to do 2 or 3 coats... so buy 2 of the expoxy packs ($20 each)

People on RC say coraline doesnt grown on the foam, but they are idiots. I have it all over the foam. This is the foam i used. Its black and better than greatstuff IMO. PS: Buy a 100ct box of non-latex gloves. The foam will literally rip your skin off if it dries and you try to pick it off.

Wes: I would have bought more rock in the beginning and I put a lot of peices flat against the wall. it looks 10x better if you angle the rock peices perpendicular to the wall. I also would have tried to get more fiji branches. Remember, your hammer is your friend for breaking the rock into custome perfectly fitting sizes.

 

[tangmaniac]

very nise rock work! looks great!

 

[Mangas50]

this is deff one of the koolest tanks I have every seen.

 

[MatthewScars]

new pics:

what is this bubble?

more later

 

[ecvernon]

the bubble usually happens when its about to split.. 2 heads/ mouths

really cool tank!!! didnt think that foam would be good in a reef.

 

[knugenx]

Nice! I like what you did by adding the center.

 

[MatthewScars]

Galaxia

THE MAN!

 

[MatthewScars]

Was four heads one month ago.

What are these white dots on the body and base?

 

[bigyankfan]

Matt,

Do you use the foam to adhere the eggcrate to the back wall and overflow box? Did you use only the foam to attach the rock to the back wall? I love how your tank came out and I am thinking of re-doing my tank using your great idea. Thx.

Eric

 

[Thatguy96]

Its about time you put up some pics Matt! ha ha I have seen this tank several times in person. It looks awesome!!

 

[MatthewScars]

The wall is Siliconed to the back of the tank. I just put some on the back and hoped for the best. It worked perfectly actually. I can never remove it without a mess, but i dont plan on it so.

I would suggest plastic wire tying the bigger rocks to the eggcrate. But its not really needed, the foam is incredibly strong.

It's tough to give suggestions without you actually working with it for awhile. I would have added more rock and more 'shelf' peices for SPS. The whole thing took A LOT more rock than i ever thought.

Matt,

Do you use the foam to adhere the eggcrate to the back wall and overflow box? Did you use only the foam to attach the rock to the back wall? I love how your tank came out and I am thinking of re-doing my tank using your great idea. Thx.

Eric