Large Vivarium Construction

[Energy]

Swamp tree with 2 coats on.

Question: Why use unsanded grout versus other concrete products. much of the grout out there contains anti-molding agents. I did use an unsanded grout for my first two coats and then switched to a concrete floor leveling compound for my third coat. This worked better in my opinion and dried within 10 minutes. I am still working on this so I don't know if it will be ok long-term.

[Energy]

Originally Posted by jackxc925

If you are planning to gravity feed water in, how are you going to set up a misting system? And wouldnt having the sump above eliminate the point of having a sump and not needing a pump inside the tank?

Personally I would have it below and rig your misting system up to the same resevoir as everything else.

Just my opinion

There will be a float valve inside the aquarium, if the water level drops it will then refill it to a safe level. This will not control the water level if it should rise to high. To regulate that portion will take some good ol' trial and error before it's tuned in just right.

The sump will be there just to have a larger body of water for stability and a place to perform all the filtration. An elevated sump isn't technically a "sump" which means lowest point, but it can get you an idea of what I might do.

Everything is still in planning so it could change dramaticilly before the final product- that's the fun of it.

[midget]

looking good keep us update. also are you geting a baby ray an adult. good luck

[fleshfrombone]

Looking good. That banyon tree in the pic is sweet. You could try making it out of solid great stuff. Shouldn't be too hard to lay out a skeleton, coat with great stuff, add texture, and there you go.

[rmelancon]

Originally Posted by Energy

Swamp tree with 2 coats on.

Question: Why use unsanded grout versus other concrete products. much of the grout out there contains anti-molding agents. I did use an unsanded grout for my first two coats and then switched to a concrete floor leveling compound for my third coat. This worked better in my opinion and dried within 10 minutes. I am still working on this so I don't know if it will be ok long-term.

Wondering how you cured these large pieces? You obviously had some really large structures in your reef tank. How did you go about neutralizing the concrete?

[Energy]

I layed out a very basic structure for the reef and built my live rock with epoxy resin mixed with arrigonite. There was no cement involved for the reef structure.

Anyway- here is the finished swamp tree prior to sealing. Two more trees to go and then some rock work.

[rmelancon]

Originally Posted by Energy

I layed out a very basic structure for the reef and built my live rock with epoxy resin mixed with arrigonite. There was no cement involved for the reef structure.

Anyway- here is the finished swamp tree prior to sealing. Two more trees to go and then some rock work.

So how do you plan on curing this one?

[Energy]

Well- not a lot of my stuff will be underwater. What I do have I will seal and then probably drop off in a lake for a few weeks.

[jubjub47]

Originally Posted by jackxc925

If you are planning to gravity feed water in, how are you going to set up a misting system? And wouldnt having the sump above eliminate the point of having a sump and not needing a pump inside the tank?

Personally I would have it below and rig your misting system up to the same resevoir as everything else.

Just my opinion

The reverse sump design is a very efficient way to accomplish the filtration while keeping the integrity of the tank with his requirements.

One issue with using the aquarium water as the mist reseviour is added minerals in the water which will spot up the glass rather quickly.

[Energy]

Good point on spotting the face of the acrylic. I haven't decided yet on the watering or the air handling systems. I'm still working on the overall set-up.