DryReef's - RSM 250

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Well kind of ... I just bought my new tank......Which is 2nd hand.

Seemed to be in good nick and no large scratches I could see easily.

Not even a pick to start things off as it is only getting delivered next week.

Soooo many questions.

1st .... Aqua-Scaping and with what ?

I bought the tank from Jungle Aquatics and will probably get Dwane to help me set her up and get it going.

First two questions.
What rock to get ? Ignoring the price .... gulp ...:m85:
Either non live rock they sell which does look good in the tanks that they have done themselves...
Or
To go with something like Real-Reef. Looks like JA is a distributor of this as well.

2ndly. Do it myself with Zero experience ..... Or get in the pro. I've never stuck rocks together or aquascaped ever. I feel like a new challenge but don't want to end up with a horrible tank that I'm sort of stuck with. But on the other hand would feel so much prouder if I had done it myself.
 
Congrats on your buy :thumbup:
I saw that tank yesterday morning, it is in good condition!
Personally, it would not buy live rock again, too many issues with hitchhikers. Plus if you will be aqua scaping out of water, whatever beneficial bacteria that is present will die off (basically wasting your money). The primo and real reef are much better choices in that matter. It will come down to what you prefer.

As for scaping, don't be afraid to drill holes and stick PVC pipes to help hold structures. You should look at pics of tanks and see which styles/structures appeal to you. Here is one thread that had some nice ideas:
Aquascaping for 900mm Cube - Marine Aquariums South Africa

If you don't like the way you scaped, you can always change it ;) the reef putty, while strong, can still be chiseled off at a later stage if needed.

Enjoy!
 
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How are you going to learn if you get someone to do it all for you? Personally I would suggest you get some help in setting the tank up and take it from there. If you are cycling your tank there will be ample opportunity to play with your scapes. I hear what @tekkengal is saying about live rock, and she is correct, but dude its awesome to observe growth on rocks and "discover" critters you didnt know existed when the LR was purchased. I would not buy LR from a LFS, there are often adverts on here for LR and you shouldn't pay more than R100 a kilo. This is substantially cheaper than the R300 plus a kilo most LFS are charging.
 
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If you are keen, chat to @flappy, he has really beautiful real reef rock on special at the moment. Guaranteed pest free I believe and a wonderful coralline color for life
 
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Looks like I will be getting about 40kg of Real Reef Rock ... Not sure if it's too much or not enough.

But should be enough for a good start.

Now once the tank has arrived and once the rock has arrived ... Do I need to get some sand first before starting with the rock ?

And the sand probably needs to be live sand as well ?

On the water side if it's live rock do I need to get some prepped water from the LFS or just get RO water and start the prepping process on it and wait.I presume prepped water otherwise it was pointless getting the live rock.
 
1st .... Aqua-Scaping and with what ?
Basically the "art" of placing the rocks. Instead of looking just like a dumped heap of rocks. With caves for fish to sleep in. Place to place corals. Open layout to allow for water movement to prevent excess settlement.


I bought the tank from Jungle Aquatics and will probably get Dwane to help me set her up and get it going.
If Dwane is going to help you out, ask him to stack the rocks for you.
 
Tank will finally arrive tomorrow ... YAY :lol:

My Real Reef Rock I am collecting this afternoon.

Then tomorrow morning hopefully this journey gets to start taking shape.

Yesterday I managed to get some of the additional things such as chemicals and test kits etc.

I have an idea in my head which I will draw out later today.
I will let Dwayne have a nice laugh when he sees it :)

Then at least he has a good idea of what I am trying to achieve.:m87:
 
The Start. Finally... And essentially all the waiting begins doesn't it..

Today we placed the tank in it's new home ;)

I came up with a rough sketch of what I wanted. Very crude but served it's purpose. Boy did I read a lot of articles on aquascaping :)


I don't have the biggest tank but wanted to try and create that whole feeling of space for some free swimming.
Then the channel between the rocks with a few hidey holes and ledges in both locations without being too cluttered. Hopefully the channel is wide enough.
This was the first layout.

This the 2nd.



I also tried to use the thirds rule for the layout as well to create little heights and spacing. Also a little depth to the tank by moving one of the front rocks across to the rear for a less cluttered view upfront

And then we added in the sand.

Overall super stoked with the layout. Now it just needs to dry and either tomorrow or Friday the water will get added.

Any thoughts ?

This is all the Real Reef rock I have left over... quite a bit. Will probably need to sell it ...
 
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That is a really awesome scape, it is going to look terrific once it is covered in coral! :m106:
 
Awesome scape! Looking forward to seeing the progress.
 
Thanks Guys & Gals

Water if getting added tomorrow :)

Then the fun starts and so does the learning curve.
 
Tank is looking good so far. I am hopefully starting up soon as well so am looking at getting all the equipment together...

Will probably need to sell it

Are you considering selling this rock? How much did you pay per kg for it?
 
Tank is looking good so far. I am hopefully starting up soon as well so am looking at getting all the equipment together...



Are you considering selling this rock? How much did you pay per kg for it?

Yup I will be selling but first need to confirm I'm 100% happy with everything.
I'll pm u when I am ready if you are still interested at that point. If not will just post in the for sale section.
 
Just added in the water

Yesterday 10-04-2015 9am we added in the water.

Nice and cloudy ....:m13: That's after about 5min of adding it in.


This is same time but showing the positioning of the tank in the house.

 
10hrs later

10-04-2015

10hrs Later and the tank is clearing nicely.

Washed and cleaned the fine filter to clear out some initial debris.


Kids loving even and empty tank...
 
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