Reef design and the use of PVC pipe -- Anyone have experience in this type of design?

[Pegasis]

Hi All,

I have a 180gal tank and I am getting my LR next week. I heard about using PVC piping with the set-up of the LR. Could anyone tell me the technique involved in this type of design and it's benefit?

I would appreciate any help you all could provide.

Thank you.

Steven

[smpolyp]

I had thought about using the pvc method on one of my tanks. I did not end up doing it because I wanted to keep the tank as natural as possible. The current tank I have I used Tonga branch to help limit the amount of rock covered by the sand. It was a natural way to suspend the rock. It does have dead areas but I think it is good to have different zones in your tank to help with a wider variety of organisms to grow. I will try to see if Goby can show pics of the rock work as he snapped a few when I first set the tank up.

My original 29 that evolved into a reef had so many dead spots when I move into a 55 i made eggcrate platforms to support the LR an inch above the sand bed. I think the lack of rock /sand interface deprived a lot of detrivores like bristleworms and ministars of there natural hiding places, so my new 75 has rock on sand and the racks will go in the prop section of the sump


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I thought I was me, but we were wrong
email: geeflipr@internetcds.com

[smpolyp]

Pics will not make it till mon Goby says, but better late than never.

[mini mee]

Hi Pegasis
I agree with smpolyp

I tried 1/2" pvc once to support the rock stucture I also wove fishing line through the pvc leaving gaps about 4-5 inches.

The thought I had at the time was it would give the reef a more robust apperance and it did at first until I noticed the rock on the left had slipped off the pvc/fishing line then the rock on the right this went on for awhile.
Every time it happened you would see a little bit more of the pvc/fishing line.

The bottom line was it did not work at least for me, it never looked natural sure i did not have to spend as much money on live rock but I eventualy had to take it all appart throw out the pvc/fishing line buy more rock and start again.

Oh ya and the pvc started to sag to

I would never do it again it was a pain in the end

and no the fishing line was not there to catch a fish

good luck
alex