[kgh9555]

As a new member of reef builders, I am here for help and information. This entire project started when my older son won a gold fish at an elementary school fair when he was 9 years old. That gold fish lived for 8 years and finally died. As I was cleaning out the old tank, my 2 boys started talking about a salt water tank. I thought to myself, yea right, they won’t even take out the dog and who is the one cleaning the old tank. Well as most of us know, we got into this hobby some how. So we went on line and learned about marine tanks, fish, live rock and all that goes with this hobby.

We went to the store and finally purchase a 45 gallon set up. We took our time setting it up and followed everyone’s advice. Well, this has been a great time for me and my boys (it has been hard on them with a divorce). I would come home and find my youngest, 11 years old, sitting in front just watching the fish. Of course we had a few fish die, but that goes with the hobby. So now we have decided to move up to a bigger tank.

I found a 150 gallon tank 72'x18"x24", for sale in the paper (new) and a stand on eBay. It is an overflow tank with the connections in the back corners. I purchase a sump kit with the bio balls, pump and heater. We filled the tank and mixed the salt. We ran the tank for about 2 weeks with nothing in it. We have purchased about 45 lbs of live rock and set in the bear bottom of the tank (large pieces). I also purchase a 72" compact light fixture with a total of 384 watts. I also plan to add another 196 watts for a total of 580, which believe should cover what we need.

Here is my question. How to arrange the live rock? I have heard of using PVC, stacking it to fit like a puzzle leaving areas for caves and other places for the fish to hide. I like the PVC stand for the rock but for the life of me cannot figure out how it works. I also saw a tank where the discharge lines are 1/2" pvc pipes running down the side of the overflow with outlets in it so the water can be directed.

Is there anyone who can provide pictures or a link so I can see how to use the PVC with the rock? Should I start using smaller rock for a base? I understand there is a lot of work and time which has to go into this and so do my boys. I am just trying to does it right the first time and all these web sites are starting to get to me. I would like to cover the overflows as much rock as possible on each side. In the middle use some shelf rock for some corals and maybe a clam or 2 since they will need to be as close to the light as possible.