4200 Gallon Aquarium Aquascaping

The video today will talk about aquascaping the 4200 gallon aquarium. I talk about methodology, aquascaping materials used, review the aquascape in detail, products used to secure rocks together, tools used, and methods to build this aquascape.
Opening Music credit:
"Also Sprach Zarathustra" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons...
Have a comment or a question? Please feel free to leave them down below in the comments section. I enjoy interacting with the community and will try to respond to comments and questions as quickly as I can.
This channel is dedicated to the education of hobbyists and the general public that wants to learn about specific topics related to the aquarium hobby.

[@WCorbin182]

The amount of respect I have for you is through the roof. 3 years planning and building in its self speaks volumes

[@algawura2]

Thankyou

[@jeffk464]

yeah, its insane.

[@Reefgrrl]

Having aquascaped with fish in mind, I can tell you nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing my fish zooming around my tank, in and out of the caves. What you’ve done looks so amazing! 💥 Nice job on the video too!

[@shallowreefing]

This is one of the greatest builds of all time!

[@algawura2]

thankyou

[@g64460]

This is the dream for most of us watching, we sit here as fans and admirers. This tank is truely beautiful.

[@algawura2]

thank you

[@CichlidBros]

Looks incredible. Well done! 👏🏼

[@algawura2]

thank you

[@Vroomy1986]

Very excited to see this finished. I will be following you to the end buddy. Much respect from Australia!!

[@luissantana882]

Alex!!!! Santanaman here, just came across this video, man this is crazy, hahaha. Great job!!

[@duberollinup3452]

Genius on splitting the tank up like that I love it!

[@algawura2]

Thanks. The split display will give me the best of both worlds with fish.

[@duberollinup3452]

@@algawura2 I agree its awesome!

[@abdulalawie8080]

One of the most stunning tank builds I’ve ever seen!

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@cvin13]

So many incredible ideas. Sand pit contained by rocks and divided tank for non-reef safe fish! Genius

[@algawura2]

Thanks. I tried to do some different stuff with aquascaping. I was really happy with the way the sand pit turned out.

[@ronniegoudie4672]

Those rocks look amazing. Cant wait to see it after its aged with plants and corals

[@algawura2]

thank you. It will take some time to get the aquarium filled in with corals but it will be fun to watch it grow.

[@ronniegoudie4672]

@@algawura2 subscribed 👌

[@tomgentile4850]

Wow. This is incredible

[@QualiLap]

Wow your scape is mind blowing!

[@algawura2]

thank you

[@chosenfewpetsnaturetech1927]

It’s about to go down! This gonna be good 😮😊🎉❤

[@Reefahholic]

The vertical rock wall with the overhang’s looks amazing. I think you should do both sides like that, and fill them completely in. It may suck to do the work, but you’ve come this far. I’d definitely do it now before you fill it with water so you have any regrets later.

[@algawura2]

For the rock wall on both sides I did leave some space on purpose to allow waterflow and larger fish to move through the columns. If I ever wanted to add more rock columns it could be completed at a later time without much difficulty. I really don't see the aquarium divider from most of the views.

[@dchacko]

Have you considered adding GSP to help provide coverage on the vertical rock wall and help hide the egg crate type dividers?

[@scottallan6770]

This is insane in all the best ways. Can't wait to watch the full build and beyond!!!

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@atfinthehouse8631]

Can’t wait to see this thing filled. And housing aquatic life. Fantastic.

[@algawura2]

Filling is underway as I post this.

[@queencityreefs]

Wow! I wish I had the space. Bravo my friend. Look forward to more updates. 🙌🔥👌💯✌️

[@algawura2]

Thank you. More updates soon. I am posting on my instagram as well.

[@logicsfinest3471]

Been following since 2017. Congratulations and I know you will be upgrading, improving and adding. Awesome new system.

[@algawura2]

Thank you

[@Dan_wiles]

This is the coolest build I’ve ever seen. Really interested to see how all the plumbing is gonna work!

[@algawura2]

Thanks. Several hundred feet of PVC.

[@ProducerReef]

Alex, you're the man....I've watched you for years and so glad you showed the progression over the years....This system is going to be Amazing

[@algawura2]

Thanks. I have been waiting a while to get this video done so I am glad its finally out there.

[@jasonlanger4118]

Beautiful looking system, Alex! I cannot wait to see it filled with water, fish and corals.

[@mvega82890]

just coming across this build while looking up big aquariums and this thing is impressive and the scape looks amazing. i subscribed and im now along for the ride. cant wait to see this thing completed

[@loganwhite6173]

This is so sick!

[@Reefahholic]

Man, I hope you’re ready. Marco can be really difficult. It’s a roll of the dice. You can get lucky or not so lucky. 🙂 Gonna be sweet if it goes smoothly though. Best of luck!! 🤞🏼

[@algawura2]

Interested to know what your experience was with Marco making if difficult.

[@BurzumBelus]

masterpiece.. respect for labour..

[@algawura2]

thank you. 1000s of hours into this build now.

[@fletcherwright7042]

Very nice aquascape. The build looks really good 👍

[@algawura2]

Thanks

[@Reefkpr1]

Wow Alex!!! I'm blown away out well this turned out. Loved following the progress from the beginning. Well done Sir! 👍💯

[@algawura2]

Thanks Reefkpr1. Getting closer everyday be fully up and running.

[@teereefer1276]

Excellent turnout I followed you from day one and it is amazing. Keep up the good work may God continue on blessing you.

[@algawura2]

Thankyou. It has been a fun journey to get this build going.

[@acianfarani]

Alex, I've been following you here and on R2R since your last build. This build is so amazing. your aquascape is the best I've ever seen. Can't wait to see the next steps!

[@BankersReef]

This is just jaw dropping! Well done 👍 I’ll be following along and enjoying this build. Thanks for sharing.

[@algawura2]

Thankyou

[@TheSalient1]

Really nice setups!

[@WRASSEREEFCHANNEL]

Absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to see how your aquarium turns out!!!

[@tonycloseukreef3799]

Alex your the man spectacular scape incredible build can't wait for more 👍❤

[@algawura2]

Thankyou

[@waterhousejason3029]

Absolutely gorgeous

[@algawura2]

thank you

[@davidsimmons7734]

Looking so awesome! Great work :)

[@algawura2]

Thanks

[@Algaewarrior]

This is turning out amazing! Well done!👍

[@mikecrowley9773]

Love the shirt 🤘

[@roberttorres7208]

the space landing background theme fit well because you have landed.

[@algawura2]

Thankyou

[@paulmuadib8955]

Love that cardboard throw man. 10/10 ... and... you might like the artist " That 1 Guy "

[@algawura2]

Thankyou

[@mcashw]

Wow What an absolute dream

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@wetpaint2487]

Really looking forward to your progression on this amazing system. Im am in ahhh.

[@algawura2]

Lots more will be happening in the next few weeks. I am now in the process of filling the aquarium with RODI water.

[@stevecox8066]

This is going to be incredible!!

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@AFCRichmond2782]

Congratulations and nice job 👍🏼🐠🐟

[@Kevin2one3]

Subscribed automatically ❤❤❤

[@TonysCorals]

I cant wait to see this with water and fish!

[@algawura2]

It will be a few months before fish are in this aquarium but I am in the process of filling with RODI water.

[@jeremypropst7449]

Amazing build out. I love it.

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@dutchaquariumzone9492]

Cant waith, its up and running 👊😀

[@algawura2]

Just a few months away from being up and running for normal operation.

[@dutchaquariumzone9492]

@@algawura2 I will follow the progress and updates ;)

[@fishysnowman9082]

Wow. This is amazing. Great work 👊🏻

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@Reef_Ranch]

Fantastic job with this.

[@algawura2]

Thankyou

[@chrisethridge2348]

Love it

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@dpp898]

I just stumbled on your channel dude thats insane new sub.

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@FreeSwimmer]

Very interesting Buddy !

[@algawura2]

Thanks FreeSwimmer

[@GTStudioAnalog]

OMDG!!!!!!! 😍😍😍

[@iqbaljumani4717]

You are very lucky my friend My dream tank Very beautiful 💞😍

[@algawura2]

Thank you very fortunate to be able to build this aquarium

[@stonewales]

looks so good :)

[@algawura2]

thankyou

[@MrCoolBurn]

great job!!!!

[@algawura2]

thanks

[@MrBpsobieray]

Hands down the best build video I’ve seen. Did you cement the slabbed bottoms stones of the columns ?

[@algawura2]

I did not cement the bottom of the slabs to the tank bottom. With the weight, cementing of the rest of the rocks in the column and the fiberglass rod being secured they should remain stable. Also if I need to do maintenance I can still move them in a worst case scenario.

[@nathanielwiebe2257]

I want to do this so badly, you're tank is an inspiration to what I would like to have in the future. Can you walk around the full tank front and back?

[@algawura2]

Thank you. There is an 18 foot section near the basement wall that you cannot walk around. I really wanted to keep the 6 foot tank width so its closer to the wall. Most of it can still be accessed without going for a swim.

[@poltavasae]

Amazing!! When will you show your samp?)

[@algawura2]

I actually have my fish room running already. The fish room has 2100gallons running at the moment with a dual sump system with a capacity of 765gallons. Some of my older videos run through the fish room.

[@jaysartori9032]

"Wow"!

[@johnravelo6321]

This guy is down with the sickness!!! Waiting next vid

[@algawura2]

Thanks

[@harrytruax5195]

Wow! Incredible job! I was wondering how to you create different flow rates in that 2/3 section [the reef part]?

[@algawura2]

I am planning to use a variety of pumps to generate the high flow in the reef section. Likely one very large pump and then several smaller pumps. Placement of those pumps will help to keep the flow into zones. I will have videos on flow once I get to that step.

[@gregjonesonline]

question - are the rock structures sitting directly on your pond armor or did you put something in between?

[@algawura2]

Greg in this case I placed the rocks directly on the pondarmor. I did this in my previous reef build and went I took that tank down the bottom was in great shape without any issues from directly having rocks on it. The majority of the rocks are slabbed so the rock bottoms are flat.

[@engdog2]

O.k Alex ,just how much money did you win in the lottery? 😅

[@cr8142]

magnifique

[@algawura2]

thankyou

[@squidarcherb9707]

F!!!CKING INCREDIBLE

[@KristopherONeill1987]

So can you explain is it set into two? The rock standing up against the egg crate (the overhangs) looks like it’s separating the two.let me know I’m very interested

[@algawura2]

Yes the rock columns are on both sides of the tank divider however they are standing away from the egg crate. The egg crate is secured in place with some glass strips and on top some 3D printed clips and zip ties.

[@KristopherONeill1987]

@@algawura2 so it’s basically two tanks in one???

[@KristopherONeill1987]

@@algawura2 like I thought if fish were on one side they could swim right round to other side. If that’s the case why did you decide to go with that option

[@algawura2]

@krisoneill3600 yes two tanks in one is a good way to put it.

[@loki8686]

Damnnn!!!!

[@johnnywatchman777]

what did it cost , that is my dream

[@bryantnelson4488]

When's the next update?

[@wyliecoyote1696]

Is your build on Reef2Reef?

[@dave7569]

salt water? if so why

[@algawura2]

Yes this aquarium will be saltwater. I have been keep marine aquariums since the 1990s and enjoy the diversity of organisms that live in saltwater.

[@bobbyknox9258]

Not sure it's big enough tbh 🤔😅

[@thomasl1101]

I hope you are not planing on sps corals. If yes, it will 100% not work. But great size

[@algawura2]

Do you have an explanation as to why SPS will "100% not work"?

[@ericmiller2582]

u always fall me dude! why didnt ur open the hole tank! i get it fish type but u spilt the tank in the middle!!!! look at my eye sore everyone! its right in the middle