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Glenn's First 90g Reef Build (1 Viewer)

About time for an update Glenn!

Sand first dude - since your using sugar fine, expect a couple days of running it just to clear the cloudiness...

IMO - sand first, then lay a plate or something on top of the sand and then pour the water on the plate so as not to stir up more of the sand.

Once the cloudiness clears, then add rock and aquascape (so you can see what your doing)

Glenn - you have water!!!!!!!! Nice job taking it slow!!:greenguy::greenguy:
 
Sooooo pretty!!! And clean! I <3 it. So very much looking forward to seeing what comes to live in there!

I'm :lots: like whoa but what I've heard is since the sand is super fine you should rock first then sand... I didn't understand the logic when I was told this but - it was what I was told so... I hope it helps you!

Candi
 
Thanks Ange!!!

Yeah, it's been busy with the Thanksgiving visit to Chicago to see family and then deal with a sick 19mn old boy. Plus, I've been trying the job network scene and attending some career placement courses. So far it's going slow on the job scene.

I kinda figured sand first but sometimes when you research too much; it gets all goofy.:gay1:

So, I've been taking my time but I'm so close now. My wife brought home the 2 55g drums from work - yay FREE!!!. Those will be in the basement as RO/DI storage and saltwater mixing.

So, I'm still sticking to getting it set up to where sand and rock is in - no corals (well, maybe a frag or two;) or fish until I'm working. Worst case if I have to relocate, I just have to sell saltwater!!

Controllers - I'm on the fence here, do I stick it out with power strips until I find work? There will be no fish and coral (maybe) yet.

Two scenarios:
1) I'm eyeing the ReefKeeper Lite (Level 1 for $99) for the lights, return pump and heater. Powerheads will be on a power strip I have laying around.

2) Just go with the RKL (Level 3) - future-proof myself.

3) okay a 3rd, just power strip everything and buy RKL when employed.

Ah, decisions, decisions...
 
Candi said:
Sooooo pretty!!! And clean! I <3 it. So very much looking forward to seeing what comes to live in there!

I'm :lots: like whoa but what I've heard is since the sand is super fine you should rock first then sand... I didn't understand the logic when I was told this but - it was what I was told so... I hope it helps you!

Candi
Click to expand...

LOL!!! See what I mean, I've heard this route also. Maybe I'll just compromise and put the rock in halfway;)

Thanks though Candi!!! Guess I'll do the SE Metro round-up (Something Fishy, SWE, and OD) tomorrow and get some input.

Cheers!! :beerchug:
 
Thare be rock in there!!!

Woohoo!!! I picked up about 30lbs of live rock from OD (thanks a TON Becky, pls forgive me for grabbing that nice Tonga piece! :biggthumpup:).

So, I just added the LR and the other 70lbs of dry rock in the tank to get it all seeded and start cycling. Yes, I'm missing sand; but I have 160lbs of sand on order and will be picking it up next Friday - thanks again to Becky :beerchug:

It's definitely not aquascaped, just tossed in to seed the dry rock; I'll be pulling it out anyways next weekend.

That sicce pump on the Octopus Extreme 200 is still pretty loud; hoping it quiets down some over the next several weeks.

Thanks to everyone for the advice, input and just pure :beerchug:!!!

Oh yeah, pics!!!

Full set up-
IMG_7588.JPG


Full light:
IMG_7583.JPG


Just the blues:
IMG_7586.JPG


LOL!! Just realized I need to move that heater to the sump!:nuts:
 
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She LIVES!!!

Woohoo!!! The tank aquascape has been completed...for now! ;) 160lbs of sand from OD (thx Becky!) and about ~110lbs of rock in place.

Cycling is now the waiting period (it's day 4 after adding sand and final 'scaping). Diatoms are settling in as expected; it's just a waiting game now. So, I'm looking up clean up crew candidates since this expense isn't too bad - though I'll probably keep the numbers low for now.

The layout is pretty straightforward, I can now appreciate how difficult it can be to aquascape. It's definitely hard to see what you're doing and try to see the whole layout while standing on a step stool and dealing with the magnification of the water. Lots of caves and holes and some decent room behind rock for water flow. Overall, I'm excited and so is the wife - we keep talking about our diving and snorkelling in Akumal.

I did cheat and did pick up a RKL which is really sweet, reminds me of the automation I had to deal with at work.

Tank Stats:
Temp: 78 to 80F
pH: 7.79 to 8.0
PO4: .25ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm

The pH is lower than I'd like, not sure if this will increase after cycling; I'm researching up Kalk addition.

The temperature will stick around 78F with the canopy lid open but with the lid closed; it creeps up to 80.7F after 4hrs of full light - need to look into a fan for inside canopy.

Now the pictures!!!

FTS
IMG_7720.JPG


Right side angle:
IMG_7721.JPG


Left side angle:
IMG_7722.JPG


Yes, I'm currently cleaning the glass up! :biggthumpup:
 
Wow, gotta love just staring at diatoms form :)

I did notice there are at least 2 tiny featherdusters on the Tonga though.

Ah, the fun waiting for cycling completion...
 
Thanks coldwaterreefer!!!

It may take longer to get this tank going than expected if I need to relocate out of MN for a job. Hmmmmm....
 
So, I'm trying to figure out a Clean Up Crew (CUC) and I'm not sure where to start.

I've looked at liveaquaria.com for ideas and they break apart a CUC into two categories: an Algae Attack Pack and a Detritus Attack Pack
http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=49

I'm guessing that I should focus more on an "algae crew" since I'm got the diatoms and some hair algae (from a piece of live rock). I've been keeping the lights off while the tank completes it's first cycle.

I'm considering Mexian Turbo snails and Cerith snails, plus I'd like at least a few hermit crabs.

Any suggestions or insight?

Thanks,
Glenn
 
I would put the heater back in the display for the winter. Ive had a few times a pump quit working and the tank dropped to low 60's...I move mine to the display during the winter and sump during the summer.
 
Stoneyj33 said:
I would put the heater back in the display for the winter. Ive had a few times a pump quit working and the tank dropped to low 60's...I move mine to the display during the winter and sump during the summer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip!!! I'm pretty much home every day now that I'm unemployed:gay1: ; so what else can one do except stare at the tank and check equipment though!

It's a good idea though and I'll make note of it for when I do get back to work or even go away for an extended amount of time.

Cheers!
Glenn
 
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Well, I've finally added a CUC: Astreas, nassarius, ceriths, blue and red-legged hermits.

First order to my little minions -> GO DESTROY ALGAE!!!!

I'll post some new pics later today.

-Glenn
 
1st Month Running!!!

WooHoo! It's just over a month with my first reef tank!

FTS:
IMG_7997.JPG


My tiny feather duster and an Astrea snail:
IMG_8005.JPG


Parameters:
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 7.75
Temp: 75.5(at lights on) - 78.5 (at lights off) - only running full lights for 4hrs
ORP: 440 +/- 20 mV
NH4: 0ppm
NO3: 0ppm
PO4: 0ppm
Salt: SeaChem Reef Salt
RO/DI water

Livestock: 8 Astrea, 20 Nassarius, 15 Cerith snails, 20 blue and 10 red-legged hermits. 2 hitchhiker feather dusters and of course my wicked dying hair algae that I'm slowly cleaning off ;)

I'm a bit concerned with the pH. Using SeaChem salt, pH should be around 8.4. I know there are other factors, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to why it's low.

I'm going to be doing small water changes over the next serveral days - I was doing 15g water changes every 2 two; or should I do a few 50% water changes?

I want to figure out the pH issue before I add any fish or coral, also there's a small chance I may relocate so I may not get fish for a while - still, I may get some Ocellaris black and white clowns. My 3yo daughter keeps asking where the fish are :biggrin:

Other fish candidates:
Algae blenny
Watchman goby and pistol shrimp (of course!!! ;) )

Corals:
Everything!! Lol! Seriously, easy beginner stuff: mushrooms, zoas, leathers, some "tree-type" corals.

Thanks folks!!!
Glenn
 
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RedHeckle said:
I'm a bit concerned with the pH. Using SeaChem salt, pH should be around 8.4. I know there are other factors, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to why it's low.
Click to expand...

In saltwater, there are only two factors for pH. Alkalinity and amount of co2. Alkalinity you can control. Elevated co2 is very typically in most houses during wintertime. So be sure to test your alkalinity and keep it at or above natural levels ( 7dkh ). If alk levels are good then don't worry about the actual pH too much. It should into an acceptable range for livestock and shouldn't cause an issue. There are some things to do to reduce co2 levels but I wouldn't worry about it for now.
 
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Thanks David! Now I know which test kit to get next! I used to have to add buffering capacity to my freshwater tank using baking soda due to low kH and dH. So, can one draw correlation that I'll need to do the same with SW?

Yes, I need to test alk first; just trying to plan ahead.

Also, thanks for the recommended alk level!

-Glenn
 
You will need ALK, CA, and Magnesium testkits.

During calcification ALK and CA lower at a rate of 1 meg/l ( or 2.8 dkh ) to 18-20ppm CA. Alkalinity will fall below much quicker than Calcium so it's the most important one to be checking. You will need a magnesium kit as well but if funds are limited, it can wait for several months yet.
 
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