hux first tank build (will need help!!)

[whyzee250]

i noticed the actinics are on the outside. i've seen a lot of people that do blue-white-blue-white instead. is this just a preference thing? I'm a newbie and thisthread is useful to me also.

 

[hux]

thats just how it came stock... haha so yeah not sure on that question about the light...

if anyone can help answer what would be a better combination of the lights...
- blue, white, white, blue
- blue, white blue, white
-white, blue, blue, white

any feedback would be helpful
this is regarding a 4 globe T5HO system

cheers

 

[hux]

Such a nice clean job. you really did do your homework, (minus the heater! ) good idea on getting 2 smaller ones to put in your sump(eventually).

2 questions:

- are you planning on painting the back of your tank, or will you wait for coraline algae to cover it up?

- why are you buying water? I'd strongly suggest investing in an RODI unit.

Looking great! How are you planning on cycling the tank? and have you started looking into what you'll be putting in the tank ?

gday cheech

good to know im on the right track =]

yeah i was bummed about the heater, im ordering the new heaters next week..

i was planning on just filling it with coraline algae... unless this could potentially cause problems later on?
i was going to keep the front and side glasses kept really clean so i had a nice view also.

i am currently thinking of purchasing an RODI unit, but might not right now... and if i do i will probably continue to purchase NSW..
a couple of reasons.. first being
- saves the water bill rising at home which helps my parents out
- shop isnt too far away and gives me a reason to have a look/buy new corals or fish
- also buying the salt for the water, i am so caught up in how many different ones there are etc.

i do think i will purchase in time for top ups etc but not right now..

as for cycling the tank.. im getting cured live rock and a kilo or two of live sand from friends established tank..
and will probably just use the frozen prawns in the stocking trick...


as for stocking, i havent gone too much into this as of yet..
i did see an amazing tank on reef central i think it was..
it has SPS and softies which were so colourful and just looked stunning..
as for fish im also not sure but definately want a pair of clowns so will work around them i spose..


again thanks for the great feedback..

cheers
josh

 

[hux]

i noticed the actinics are on the outside. i've seen a lot of people that do blue-white-blue-white instead. is this just a preference thing? I'm a newbie and thisthread is useful to me also.

i posted a thread based on this question...

the result was that its basically personal preference for the variety of colour etc...

unless you have 8 or more bulbs it is not going to help influence coral growth etc..

hope the helps..
helped me..

cheers

 

[hux]

can anyone help me out...

im getting rid of the two blue T5 lights and am probably going to go for either...
- a 12000k and 14000k
or just two 12000k

what would be the best option for growing coral?

if theres other strengths you think is better please voice your opinion..

all feedback wanted and welcome

cheers

 

[whyzee250]

thanks hux! It was just a random thing i never though about until I saw your bulbs lol.
ENJOY and keep us updated

 

[Ace25]

My personal (and controversial) opinion on bulb choices is go more blue. I have 6 T5HOs on my 29G tank, 4 Actinic, 1 10k, 1 75/25, and IMO it still looks a little too white. I just think blue bulbs are very under rated by many and think they play much more of a role in a coral tank than most people say. There are drawbacks to my thinking, like you need more bulbs than normal if your going to lean to more blues, but even if I only had a 4 bulb fixture it would be 3 Actinics and 1 10k at most... more than likely I would go with 3 Actinics and a 75/25 or 85/15 bulb (12k/14k equivalent). With T5HO and MH light setups we are at the point where it is very possible to give a tank too much light and burn things with it.. many years ago it was almost impossible to do that so everyone kept trying to get the most PAR possible.. well, today that isn't that big of a concern with current types of lighting, I feel it is now more about balancing the lighting to your preference while trying to get an acceptable PAR reading throughout your tank. On my 29G I have more than enough light/PAR with just the 4 Actinics that I can grow any softy or LPS coral just fine... and have done so.

 

[hux]

well today i am very very happy...

i placed my last order of equipment and chemicals before i get water and live rock...


i order..
2x 200w eheim jager heaters (should fit in the sump)
1x salinity refractometer
1x coraline-epoxy glue stick thingy
1x seachem reef advantage calcium 1kg
1x seachem reef builder 1.2kg
1x seachem reef iodide 500ml

so hopefully i will get this delivered by weeks end..


i also was reading up on some of Ace's stuff..
and i came across the cheap version of LED lights
giving the water the shimmering effect..
so thanks to ace i also ordered..
10x 5mm white LEDs with reactors and nice stainless steel holders..

these will probably arrive in a week or two as there coming from across the world..

will keep everyone posted..

hope your enjoying it so far =]

cheers guys

 

[hux]

again i was woken by the doorbell...
but its okay cause its the postman with my delivery =]

in the oder i recieved...
2x Eheim jager 200w heaters
1x salinity refractometer
1x coraline epoxy glue
1x 1kg seachem reef advantage calcium
1x 1.2kg seachem reef builder
1x 500ml seachem reef iodide

very very pleased with the speadiness of the order.

here are some pics..

the packages

the items

heaters

chemicals =]

refractometer

coraline glue

got some pics of the heaters in the sump also...

again

so im very pleased with the products..

now im saving money to get live rock and water...
thats probably 2 weeks away..

i have a couple of jobs once my hand is fixed..
next week.. YAY =]
- put plumbing together..
- when LEDs arrive put together a system...
- clean sand out...
- give tank one last clean out so its sparkling..


im getting to the good exciting parts of the build now..
and i cant wait..


feedback welcome..

cheers guys

 

[hux]

well i have been really bored and my wrist is feeling a little better...
so i decided to cut and put together all my plumbing...
its not glued but its in place...

i still need to get a few things but you should be able to see the design...

here are some pics..

oh and i organised all my cords =]

overflow inlet into sump

overflow inlet into tank

inlet to sump from overflow and return piping

first two sump chambers

this is the third bulkhead from overflow..
its for easy drainage.

return pump

return pump piping

and what the tank looks like at the moment

as you can see its a work in progress..
i mentioned the jobs i still have to do before water and rock goes in...

- make a fixture for LED lights
- buy some stuff to finish plumbing...
- glue and put together plumbing
- clean sand..
- clean tank one last time..
- test everything

ADD WATER AND LIVE ROCK =]

i have set a date for this which is the weekend before february
thats the plan anyway...

please leave feedback..

cheers