55g Reef Journal (pics)

Once I get my light back tomorrow, I will take another video of the beauty of the tank. Anyone know how long I should wait until adding soft corals? Obviously I need to wait for the cycle to complete, but what should I be looking for as far as calcium and alk goes? I have test kits for both of them. This tank will house a lot of soft corals and what ever I can support. Don't worry on being a debby downer, your just putting in your opinion. Everyone knows that when people put in opinions, 50% of the time people just shrug it off anyways lol. But keep the advice going, I miss certain things that would normally be easy to remember like surface agitation.
 
While not as critical as with stony corals, I do recommend that alkalinity and calcium be kept within the appropriate ranges. Those are 380-450 ppm (Ca++) and 7-11 dKH (alk). I would give the tank several more weeks at a minimum.
 
Looking great so far. I also like that you added yourself. Subscribing to watch your progress.
 
First off, your aquarium is amazing. I never thought about running pipes into another room like you have here although you sometimes see it at pet shops.


The U shape device sounds questionable in the piping system. I don't think it will help downwards pull of the water. The water should mainly be using gravity as much as possible and it could cause a buildup. You can probably just angle it better so it is slightly sideways. Not an expert, just questionable.
 
Totally love reading your thread! I just started up a 55 that is very similar to yours and I want to get a sump for it now.
 
lol about the subscribing thing. I didn't even know I did it. I had no idea how to use youtube, so I must have hit subscribe. I got some great advice from the guy I bought a lot of the equipment off of. He told me to get rid of the couplings and gated valve, turn the tank around and run the drain straight from the wall and down. He said I can probably turn the pump to max if I do that. So on my next day off, I will reroute the drain tubing.
 
So apparently my lps was swamped yesterday and didn't even get a chance to open the light fixture. So I have to wait another day....
 
LPS=Large Polyp Stoney (coral)

LFS=Local Fish Store

I suppose LPS could be Local Phish Store (if you like their music :)). Sorry, couldn't resist.

If I can offer any advice it would be to be patient above all else. Don't be in a rush to get everything perfect right off the bat. You're going to go through ups and downs over the years with this tank. It's a highly rewarding hobby if you're able to be patient and weather the storms.
 
lol i have always said LPS for Local Pet store since the store I shop at is not just a fish store it sells other pets as well.
 
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