Joel's 1st Marine Build

[joel.uejio]

Cool -- thanks for the suggestions.

As for the lively SPS discussion I'm not personally planning on any corals at least a while, but want to leave that option open. Regarding flow, I actually found some good deals yesterday so placed an order for a Reef Octopus NW 110 skimmer and also a Koralia 3.

So by middle of next week my flow should be:
<eHeim 1250 return> + <k3> + <ac50 power head>

Guessing that won't be enough, so then I'll look at adding another k3 or maybe a tunze nano.

 

[joel.uejio]

Progress today:

+ Added more RO water (think I'm full up -- will check levels)
+ Added more salt (probably low so will test and add more)
+ Added AC50 HOB filter to help clear up water and mix salt
+ Doing test run of sump now -- looking good! (although not good enough yet for me to trust leaving running all night )
+ Stuffed a wad of bubble wrap into the top of the overflow -- helps muffle the noise, but there's still a gurgling sound

I'm hoping maybe I'll be able to get some LR tomorrow!

 

[greech]

Waiting...taps fingers Just kidding. Sounds like you're having fun!

 

[joel.uejio]

Today I rigged up the return -- basically it's a tube with a single elbow joint on the end. The tube loops over the back of the tank. I'm going to zip-tie the tube to a hanging hook to keep it in place and also add a weight to the hook for stability. In the tank, the return output will be close to the surface and the tube will be guided by suction clamps.

I'm running everything now -- latest params are T=74F, SG=1.021. Based on that I added some more salt mix.
I think I could probably go ahead and add live rock even as I'm working on the SG....we'll see how things go.

Return tube -- output is near the surface and also has some siphon break holes


Return up back of tank -- plan to zip-tie the tube to the hanging hook, which is weighted by a rock on a string for stability


Overflow with "muffler"


Sump -- black thing is part of sump top, but I'm using it along front to hold the "table" in place on right


FTS -- little cloudy still

 

[joel.uejio]

Live Rock!

Yes, definitely enjoying the build! ...including latest step -- live rock! I picked up a few Fiji pieces, some rubble and a small Tonga branch. Put the Fiji and Tonga in the main tank and the rubble in the sump.

Once the cloudiness goes down I'll see if I want to rearrange. I'll also wait a little bit and then start testing for NH3, NO2, NO3 so I can track my cycling process.

 

[greech]

Ah, the first of many aquascapes to come Looks good from what I can see through the dust. They make a output nozzle for return lines that hangs over the top of the tank if you decide to go that route. Not sure what they're called. Congrats on the official startup!

 

[Fishfriend1]

awesome tank man! good luck, plz keep us posted

 

[joel.uejio]

Tank's cleared up!







...thinking maybe I should get a little more live rock...?

 

[greech]

Nice, looks good. Clearing you nice too. Can you do me a favor and move that tonga branch. I'll just leave it at that

Oh, I agree a little more rock would look good.

 

[joel.uejio]

Ohh, yes..the tonga.....gotcha.........

Added another piece of LR and rescaped. Here's how it's looking now:



I also tested: pH = 7.9 (I think), Ammonia / Nitrite / Nitrate = 0. Based on that, I added some dried shrimp in a bag with holes to get my cycle going.