necigrads reef build

N

necigrad

AC Members
Feb 7, 2007
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Las Vegas, NV
OK, I'm close enough to start this thread I think.

I've got a 24G AquaPod that I've been using for FW. Once all the FW is out I'm going to bleach the tank a little, drain and clean it, and do a repair to the wall that seperates the display area from the sump area.

Here's the plan as it is right now. Once the AP is available, I need to get my LR. I was REALLY leaning towards tbsaltwater.com. Unfortunatly I've decided to go back to school, so funds won't be as plentiful. I may well do as suggested by some and try from the local club. That's fine, but I was really looking forward to the TB stuff. Once the LR and sand (dunno if I'll go LS or not) cycle I'll add the CUC. I do not know what will be in the CUC yet. Once a CUC is in place, I'm planning on 2 small fish, three if I can swing it room wise. I'm thinking one clownfish (save the Finding Nemo jokes, I like them! :)). Corals will be added later as funds permit. I have no clue what kinds of corals I will stock with. This area is 100% open, with the one caveat that I not need to add any more equipment.

I'm also planning (and watch this plan fall apart!) on a log thread. I want to post the log along with progress pictures, with comments going here. I'll probalby post pics that are notable here as well.

Currently I have:
MaxiJet 1200 (to replace stock pump)
Koralia 1
Koralia 2
Epoxy putty (cheap, so I figured I'd get it just in case)
75W heater (for mixing SW)
RO/DI
bucket of Reef Crystals
and probably a few things I forgot about

I also pulled the trigger last night and got both a 150W SunPod and a 1/15HP Current USA chiller. They were both on sale for around $250 each at F&S.com. With 6% from ebates.com it's a good deal.

So, after my "story", here's where I'm at now. I'm trying to visualise how the chiller is going to be set up. Is there a reason to drill into the back of the 'Pod for fittings? Will some type of "U" hanging from the back work well? Is it wise to get a glass cover (if there is one for the AquaPod)? I'm still probably 2-3 weeks away, but I figured this is a great place to start.
 
All right, here's the first question. With a chiller on the way, I'm really thinking about how to run it. I think the options are out the top or to drill into the back. Is one way better then the other? If I drill I could run a lid to cut down on evap. It's also the time to drill now as the tank will be empty. On the other hand, if I can just run some u tubes or something over the top that would be an option as well. If I drill, can the bulkhead fittings be sealed somehow if I get to a situation where they're not needed?
 
I also need CUC suggestions. I'm open to pretty much anything not too expensive, as long as it's reef safe. I'd like a pistol shrimp, but it would have to be a good fit in the tank, and I'm concerned about how loud they are. I've never heard one so I don't know.
 
I've kinda sorta not really decided on a CUC. I'm going with 10-15 hermits, MAYBE a porcelin or emerald, 10-12 snails basically on a mix and match (whatever the LFS I go to has to work with) one serpent or brittle star, and one cleaner shrimp, probally a peppermint.

The AP has been completly emptied, bleached, and repaired. I'm going to put the powerheads in today. I've also finally recieved the chiller and light. If I can figure out what to use to hook the chiller up to the tank I'll add freshwater (should it be DI?) to test everything out for leaks and to get the thermometer set right. Once things seem stable I'm goign to do a large (probably 90-100%) water change, just to get rid of anything small that I might have missed like silicone debris. Add in DI water to about 6" from the top and add in the salt. Once that is mixed at 1.025SG I'm going to get the LR and sand that I've aranged for, probably the middle of next week, Friday at the latest I hope.

So what can I use to plumb the chiller in? I assume hose from Petsmart, but do they have something that I can hook over the back to hang on the tank?
 
For the chiller hookup, you can go to Home Depot or Lowe's and pick up nylon tubing. If this is your chiller http://www.current-usa.com/primechillermini.html

you would need to get either 1/2" or 5/8" tubing, depending on the barb fittings that you have.

Check out your LFS, as they probably have fittings to hang the tubing into your tank. You would need one for the outlet and one for the inlet. Petsmart might have something like that. You might also need to pick up some connectors at HD or Lowe's to connect the tubing with those fittings.
 
That's exactly the chiller I have, the 1/15HP one. The fittings are both 5/8" and 1/2" so I can get either or.

Started setting things up. Man are those Koralias HUGE! I might take one out later just for space. We'll see about that later. I did hit a snag. The MJ1200 outlet is 5/8" and my AP uses 1/2" fittings. Does it matter which way I go? I assume there is an adapter to up or downsize the fittings. And then this along with the chiller, I assume it would be simplest to go with one size hose. Is bigger better for flow? Does a smaller line give more pressure? Dunno what way to go.

And now for my stupid question of the day. I'm pretty sure I don't, but does DI water need to be dechlorinated? Just one of those little things that I've thought of so far.
 
No, DI water is already dechlorinated. If you are using DI water you are all set.

For pump tubing - It probably doesn't matter. You can get adapters from 5/8" to 1/2". I would go w/ the larger ID tubing - bigger will give higher flow to a point. Use standard plumbing clamps at any connection to make sure the tubing doesn't pop off!
 
Looks like your off to a great start with your plan..With regards to the glass cover for the tank, this all really depends on what fish you have, whether they are carpet surfers or not...
 
Stocking hasn't been determined yet, other then the CUC so I'm good there. Planning on getting the plumbing stuff tomorrow. Is there anything I'm forgetting? Food for the CUC, like maybe a shrimp or something and throw in a thin slice daily? The LR I'm getting should be cured already. All these random thoughts coming out... I'm going nuts! :-)
 
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