Back in the game, with patience

[jdack]

Been out for a while because of moving for work, although it has payed off.

Here's my gameplan:
Clean 90g reef ready tank
Paint bottom, for bare bottom setup
Buy and cure dry rock
Build stand, finish stand
Buy a 30-34 inch sump that has refugium space, and is setup for a Herbie drain
Buy skimmer, return pump, wavemakers
Plumbing


My main question is this - the tank I bought was obviously running for quite a while - it had established coraline, and what appears to be some other calcium based plating, and algae. Should I scrape all this off, I'm expecting to see nitrate and phosphate spikes because of it. Or should I let it cure with the rock at the same time, perhaps even let my skimmer break in with it.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that curing rock will take at least 2 months, and I think I'll even let it cycle/cure for 3, since I won't have sand and plan to do corals. Here's the pics. I've included my list of needed items and tank/stand dimensions.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I would clean thoroughly with citric acid before setting it up and for what it’s worth I would consider fresh live rock over dry.

 

[jdack]

I would clean thoroughly with citric acid before setting it up and for what it’s worth I would consider fresh live rock over dry.

Ok, sounds like a smart move, thanks. I haven't found any locally available live rock, the Lfs does have some but it's less than live rock, and just a bit more than dry rock (in quality). Plus, they don't have the quantity I will need (planning on at least 100 lbs) plus some marinpure plates in the sump.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Check out KP Aquatics.. IMO you don’t need that much rock, I would rather have 50 lbs of real ocean collected rock Vs. 100 lbs of dry rock. You can also mix it to save some money.

 

[arturoo1977]

Depending on what kind of dry rock you get, it doesn't need to be cured. If its new dry rock, just a good rinse with a garden hose. If its rock that once was live with bunch of stuff and let it dry, then you will have to cure it before to get rid of all that organics.
+1 on cleaning tank with acid, vinegar works just fine.

 

[jdack]

Thanks, I checked out kp aquatics, I'll keep them in mind. I plan on taking my time on buying the equipment and setup, which is why I'm fine with a brute can cure/cycle with dry rock. Planning on going with brs reefsaver. I'll consider the live rock from kp. Original plan was to order the rock, 200 gal box of salt mix, 100w heater, 2 maxi jet pumps, and refractometer, and stand materials this friday when I get paid, and start the cure/cycle as I build, and buy, and setup over the next month or so. Now I'll include the citric acid, although I do have a few gallons of vinegar in the garage.

 

[jtl]

Thanks, I checked out kp aquatics, I'll keep them in mind. I plan on taking my time on buying the equipment and setup, which is why I'm fine with a brute can cure/cycle with dry rock. Planning on going with brs reefsaver. I'll consider the live rock from kp. Original plan was to order the rock, 200 gal box of salt mix, 100w heater, 2 maxi jet pumps, and refractometer, and stand materials this friday when I get paid, and start the cure/cycle as I build, and buy, and setup over the next month or so. Now I'll include the citric acid, although I do have a few gallons of vinegar in the garage.

I used BRS reefsaver rock and it was a good choice. I only let it cure for a couple of weeks in a container with some added bacteria to get it going. Once I put it into my display it was only took another couple of weeks to cycle. I would wash the tank with diluted muriatic acid, just don't inhale the fumes. It only take a few minutes to eat away the calcium.

 

[jdack]

I used BRS reefsaver rock and it was a good choice. I only let it cure for a couple of weeks in a container with some added bacteria to get it going. Once I put it into my display it was only took another couple of weeks to cycle. I would wash the tank with diluted muriatic acid, just don't inhale the fumes. It only take a few minutes to eat away the calcium.

Thanks, I have a backyard and live in a sunny, but windy part of Texas, so I might just do the muriatic acid. I have used it before, although it was a different application. How would you recommend the application? Will it harm the silicone? What about the overflow? I'm assuming it's acrylic.

 

[jtl]

Thanks, I have a backyard and live in a sunny, but windy part of Texas, so I might just do the muriatic acid. I have used it before, although it was a different application. How would you recommend the application? Will it harm the silicone? What about the overflow? I'm assuming it's acrylic.

I would do about at 20% mixture of water and muriatic acid, you can do a higher concentration but it just uses more acid and therefore cost more money. Put in 5 gal of water and a gallon of acid (water first). Periodically pour some water on the area that are not submerged. You will probably want to use rubber gloves, they don't have to be heavy duty, the acid will not harm rubber, acrylic, plastic, glass silicone it only eats up calcium, concrete, stone, ect. I use it to clean my pumps, never had a problem.

 

[jdack]

I would do about at 20% mixture of water and muriatic acid, you can do a higher concentration but it just uses more acid and therefore cost more money. Put in 5 gal of water and a gallon of acid (water first). Periodically pour some water on the area that are not submerged. You will probably want to use rubber gloves, they don't have to be heavy duty, the acid will not harm rubber, acrylic, plastic, glass silicone it only eats up calcium, concrete, stone, ect. I use it to clean my pumps, never had a problem.

Perfect, thank you

 

[jdack]

Works been crazy but I have managed to order my salt, refracto, and a DC 1000gph return pump, and cleaned the old algae off with vinegar water. Rocks and a sump will be ordered this friday. Stand will be built on monday.