Beginner's 150g CDA Tank

[Brisk]

I'd say the emergency drain right to the base of the weirs, primary can potentially be no pipe.

Thank you! I'll go do that. I forgot about the gate valve too. Earlier I was wondering how come so much water is coming into the sump and bubbling.

 

[Brisk]

So the only leaks I found were the flow sensor leaking from the threads and a gate valve leaking from the knobs. I used thread sealant and tightened as far as I could on the flow sensor, but it still has a very small leak. I reached out to CoralVue. They think the threads are crossed and is sending me a new flow sensor. The gate valve I thought was weird to have a leak from the know because none of the others leaked. I just tightened the knob part and that fixed it.

I emptied out the water and going to move it in place later this week. This week I'll also start placing an order for live rocks/sands. I think I am going to go with 50/50 live sands from TBS and the special grade. I wanted to get some of the Tropical Eden Reeflakes but it's still out of stock. Live rocks I'm still debating between TBS or KP.

Now that plumbing is done and moving the tank in place, my remaining projects are:

• Fill tank with water > live sands/rocks > aquascape.
• Floating canopy.
• Controller board.
• Side cabinets.

 

[tbrown]

So the only leaks I found were the flow sensor leaking from the threads and a gate valve leaking from the knobs. I used thread sealant and tightened as far as I could on the flow sensor, but it still has a very small leak. I reached out to CoralVue. They think the threads are crossed and is sending me a new flow sensor. The gate valve I thought was weird to have a leak from the know because none of the others leaked. I just tightened the knob part and that fixed it.

I emptied out the water and going to move it in place later this week. This week I'll also start placing an order for live rocks/sands. I think I am going to go with 50/50 live sands from TBS and the special grade. I wanted to get some of the Tropical Eden Reeflakes but it's still out of stock. Live rocks I'm still debating between TBS or KP.

Now that plumbing is done and moving the tank in place, my remaining projects are:

• Fill tank with water > live sands/rocks > aquascape.
• Floating canopy.
• Controller board.
• Side cabinets.

Yeah, those gate valves can leak around the stem sometimes, just a gentle snug on the nut tightens the packing and stops the leak most of the time.

 

[Brisk]

I got really busy this week so not much was done with the tank. I did receive the replacement flow sensor and installed it, put in the cable raceway, and moved the tank in place. I still have to order the live sand/rock. I'm hoping I'll have more time this week to get more things done.

 

[tbrown]

My suggestion? Fill the tank about half way and get it started moving. When the rocks and sand come in, add them and then I usually fill the tank to the bottom of the weirs and let the sand settle for a couple of hours. After that I fill the tank the rest of the way until it overflows into the sump to a comfortable "off" level in the sump, then turn on the return pump and adjust it to your comfortable "running" level in the display.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Brisk]

Yea, that makes perfect sense. I like the idea of adding the water till below the weir to let the sand settle. Thank you!

 

[Brisk]

For this week, I got my LED light strips and installed it into the cabinet. I do like the way it lights up. I also got my live sand ordered and it will ship on 8/21. This gives me time to finish building the canopy and the control board.

 

[Brisk]

Update on the past week - I got my live rocks order placed from KP to ship out on 9/2. I also started building my canopy. It just needs to be painted. I also built a cabinet out of 80/20 for my ATO. I still have to add a door and paint it.

 

[Antics]

Awesome thread! Love the attention to detail.

 

[Brisk]

Awesome thread! Love the attention to detail.

Thank you!

 

[Brisk]

Quick update - canopy just needs 1 more coat of paint and then I'll mount it. The side cabinet for the ATO is done and just need to paint and mount the door. The controller board just needs to be painted as well.

 

[Ryebreadiest]

Smart choice on TBS live sand and wet ocean live rock. Since returning to the hobby a few years ago, I’ve setup 3 tanks like that and have yet to have any diatoms, cyano, nuisance algae or anything (I brought bubble algae in on a coral frag but that’s on me). All 3 tanks had fish and coral in the within a week without issue.

Gorgeous tank and great inspiration for my upcoming upgrade. I have to say, as much as custom looks amazing, the plumbing nightmare is a strong reason to go with an off the shelf brand like Red Sea or Cade!

 

[Brisk]

Smart choice on TBS live sand and wet ocean live rock. Since returning to the hobby a few years ago, I’ve setup 3 tanks like that and have yet to have any diatoms, cyano, nuisance algae or anything (I brought bubble algae in on a coral frag but that’s on me). All 3 tanks had fish and coral in the within a week without issue.

Gorgeous tank and great inspiration for my upcoming upgrade. I have to say, as much as custom looks amazing, the plumbing nightmare is a strong reason to go with an off the shelf brand like Red Sea or Cade!

Thank you! I agree, the plumbing was a nightmare. After I finished plumbing, I too thought to myself, maybe I should of gone with Red Sea or have had someone plumb it.

 

[Brisk]

I got my canopy built and filled up the tank with tap water again.

 

[Brisk]

Weekly update - Besides the motorized canopy done, I also got the ATO cabinet done as well as the controller board. The controller board is a bit messy until I get the flat extension cables. I also left room in the controller board because I'm not sure what else I might add to it. I am thinking of the Hydros X10 and the Maven when it releases.

For this week, I have to start making salt water and fill up the tank a bit for the live sand that is coming this Wednesday. Ummm .. I think that is all I got for now.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I got my canopy built and filled up the tank with tap water again.

That canopy is nice looking!

 

[Brisk]

That canopy is nice looking!

Thank you!

 

[Brisk]

I received 70 lbs. of live sand from TBS 4 days ago. It is in the tank and cycling with some dry rock. I wish I ordered more of the TBS live sand. I really like it. It also came shipped in a 5 gallon bucket where I thought it was going to be shipped in plastic bags.

I'll be adding the live rock from KPA next week. From there, I'll give a try at aquascaping and once that is done, add in some more dry sand. I'm not sure if the Fiji Pink or the special grade would be better. Most likely I'll go with the special grade only because I am worried of the sand blowing around.

I also added fans to the canopy to turn on at 78.5 F and turns off at 77.5 F. ATO is also set up.

 

[Gman83]

Are you using other sand as well? The 70lbs looks pretty good. About .5-1" deep?

 

[Brisk]

Are you using other sand as well? The 70lbs looks pretty good. About .5-1" deep?

It is about .5"+ deep. I have 80 lbs. of the CS Special Grade waiting to add after the rocks. I like the way the sand looks too and wish I had ordered more.