Couple random build questions

[c3h5]

Couple random build questions;

1) I know I saw it somewhere on a similar build but can’t find it, recommend mounting height for AI 32HDs over a 48” x 24” footprint that will eventually be a mixed reef.

2) Anyone put a bulkheads in their overflow wall to run pump wires etc? I would use loc-line on back side to above water line. Basically my screen cover sits on these wires now and don’t care for them running over overflow grills either.

3) What are peoples typical
build times? I’m at 3 months and just added my first inhabitants (a few snails) but I see others that seemingly have a tank full of coral and fish In just a few weeks.

 

[sfin52]

#3
It depends on how your setting up the tank. Live rock vs dry rock.
How are you cycling the aquarium.

I just set up my bosses 40gal breeder on a Friday added fish Sunday added coral on Wednesday all in the same week. I set up with lr. I used biorings and some lr rock from my tank to skip the cycle. No issues at all.

It all depends on how you are setting it up.

 

[c3h5]

#3
It depends on how your setting up the tank. Live rock vs dry rock.
How are you cycling the aquarium.

I just set up my bosses 40gal breeder on a Friday added fish Sunday added coral on Wednesday all in the same week. I set up with lr. I used biorings and some lr rock from my tank to skip the cycle. No issues at all.

It all depends on how you are setting it up.

I guess I'm more thinking from the perspective of trust, like there is a lot of new gear and what if I need to correct something I prefer not to be handicapped with my options due to already having live stock. I was also thinking I wanted to see coralline algae before adding corals but maybe this is unjustified. This is why I posed the question as I have not done a scratch build in like 10 years and if its far more common to have these shorter timelines maybe I can convenience myself to do more than window shop at the LFS.

 

[Aldrinlights]

If it's a new tank with all new rock and you're cycling it from scratch it can take a couple months before you're ready to add corals. If you find some snails with coraline algae on thier shells then you'll have it in your tank. Wether or not you're ready for corals is all dependant on your tank stability. You can get corals and then have a hair algae outbreak later too. It's not the end of the world though.

 

[Timfish]

#2 Sure. I've even used extra holes in over flows to use bulkhead fittings with PVC extending up above the water line to run wiring through to the stand.

#3 I typically have add fish and corals about 24 hours after adding water, QTed maricultred live rock and live sand.