Diggler's Weird 90 Gallon Reef Tank

[DirtDiggler2823]

Oh, i forgot to mention that my rodi system is installed and it takes my 40TDS water down to 0 with no issues.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Substrate: on the way
Salt: on the way
Salinity checker: ordered
Heaters: on the way
Uniseals: on the way
Pump for water station: on the way
New 1/4 tubing: on the way
Light mounting cables: on the way
Test kit: on the way
Bio-media: on the way

I'm so excited right now. By next weekend i should have just about everything i need to get the tank filled and cycling

 

[Diamond1]

Can't wait to see some saltwater in that bad boy.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Can't wait to see some saltwater in that bad boy.

Man, i am dying waiting on all these shipments to come in!

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Figured i might at well get the done

 

[Diamond1]

That's a lot of surface are in those media blocks. That should work out nice.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

That's a lot of surface are in those media blocks. That should work out nice.

The big plate is for gassing out nitrate

 

[Diamond1]

I'm debating on adding some media blocks or an algae scrubber to my tank since my nitrates have been running a bit higher than I would like and I want to start adding some sps to the tank. I've always used extra live rock in my sump but it collects a lot of detritus and I'm kinda concerned that the media blocks might do the same thing.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I'm debating on adding some media blocks or an algae scrubber to my tank since my nitrates have been running a bit higher than I would like and I want to start adding some sps to the tank. I've always used extra live rock in my sump but it collects a lot of detritus and I'm kinda concerned that the media blocks might do the same thing.

Honestly, the scrubber is probably faster.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

First cuts on the mixing station. Hooked up the RODI booster and ran the hose to the garage. Now we wait on the other parts.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Thought about filling the tank to kick off the cycling process, but then i thought about having to move the tank to hang the lights, so everything will have to wait until i get the lights hung before anything kicks off. I have everything i need to kick this off, but i promised myself i would take it slow, so the lights go up, then everything goes in.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Ok, so i have the remaining parts for the water change station, and i have my substrate, and a bunch of uncured rock as well. Just ordered some Dr.Tim's to kick off the cycle. My uncured rocks should have enough biomass to get that started, right? Do i need to skim during the cycling process? Do i need to have the lights on? After the cycle, do i immediately have to add livestock to keep the bacteria alive? Looking for some advice here. Feel free to tag other reefers who you feel could answer these questions. Thanks!

 

[Diamond1]

How close to getting wet?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

How close to getting wet?

Close. I just drained my grow out tank to make it a qt tank, and I'm waiting to get the materials to hang the lights. I could fill it now, but hanging the lights would be much more difficult at that point. I also have some odds and ends coming in from amazon to help with the mixing station. So, close.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Got the mixing station about halfway done. I have to figure out how I'm going to plumb the pump. I have it in my head, but hopefully lowes has some parts that makes it easier. This weekend, the lights go up, and the qt gets stood up. I might even buy a fish to put into the qt.....

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

QT is up. I just tossed in the salt, so I'll be checking it in a few hours to see how close i am. I'm planning on making my first fish purchase tomorrow and keeping them here. I'll be adding some clay pots, and some PVC wye joints for them to chill in. I have a twist 6(?) UV sterilizer on the tank, and i will be stepping down the salt to use hyposalinity as prophylaxis for any nasties like ick. I know there are multiple ways to do this, but i think this should be good going forward. Input is always welcome though.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Dang refractometer took a dump

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

First 3 fish in QT. Solon Wrasse. Lubbock's Wrasse, and a Watchman Goby. I was eyeballing a bi-color palette, but it didn't want to eat, and the manager noticed something near his eye.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I am 1 piece of 2x5 plywood for hanging the lights. Adding the sand and rock, and filling my tank. This weekend is going to be amazing!

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Lights are up. Now time for sand and rock. I've decided to lay sand first because I don't think I'd be able to get into the nooks of the tank with the rocks in there.