First time reefer here 55 setup

MastaMind82 · Jul 30, 2020

After years of running freshwater aquariums I've decided to try my hand at a reef setup. I am going with a 55 and a 20 sump. Here are a few pics of the new stand I've built, don't worry there is a center front support that goes into it after the sump is in it's happy new home.

MastaMind82 · Jul 30, 2020

Here is the tank, sump, and plumbing getting installed. I wish that the glass wasn't tempered (checked with sunglasses and phone), so I had to go with a HOB.

Silverfish · Jul 30, 2020

system looking good! welcome!

MastaMind82 · Jul 30, 2020

And here is the rock, sand, and water all in. Let the cycling begin. I do plan to have new lights by the time the tank is ready for fish and I'm already planning to get the HOB with 2 bulkhead and use 1 for an emergency. Look at me, a couple weeks in and already regretting a purchase! HAHA Sand particles were still settling when these were taken.

MastaMind82 · Jul 30, 2020

Silverfish said:
system looking good! welcome!

Thank you! These forums have been a huge help on pretty much any question I've had so far. It's comforting when a question has already been asked/answered and I'm not losing my mind with so many unknowns going into this hobby.

MastaMind82 · Aug 4, 2020

Small update here. I am using the Red Sea Reef Mature Pro kit to cycle my tank (I don't have live rock so I am not adding the coraline grow nutrients). Day 7 everything is looking good I think. Temp 79, PH 8, Salinity 1.026, NO3 5, NH3 0.25. It's so hard to not get antsy and rush everything but I know it's all the slow waiting game, so I shall take it slow.

MastaMind82 · Aug 7, 2020

Went and picked up a 10 gallon setup for a QT today. I figured that's it probably best practice to quarantine everything before going into the DT. Still have a while to go on the DT cycle but I wanted to have the gear for the QT ready to go. Here's to some more waiting.

MastaMind82 · Aug 10, 2020

Small update. I picked up 2 clown fish and they are now in the quarantine tank. I figured that since they will be in there for 76 days this still gives plenty of time for my DT to finish cycling and what not.

MastaMind82 · Aug 20, 2020

Update. With the help of @piranhaman00 I got my Coral/Invert QT all setup (just waiting on the light to come in). On the DT I did pickup the Ink Bird ITC-306A as a "fail safe" for the heaters in there. It didn't take long for me of doing manual top-offs in the DT to realize why so many go with auto top offs. So I picked up an ATO for up there and after 2 days of it going I would say by far that is my favorite equipment purchase to date. That's about it for now.

MastaMind82 · Aug 26, 2020

After much internal debate with myself I decided to order some live rock from KP Aquatics to help with my tank startup. I came to the decision that if I’m gonna spend X on equipment and lights then why not get some live rock also. Well here it is!