gastel
New Member
So after much haggling and promises of future favours, I have convinced my wife that we NEED a marine reef tank.
I used to have tropicals as a kid and have always been amazed by the wonders of the reef and now that I am nearing my dotage it is time to indulge in a little dreamscaping.
I started out hitting the net and read and watched as much info as I could for about three weeks before deciding on what is was I wanted and what size/type tank I would need. Once I made up my mind on an RSM the old itch kicked in and I had to find one fast.
I got onto a second hand Reef Sea Max 130D that a guy had sitting in his shed covered in dust. It had been sitting there for a while along with a box full of chemicals and test kits. After much toing and froing we decided on a price that was good for both of us and I walked away with the deal of the century.
For the first week I wiped, washed and cleaned every part of the tank and made sure that all was spic and span. I was putting back the heater and tapped it on the side of the tank in my haste and cracked the glass. It was only a light tap so I think there may have been a problem in the first place. Off to the LFS to pick up a new Eheim 150w heater. The next thing I tried out the pumps and found one of the return pumps faulty so off to the LFS again for a new return pump. The guy wanted $70 so I said thanks and hit ebay. I ended up getting one and a spare for less than the LFS one including postage.
Next was a trial with fresh water to make sure no leaks etc. Looked good until I noticed all these tiny bubbles coming from the return pumps. Scratched the head and took to the forums and found that this is not uncommon and that it was probably the skimmer. Well at this point the skimmer wasn't turned on, so much for that gem. While looking at the bubble I heard a sucking noise and looked at the water level guage on the side. With both pumps on the level was dropping to a point where they were sucking air. The guy I bought the tank from had included a couple of meters of clear 3/4 inch tubing which fitted nicely over the intake on the return pumps so I cut off two lengths about 10cm each and stuck them on the intake of the pumps. Problem solved.
Once I convinced myself all was clean and working OK it was off to the LFS for some advice and gear to kickstart this baby. At this point I must say that the advice I was given by the staff at the shop was fantastic and they are always happy to impart their vast knowledge.
Long story short I got some Red Sea Salt, RO water, Live Rock, Substrate and the Red Sea Reef Mature Pro Kit and went home to start the cycle.
Here is the substrate - Gray Coast Calcite.
My first, and as it turned out last attempt at Aquascaping.
I managed to find the look I wanted first time around.
I had anticipated making a thousand changes over several days.
Left Side
It doesn't look it in the pics but the rock angles up from the bottom
of the tank to allow for water flow and fish to get behind.
Right Side
I have managed to install a powerhead behind the rocks to
allow for some flow and to keep the detritus to a minimum.
Please feel free to hit me with any comments/criticisms. This is just the beginning and I would rather fix a mistake now than in six months time when the tank is loaded up.
Cheers
Gastel
I used to have tropicals as a kid and have always been amazed by the wonders of the reef and now that I am nearing my dotage it is time to indulge in a little dreamscaping.
I started out hitting the net and read and watched as much info as I could for about three weeks before deciding on what is was I wanted and what size/type tank I would need. Once I made up my mind on an RSM the old itch kicked in and I had to find one fast.
I got onto a second hand Reef Sea Max 130D that a guy had sitting in his shed covered in dust. It had been sitting there for a while along with a box full of chemicals and test kits. After much toing and froing we decided on a price that was good for both of us and I walked away with the deal of the century.
For the first week I wiped, washed and cleaned every part of the tank and made sure that all was spic and span. I was putting back the heater and tapped it on the side of the tank in my haste and cracked the glass. It was only a light tap so I think there may have been a problem in the first place. Off to the LFS to pick up a new Eheim 150w heater. The next thing I tried out the pumps and found one of the return pumps faulty so off to the LFS again for a new return pump. The guy wanted $70 so I said thanks and hit ebay. I ended up getting one and a spare for less than the LFS one including postage.
Next was a trial with fresh water to make sure no leaks etc. Looked good until I noticed all these tiny bubbles coming from the return pumps. Scratched the head and took to the forums and found that this is not uncommon and that it was probably the skimmer. Well at this point the skimmer wasn't turned on, so much for that gem. While looking at the bubble I heard a sucking noise and looked at the water level guage on the side. With both pumps on the level was dropping to a point where they were sucking air. The guy I bought the tank from had included a couple of meters of clear 3/4 inch tubing which fitted nicely over the intake on the return pumps so I cut off two lengths about 10cm each and stuck them on the intake of the pumps. Problem solved.
Once I convinced myself all was clean and working OK it was off to the LFS for some advice and gear to kickstart this baby. At this point I must say that the advice I was given by the staff at the shop was fantastic and they are always happy to impart their vast knowledge.
Long story short I got some Red Sea Salt, RO water, Live Rock, Substrate and the Red Sea Reef Mature Pro Kit and went home to start the cycle.
Here is the substrate - Gray Coast Calcite.
My first, and as it turned out last attempt at Aquascaping.
I managed to find the look I wanted first time around.
I had anticipated making a thousand changes over several days.
Left Side
It doesn't look it in the pics but the rock angles up from the bottom
of the tank to allow for water flow and fish to get behind.
Right Side
I have managed to install a powerhead behind the rocks to
allow for some flow and to keep the detritus to a minimum.
Please feel free to hit me with any comments/criticisms. This is just the beginning and I would rather fix a mistake now than in six months time when the tank is loaded up.
Cheers
Gastel
