Introducing myself, back in the game!

[Chameleon]

Yeah I'd go with baffles with a skimmer. You really want the water level to be consistent for a skimmer to reduce headaches over overflowing issues and such.

 

[Seth401]

Guys,

Need some opinions... What's the easiest, most reliable way to build the return line? Never done this before so the help will be greatly appreciated! The bulkheads on th

e tank are 1 inch.

 

[Chameleon]

If I were you I would highly recommend the herbie overflow setup. This style uses two pipes in the overflow box for water going to the sump. One is a full siphon regulated with a valve and the other is a safety in case of blockage of the siphon. A lot of people run a trickle through the safety to keep water level fluctuation to a minimum. Google herbie overflow and see what you think. If you did this you would have to run the return pump over the back of the tank. They make over the back nozzles that can be directly attached to a return tube that attaches to your return pump or you can hard plumb it with pvc.

I run a durso which is quite effective but can be noisier than a herbie style. I do this because my sump is in the basement and not conducive to a full siphon.

 

[Seth401]

Guys,

Quick update... The monster is running! Based on the advice at Mike at reef life, once my tank water and plumbing were ready to go I added a pair of clowns and 3/4 bottle of Dr. Tims(went in today). My led powermodule will be hung in the next few days. I had a small delay because my controller wasn't working properly and ATI shipped me out a new one. Aquascaping hasn't really begun, the rock is pretty much piled in for the cycle. Thoughts or advice for Aquascaping? Will be 90% sps. By the way the gyre seems to be an amazing pump. Still havent quite figured out which mode I like best..

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Its always a good feeling when you get the tank to this point.

 

[Seth401]

Led powermodule up!

 

[Chameleon]

wow that light looks bright! nice

 

[Seth401]

This is two t5 running and the leds dimmed a lot. The fixture at 100% is absurdly bright. Really nice shimmer as well

 

[Seth401]

Guys,

A quick update. So the 60 has been up and running for almost a month. Initial cycle seems to be coming to a close as I have a beautiful diatom bloom. Livestock includes a pair of clowns, six line, and about six snails for cleanup. Also orange digitata, sunset Monti and a birdsnest. Everyone seems to be doing very well(the snails have their work cut out for them with the diatoms). I left my skimmer off for about the first 2.5 weeks. Since I fired it up its been pulling out some major skimmate. Gotta say this skimz 123 monster is pretty slick, literally can't hear it one bit and it's producing some serious bubbles. One funny thing. After a spike in ammonia and nitrite 10 days ago(know always at zero), my nitrates still haven't gotten above 5(according to api). Is this because I might have turned on the skimmer a little early? Anyway I will wait a little longer to start adding acros(so hard to wait). Can't wait to see all of your tanks! This was the tank last night as the T5 were almost all the way dimmed down

 

[Seth401]

The mini monster

 

[Seth401]

This entrusting montipora is gonna be sweet!

 

[Chameleon]

looking good!

 

[Seth401]

Guys I swear corals color up like crazy under good t5. I bought this birdsnest last week and it was barely green. A few days later and without the leds that will make it pop...

 

[4FordFamily]

Welcome home, welcome back, you'll love it here!

Edit: looks like you're already kicking butt and taking names!

 

[Seth401]

Guys quick question. My diatoms are starting to subside but my water is clouding up for some reason. Almost looks like the gyre is moving smoke around. Is this a bacterial bloom? Parameters still look great. Still haven't been able to test nitrates above 3-5. Very little algae growth other than the last part of diatoms. Any ideas?

 

[spspirate]

Looking good!! Welcome back!!!