Jays 40br build thread

[Medicreefer]

So I am finally getting moving on my build! After procrastinating and messing around with different equipment options I think I am settled on the direction I am going to go!!

I got my stand framed out using 2x4's. Need to paint/seal and skin it but not too sure what I am going to finish it with. The ups guy also came today with some goodies! This us just a teaser! Pics and more details to come later when I get home!

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[larangcon]

Following along Bro, can't wait to see pictures.

 

[Medicreefer]

Sorry about being lame with the updates! Got lots of goodies over the past few weeks. Still need to build my sump and enclose my stand ( just a frame right now). Here are some pics of the progress I am making.

Got the tank drilled with a glass holes 700gph overflow and 3/4" return. Also finished up the frame for the stand and painted the back glass on the tank black.

Candy shots

 

[Medicreefer]

Here are some pics of how I built the stand - 2x4 frame about 42" high. Wanted it higher since this tank will be in my basement gym.

 

[Medicreefer]

Here are some of the goodies I have gotten so far

mp10wes x2
maxspect razor 16k 160w 27" Led fixture (love this light so far!!)
Vertex Omega 150 skimmer
29g High for sump
Caribsea seafloor special grade sand 40#s
BRS Eco reef saver rock 75#s
Tunze 3155 osmolator ATO
Tunze Silence 1073.04 return pump
Two Little Fishies phosban 150 reactors
Cobalt mj12 powerhead to run reactors

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Oh, I like those goodies!!

 

[Medicreefer]

More Goodies!

 

[Medicreefer]

Pics don't do this light justice!

And we have some fine h20!!

Getting Salty!

 

[Medicreefer]

And the moment we have all been waiting for!! Here it is wet! I still need to finish up the stand and sump but wanted to get some water moving and start the cycle. Gonna go with the raw shrimp methond or maybe buy some ammonia.

Waiting for the dust to settle-(Ignore the giant powerhead. I haven't put my mp10s in the water yet.)

Made some changes to the scape -

And here it is after settling down a bit -

 

[Medicreefer]

Should I run the reactors with gfo and carbon during the cycle or wait till the tank is well established?

 

[jservedio]

Looks really good so far! No need to waste GFO or Carbon while cycling. No need to keep your lights running full cycle either to save some electric (not that you are using much with the LEDs!). Any Phosphate that leaches out of the dry rock will be taken care of before you put any livestock in anyways.

 

[Medicreefer]

Looks really good so far! No need to waste GFO or Carbon while cycling. No need to keep your lights running full cycle either to save some electric (not that you are using much with the LEDs!). Any Phosphate that leaches out of the dry rock will be taken care of before you put any livestock in anyways.

Thanks! Do I need to turn the lights on at all for the bacteria to grow?

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[bigfoot86]

No you shouldn't need lights on for the bacteria to grow, it will build up in your system either way. Looks good!

 

[Flipside]

Impressive!

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[Medicreefer]

Impressive!

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Thanks! So tonight I noticed a small plumbing issue. The return bulkhead has a really tiny leak where the threaded elbow for the return hose connects. I think I will try reapplying the Teflon tape. Can't remember if I wrapped it the right way. If that doesn't work I may go with a slip connection and glue it up! Do they make anything better than Teflon tape for threaded PVC?

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[Keepnitreel]

Looks really good so far! No need to waste GFO or Carbon while cycling. No need to keep your lights running full cycle either to save some electric (not that you are using much with the LEDs!). Any Phosphate that leaches out of the dry rock will be taken care of before you put any livestock in anyways.

I disagree with this. I feel that anything that could generate heat should run during cycle, so you can get the true running temp of the tank. It's better to get a handle on possible temp issues with an empty tank than a stocked tank. Well if you have a chiller then it wouldn't matter. If you feel the lights & pumps won't generate any noticeable heat then leave them off.

Sent by the power of gray skull!!

 

[Medicreefer]

I disagree with this. I feel that anything that could generate heat should run during cycle, so you can get the true running temp of the tank. It's better to get a handle on possible temp issues with an empty tank than a stocked tank. Well if you have a chiller then it wouldn't matter. If you feel the lights & pumps won't generate any noticeable heat then leave them off.

Sent by the power of gray skull!!

Thanks for the input! I don't think LEDs add much heat so I am going to leave them off for now. I may plug in my cobalt pump but run the reactors with out media just to get the temps stable. I also ordered 15#s of lr from tampa bay saltwater to seed my BRS dry rock.

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[Medicreefer]

Added a few raw shrimp tonight! Let the cycle begin!

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[Medicreefer]

So less than 24 hours and the table shrimp have my ammonia up to 0.25! Didn't think they would work that quick. My live rock is on the plane and will be in Boston later today so I will get some pics posted up once I get it home.

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[Medicreefer]

Just got back from picking up my box of rocks from the Airport! Gotta say that TB saltwater did an awesome job packing the rock! The box was bone dry and all the water was where it belonged double bagged in the box. All the pieces were a good size and almost zero rubble due to breakage! Every rock has some sort of life on it! Snails, feather dusters, worms, sponges, other types of stuff that I am not sure what it is! I am excited to see what comes out of the crevices!:bigsmile: