My First Big Tank is almost ready to be filled!

[Pittsford_Pets]

Hey all!

Today I cleaned up my stand, cleaned up a new 40g Breeder, and picked up some new rocks. Right now I’m probably packing 20 pounds of dry rock and soon an additional 10 in rubble live rock that’ll be scattered throughout my tank and in my filter. I decided to go sumpless, but I might get either a 5.5g or 10g sump when I feel it’s necessary or if I get bored haha. This tank will be going pretty simple, a pair of AI Primes (time to save), a Marineland hang on back filter (rated for 70g), an eventual reef octopus 100 protein skimmer, and a pair of hydor koralia powerheads.

I’m still deciding on fine sand or aragonite. The fine sand will be better if I want some sand sifting fish, but the aragonite will be better for sand sifting fish too... Fine sand will get blown around but they can sift it easier, aragonite doesn’t get blown around as easily but they can’t sift it through their fills as easily... Here’re some pics of the scape I did! Keep in mind that I’m still goin to be adding coral and a few pieces of live rock once the tank is filled with water and there’s a good inch to two inches of sandbed.

Any ideas for coral placement and what I should add in the front?

Thanks!

 

[Maritimer]

Kind of a cool 'scape!

As far as the front, you might consider something like a plate coral or Trachyphylla, or a rock with GSP or Xenia on it.

Speaking of coral, what sorts do you eventually plan to have? If you're dreaming of Acropora, the flow you'll want will make you glad of the coarser aragonite sands.

~Bruce

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Kind of a cool 'scape!

As far as the front, you might consider something like a plate coral or Trachyphylla, or a rock with GSP or Xenia on it.

Speaking of coral, what sorts do you eventually plan to have? If you're dreaming of Acropora, the flow you'll want will make you glad of the coarser aragonite sands.

~Bruce

Pretty much a mix. All sorts of softies, LPS, and SPS. I like birdsnest, easy to grow, and easy to frag! Thinking a euphyllia garden and maybe some zoanthid colonies... There’s a big coral sale ($5 a frag) at my LFS in a week or two and I’ll probably get my Other tank full haha. The ones I like will go in the 10g until the 40 is ready to have coral.

Just as confirmation, 20 pounds of dry rock and 10 pounds of live rock, in addition to cycled filter media from a hang on back filter will leave me with a fast cycle?

 

[Maritimer]

The live rock will help move things along, as will bottled bacteria or cycled media - but the cycle happens on its own time. Do the tests and chart the results; you'll see it happen, and know when it's ready. When the tank can process 2ppm or so of ammonia, then begin to build up a population of life.

~Bruce

 

[Jeepguy242]

looking good.... i like the scape!

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Currently filling the tank up!

Red will be an anemone (unless he moves)

Blue will be a euphyllia garden

black SPS

white zoanthid colony

green softies

orange not sure yet...