My first saltwater build

[West1]

Today marks the day i mixed my first drop of saltwater, it's been a patient 4-5 months of reading, buying, reading and building.
So far it's been fun.

I've been in the freshwater hobby for a good while and decided to try salt.

Biocube 29
Advance Acrylic Sump 17x18x17 3/8"
NanoBox Retro M plus
DIY concrete wall/floor

10gl QT
AC-70
Current USA freshwater light for now (set as blue/pink as possible)

Spectra pure 90gpd
44gl brute for Di water

Milwaukee MA887 refractometer
Hanna checker dkh
Hanna checker phosphate
Salifert NO3
API test kit

4 Hitchhikers
Bayers
Prazipro

Currently still running tap water in the BC29 and on day 2 of plumbing test run. By Saturday if all is well, i will start my cycle!!!!!

This forum exposed me to the importance of a QT so I took advantage of Petcos 1.00per gl and setup a 10gl just now.

Here are some pics of my journey as I prepare for some soft corals. My goal is a floor of stony anemones and a mix of lps/sps with the heavy hand towards lps.

First mix!!

Prepare for DIY herbie overflow

Overflow

1" pvc

Overflow install, I purposely used white caulking so I can see any missed spots. No one can see so technically not an eyesore

Concrete floor

Concrete walls and overflow

3rd or 4th round of concrete. I messed up by doing my plumbing so I could not lay the tank on its back. This caused me to do very very thin layers at a time... Fwd to curing concrete.

Advanced Acrylics Custom Fuge sump

Im stoked!!!
Tyvm for reading

 

[kazikage42]

That concrete background looks super cool. Following

 

[Taduga]

Yes to start the hobby with DIY is a big step and I'm interested to see how it goes. I'm fallowing for sure....

 

[West1]

1 week update...

Amonoa 1.00 PPM
Nitrate 0.00
Nitrite 0.00
Salinity 1.025
PH 8.5
Temp 78*

After a muriatic acid bath, I used some ep-200 to bond some bes dry rock to the concrete wall. Placed a piece of pukani in front just to see if I like it (lose, not bonded).
Places about 15lbs of dry rock in my fuge section.
The only thing I need is a skimmer, which I find myself changing models/brands every other day as I read reviews. Looking for something quiet with low wattage (deltco is on the top of my list atm).

 

[Salty1962]

Very cool!

 

[spscubed]

Following along on this one!

 

[Stunna]

Much better than when I first started! Looks great!

 

[West1]

Update...
Picked up a Nyos 120 (still having overflowing issues) and tank cycled 2 weeks ago.
TLF gfo/carbon reactor has been added where the return plumbing has a T. Not shown in pictures.

Currently in BC29 is...

MP10wqd
1" yellowtail damsel
4 redclaw hermits
2 random sps corals (on brs reef saver if you look closely).

10gl qt update...

nanobox mini
rw-4
4-5" pygmy octo
4" serpent star
2" emerald crab
5-10 red claw hermits (food)
Corals
single Duncan
4-5 mushrooms
2 random sps

2-3 times a week reefroids
target Duncan once a week

Playing with mesh to try and octo proof my overflow. Its on pretty tight but the back has a slight bump that creates a tiny wedge. I will try and trim the mesh later.

 

[Scurvy]

Very nice start! Can I ask why you went with the concrete? Purely asthetic??
How are you liking the skimmer? I have the same one on my Reefer and couldn't be happier with it. If anything I have a hard time keeping nutrients in the water.

 

[West1]

Very nice start! Can I ask why you went with the concrete? Purely asthetic??
How are you liking the skimmer? I have the same one on my Reefer and couldn't be happier with it. If anything I have a hard time keeping nutrients in the water.

Yes, pure asthetic with a bit of curiosity.
As per the skimmer, I've only had it running correctly for about a week. It's my first skimmer so I can't comment other than it looks nice.


Coral Update-
Moved most of my qt corals to the dt.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Great looking setup... I appreciate the DIY back glass scape....

 

[West1]

Update...

I have a few sps, lps and mushrooms.

My fav coral atm is the candy cane on the left

 

[West1]

Few more corals.
On Friday I came home to some stressed corals. Params seemed fine, 3 corals im specific looked pale but the others looked normal. Did a water change as scheduled and they seem to be coloring up again.
Going to hold off on adding corals, not sure if I was adding to many or not. Still have no need for my Bubble Magnus doser as params don't drop that much between weekly 10gl water changes.

 

[West1]

Tried the Yellow safety glasses trick...

pics were taken under intense blue lighting with iPhone 6 plus

 

[DSmithZ28]

That is super cool! I love the concrete background!

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Today marks the day i mixed my first drop of saltwater, it's been a patient 4-5 months of reading, buying, reading and building.
So far it's been fun.

I've been in the freshwater hobby for a good while and decided to try salt.

Biocube 29
Advance Acrylic Sump 17x18x17 3/8"
NanoBox Retro M plus
DIY concrete wall/floor

10gl QT
AC-70
Current USA freshwater light for now (set as blue/pink as possible)

Spectra pure 90gpd
44gl brute for Di water

Milwaukee MA887 refractometer
Hanna checker dkh
Hanna checker phosphate
Salifert NO3
API test kit

4 Hitchhikers
Bayers
Prazipro

Currently still running tap water in the BC29 and on day 2 of plumbing test run. By Saturday if all is well, i will start my cycle!!!!!

This forum exposed me to the importance of a QT so I took advantage of Petcos 1.00per gl and setup a 10gl just now.

Here are some pics of my journey as I prepare for some soft corals. My goal is a floor of stony anemones and a mix of lps/sps with the heavy hand towards lps.

First mix!!

Prepare for DIY herbie overflow

Overflow

1" pvc

Overflow install, I purposely used white caulking so I can see any missed spots. No one can see so technically not an eyesore

Concrete floor

Concrete walls and overflow

3rd or 4th round of concrete. I messed up by doing my plumbing so I could not lay the tank on its back. This caused me to do very very thin layers at a time... Fwd to curing concrete.

Advanced Acrylics Custom Fuge sump

Im stoked!!!
Tyvm for reading

Hey West1,

Congratulations with new build!!!! Looking great Fish look very haapy
How is the tank now? Any new updates?

Zhenya

 

[West1]

Hi neighbor (with in 7 miles) lol.

Tank is doing well. Last week I had some corals stress out while others seemed normal. Was actually in the process of a Sunkist bounce purchase when I backed out. Did params and all but mag were within reason. Not sure if I am doing the RedSea Pro Mg right but I keep getting 1800+ (.9 ml used to reach blue color).

I think I just need to slow down and take my time buying and adding.

As far as the concrete, I have no issues. If I could do it all again, I would have made the teeth to the overflow deeper or a shorter overflow. I get a nice amount of salt around the hood. My waterline is approx. 1/2 inch from overflowing. From the waves I believe tiny splashing is causing the salt buildup. If you need any tips, lmk. I was nervous at the start but not I would do it to every tank that steps in my house

 

[West1]

Update...

tank cracked on the bottom this morning. Shutting down, im drained

Concrete was cured, submerged for months, I doubt it was the concrete but just to lay my mind to rest, is it possible the concrete was the culprit?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...mer-socal-90245-or-90220.300784/#post-3681102

 

[Katrina71]

@Grimreefer89 take a look.