My reef build

[OutsideBrian]

A few weeks ago I picked up a used 65G with a bunch of equipment.

I started a brute can beginning of January to start curing some rocks. The tanks previous owner gave me a piece of love rock to help. I started with Dr Tim’s over the weekend and nitrite is climbing.

I sanded, strengthened, repainted and replaced hardware on the stand.

Then I took a 20L and build a sump with an eBay kit.

Over the weekend I water tested the tank and found a few small drips. I cut out all the seals and am in the process of resealing it. We’ll see how that goes.

I still need to figure out and decide on my lighting.

 

[tupes]

Before you purchase new lights invest In better test kits. Redsea, hanna instruments or salifert.

I assume you meant live rock not love rock? Lol.

Keep us posted on how the sealing goes

 

[OutsideBrian]

Yes I meant live rock. Stupid auto correct.
I bit the bullet and just bought a new tank.
Made a top for it too.
Going to get it filled today.

 

[OutsideBrian]

All filled, need to filter out the silt from the sand and let the cycle go. I did see a little star fish too

 

[OutsideBrian]

Found a little feather duster in my sump.

Ammonia was down to zero today, nitrites were still up. So I dosed back up again. I’m going to retest tomorrow and see how low ammonia drops in 24hrs.
If it gets low I may do a bit of a water change to try bringing the nitrites down a little.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Still waiting on my nitrites to fall. Ammonia is at zero.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Seems like the nitrites are starting to come down.

Set up a qt tank too.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Seems like the nitrites are starting to come down.

Set up a qt tank too.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Did a quick few tests tonight. Starting to look much better.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Made a pvc holder for the heater in my Fluval Evo5 qt.
Stuffed bio balls from my Dt into the piping and inside the foam filter. Hoping that adds bio surface. I also added an aqua clear 20 powerhead to help circulate.
Just waiting on my copper checker and some meds before making a trip to the LFS.

 

[OutsideBrian]

I’ve had two fish in Qt for a week. Looking forward to moving them into the dt next weekend. I Might go shopping and get two more too

 

[OutsideBrian]

Well only the blue damsel made it though Qt :/
Added a prime hd until I get some corals, I’ll add another when I do.
Added a few pieces of rock.
Picked up a controllable wavemaker to replace the cheap one. I’ll keep the cheap one for salt mixing.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Like the tank and rocks. (That one rock all the way on the right up top would make me nervous.)

Bummer on the QT loss.

Was that a royal gamma I saw that was lost?

 

[OutsideBrian]

Like the tank and rocks. (That one rock all the way on the right up top would make me nervous.)

Bummer on the QT loss.

Was that a royal gamma I saw that was lost?

Yes it was a royal, jumped out of a small gap in the lid. I will be getting another soon.
I have two new fish finishing up in qt now. A black clown goby and a twinspot blenny.
The tower of rocks is epoxied together and the base rock is about ten pounds. I don’t think it’s going to topple.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Tested nitrates and phosphate tonight. All still seem low even doing small feedings three times a day. Thoughts on getting it raised? My skimmer isn’t turned on at all and no macro algae’s exporting, just a sump full of rubble rock.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Rigged up a quick shelf for my controls.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Three fish really love this side of the tank. None of them really goes over to the other end. Doesn’t matter if I turn down the powerhead or turn it off. I level moved it to the back corner behind the big rock too.
Blue damsel, royal gramma and Midas blenny in the sand cave at the bottom.

My nitrates are up to 25 and I am starting to get some diatoms. Did a five gallon water change last weekend and going to do another 5 gallon water change this weekend. Depending on parameters I may have to do 10 gallon changes each weekend.
Ph is right about 8, alk was 7.5 before the wc and is 10 for new water.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Added a few more rocks today, man are they white!
I have added a few corals and hermits too
Currently have a tailspot, hectors and sharknose goby in Qt