My Reef Journey Begins!

[Brew12]

Today was a productive day. With the sump finished and in the stand I was able to put the tank on it. I just gave up cleaning it. Good enough will have to do. It's not like it won't just grow over again anyway. The big accomplishment? Aquascaping! It looks like it should be so easy, but it is so difficult. I tried to lay it out on a cardboard cutout I made and spent an hour or two getting it where I liked it. Couldn't get it back together the same way when I tried moving it to the tank. But, I'm pleased with the way it turned out.
The right side is really more my style. Fairly simple and minimal. However, I realized I needed more dense rockwork to provide hiding spots for fish and ledges for different corals. That is what the left side is for. Progress is being made!

 

[BummersReef]

I like it VERY much, especially the right side. but lots of room for corals on the left. And we had the same issues with aquascaping, took forever and so hard to decide. Lucky it looks like its all dry rock so you didn't have to rush around trying to keep the live rock alive! I really do like it a lot.

 

[MermaidTail]

Dig this 'scape!!! Looks GREAT!

 

[Brew12]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. After handling the rock so much yesterday I'm curious how long it will take for my fingerprint scanner on my iPhone to work again!

 

[BummersReef]

what kind of rocks are they?

 

[MermaidTail]

A couple of GREAT cave spots here for some sun coral!

 

[Brew12]

I used Florida Reef Rock from Reefcleaners. I really thought about using live rock but for a first aquarium I figured it best to keep this simple by not having to worry about hitchhikers.
Not sure what a sun coral is, but I'm sure I will start learning in a few more months once my system is stable!

 

[MermaidTail]

It looks really great- nice work! My sun coral is my favorite- great movement and color!

 

[Brew12]

Wow, that looks amazing!

 

[MermaidTail]

Wow, that looks amazing!

Thanks, it's a cool addition to the reef. And they do great in those cave-like areas with an overhang!

 

[Brew12]

Well, today was a huge setback. Unfortunately, I have a problem with the stand. Now I need to pump the water out, maybe take the rock out, and see what I can do to fix it. I just can't see taking a risk even though the stand would "probably" be just fine. Makes me wish I had build my own. Such is life.

 

[Joey waid]

Well, today was a huge setback. Unfortunately, I have a problem with the stand. Now I need to pump the water out, maybe take the rock out, and see what I can do to fix it. I just can't see taking a risk even though the stand would "probably" be just fine. Makes me wish I had build my own. Such is life.

Man that sux, better now than later. Wood is cheap..

 

[Sistawolf]

Following making great progress!

 

[gettaReef]

What problem/issue are you having with your stand exactly? Setbacks = major Bummer

 

[Brew12]

What problem/issue are you having with your stand exactly? Setbacks = major Bummer

The support isn't even. Just a bad design. Once it started loading up I thought the tank frame would settle into the 2x4's but it isn't happening. It should have had a plywood top with the way the support was designed. I knew better but figured that if it had been set up this way it would be ok. Once I saw it with real weight I realized it is putting more stress on the tank frame than I am comfortable with.
I already have the new top made and paint is drying. Tomorrow I will drain the tank and see if we can slip it under the tank with the rock and sand already in it. I sure hope so!

 

[Brew12]

Ok, back on track. The new plywood top fit perfectly. Have some touchup to do on the paint but I am back in business. Once again, water going in!

 

[najer]

Nice save, better safe than sorry, I had a steel stand made for my upgrade to take the guesswork out.

 

[Brew12]

Well, tank is filled to just below the overflow. I put 2 powerheads in the tank and added 2 frozen shrimp to start the cycle this morning. No ammonia detectible yet. Guess it either hasn't been long enough or the live sand is doing the job.
My plumbing parts came in but I am working 14 hour days doing a major substation upgrade until at least Saturday. I want to give the sump a full week to cure anyway so the delay doesn't bother me. Just didn't see any reason to not start getting the tank cycling. Not like the sump plays a major part in that and I wasn't going to run my skimmer initially, anyway.
Hope to have more meaningful updates in a few days.

 

[RamsReef]

Let me know if your need a substation tech.

 

[Brew12]

I have 24 of them working for me through the weekend. However, I don't have anything to do during the construction phase so I got up in a manlift and helped with the construction for around 6 hrs today. All my design work is done, and I can't do my final relay testing until after the construction is done.