New Reef tank setup, need help

[nautical_nathaniel]

But how do you think water flow would work in this case, as return line outlet is at the top and overflow would also be on top, wont it get me stagnant water in the bottom of refugium? Do you suggest to add a small wave maker in the refugium section or a flexible return line pointed downwards.

I am planning to paint refugium front panel black and have black glass/acrylic partition.

A small wavemake pump or even a random flow generator nozzle on the return, or both if you find that you need it.

 

[HimRathore]

A small wavemake pump or even a random flow generator nozzle on the return, or both if you find that you need it.

Sure, i'll start with small wavemaker in the fuge. And no holes in the partition, just top acrylic comb for gravity flow to Display tank. Comb to stop any algae transferring from fuge to main tank with the water flow

 

[HimRathore]

Guys, does ceramic balls have any place in marine tank. I am planning to put 40Kg rocks in 120 Gal (Display +Sump) setup, should i have some ceramic balls in addition under filter sock section of sump?

By the way, before debate on filter sock kick; let me clarify I would be replacing them every alternate day to start with and clean them in washing machine. Planning to have 5-6 pairs.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[HimRathore]

Common guys, I need your help

 

[rkpetersen]

Guys, does ceramic balls have any place in marine tank. I am planning to put 40Kg rocks in 120 Gal (Display +Sump) setup, should i have some ceramic balls in addition under filter sock section of sump?

I personally don't think they're necessary once the rock and other surfaces in your display are fully cured. Some forms have been shown to leach aluminum into the water, although for the most part this is unimportant. The larger blocks may be large enough to support denitrification (decreasing your nitrate level, good thing) at their centers (so I have heard.) So I think it really comes down to personal preference, probably won't hurt or help too much either way.

 

[HimRathore]

I personally don't think they're necessary once the rock and other surfaces in your display are fully cured. Some forms have been shown to leach aluminum into the water, although for the most part this is unimportant. The larger blocks may be large enough to support denitrification (decreasing your nitrate level, good thing) at their centers (so I have heard.) So I think it really comes down to personal preference, probably won't hurt or help too much either way.

Thanks, am still confused between Curve 5 & 7, i called seller for curve 5 but he is suggesting curve 7 for 120 gal. Is it only for his profit or it means anything for me as well. Any suggestion?

 

[rkpetersen]

I'd go with the 7, if it will fit. Then you can overstock your tank if that's your thing. Also make sure your return pump is large enough with the plumbing you have planned.

 

[HimRathore]

I'd go with the 7, if it will fit. Then you can overstock your tank if that's your thing. Also make sure your return pump is large enough with the plumbing you have planned.

Thanks, this is really helpful. I am not planning to overstock but I would still go for 7 in case it fits my sump. I may change my mind later on
What pump do you suggest? I was planning for jebo DCT 4000

 

[HimRathore]

Also, any suggestions on light. I dont plan to have hard corals probably some softies.
Am on a budget and shortlisted this
https://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-Marine-Aquarium-60-Inch/dp/B00GFTSV24
And i would add couple of T5s
What do you think about this?

Black boxes excited me, but even they were out of budget.

 

[rkpetersen]

I've used the Jebao return pumps before, they're reasonably dependable. I'm currently using Reef Octo VarioS return pumps although I'm thinking of upgrading.

I don't know anything about that light, but it looks like it gets good marks from owners. And you can't go wrong by adding T5s; ATI Blue+ and Actinic are what I use.

 

[HimRathore]

Today I started with the setup, and have purchased some initial stuff. Idea is to build Sump and than the main tank by next week, plumbing and other essentials in another week.

Probably setup would be ready for cycle by mid of December.
Would upload images as i build things up.

 

[HimRathore]

Sump is cured, have filled water for leakage test

 

[HimRathore]

I was away for some time, but was utilizing it pretty well.

Finally my setup is ready, attaching some pictures as well, please ignore the quality as these are from my mobile but I am planning a photo session soon with my camera.

Tank is cycling now and I would post a detailed report on my experience with tank build later. Thanks for all the group members who helped me come this far and would need lot of your support now as I am now in the hobby officially.

 

[MSB123]

Cool!

 

[HimRathore]

The top would get a cover soon, I also don't like the ugly looking wires.

 

[HimRathore]

Hi Guys, How are you doing.

Update on my tank:
It is 18th day of my cycling and I saw brown algae today, a few small bunches.

I added a live rock from another matured tank on 6th day of cycling and added 4 small damsels on 12th day.

Tested with Selifert kit and here are the readings:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 50-100

What do you suggest as next steps.

- Should I let algae grow or remove it with hand or start adding clean up crew
- Do i do my first water change to reduce Nitrate, how much 10-15%?
- With my limited knowledge of cycling, I feel like am at the end of cycle. Is my understanding right?

 

[rkpetersen]

Yes, congrats, based on that info, your cycle is active. You only have damsels in there so far so many people would do a huge water change now to get that nitrate way way down. (50% or more, or multiple smaller changes on successive days.)

 

[HimRathore]

Thanks for your advice mate; I'll test water again tomorrow, and start with small water changes in case Nitrate are still high.

Any suggestions on Algae which is growing slowly, shall I add some snails to clear it up before it becomes unmanageable?

 

[rkpetersen]

If you're starting to get algae and your tank is cycled, getting a small cleanup crew won't hurt. Algae eating snails only at this point, like trochus. I wouldn't get detritus cleaning snails or scavengers like hermit crabs yet.