New Tank, new here, hey there!!!

[Ahbaloch]

Hello everyone, let me start by saying my name is Ali, and i am supppppper excited to get this setup up and running,

I have had fresh water tanks for 10+ years,
Had a salt water nano tank and couldnt keep up with it and got rid of it.

But i went to a friends house who had a salt water tank, that was very basic, no corals, no sump, and i challeneged him”let me show you how its done”

So here i am,

I got a 37high with an aluminum stand that i picked up.

Tank is same dimension as 20l but just high.

I also picked up a 20l tank that i made i to a sump,

Got a coral life light thats 30inchs with four t5s and 2 lunatic leds, picked it up from a fellow reef hobbyiest for a good price.

With protein skimmer, fuge(maybe a frag tank) lol, return and (last 5 inches is ATO, ,

I also have a medium CPR fuge that i will add on the HOb, just to add more water volume and that wat i can use the sump refugium section for smthing else.

I also got the aquatice life 4 stage Ro/DI system.

My sump us done,

Mt tank comes in Wednesday, i have the ESHOPS eclipse S that i will be installing,

Sump sectionss

Return is 4.5x12
Skimmer 7.5x12
ATO is 5x12
Fuge is 9x12

Rest inches is bounle trap

QUESTIONS,

1- Whats pump do i need for return, (3/4 bulkhead that i plan on installing)

2- what to watch out for when drilling my tank?

3- dry rock or live?

4- which ATO system to get?

5- which skimmer to get?

6- how high DSP( got 4 , 20lbs back of fine live sand from petco) was on sale.

7- what size pump do i need for the CPR fuge. (Bought it used for half the retail. Without pump and light)

8- is it safe to put 37 gallong tank with 20l sump on second floor of my house?(house is about 20-25 years old)

9- is the light i have a good for reef tank?

10- should i keep one return or make 2 returns, ?

Below you can see my sump, and the stand,

Thanks everyone looking forwards to make friends and family here.

 

[Big G]

Welcome to R2R, Ali Lots of really nice and helpful people here. Welcome!
ATO is real easy - Tunze all the way. Ultra reliable.
Return pump - Reef Octopus Varios 2. It's DC, extremely quiet and parts are available if needed.

 

[Ahbaloch]

Whats the diff between ac and dc,??

Also i was looking at te smart ato?,

Welcome to R2R, Ali Lots of really nice and helpful people here. Welcome!
ATO is real easy - Tunze all the way. Ultra reliable.
Return pump - Reef Octopus Varios 2. It's DC, extremely quiet and parts are available if needed.

 

[Big G]

DC pumps use much less power. If you search around on R2R you'll find lots of and lots of recommendations for Tunze ATO. Great people, parts, service.

 

[Susan Edwards]

First welcome. It's a fun journey so take your time.

water weight is 8lbs per gal so you have to make sure you're good there and include sand and rock weight. I suspect you're okay up against a load bearing wall but double ck.

I went a lot less $ on my returns and wavemakers (did you have powerheads up there?) I go jebao DC pump and wavemakers on amazon. Have had no issues and have 2 tanks. Depends on your budget. I figure if one goes out, cost is low enough I can replace. I have a tunze ato and also another smart one (jcp???). Both work great.

Ask questions, do research and make a budget and check out peoples build threads. And start your own as well.

 

[Ahbaloch]

What model of jabeo? Pm me with everything u got for sale, lol

First welcome. It's a fun journey so take your time.

water weight is 8lbs per gal so you have to make sure you're good there and include sand and rock weight. I suspect you're okay up against a load bearing wall but double ck.

I went a lot less $ on my returns and wavemakers (did you have powerheads up there?) I go jebao DC pump and wavemakers on amazon. Have had no issues and have 2 tanks. Depends on your budget. I figure if one goes out, cost is low enough I can replace. I have a tunze ato and also another smart one (jcp???). Both work great.

Ask questions, do research and make a budget and check out peoples build threads. And start your own as well.

 

[Susan Edwards]

This is the dc pump I got. I cannot hear it running at all. You won't need so big. I'm only running mine at 50% power https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTVJ0T6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the doser. Have had it a year or close to a year maybe. No issues https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014KKCILE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are the wavemakers. I have some of the pp4's in my 66 gal tank as well https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0192HNED6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0192HNEEA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm also using the current eflux wavemakers that go with my lights--one system with a controller. You can use just the wavemakers without the lights. Need 1 with a kit, and if you go 2, one without kit. Again, happy with these as well, and the lights so far

I don't have anything myself for sale <g>. Eventually maybe a new cs overflow box I never used....

 

[Ahbaloch]

This is the dc pump I got. I cannot hear it running at all. You won't need so big. I'm only running mine at 50% power https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTVJ0T6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the doser. Have had it a year or close to a year maybe. No issues https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014KKCILE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are the wavemakers. I have some of the pp4's in my 66 gal tank as well https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0192HNED6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0192HNEEA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm also using the current eflux wavemakers that go with my lights--one system with a controller. You can use just the wavemakers without the lights. Need 1 with a kit, and if you go 2, one without kit. Again, happy with these as well, and the lights so far

I don't have anything myself for sale <g>. Eventually maybe a new cs overflow box I never used....

How much for the pump and the wave makers

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R Ali we’re happy to have you here

 

[Susan Edwards]

How much for the pump and the wave makers

lol's. They aren't for sale. I just set them up <g>. Was more pointing you toward less expensive alternatives.

 

[Ahbaloch]

Lmaoooo, i dont know what i was thinking, maybe i was reading a diff thread and commented here loll.

But i gotch you,
I was looking at jebao too as it comes with a slick controller and doesn’t cost $300 like mp10,

lol's. They aren't for sale. I just set them up <g>. Was more pointing you toward less expensive alternatives.

 

[Ahbaloch]

Still need few other questions answered.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I'm still pretty new and just set up my first tank with a sump. Other one is an AIO. My tank was reef ready so I didn't need to drill. For the sand bed, 1-2 inches unless you go deep sand bed which is then 4-6 inches? On a small tank, I'd stick with 2 inches as it takes up space. I went with dry rock as I wasn't willing to chance unwanted hitchhikers. I used a combination of pukani, marco, reef cleaner and some from amazon. Marco rock is great. The RC and Ama rock all looked like marco. Pukani is much dirtier but is lighter and has a neat appearance. Don't know anything about those lights, although my 66 gal has t-5's. New set up is led's. Not sure on skimmers as my tank came with the one I have.

I'd start a build thread (can even copy your original post over to it) and share your journey into this mad, crazy world of reefing.

 

[Ahbaloch]

Ohh okay, i just ordered a mag5 punp, and small taama rio 180 for the cpr fuge, ,

Where is the forums for build? I tried to look and i couldnt find it.

Post a pic of your tank?

Also how long did it take your dry rock to become live?

I'm still pretty new and just set up my first tank with a sump. Other one is an AIO. My tank was reef ready so I didn't need to drill. For the sand bed, 1-2 inches unless you go deep sand bed which is then 4-6 inches? On a small tank, I'd stick with 2 inches as it takes up space. I went with dry rock as I wasn't willing to chance unwanted hitchhikers. I used a combination of pukani, marco, reef cleaner and some from amazon. Marco rock is great. The RC and Ama rock all looked like marco. Pukani is much dirtier but is lighter and has a neat appearance. Don't know anything about those lights, although my 66 gal has t-5's. New set up is led's. Not sure on skimmers as my tank came with the one I have.

I'd start a build thread (can even copy your original post over to it) and share your journey into this mad, crazy world of reefing.

okay,m

 

[Susan Edwards]

Build threads are under member tanks in the main forum screen. Have to scroll way down. Here is the link https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

Post your link in this thread so we can go check it out and follow

In my new tank, it's only had water a month or so. In my other tank, it's been going for just over a year. Takes a bit for rock to go from dry to live. Adding bottled bacteria prob. helps. Not sure how long it takes. I add biospira. if you look at my post above, or other posts, most who have tanks have links in their signatures.

My two are:
http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/susans-rsm-250.276718/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/susans-grand-adventure-125-reef-build.342056/#post-4271586

Here's a shot or 2 or 3 or 4....

66 gal in my home office 15 months

fish qt in home office

Coral QT in living room

125 and coral qt in living room. Coral qt is an older pic <g>

 

[Ahbaloch]

Omg im soo jealous lol, how do you have sooooo much coraline???

How often do you do water change,?
Do you have a sump?
Do you dose,?
Do you have a refugium,?

Build threads are under member tanks in the main forum screen. Have to scroll way down. Here is the link https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

Post your link in this thread so we can go check it out and follow

In my new tank, it's only had water a month or so. In my other tank, it's been going for just over a year. Takes a bit for rock to go from dry to live. Adding bottled bacteria prob. helps. Not sure how long it takes. I add biospira. if you look at my post above, or other posts, most who have tanks have links in their signatures.

My two are:
http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/susans-rsm-250.276718/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/susans-grand-adventure-125-reef-build.342056/#post-4271586

Here's a shot or 2 or 3 or 4....

66 gal in my home office 15 months

fish qt in home office

Coral QT in living room

125 and coral qt in living room. Coral qt is an older pic <g>

M

 

[Ahbaloch]

I think i an leaning toward pukani live rock from premium aquatic, i dont want to wait 6-8 weeks for curing for dry rock,

Not atleast this time,

Maybe i can get live rock and dip it in coral rx

 

[Susan Edwards]

I think i an leaning toward pukani live rock from premium aquatic, i dont want to wait 6-8 weeks for curing for dry rock,

Not atleast this time,

Maybe i can get live rock and dip it in coral rx

That would defeat the purpose of live rock and I'm not sure i'd be effective. Someone who has done live rock can answer this better. You don't have to wait 6-8 weeks for rock to be live. In fact, live rock has to be cured due to die off that happens between purchase, shipping and time to get it into your tank. Dry rock has no die off, and no "cure" time, though pukani will have crud and stuff dried that can cause cycles, but as you have to start with a cycle anyway....

Marco rock and reef cleaner rock is very clean, just need to rinse. Rock becomes "live" when the good bacteria settles in. That happens the minute you start your cycle: ammonia to nitrite to nitrates. 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite means you have bacteria. When you can redose ammonia and have it go to 0 in 24 hrs, you have plenty of live bacteria. Your sand will also become "live". Live means ability to filter out ammonia and nitrites
without spikes. Not the best person to put this into words but basically, at almost a month, my sand and rock is live.

What I did was set my tank up, hooked up sump, got it all working, added salt and bottled bacteria and then I added ammonia (stuff I bought for tanks) and let the cycle begin. No matter what you'll have a cycle and will have to wait. You'll do a ton of waiting. If you rush, you'll prob. crash.

I started my cycle feb 12th. I waited for the cycle to complete--2-3 weeks and added 2 fish I already had. Added also 2 corals I had. Nothing else. Have 6 fish in qt that will go in the tank in apr. Have a bunch of corals in qt waiting for parameters to stabilize in the display--ca/mg/alk were all WAYYYYYY off. Am I eager to get those fish and corals in? Yep. Am I tired of seeing a glass box of water, sand and rock? Yep. Do I want to kill what is waiting to call home? No.

Do some research on starting with live rock. I chose not to deal with the problems that could mean tearing the tank down. Will nasties find their way into my tank at some point in time. Prob. but so far in my 66 gal, no nasties.

Bulk Reef Supply is good for pukani as well, and marco rocks has really nice rock, as does John as reef cleaners. Take your time and research. There are also a couple good threads of aquascapes for ideas. I'll find them and post.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Omg im soo jealous lol, how do you have sooooo much coraline???

How often do you do water change,?
Do you have a sump?
Do you dose,?
Do you have a refugium,?
M

I do weekly. Sometime bi weekly of 5-10 % Just did my first big wc to the big tank today. Prob. 10-15% Haven't done the math yet. Yes on sump. Bashsea biofuge. Love it and it has a fuge. I have a doser for the 66 gal. Hand dose the coral qt and the 125. Will get a doser for the 125 in a few months. Pic of my sump. If you go through my 125 build you'll see my process from sump design, and how great a job my hubby did on both plumbing and electrical.

Here are a few threads on scaping. Just go to forums and do a search. Do that will live rock as well and many other combinations.
First one is a great article with tons of pics from members
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-on-c
reating-amazing-aquascapes.97209/page-44#post-4476346

This one had a ton of response
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/p...e-for-inspiration.355262/page-10#post-4428352
More:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-me-your-aquascapes.329699/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i-need-aquascape-inpiration.332739/#post-4139878
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...aquascape-pictures.328710/page-6#post-4478591

 

[vetteguy53081]

Welcome and enjoy the many topics, forums, etc on this site.
reef aquaria is a piece of the ocean in essence and a world of joy. Do go slow, be patient and buy the best equipment you can afford. with that- no regrets.
As you can see in previous posts,,,,, there are many talented and novice aquarists with various setup types and preferences. At minimum , it should give you many ideas. After 30 years of experience, you get tanks like this below. It doesn't take 30 yrs to accomplish this but this what experience has done for me.