New to the Hobby - New Tank!

[raven67]

Hey all! New to the hobby. Been building my stand from scratch. When I decided to jump into this I was standing in a petco with about $500 worth of crap in my cart. Had a HOB filter, some sand, salt mix, all the "retail guy who doesnt know salt" stuff in my cart. Decided to do research and come back. Well after a month of research and construction, I'm about to launch my tank! Build the stand from the ground up, bought a 40g breeder, drilled the overflow and return, designed and constructed my own sump. Things are coming along nicely.

Got 10lbs of live rock today, sort of in a dilemma. Do I start up my tank with the live rock I got today, or wait as it dies more for the remaining 45lbs to come tomorrow? I was thinking at the very least, fill my tank up halfway and use a powerhead with the live sand and live rock in there, until I get the remaining rock tomorrow?

Using Petco "real ocean water".

40g Breeder drilled for overflow and return, with internal overflow box.
20g Sump (with three glass chambers and bubble traps)
All sealed PVC plumbing
Magdrive 700GPH pump
Hydor Koralia Evolution powerhead 600GPH (Need to order another probably but waiting to see if i want more or less flow)
Reef Octopus NWB110 (going in tomorrow)

I'll add some pictures!

 

[glb]

I'd go ahead and put it in. The die off will start the cycling.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[mike007]

Looks like it is going to be nice. And yes keep that rock wet.

 

[spspirate]

You got the hang of it! Welcome to REEF2REEF!!!!

 

[raven67]

Added the first shipment of live rock and half water

Okay so I realized I didnt post finished pics! Attached those. I added half the tank of water, dropped in the sand and powerhead and then put my 10 pound live rock in it. Can't see it right now the water is so cloudly. Hopefully by morning it will clear up! 45lbs more coming tomorrow!

 

[revsgirl]

Nice! Good luck!


Chasing the Dream Giver, not the dream! Tonya

 

[jduck]

Nice looking setup. Glad that you did some research before you jumped in, defiantly saved yourself some money and headaches.

 

[Mike J.]

Looks like you're a DIY person. That's great, you'll have a better understanding of it. Welcome to Reef 2 Reef! Great photos.

 

[raven67]

Well, I dont know why I didnt think to put my overflow box right under the tank lip.. My water level is about an inch shy from the black rim now. Doh! I could fix it if I could find a 6"H overflow box instead of 5".

Also one of my ball valves is dripping! At least its just dripping into the sump though. So I've gotta pull the drain lines out and cut them apart and put in a new ball valve. ugh.

 

[raven67]

Hooked up the Reef Octopus and it was skimming like crazy!! I had to empty it three times. Now about 4 hours later its not skimming at all, just the air in the bottom chamber. Is this normal?

 

[raven67]

Well now I woke up this morning to my skimmer overflowing with goop! Weird!


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[rufus2008]

It takes a brand new skimmer a couple days to start working right, its called the break in period. I'm sure it'll settle down, its a reliable name brand. The only skimmer I've never had a break in period with is my deltec mce600 (i love it)

 

[VB68]

Welcome to Reef2Reef
Looks like you are off to a good start. The system is looking good.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hello and welcome to R2R!

We appreciate your membership!

Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

 

[raven67]

Coming along nicely. Nitrites finally showed up yesterday at about 2ppm, Ammonia still at 8ppm, nitrates about 30ppm or so. So things are moving!

Going to do a 50% water change this weekend I think. Should i scrub the rocks first?

 

[raven67]

Just noticed some type of feather duster popped up!!

 

[AsphaltPays]

Hello and Welcome to R2R! Nice Job!


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[raven67]

Man I'm getting so anxious. It's only 8 days today but noticing ammonia and nitrites dropping already! Halfing daily! Getting excited.


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[glb]

That's great! The live rock is amazing for quick cycling.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Ajk'sreef]

Nice job on you new set up.