Setting Up My First Reef Tank!!!!!!!

[Cory-girl]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently working on setting up a 120 gallon reef tank. I am So Excited!!!!
My husband and I constructed the cabinet ourselves. This is the second one we built, it's not perfect, but I will definitely hold the tanks weight.
I used my RO to fill the tank with water (after a week of working up the nerve!).
I bought 120 + pounds of live rock (Thanks Chris, it's perfect!). I also added 80 pounds of live sand.
As you can see I added the sand after the water. I can't tell you how upset I was at the mess we made.
My husband was so nuts he spent over an hour one the internet trying to find out how to clear it up.
He took his brand new Eheim Classic out of its box and added fiber floss in it to try and clear it up.
We'll see how that clears.

I am using 4 Koralia 750's power heads with the wave maker controller.
For lighting I am using an Aquatic Life T5HO - 4 bulb
And a CPR-194 Sump

After much debate, I talked my husband out of the CPR-194.
We made our own sump/refugium.
I am researching protein skimmers and I am debating between Reef Octopus, ASM or Euro-reef.
Also, I am not crazy about my T5's. For starter the tank needs a 60" fixture. My current fixture is 48".
I would love to go with LED's. I want to make my own but I am not sure how easy that would be.
My husband is good with electrical. I guess we could try.


Would love to know what suggestions you guys can make to help me better improve my set-up.

 

[fab1971]

You're going to have a blast. Just remember to take things slow when adding the corals. I'm working on my new 50 gallon tank and feel like a newb all over again even though I've been in this hobby for over 15 years. My first tank is still going strong after 4 years but has too many pests so I decided to start a new one. Good luck!

 

[Cory-girl]

I don't think this will EVER clear up!!!!

I wanted to share a good picture of the stand we made. I think it looks pretty good.

 

[Cory-girl]

Thanks Frank!

I am having a blast!!!

We are trying to do as much research as we can. Right now it's just water, live rock and sand.

We are trying to decided on LED's and a protein skimmer.

For right now, I just visit my LFS and gaze at all the pretty corals.

 

[fab1971]

It will take several days for that to clear up. I did the same with one of my tanks. Didn't know you were supposed to rinse the sand before adding. I would just shut off the filters and let it settle. That sand will get in everything. I ran a fluval and skimmer to help clear it up and it took forever to clean them afterwards.

 

[Cory-girl]

I guess I will spent my next few days on the internet while this thing clears up.

Thanks Frank.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

you probably did and you didn't post but did you add salt. did you make sure the tank is level front to back and side to side. i had a tank leak from not being level.

 

[Cory-girl]

you probably did and you didn't post but did you add salt. did you make sure the tank is level front to back and side to side. i had a tank leak from not being level.

You are right, I failed to mention the salt. Went with Instant Ocean.
The tank is leveled. My husband made sure of it. He tested it a few times before he put the tank on.
Then he tested it some more. :nerd: lol

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

after your tank cycles i would research biopellets and start using phosban or rowaphos in a reactor. oh and Congrats on taking the plunge toward addiction. i hope you have room.

 

[sexycorals]

Theres not enough lady reefers in this hobby!!! Glad you are excited to be one of them!! hit me up when u are done and ready for some sexy corals in the tank... ill send you a couple to get you started!! =)

 

[MarvinsReef]

what's the dimension of the tank? just wondering why you would need a 60" fixture? is it a standard 120g? or a 125g 6' tank?

either way, exciting times. looking forward to seeing the tank stocked up.

 

[Cory-girl]

after your tank cycles i would research biopellets and start using phosban or rowaphos in a reactor. oh and Congrats on taking the plunge toward addiction. i hope you have room.

Heard of reactors but I am a little scared of them. Like I said, new to the hobby and I was told they could blow up!!!
Will research do the research.

Thanks.

 

[Cory-girl]

Theres not enough lady reefers in this hobby!!! Glad you are excited to be one of them!! hit me up when u are done and ready for some sexy corals in the tank... ill send you a couple to get you started!! =)

THANK YOU!!!!

It's great to meet a fellow lady reefer. Some of the gentlemen at my LFS always ask for my husband when I try to talk to them about my tank.

Will keep in touch.

 

[Cory-girl]

what's the dimension of the tank? just wondering why you would need a 60" fixture? is it a standard 120g? or a 125g 6' tank?

either way, exciting times. looking forward to seeing the tank stocked up.

It's a 120g dimensions are 60x18x25. I own a Aquatic Life T5 - 4 bulb fixture. It's too small for the tank, it belonged to my 90g Tanganyikan tank. The bulbs are 48.
I need a longer fixture to cover the tank. Aquatic Life makes a 60" fixture but the bulbs are still 48". The next size up are 72". Too long for the tank.
My husband, Flyfisher2, decide he wants me to put LED's on the tank. Still researching.

 

[MarvinsReef]

It's a 120g dimensions are 60x18x25. I own a Aquatic Life T5 - 4 bulb fixture. It's too small for the tank, it belonged to my 90g Tanganyikan tank. The bulbs are 48.
I need a longer fixture to cover the tank. Aquatic Life makes a 60" fixture but the bulbs are still 48". The next size up are 72". Too long for the tank.
My husband, Flyfisher2, decide he wants me to put LED's on the tank. Still researching.

ahhh. I see. good luck with the LED's.

 

[Cory-girl]

Setting Up My First Reef Tank

Hello Everyone,

Wanted to share new photos of my progress for all to see and critique or advise.
Tank finally cleared up!
We finished setting up our diy sump/refugium and after repeated testing we found no leaks or overflow.
We ordered a Warner S150 protein skimmer and put the CPR 194 away.

THEN - I went shopping. I purchased a bag of Culurpa, a 13 watt compact fluorescent bulb and set up refugium!!!!!!

 

[Electrobes]

I like the progress so far! I like the stand, nice work. My suggestions would be the following:

- I would plumb the two containers below your tank. You never want to depend on siphoning for too long as they are bound to seize and cause puddles.

- Culerpa always scares me, and while the chances are quite low, you do not want that stuff reaching your main display. Have you considered something like Chaeto instead? Also, not trying to be a debbie downer, but you may need to research more on Mangroves... they are pretty difficult to keep.

- There are a ton of lighting choices, and based on my own experiences thus far I do like LEDs. I bought a fixture from one of the sponsors here (reeffiltration), the 120w 18K version. Here's a youtube link of my tank with the lights on: Here

- I wouldn't necessarily get any equipment unless it's needed, like reactors for phosphate media, etc. Just wait and see what your tank needs and go from there. Mistakes will be made, and sooner or later you'll probably want one, but until then I would just wait.

- This one gets said a lot but is often ignored: Quarantine anything you get. It saves a whole lot of headache and heartache in the end.

- As people here said no need to rush anything. I still have issues with my own patience and it always gets me into trouble, but having it will definitely serve you best!

Looking forward to more updates!

 

[Cory-girl]

I like the progress so far! I like the stand, nice work. My suggestions would be the following:

- I would plumb the two containers below your tank. You never want to depend on siphoning for too long as they are bound to seize and cause puddles.

- Culerpa always scares me, and while the chances are quite low, you do not want that stuff reaching your main display. Have you considered something like Chaeto instead? Also, not trying to be a debbie downer, but you may need to research more on Mangroves... they are pretty difficult to keep.

- There are a ton of lighting choices, and based on my own experiences thus far I do like LEDs. I bought a fixture from one of the sponsors here (reeffiltration), the 120w 18K version. Here's a youtube link of my tank with the lights on: Here

- I wouldn't necessarily get any equipment unless it's needed, like reactors for phosphate media, etc. Just wait and see what your tank needs and go from there. Mistakes will be made, and sooner or later you'll probably want one, but until then I would just wait.

- This one gets said a lot but is often ignored: Quarantine anything you get. It saves a whole lot of headache and heartache in the end.

- As people here said no need to rush anything. I still have issues with my own patience and it always gets me into trouble, but having it will definitely serve you best!

Looking forward to more updates!

Christian,

Thank you for all your advise!! I really appreciate all the info, suggestions and help that everyone has offered this Newbie!!


- I would plumb the two containers below your tank. You never want to depend on siphoning for too long as they are bound to seize and cause puddles. My husband is afraid to plumb the containers. We have never tried. Not sure how.

I had no choice as far as the Culerpa. We have one LFS who sell saltwater and they are 45 min away from us. That's all they had in stock. I am currently researching what I can put in the refugium and where I can order it from.

As far as lighting, my husband has finally talked me into LED's. I saw your tank and I have to say your corals are beautiful. We will hopefully have our lights up and running in the near future. For now we are using Aquatic Life T5 HO's (4 bulb fixture).

As far as quarantine, we have a 10 gallon tank set up for that specific purpose. But I don't know if it will work. I have a regular hood with light. Do you think I need to have LED's or T5's on my quarantine tank? Also, how many fish can I put in the tank at any given time? Two, Three??

Last but not least, patience is something I myself have problems with. I have 3 other tanks, two cichlids and one goldfish, and I can't tell you how crazy I was about stocking them asap.

But I am currently excited about my refugium and I am not yet ready to stock the tank.

Well see.

 

[Cory-girl]

Hello Everyone,

Thought I would update all!!!
I have tested my water religiously every day and for the last two weeks my results have been the same. Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite and Phosphates have been zero!!!!
My new Warner Marine protein skimmer arrived a few days ago and is running great.
My refugium is now stocked with Chaeto and two Mangrove trees are doing really good.
I added 10 Margarita Snails and 3 emerald crabs and one cleaner shrimp to the tank. They are doing quite well.
I have a few hitch hikers on my rocks. Namely yellow, green and pink polyps.
A friend was tearing down her 55 gallon saltwater so I took the plunge and purchased her rock, an algae blenny and a Purple Tang.
They have been in the tank for over a week and both are eating and doing well.

And now for the best part!! My husband surprised me today!!! He order a pair of Eshine ES-48x3@-S/R LED Lights!!!!!!!!!:xd:
Wicked!!!! They will arrive next week. Until then.

Will add picks of the tank once the lights are set up.

 

[Cory-girl]

January 29, 2012

February 20, 2012

Wanted to share some new pictures of my progress. I test the tank every day and I am happy to say that all has now stabilized. My Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite and Phosphates are all at zero. My Calcium is usually 500 to 520. Took me a while to get my Alkalinity down from 15 to 9.3. My PH is usually 8.0, I can't get it to go up.



I purchased a few Fish:

Regal Tang
Lawnmower Blenny,
Cleaner Shrimp.

I have a few purchased fish in quarantine tanks:

A pair of Ocellaris Clownfish
Yellow Pigmy Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Royal Gramma
Firefish
Pigmy Flame Angel



Corals:

Giant Polyped Anthelia
Button Polyps
Mushrooms
Kenya Coral
Fairy Toadstool
Gold Crown Toadstool
Trumpet Coral
Candycane Coral

LFS- Not sure if these are identified correctly:
Green Moon Coral
Dented Brain Coral

If someone could identify the small round coral next to the Tang I would really appreciate it.