Starting a Small Reef Tank

[chort55]

Looks pretty good so far, just cuz you have a small tank doesn't mean you have small ideas Pretty cool and original.

1 thing tho, if you plan to have a sump in the sand are you planning to do anything to prevent the light from seeping through the gaps in the wood?

 

[T.W.]

I could always line the inside with black screening that I have I suppose. I am going to have a sump but no fuge so I haven't planned on having a light down there.

 

[LukeG]

I like the rustic look of the stand.


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[T.W.]

Thanks Luke. Again I got the idea from DBarsotti so kudos to him for posting his build pics. My goal is to have the Wife happy with the end result. So far so good! :clap2:

 

[T.W.]

In anticipation of my stand being completed this weekend I want to make sure I am ready to fill my tank. It is a 20g High w/10g Sump. So my questions are this:

1. I do not have an RO/DI system (next month but most likely April I will get one). So What is the best route for me to take as far as water? Safeway up the road has a purified water machine.
I just tested my tap water, which I know you are not supposed to use but here are the numbers:
Nitrate= less than 20
Nitrite=0
Water is hard
Chlorine=0
Alkalinity= 120-180
PH=approx 7.8 (between 7.4-7.8)
Not sure which numbers anyone would need but there they are.

2. For the first fill can I just mix in the DT? Or should I find a suitable container to heat and mix then transfer into the DT?

3. Any other advice, pointers, tips, tricks you think I should know feel free to post em up. I won't take it personal! (with a grain of salt maybe, but not personal. lol)

Thanks in advance.

 

[skinz78]

Get deionized water, don't use tap water. I'd mix in the DT for the first fill.

 

[T.W.]

I'll have to go up to the grocery store and have a look at their water dispenser and see if its deionized. This may push back my start-up until I can afford an RO/DI system.:sad:
I can't justify going broke running back and forth to the LFS or wherever for water you know?

 

[T.W.]

Ok I checked out the Glacier Water station at my local supermarket. It is RO but not DI. Would that be acceptable? Just trying not to have to run 20 miles to town and back every time I need water. The Glacier water machine is 2 miles down the road and only 25 cents per gallon.

 

[T.W.]

Pic update of stand build

Ok so a major re modification on my stand build today. It took me the better part of the day to shortened the depth to better suit the size of my tank. I think it will turn out good. Hopefully I will get the rest done tomorrow.

 

[skinz78]

The stand turned out beautifully!

I honestly wouldn't use anything but RO/DI.

 

[T.W.]

Yeah I have been reading up on water and have found that to be the general consensus with established tanks. It sounds like it is a matter of dissolved solids. I know I am purchasing an RO/DI system in the near future (April/May-ish) but for my initial fill I will use the RO from the water machine outside the supermarket. I buzzed by it a few days ago and it has a meter on it that said it was serviced 1/28/2013, but who knows what was actually done maintenance wise right? lol.
I plan on letting the tank cycle and stabilize for a month, then add a CUC and let them have run of the tank for another month. By then I should have a good feel for keeping the tank healthy and stable BEFORE adding all my hard earned money to it:wink:. Hows that sound for a plan of action? (key is to actually follow the plan though lol)

I'm now off to finish trimming out the stand and getting the doors made and hung. Be back this evening

 

[T.W.]

Finished my Tank Stand...Finally

Finally finished my tank stand..well sort of. Only thing I have left to do is install the magnetic door stops tomorrow and haul it home.

 

[LukeG]

It looks good. I finally got my tank started tonight.


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[T.W.]

Awesome Luke! I am setting things up and finding out I am 1 plug short for all my equipment!!! Electric recliner may have to be re-routed lol
Did you use flexible hose, pvc, or a combo of both for your overflow and return? I am wondering how long I should wait to hook everything up after gluing my pvc plumbing.

 

[T.W.]

Final Stand build pic

Here is the final pic focusing on the stand!!!:clap2:

 

[LukeG]

Awesome Luke! I am setting things up and finding out I am 1 plug short for all my equipment!!! Electric recliner may have to be re-routed lol
Did you use flexible hose, pvc, or a combo of both for your overflow and return? I am wondering how long I should wait to hook everything up after gluing my pvc plumbing.

I used all schedule 40 PVC. I used medium glue and waited about an hour. The drains aren't under pressure so it's not as big of a deal. You can use thin wall but I like the thicker schedule 40 (regular PVC).

Beananimal drains I hadn't plumbed the return yet. Use 45s instead of 90s as often as possible. Dry fit and don't be afraid of recutting a piece if it doesn't fit right.

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[LukeG]

Nice stand btw. Will your skimmer fit? I added lights and a tall skimmer (free) from my father-in-law.


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[T.W.]

Oh yeah everything fits. I have 6" of head space over my sump when it is on the shelf. underneath has a little more for storage. Only reason I made the shelf is to lessen my head pressure height. Pump I have is good for 48" and I was at 49". So had to raise the sump to lower the head height. All in all I am supper happy with it. And so is She which is the important part :bigsmile:
I may return some of these 90's and get 45's. I am plumbing using sch40 & flex. Most of the flex will be my 1/2" return line with about a foot of 3/4" tie'ing my ball valve in to my overflow line.. I'll get a pick up later today when I get it all glued and plumbed.

BTW, yeah my Aquaticlife 115 skimmer has plenty of room in my sump. Enough so that I think an upgrade to a larger unit will not be a problem. My overflow chamber is 7" x 10".

 

[LukeG]

Great, keep us updated.


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[T.W.]

Ran into a small road block today. Had to patch a small hole in my plumbing. Now I have to wait till morning for the glue to dry but I had already filled the DT 3/4 with RO water. Is it ok or should I turn on 1 or both of the powerheads to move the water around?