The journey (from a total newb)

[txsaltyguy34]

Well step one has happened and the journey to saltwater has begun!!

picked up a used set up in great condition
90g tank with stand and hood
Sump with skimmer

sanded and started painting the stand and hood to bring it new life!

Actually got the whole set up for $550 not the listed price!!

Time to sand and paint!

 

[KrisReef]

Score!
Is this going to be a build thread?
Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Yes I will keep posting as I progress through the build!

 

[Auquanut]

Awesome start. This could be epic!

Oh. And nice score on the tank. Congrats.

 

[txsaltyguy34]

So got the stand and top sanded and painted the stand waiting for better weather to do the top hopefully tomorrow!!

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Ok so quick up date!! I have been busy purchasing equipment and slowly getting things set up!! below is what I have so far:
RODI system
200w eheim heater
50lbs dry rock
40lbs live sand
instant ocean reef crystal salt mix
hydor 1350 powerhead

I have moved the stand and tank inside and should be installing the sump and getting the plumbing put together this week so that I can put in sand and rock and hopefully be cycling by the weekend!!

I need some advice on lighting!!!!!

so I have a slight budget and need the best bang for the buck I have narrowed it down to 2 options as far as purchasing new...
Current orbit marine ic pro Bluetooth dual 48-60 or
2 ai prime hds

not sure which would be better as im not against adding 1 or two more primes down the road!!
any advice will be greatly appreciated

Thanks as always!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hi

stopped by to check out the build. Looks good, like the stand color.

I saw you got good advice in the other thread about light. The current will be underpowered. The primes don’t have much par at the bottom, also their spread is 24x24 but you start getting some shadow outside 16”. lots of people upgrading to newer light versions so check for used, also the noopsyche mentioned are good choices from what I’ve read

 

[txsaltyguy34]

So we are up and ready for aqua scape and water!!
got everything plumbed and ready hopefully will be filling her up tomorrow or Thursday!!

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Welp tank will be getting wet finally!! Aquasape and water all go in this evening and the cycling will begin!! Will update with pics later!!!

 

[KrisReef]

Nice job with the refinishing the stand and canopy. It really came out beautiful.

I didn't see where you have acquired any test kits. Will you be testing yourself or taking samples to the LFS? If you get your own, please do not get API ammonia.

Also, if you do get a phosphorus test kit, get Hanna ULR phosphorus.

Aside: I just soaked a piece of dry rock from the LFS in a bucket of water (DI) for 2 weeks and it slowly leached phosphorus into the water so that the concentration went from zero to 4, and then up to 15 ppb phosphorus in about 2 weeks. I would be interested in measuring your dry rock to see if you get similar results.

Can't wait to see the tank with water inside!

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Tank and sump is filled did all the test to make sure no flooding issue in a power outage, might add some to the rock but it works for now!!

I did get a master test kit for now looking into the better testing systems here soon and will try and get some numbers for you!

light is just up there so y’all could see the scape!

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Just some base numbers for y’all as well....

salinity: 1.025
Temp: 78

will get other’s tomorrow so we have a good starting reference

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Weekend update!!

dosed ammonia to 2ppm Thursday at 1800 and 24 hrs later was down to1ppm ( bacteria was added when filled) fritz turbo start 900

will check today and see what we are at.

ato is set up and found a perfect reservoir (11.5gal) trash can which fits perfect I. The stand!! Will post pic later when rinsed and all set up!

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Well cycling is going great just doing the all important waiting game! plus it gives me time on the layout for hanging my lights!!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Nice looking stand. Love that color, good choice. You almost there with the cycle. Just remember to be patience. What lights you got?

 

[txsaltyguy34]

thanks, still have to paint and modify the hood!! for now i went with 2 viparspectra black boxes

 

[boacvh]

So we are up and ready for aqua scape and water!!
got everything plumbed and ready hopefully will be filling her up tomorrow or Thursday!!

I love dog photobombs!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

thanks, still have to paint and modify the hood!! for now i went with 2 viparspectra black boxes

VP are great lights. That's what I use at the beginning.

 

[txsaltyguy34]

Well day 6 of cycling and I have found 2 heads of aptasia...... gonna be picking up some f-aptasia from frank’s tanks luckily he is a mile from me lol will do a detailed post in a separate thread on the use and results

also ammonia was 0 last night so dosed to 1ppm and we will see if it’s back at 0 in a 24 hr period let’s hope so we are ready for some CUC and some livestock

 

[txsaltyguy34]

F-Aptasia worked amazing!!!! Followed the easy directions and aptasia is gone!! We are sitting at 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 20 nitrate!!
Tank was dosed to 1ppm ammonia and was back to 0 in a 24hr period.
Oh and got the lights installed and the hood painted and put on

And on a side note the nano tank got 2 new additions over the weekend