Setting up new 70 reef

[KenMedic]

The skimmer does not have any model/serial numbers on it. It is 18" tall including the cup, 4" diameter. I'm going to use it for now, but will replace it later with a newer model when I start adding livestock.

[CarmieJo]

Ken, set it up and if it is pulling gunk out of the water you are good to go. Just be aware that it sometimes takes a few days to break in a skimmer.

[KenMedic]

Well, I haven't posted anything in a while, but have been hard at work. Here is a pic of the tank with MOST of the trim installed. I still have more work ahead.



As of now, I have a 3" base sand bed awaiting some aragonite to top it off. A few pounds of live rock have been purchased, but are in the hidden sump with some rubble as well for the bio chamber.

As far as a base for LR, has anybody used dry figi rock half-buried in a DSB with LR stacked on it? Since the rock is not live, will there still be an issue with stagnation under the LR?

Oh, one more thing. The shopkeeper at a LFS suggested using superglue gel at contact points when building up my rock to prevent any shifting caused by livestock. Since I have no stock yet, would this be a problem?

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by KenMedic

As far as a base for LR, has anybody used dry figi rock half-buried in a DSB with LR stacked on it? Since the rock is not live, will there still be an issue with stagnation under the LR?

Oh, one more thing. The shopkeeper at a LFS suggested using superglue gel at contact points when building up my rock to prevent any shifting caused by livestock. Since I have no stock yet, would this be a problem?

Anytime you set rock directly on the sand bed, whether live or not, you eventually create the possibility of stagnation. As long as you are still in the process of setting up the tank why not take one more step and do it right? Here's a link to my tank thread where I explain and picture how to properly set up a DSB. Amphibious' 135 Mixed Reef

I'm not a believer in gluing LR together but it shouldn't cause a problem until you want to move a rock or two. Then you might wish you hadn't glued them together. It's up to you.

Dick

[Skurvey Dog]

Hey Ken! Lookinggggg gooddddd! Love the trim and wood work. Now the wife is gonna insist that you do the floor molding around the room in the same stain and trim. I agree with Dick... you need to put the rock work on pvc if you are concerned about the circulation, that is if you want to do it correctly. Also, about the glueing..... you can take fiberglass rods, or anything non metal and cut that to desired length as support and use plastic ties to support the rock. I laid out my aquascape design and when I decided on a set look, drill the holes and insert the rods and ties to secure. Down the road, if you should change your mind, you can cut the ties and move the rock. In some areas I also used lighting/egg crate/light disfuser as a support for my base rock. Just another suggestion for twisted minds. Just use your imagination! The whole purpose of base support is to strengthen support in regards to burroughing critters and an aid in circulation for detrious build up. All rock touching the sand bed is considered "dead space", only to be inhabited by bacteria that dwell within a DSB.

Like CJo said, it'll take a few days for the skimmer to get primed and start functioning as it should. After it does that, just make sure you keep it clean to obtain optimal performance. Can't wait to see your aquascaping design, just remember LR does not go as far as you think it does and depending on the type of LR, will determine the volume you have to work with, as some rock is heavier than others. Can't wait to see your future progress... you're almost there. I can smell the salt water!

[CarmieJo]

Ken you are making progress. The wood work looks great! I concur with Dick & Lori on the rock/sand suggestions.

[KenMedic]

The room is going to be finished out in a tropical theme. Once everything is completed, the tank should look like it is enclosed in an armoire. There is going to be more woodwork to come; it has been put on hold to allow the tank project to proceed.

As far as the rock work goes, I was just curious. I am 99% sure I will use the risers to elevate the rock scape.

Expanding on the circulation thought, if the dry rock is set directly on the glass bottom and then backfilled with sand thus eliminating the sand bed beneath the rock, and then the LR stacked on the exposed portions of the dry rock, would this still cause the same problem with stagnation and bacteria growth?

[Skurvey Dog]

The tropical theme sounds very relaxing and quite fabulous! The LR resting on the DT glass bottom will give it support and help keep it from shifting as it would if it were just resting on sand. The reason why some prefer to use the PVC support method is to raise the LR above the sand bed giving water ciculation to all of the LR surface areas which helps remove an accumulation of possible detrious build-up. If you choose to place the LR on the glass bottom, you just need to provide water circulation to the base of the exposed rock to keep detrious from getting caught between the sand and rock as heavier particles in the water collumn will settle and become lodged there. It really depends on how much maintenance or time one is willing to spend in maintaining their system. IMHO of course. To my knowledge, persons putting the PVC method into practice have been well pleased with the outcome and I have not heard of any negative comments as of yet.

[CarmieJo]

One disadvantage of placing the rock on the glass is that you have reduced the surface area of the sand, and thus the amount of filtration, in your tank. Another is that you will still get detritus built up behind the rock and where the sand and rock meet.