First time ever 54gal new setup

cmay · 07-14-2006, 08:43 PM

Hi everyone.

I have now decided to start my tank journal

I'm a total beginner in marine fish so I have allot to learn.

I posted the following in my first thread so I thought I would use the same post here as an introduction as well:

I've fallen for the beauty of marine life, the colours, coral, fish and the fact I can set up and watch my own eco system in my home.

My objective is to set up a my tank with live rock, fish, SPS/LPS coral and various other live stock which will support and live with each other.

32mm x 2 overflows
20mm x 2 current (close loops)

Equipment:

54 gal gal tank
2nd hand Deltec APF600 protein skimmer
3 x 4k ltr h pumps (I can pull/reduce flow if required)

4 stage RO unit from RO-MAN / inline TDS meter.

Loads of piping and various valves/couplers......

PHP & salinity meter

2 x MH 14k (250w)
2 X T5 Aqua Medic - Full Spectrum White, marine (39W)
2 x T5 Aqua Medic - Blue , marine (39W)

2 x T5 blues (to use in the morning to bring the light slowly back up to full daylight (MH) and back down to blues and then no light) if you see what im saying

I couldn't believe how expensive the light system I wanted was, so I have purchased ballast, ignition and parts separately and I will carry out DIY on this.

4" LDSB (sugar grain size)

I need to work out how much LR I require (after speaking with the forum I have decided to raise the LR on piping leaving a small gap between LR and LDSB, great advice, thanks

I'm designing a sump which will house a refugim (more LR/LDSB) I would like to design an area for acclimatising new live stock, plan to have a drip feed going in (tank water) and a drip out (waste) this will hopefully allow slow acclimatising.

My experience so far:

I was overwhelmed by the technicality of the hobby, I cant express enough how important it is to research from pumps, skimmers, flow, LR, DSB to everything.

If I had not, im sure I would of ended up with my LFS "ready to go" marine setup (this is not a criticism but I know in the long run I would of not been happy)

My first step is to drill my tank to hold two 32mm bulk heads and possibly another hole for return however im considering over the tank return. (I have been given some great advise and pointed to a good thread "thanks everyone")

IMO If I had known better I would of decided on tank size first but waited to the last minute before buying a tank, I have seen so many new designs that make my jaw drop and my foot kick me, now I know why so many use custom builds

I will update as I go along, I plan to post photos of my tank and equipment I intend to use very soon.

If anyone has any suggestion or can see where im going completely wrong please let me know.

I would also like to tank

everyone who has helped out and made me feel welcomed

**CarmieJo** · 07-14-2006, 08:46 PM

Chris,

Is your's a corner tank?

pham411 · 07-14-2006, 08:51 PM

wow thats a pretty impresive setup for a beginer. looks like you got all the right equipment for a awsome start

cmay · 07-15-2006, 04:28 PM

Carmie:

my tank is slightly bowed, but I wished I had room for a bigger tank and waited until I was ready to start my build before I purchased the tank.

Jelloz:

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, I hope I don't have to many issues im going real slow especially when the day comes for me to drop my dead shrimp in the tank "cant wait"

fat walrus · 07-15-2006, 10:41 PM

good luck with your new tank. looks like you are ready.

**Amphibious** · 07-29-2006, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmay

... I hope I don't have to many issues im going real slow especially when the day comes for me to drop my dead shrimp in the tank "cant wait"

Hey Chris, you can skip the dead shrimp. Having LR and LS will kick start your cycle event. The dead shrimp thing is a hangover from earlier times before the advent of LR and LS.

cmay · 09-06-2006, 03:43 PM

Unfortunately due to personnel commitments progress is slow, I haven’t even had time to check out the site recently

Below is a photo of most of the equipment I’ve listed above.

This weekend I found time to install my RO unit.

Red hose (mains feed) has been connected to my cold water pipe under the sink.
Green hose (waste) connected the sink drain pipe
Blue hose (production water) can be placed in a collection container

http://www.cmay.dsl.pipex.com/marine/images/ro_con.jpg

I added two ball valves one just before the red hose enters the RO unit (so I do not need to climb under the sink to turn of the main feed line)

The other valve on the blue production hose so I can stop flow.

The main reason I added ball valves was to trap water in between the RO this will stop the membrane from drying out.

I did not have any real problems installing the unit however I was slightly surprised how little production water was produced.

I’m running at 40 bar (TDS: IN 300 – 350 / OUT 000)

Well that’s it so far………..

I have decided not to drill my tank and will build overflow boxes, this will be my next step.