Wizbang's Wife's 54G Corner Tank

wizbang · 07-21-2007, 01:51 AM

Well, it finally arrived!!!

We've been waiting 6 weeks for the darn thing to get here. And then they didn't get the MegaFlow sump in - which is OK. We are going to use a 15g tall instead.

BUT I forgot to get the tubing to go from the overflow to the sump. I ran to Lowes and bough 3/4" and 1" tubing, only to find out I need 1 1/4" rather than 1".

But that's OK cause we are painting the back tonight. I took pics of the stack of parts. I'll post them later, probably tomorrow.

Wish us luck!

Don

JayBeDriften · 07-21-2007, 02:41 AM

Good Luck!

**CarmieJo** · 07-21-2007, 01:25 PM

Hi Don,

That's exciting! I have returned tubing to Lowes's myself a couple of times.

saltyreef · 07-22-2007, 11:35 AM

Yay for you! It's exciting to start a new tank & congrats! Look forward to seeing some pictures & watching your progress.

wizbang · 07-25-2007, 01:26 AM

Well, here we go -

wizbang · 07-25-2007, 01:32 AM

Then we added RO/DI with SeaChem Reef Salt, Sand, the skimmer. This was all on Saturday 7/21.

Then we added completely cured (6 weeks) LR and seeding LS (to the sump) from the local reef store. This was Sunday 7/22.

wizbang · 07-25-2007, 01:45 AM

And as silly as it sounds - I tested the water.

Sunday Night - Ammonia .3, Nitrite .2, pH 8.2, Alkalinity 8.4 dkH

Monday - SG 1.025 - Reef store's refractometer

Tuesday Night - Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, pH 8.2, Alkalinity 8.4 dkH

I'm still waiting for my Nitrate, Phoshate, Calcium test kits as well as my refractometer.

I know that I can not possibly have finished cycling in 3 days (or can I with completely cured LR), but I am excited none the less.

Please wish me luck (or pray for me) that this all goes well, and quickly. I'm not sure how long I can keep my wife at bay with adding critters, even though she has read all about cycling...

Don

wizbang · 07-25-2007, 01:49 AM

And YES, the sand is BLACK - my wife just had to have black sand.

And then she read about white sand reflecting light and helping with coral growth (really???).

But she likes the look...

pmartin · 07-25-2007, 03:55 AM

best of luck with the new tank. i have a bow front 54G as well and it is great.

i know its hard to wait to stock your tank but it is worth it.

keep us informed on how you are getting on

**CarmieJo** · 07-25-2007, 05:32 PM

I like the black sand with the black tank trim and stand. Remember in this hobby nothing good happens fast.

Small Fry · 07-25-2007, 11:44 PM

that one went up really quick, but it looks really good

wizbang · 07-26-2007, 07:29 PM

Yes -it did go up fast. I had everything lined up so that I could get it installed and filled over the weekend. Besides, my wife REALLY wanted it up. We'd been waiting for the tank for 6 weeks. I could have waited - NOT!

Anyway, I ordered my Solaris 24" 20K 250W fixture last night. I found a wonderful deal on a refurb. I just couldn't pass it up.

I know that I do not need the lighting yet, as I am still cycling, but it was a great deal.

Should be here on Friday7/27...

Don

**CarmieJo** · 07-26-2007, 08:16 PM

Cool, I think you will like the Solaris.

wizbang · 07-27-2007, 03:27 AM

OK - 5 days into this and I have brown and green "stuff" all over my LR. Is this my diatom bloom? Does this mean the tank is almost "cycled"?

Boy, I hope so. My wife ants to put fish in this weekend cause the chems have been spot on.

Egads! this hobby makes one scratch one's head.

Don

**CarmieJo** · 07-27-2007, 07:49 AM

An algae bloom is a stage in the cycling of your tank. I will tell you sternly

that your tank is still too new to add fish no matter what the test kits say! Please give it a while to make sure that you truly have established a good, healthy environment for your new critters! Nothing good happens fast in this hobby and rushing can be a sure way to disaster. If your NH4 & NO2 have stayed at zero you could consider adding a hermit crab* or a hardy coral. They will add a smaller bio-load and allow your bacteria to build up to the point where the tank can handle fish.

*You should determine if you want hermits as members of your clean up crew. I like them but some people do not. They are very entertaining to watch and are good scavengers.

pmartin · 07-27-2007, 04:03 PM

i really have to agree with CarmieJo.

now is the time you should be thinking of what stock you want. setting up your tank diary and location of equipment (RO/DI) unit etc.

my tank is 7 months old and i am still wating for it to settle between algee blooms.

patience is the key