A New Reef Begins - Page 2

IAreef · 01-30-2008, 12:49 AM

I have a SeaClone skimmer, I know they aren't the greatest skimmer on the market but I think it will do untill I try my hand at building my own skimmer in the spring. As far as lighting goes for right now it is simply a 48" shop light with NO bulbs. I am currently saving up for a more reef friendly setup and I think I'm leaning towards a T5 setup.
As for filtration I plan on around 100lbs of rock mostly base rock seeded with some live from a few local reef friends, I've decided to go with a SSB in the DT due to height limitations and have a DSB in the fuge with some rubble.

IAreef · 02-01-2008, 01:28 AM

Well all of the plumbing is complete and the tank has been running fresh water through it for about 3 hours now and so far no leaks or anything out of the ordinary. As so as my ro/di gets here, and i get sand, and rock, oh and a couple heaters, refractometer, couple a powerheads....wow and to think my wife thought that we were almost ready...

if only she knew

**CarmieJo** · 02-01-2008, 09:15 PM

Hey IA, getting it wet is good! I am looking forward to seeing it with some saltwater in it.

IAreef · 02-25-2008, 06:56 PM

Well its up and running with salt water and sand now. I just ordered my first batch of base rock from marco, also ordered all those little odds and ends that I knew I needed but never got around to buying also, refractometer, powerheads, heaters, etc. I know that there will be some water displaced when I add the rock but I figure I can use this for the QT tank and to have a little extra on hand. Which brings me to my next question does saltwater "expire" I was planning on keeping some in a 20g container with a small heater and a powerhead just in case I was wandering how often it would need replaced or if I use it for my regular water changes will that keep it fresh enough?

**CarmieJo** · 02-25-2008, 08:50 PM

If you keep it circulating you will be OK for a while. I have found that my pump heats the water enough that I don't need a heater in my mixing vat (a Brute trash can).

IAreef · 03-04-2008, 10:13 PM

Well I received my first batch of rock from Marco a few days ago, I must say while this is the first time I have ever bought this type of product I was very impressed by the quality and must say keep up the good work,

and I would recommend to anyone. I scrubbed the rock down when I received it and then let it soak for a few days in a tub. Well tonight I couldn't resist any longer and decided to add it to my tank. I still have no idea what the finished product will look like until I get my LR (hopefully early next week) but this is what I have ended up with so far

The filter on the back of the tank was added to speed up the removal of some sediment left over from adding the sand.

Also in the few hours since adding the rock my skimmer has went into overdrive and there is also white foam coming from my drain into my sump. Is this normal, did I not wait long enough to put the rock in. I figured any left over biological matter on the rock would simply get my cycle started a little earlier than waiting on my LR, any thoughts would be appreciated.

**CarmieJo** · 03-05-2008, 12:42 AM

I would not worry about having added the rock. Letting the foam go back into the tank is counterproductive. My skimmer has an overflow tube that I run into an empty bottle. Can you do this with yours?

Skurvey Dog · 03-05-2008, 06:58 AM

I have a large plastic measuring cup(4 cup) that I hang on the side of my sump and have my skimmer drain line in that.

Works great for me.

IAreef · 03-14-2008, 10:05 PM

Well I tested the water parameters tonight for the first time since adding the LR/BR about 1 week ago.

Temp 79.9
SG 1.026
Ammonia 2.5ppm
Nitrite .1ppm
Nitrate 0
PH 8.2
ALK ~2 Milli equaivalents per liter ????

the tests I used are a combination of red sea (PH and ALK) and seachem (everything else) I have not seen ALK measured in this b4 is there a conversion to dkh. I have also heard some disaproving of the red sea test kits however my wife heard me talking about it and "surprised" me with them after work one night. All in all I think the tank is where I expected it to be so early in its initial cycle.

lReef lKeeper · 03-14-2008, 10:10 PM

sounds like you are on your way to a great tank. i guess i am going to have to order rock from Marco ... everyone else seems to love it !! i guess i will do that when i get the 200 up and running, but that is another thread. lol

Skurvey Dog · 03-14-2008, 11:31 PM

I'm happy for you. I hope you used that to your advantage and gained "Matress" points with your other half'!

Skurvey Dog · 03-14-2008, 11:32 PM

"Did I say that?"

**CarmieJo** · 03-15-2008, 10:38 PM

It is not uncommon to see alk in milliequivalents per liter or meq/L. Here is a handy conversion tool SaltyZoo's Alkalinity Reading Conversion (meq/l / dKH / ppm CaCO3) Utility. The recommended range is 2.5-4.0 but I would not worry too much about adjusting it until you initial cycle is complete.

IAreef · 03-22-2008, 11:09 PM

Tested the tank for the second time tonight.

Temp 79
SG 1.025