Of starting a reef tank. I knew working at a pet store was going to be trouble. I have a few empty 40 breeders I want to start with. If I can keep up with it I might go bigger. I work with a guy that is going to give me enough live rock and sand to start it. He has a 300 gallon reef that has around 500 pounds of rock and sand. That will help a lot, live rock and sand isn't cheap. I need to get the lighting and start a refugium. It could be a fun project.
Quote from: b125killer on August 31, 2015, 08:25:04 PM
Of starting a reef tank. I knew working at a pet store was going to be trouble. I have a few empty 40 breeders I want to start with. If I can keep up with it I might go bigger. I work with a guy that is going to give me enough live rock and sand to start it. He has a 300 gallon reef that has around 500 pounds of rock and sand. That will help a lot, live rock and sand isn't cheap. I need to get the lighting and start a refugium. It could be a fun project.
Ah.....the 'dark side'...... w!w
It's still just a thought. The lighting I want is 170 bucks, that's the cheap lights.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300W-Dimmable-full-spectrum-219-234W-power-draw-led-aquarium-lights-for-SPS-LPS-/261534468394?hash=item3ce4ab492a
I love salt water tanks....as long as they belong to someone else w!w
Quote from: LizStreithorst on August 31, 2015, 09:35:30 PM
I love salt water tanks....as long as they belong to someone else w!w
Me too, :P |^| Liz..
Quote from: LizStreithorst on August 31, 2015, 09:35:30 PM
I love salt water tanks....as long as they belong to someone else w!w
+1.
Go for it Scott. We need some reefers around here. You seem to have "the touch" with what you've done so far. ;)
Quote from: PaulineMi on September 01, 2015, 08:50:28 AM
Go for it Scott. We need some reefers around here. You seem to have "the touch" with what you've done so far. ;)
"reefers" ???? =;-)
Quote from: Mugwump on September 01, 2015, 08:53:53 AM
Quote from: PaulineMi on September 01, 2015, 08:50:28 AM
Go for it Scott. We need some reefers around here. You seem to have "the touch" with what you've done so far. ;)
"reefers" ???? =;-)
Somehow I knew you be all over that. Lol 8)
Quote from: PaulineMi on September 01, 2015, 08:56:21 AM
Quote from: Mugwump on September 01, 2015, 08:53:53 AM
Quote from: PaulineMi on September 01, 2015, 08:50:28 AM
Go for it Scott. We need some reefers around here. You seem to have "the touch" with what you've done so far. ;)
"reefers" ???? =;-)
Somehow I knew you be all over that. Lol 8)
...you just tossed it out there, and I couldn't resist myself..... ;D
I have my 40 breeder hair algae and red slime tank going. Its not much to look at but my clowns seem happy.
I was going to tear it down but if I am not mistaken I glimpsed a bit of evolution going on in there I think my fish are growing legs.
The red slime is Cyanobacteria. it is caused by a combination of things. Phosphates, excessive nutrients, imbalanced biological filter, immature bio filter, and light. You can turn off/reduce lights and up the flow in the tank. There's also chemicals that will reduce it. But if you don't take care of the reason why it's there it will grow back.
See guys I'm learning so much working at the pet store. I'm sure I could do a reef tank.
Plans are in motion! I picked up another 40b. I like them for q.t. tanks for discus. I have the materials to build the refugem, got the new saltwater led light. That might be over powered for the tank, looking into protein skimmers, and picking up the rock tomorrow. As soon as the new discus are out of q.t. I'll break the tank down and set it up as saltwater. I'm also planning for another bigger saltwater tank. I'm getting the tank tomorrow also. It's a 180 bow front with dual overflows. The price was right, FREE! It will be a long time before I think about setting that tank up. I just couldn't pass it up.
...180 bow front??....zounds!! that's a beast..... |^|
Nice Scott. Who is the manufacturer of that lighting? Looks like something I could use
Thanks guy's, Willie that light is Mars Auqu 300w. Half of the light is turned off. The Actinic are off. There not needed on fresh water. The white is turned down as low as it will go. It's also 21" above the tank. When I turn the hole thing on it's too bright. The discus got a little freaked out.
It's supposed to be able to grow sps corals. If it works on the 40b I'll be getting a second one for the big tank.
I got the tank downstairs. It was heavier than I remember. It's the same foot print as the 155 bow bit three inches taller.
Now I'm off to get rock. Lol
Quote from: b125killer on September 20, 2015, 01:51:21 PM
Now I'm off to get rock. Lol
Are you going with just a 'fowlr' tank right now???
I'm going to do a reef tank. I got almost 100 pounds of rock today. I wanted enough for the 40 and got a little more. Not really sure it will all fit in a 40. That's okay, I'll "cure" as much as I can and keep the rest dry for the 180. He also gave me about 40 pounds of reef salt. That's enough to get things started. Now all I need is the protein skimmer, build the sump, and return pump.
Quote from: b125killer on September 20, 2015, 03:41:33 PM
I'm going to do a reef tank. I got almost 100 pounds of rock today. I wanted enough for the 40 and got a little more. Not really sure it will all fit in a 40. That's okay, I'll "cure" as much as I can and keep the rest dry for the 180. He also gave me about 40 pounds of reef salt. That's enough to get things started. Now all I need is the protein skimmer, build the sump, and return pump.
ok...it looks like you're starting with the 'fowler' tank then transitioning to reef.....cool.....keep the pics coming...I'd like to follow you process... |^|
I think all reef tanks start out as 'fowler' tanks. It's going to take months to cure the rock. First I have to kill off everything on it. Then I'll scrub off the dead stuff. After that I'll set up the tank. Then place the substrate and rock in and let it start cycling. I know that I can't get all the stuff off the rock. It takes time to cycle the tank and basically let the rest of what's left rot off. That part can take months of just watching a tank with rock in it.
Quote from: b125killer on September 20, 2015, 04:30:13 PM
I think all reef tanks start out as 'fowler' tanks. It's going to take months to cure the rock. First I have to kill off everything on it. Then I'll scrub off the dead stuff. After that I'll set up the tank. Then place the substrate and rock in and let it start cycling. I know that I can't get all the stuff off the rock. It takes time to cycle the tank and basically let the rest of what's left rot off. That part can take months of just watching a tank with rock in it.
Thanks, I don't know the process, never had a salt tank, and it'll be fun to tag along on your journey... w!w
I'm at the point of no return! I got a new protein skimmer and started to "cure" the dead live rock. I'll leave it in there until the tank is up and running. It's just to start the cycling. After I test the tank set up I'll put the rock in and let it continue cycling.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/44460599-bbd7-440b-96d3-1b13c33fa399_zpsjcllccki.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/44460599-bbd7-440b-96d3-1b13c33fa399_zpsjcllccki.jpg.html)
I also got the tank plumbed to the sump. I'm waiting for my ?" acrylic, return pump, and filter socks. I had to order the acrylic, All I could find in the store was ?". Then I need to take the acrylic to work to machine it. It's a little to thick to cut and make look good at home. I need to make two 4" holes and one 1?" hole, then mill it down to size. It will be quicker and look professional if I do it at work.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg.html)
I didn't drill the tank. I'm hoping the overflows work right. If not I'll have to get the tank drilled. At this point I don't see why they wouldn't. It might be a little tricky to get the system primed but It should work.
Will the tank be upstairs?.....
I don't know what I'm looking at but it sounds like you have a good plan Scott. Good luck with the project. Looks like I will join Jon for the ride. |^| |^| |^|
Nope, It will stay downstairs. If I bring it up I'll have to do water changes with buckets. I'm not going back to the buckets!
I'll try and explain it Willie, but it might be lost in translation because you cant see my hands moving.
This is the front of the tank. Ignore the 3/4 pvc on the front. it's holding the 4" pvc in place. There is slots cut in the top of the 4" pvc The water will get Skimmed from the top. Most of the Protein and toxins will rise to the top of the water.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/25185275-eb66-4453-9cd8-52668add8dcb_zps72lcclvf.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/25185275-eb66-4453-9cd8-52668add8dcb_zps72lcclvf.jpg.html)
Once inside the overflow box the water will get sucked into the 3/4" tube In the corners of the tank. The center tube is there to help me start the siphon. after that the water will flow into the sump. That parts not complete yet. there's still more to come.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg.html)
As far as the rock in the can. it just has a protein skimmer in it. It makes micro bubbles that the protein will cling to. then the foam from the protein gets collected into a top cup. There's a lot of dead stuff on the rock. The skimmer will help clean the rock up. I can't add anything to the tank until the rock is cured. That means all the dead stuff is broken down and skimmed out. It will be a lot of water changes and testing. once the water levels are good I can start slowly adding life. the hole process can take months.
Quote from: b125killer on September 27, 2015, 08:50:30 PM
Nope, It will stay downstairs. If I bring it up I'll have to do water changes with buckets. I'm not going back to the buckets!
I'll try and explain it Willie, but it might be lost in translation because you cant see my hands moving.
This is the front of the tank. Ignore the 3/4 pvc on the front. it's holding the 4" pvc in place. There is slots cut in the top of the 4" pvc The water will get Skimmed from the top. Most of the Protein and toxins will rise to the top of the water.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/25185275-eb66-4453-9cd8-52668add8dcb_zps72lcclvf.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/25185275-eb66-4453-9cd8-52668add8dcb_zps72lcclvf.jpg.html)
Once inside the overflow box the water will get sucked into the 3/4" tube In the corners of the tank. The center tube is there to help me start the siphon. after that the water will flow into the sump. That parts not complete yet. there's still more to come.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg.html)
As far as the rock in the can. it just has a protein skimmer in it. It makes micro bubbles that the protein will cling to. then the foam from the protein gets collected into a top cup. There's a lot of dead stuff on the rock. The skimmer will help clean the rock up. I can't add anything to the tank until the rock is cured. That means all the dead stuff is broken down and skimmed out. It will be a lot of water changes and testing. once the water levels are good I can start slowly adding life. the hole process can take months.
Scott I thought that was a great explanation that I was able to follow quite well. Thanks.
Quote from: wsantia1 on September 28, 2015, 04:57:15 AM
Quote from: b125killer on September 27, 2015, 08:50:30 PM
Nope, It will stay downstairs. If I bring it up I'll have to do water changes with buckets. I'm not going back to the buckets!
I'll try and explain it Willie, but it might be lost in translation because you cant see my hands moving.
This is the front of the tank. Ignore the 3/4 pvc on the front. it's holding the 4" pvc in place. There is slots cut in the top of the 4" pvc The water will get Skimmed from the top. Most of the Protein and toxins will rise to the top of the water.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/25185275-eb66-4453-9cd8-52668add8dcb_zps72lcclvf.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/25185275-eb66-4453-9cd8-52668add8dcb_zps72lcclvf.jpg.html)
Once inside the overflow box the water will get sucked into the 3/4" tube In the corners of the tank. The center tube is there to help me start the siphon. after that the water will flow into the sump. That parts not complete yet. there's still more to come.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/reef%20setup_zps10zab6zw.jpg.html)
As far as the rock in the can. it just has a protein skimmer in it. It makes micro bubbles that the protein will cling to. then the foam from the protein gets collected into a top cup. There's a lot of dead stuff on the rock. The skimmer will help clean the rock up. I can't add anything to the tank until the rock is cured. That means all the dead stuff is broken down and skimmed out. It will be a lot of water changes and testing. once the water levels are good I can start slowly adding life. the hole process can take months.
Scott I thought that was a great explanation that I was able to follow quite well. Thanks.
Yes.... and you didn't even use your hands!
I machined the sump sock plate today. It turned out really good. I knew being a machinist would pay off someday. It was a easy part to program and machine. I kind of babied it a little. I could of pushed the cutter a lot harder then I did. I just didn't want to crack the acrylic.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/7ce04349-b927-480a-b46d-ea6bbc60968c_zpszgvrdnis.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/7ce04349-b927-480a-b46d-ea6bbc60968c_zpszgvrdnis.jpg.html)
Now to finish the sump and glue the plumbing together. I'm hoping I can test the system tomorrow.
,,,very nice.....thanks for the vid, visuals help a lot.....interesting... |^|
good luck with the test run... 8)
Thanks, I was thinking that maybe people would like to see the acrylic being machined. I have the plate in place, waiting for the silicone to set up before putting on the next part. I can't glue the pvc until the sum is finished. Still hoping to test it tomorrow. But it's probably going to have to wait until Sunday. I don't want to rush the glue curing.
Very interesting video Scott. Thanks for sharing. It looks like the project is coming together nicely. Great job. |^| |^| |^|
Thanks Willie, machining is fun sometime. Most of the time it's just boring. But I can't complain it pays the bills. I've been doing it for so long, I sometimes forget that it's interesting to people that don't see it.
It's almost ready!
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/3cf17bb8-809c-47a5-ba14-3fa26c0206b9_zpswjlq9ccf.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/3cf17bb8-809c-47a5-ba14-3fa26c0206b9_zpswjlq9ccf.jpg.html)
back side of tank, you can get a better ideal of the pluming.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/back%2040b%20saltwater_zpspzumbomd.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/back%2040b%20saltwater_zpspzumbomd.jpg.html)
Sump water intake. water goes through center pipe and fills outer pipe, then through the filter socks.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/sump%20water%20intake_zpseikcoad7.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/sump%20water%20intake_zpseikcoad7.jpg.html)
The center part of the sump will be the refugium. the other end is the return pump and skimmer. I might of went a little overboard on the pump, it's suppose to pump 1300 gph. but that's alright, I put shut off valve on the intake and return from the sump. all i need now is a light for the refugium. and the live sand/rock to seed my rock that's still curing.
I checked the water parameters in the rock can. the only thing that showed up was ammonia, and it was off the chart. That's a good thing, need ammonia to start the cycling process. I'll do a water change this weekend and check it a few days later see where it's at. I'm sure it will still be high. hoping to start seeing nitrate. it should spike next.
..great pics and explanation.....thank you.....looks like a roadie for us soon to see this rig,,,, |^|
You guys are always welcome here. I'm probably not going to test it until next weekend. I want the glue to dry tomorrow and I found out I'm going to be busy Sunday. I want to be able to keep a good eye on it. make sure it's not going to leak. or overflow the sump/tank. or anything else I can't think of. After I'm sure it's good, I'll clean the almost live rock and get it in the tank. then let it finish cycling in the tank.
Quote from: b125killer on October 02, 2015, 08:05:08 PM
You guys are always welcome here. I'm probably not going to test it until next weekend. I want the glue to dry tomorrow and I found out I'm going to be busy Sunday. I want to be able to keep a good eye on it. make sure it's not going to leak. or overflow the sump/tank. or anything else I can't think of. After I'm sure it's good, I'll clean the almost live rock and get it in the tank. then let it finish cycling in the tank.
Sounds like a plan.....you back to 40hrs yet...??
That sounds like a good plan Scott. Please keep the updates coming. mim
Yep, I've been working 45 at the shop and still a little work at the pet store. I can't help it, I like working there. the pay sucks, but the discount is awesome. And starting the saltwater I'm going to be using that. corals aren't cheap.
Quote from: b125killer on October 02, 2015, 08:19:26 PM
Yep, I've been working 45 at the shop and still a little work at the pet store. I can't help it, I like working there. the pay sucks, but the discount is awesome. And starting the saltwater I'm going to be using that. corals aren't cheap.
Lots of coral folks just over in Iowa....check the QC site with an inquiry for them......they'll steer you to good stuff at reasonable prices....also, Milwaukee has a swap coming up...there's always been a couple vendors up there too.... |^|
I'm still a long way from getting any corals. We have a few good reef people at petland that frag there corals also. I just need to make sure the water is good first.
Quote from: b125killer on October 02, 2015, 08:19:26 PM
Yep, I've been working 45 at the shop and still a little work at the pet store. I can't help it, I like working there. the pay sucks, but the discount is awesome. And starting the saltwater I'm going to be using that. corals aren't cheap.
How much is the discount?
30 to 40 percent. depends on what it is. most live stock is 30%, I can also get tanks at cost. there's also the things that are given to us. The owner gave me around $300 in saltwater chemicals when he found out I was starting salts. The other kid that works there got a 72 reef ready bow front for free. it needed to be resealed. the discounts does make up a lot for little pay.
Just found out that Chicago Marine Aquarium society is having WCR harvest frag fest 2015 Tomorrow. To bad I'm not ready for live stock.
Scott you will love a reef tank. The only tank I have left up at this time is my 400 gal reef tank. In SW bigger is always better.
Your absolutely right JR, I was told if you can't swim in the tank it's to small. The main goal of this tank is to cure rock for the 180 bow. I have a hundred pounds curing now. I'll be putting it in the tank next weekend. I still need to figure out what I want to do with the two big freshwater tanks that are running now. My problem is I like both tanks. I don't want to give up any of my fish. I also don't want to run three tanks that are 150 plus gallons. I know what I need to do, I just can't stand the through of letting fish go.
Quote from: b125killer on October 03, 2015, 04:52:33 PM
Your absolutely right JR, I was told if you can't swim in the tank it's to small. The main goal of this tank is to cure rock for the 180 bow. I have a hundred pounds curing now. I'll be putting it in the tank next weekend. I still need to figure out what I want to do with the two big freshwater tanks that are running now. My problem is I like both tanks. I don't want to give up any of my fish. I also don't want to run three tanks that are 150 plus gallons. I know what I need to do, I just can't stand the through of letting fish go.
Aw shucks....run the three big tanks... 8)
Are there any reasons to n run all the tanks?
He works all the time, B. But, from what I've heard about salt water, once you've got it going right maintenance is an exercise in restraint. About the opposite from Discus keeping.
An exercise in restraint? You mean like it's hard to not do any maintenance?
I just got a text today asking if I was interested in a 90 gallon reef tank with refugium and all. I replied that unless it was free I wasn't interested. Strange thing is I have no idea who it was from.
Quote from: sschind on October 07, 2015, 06:38:05 PM
I just got a text today asking if I was interested in a 90 gallon reef tank with refugium and all. I replied that unless it was free I wasn't interested. Strange thing is I have no idea who it was from.
should have had my name on the mssg... |^|
Quote from: Mugwump on October 07, 2015, 07:06:01 PM
Quote from: sschind on October 07, 2015, 06:38:05 PM
I just got a text today asking if I was interested in a 90 gallon reef tank with refugium and all. I replied that unless it was free I wasn't interested. Strange thing is I have no idea who it was from.
should have had my name on the mssg... |^|
and I think I pm'd Scott too....?.... huh
Big b, I don't want to run three big tanks mostly because of time. The discus take up a lot of my time. Also it cost almost the same to run my tanks now as it did to run 11 or so tanks when I was breeding. I'm also quickly finding out the true cost of running saltwater. There's a lot of stuff on them tanks. It seems every time I turn around I'm shelling out more money for something I forgot or didn't do correctly to begin with.
Ok I got the rock into the tank. The skimmer is going and the heater is on. That's The plus the bad is I had to take the sump out and redo it. It seems I put the first two baffles above the hight of the incoming water chamber. That created all kinds of problems. The biggest being the water was only trickling into the return chamber.
I got the sump back together and tested the system again, more problems. I can't get the flow right. If I turn it up to where it needs the overflows sound like a waterfall. If I turn it down to stop the "waterfall" I don't get good return flow. The only way I can think to stop this is plum the overflows with a durso method. It would work but also requires me to drill the tank. I don't have the space in my diy overflow to plum it this way. So I ordered the drill I need to drill glass two bulkheads and a real overflow box. So far with what this tank has cost me I could of got a breeding pair of discus! :o
Oh
Quote from: b125killer on October 08, 2015, 08:40:51 PM
Ok I got the rock into the tank. The skimmer is going and the heater is on. That's The plus the bad is I had to take the sump out and redo it. It seems I put the first two baffles above the hight of the incoming water chamber. That created all kinds of problems. The biggest being the water was only trickling into the return chamber.
I got the sump back together and tested the system again, more problems. I can't get the flow right. If I turn it up to where it needs the overflows sound like a waterfall. If I turn it down to stop the "waterfall" I don't get good return flow. The only way I can think to stop this is plum the overflows with a durso method. It would work but also requires me to drill the tank. I don't have the space in my diy overflow to plum it this way. So I ordered the drill I need to drill glass two bulkheads and a real overflow box. So far with what this tank has cost me I could of got a breeding pair of discus! :o
The better part of the lesson is the journey. It's hectic sometimes as problems are discovered and resolved....but at the end, this will provide you with the most pleasure.....the accomplishment...... Have fun, can't wait to see it all completed..... good job |^|
Quote from: Mugwump on October 09, 2015, 05:56:25 AM
Quote from: b125killer on October 08, 2015, 08:40:51 PM
Ok I got the rock into the tank. The skimmer is going and the heater is on. That's The plus the bad is I had to take the sump out and redo it. It seems I put the first two baffles above the hight of the incoming water chamber. That created all kinds of problems. The biggest being the water was only trickling into the return chamber.
I got the sump back together and tested the system again, more problems. I can't get the flow right. If I turn it up to where it needs the overflows sound like a waterfall. If I turn it down to stop the "waterfall" I don't get good return flow. The only way I can think to stop this is plum the overflows with a durso method. It would work but also requires me to drill the tank. I don't have the space in my diy overflow to plum it this way. So I ordered the drill I need to drill glass two bulkheads and a real overflow box. So far with what this tank has cost me I could of got a breeding pair of discus! :o
The better part of the lesson is the journey. It's hectic sometimes as problems are discovered and resolved....but at the end, this will provide you with the most pleasure.....the accomplishment...... Have fun, can't wait to see it all completed..... good job |^|
Hang in there Scott. You can do this. |^|
Quote from: wsantia1 on October 09, 2015, 07:21:31 AM
Quote from: Mugwump on October 09, 2015, 05:56:25 AM
Quote from: b125killer on October 08, 2015, 08:40:51 PM
Ok I got the rock into the tank. The skimmer is going and the heater is on. That's The plus the bad is I had to take the sump out and redo it. It seems I put the first two baffles above the hight of the incoming water chamber. That created all kinds of problems. The biggest being the water was only trickling into the return chamber.
I got the sump back together and tested the system again, more problems. I can't get the flow right. If I turn it up to where it needs the overflows sound like a waterfall. If I turn it down to stop the "waterfall" I don't get good return flow. The only way I can think to stop this is plum the overflows with a durso method. It would work but also requires me to drill the tank. I don't have the space in my diy overflow to plum it this way. So I ordered the drill I need to drill glass two bulkheads and a real overflow box. So far with what this tank has cost me I could of got a breeding pair of discus! :o
The better part of the lesson is the journey. It's hectic sometimes as problems are discovered and resolved....but at the end, this will provide you with the most pleasure.....the accomplishment...... Have fun, can't wait to see it all completed..... good job |^|
Hang in there Scott. You can do this. |^|
+1..... |^|
I've been thinking of acid washing the rock. There's a lot of dead stuff on there. Also the pest that caused the guy to tear down his tank could still be alive on the rock. It's majano, I have been reading that it can survive months on dry rock. People have bleached there rock and still had it. It will completely rid the rock of any life forms and old coralline algae that's still built up on the rock. I'm not sure i want to take such an extreme step. Acid is some nasty stuff. Not to sure I want to be playing around with it. But if I have to tear the tank down to drill it, now would be the time to do it.
Quote from: b125killer on October 09, 2015, 09:50:43 AM
I've been thinking of acid washing the rock. There's a lot of dead stuff on there. Also the pest that caused the guy to tear down his tank could still be alive on the rock. It's majano, I have been reading that it can survive months on dry rock. People have bleached there rock and still had it. It will completely rid the rock of any life forms and old coralline algae that's still built up on the rock. I'm not sure i want to take such an extreme step. Acid is some nasty stuff. Not to sure I want to be playing around with it. But if I have to tear the tank down to drill it, now would be the time to do it.
That Majano sounds like some pretty bad stuff.; It will kill everything on that rock and then go after the corals. ???
Yep and I'm afraid that just drying out the rock isn't going to be enough. I definitely don't want to get things going good only to have to tear it down for a third time. Also I was told that the rock could leach phosphates for a long time if it's not acid washed. Phosphates are bad in many ways and if I can reduce it by the acid washing then it's a little bonus. I would also hate to fight high phosphate too.
Quote from: b125killer on October 09, 2015, 12:12:07 PM
Yep and I'm afraid that just drying out the rock isn't going to be enough. I definitely don't want to get things going good only to have to tear it down for a third time. Also I was told that the rock could leach phosphates for a long time if it's not acid washed. Phosphates are bad in many ways and if I can reduce it by the acid washing then it's a little bonus. I would also hate to fight high phosphate too.
vodka for phosphates |^|
But if it leaches phosphate constantly vodka isn't going to solve the problem. And I would feel funny getting drunk with the tank.
Quote from: b125killer on October 09, 2015, 12:46:57 PM
But if it leaches phosphate constantly vodka isn't going to solve the problem. And I would feel funny getting drunk with the tank.
I have a buddy who doses with an eye dropper......it doesn't take much....
Quote from: Mugwump on October 09, 2015, 12:50:12 PM
Quote from: b125killer on October 09, 2015, 12:46:57 PM
But if it leaches phosphate constantly vodka isn't going to solve the problem. And I would feel funny getting drunk with the tank.
I have a buddy who doses with an eye dropper......it doesn't take much....
http://saltwater-conversion.com/pages/carbon-dosing (http://saltwater-conversion.com/pages/carbon-dosing)
I'm sure I want to acid wash the rock. I think this is majano. And it's already growing in the tank! The ammonia in there is off the chart. The chart only goes up to 6.0 ppm. You would think with ammonia that high nothing would survive. I've already dried the rock and it didn't work. I was also told that the majano could survive that.
Next step now is to bleach the rock then dechlorinate it and dry it once again. Then use muriatic acid and let the rock sit in that for now more then two hours. I need to be careful not to get any bleach in with the acid. That will make a bad task worse. If all goes well I should have a bunch of nice white base rock to start from. Then I can properly cycle this tank.
On a side note. After going through all this trouble of stripping the rock I'm pretty sure I'm not putting live rock from a lfs in the tank. Going to such extremes to rid the rock of pest I would hate to introduce new pest right off the bat. After this I'll stick with dry rock and "clean" it. Then cycle it in a q.t. tank.
This has been such a weird adventure. So many problems already and I haven't even got a fish or coral yet. I'm still doing this, I've got this far. The things I'm doing now should help immensely once I get this rock cycled. I'm just trying to stop or reduce problems that I know could happen with bad/dirt rock.
Quote from: b125killer on October 09, 2015, 01:27:30 PM
I'm sure I want to acid wash the rock. I think this is majano. And it's already growing in the tank! The ammonia in there is off the chart. The chart only goes up to 6.0 ppm. You would think with ammonia that high nothing would survive. I've already dried the rock and it didn't work. I was also told that the majano could survive that.
Next step now is to bleach the rock then dechlorinate it and dry it once again. Then use muriatic acid and let the rock sit in that for now more then two hours. I need to be careful not to get any bleach in with the acid. That will make a bad task worse. If all goes well I should have a bunch of nice white base rock to start from. Then I can properly cycle this tank.
On a side note. After going through all this trouble of stripping the rock I'm pretty sure I'm not putting live rock from a lfs in the tank. Going to such extremes to rid the rock of pest I would hate to introduce new pest right off the bat. After this I'll stick with dry rock and "clean" it. Then cycle it in a q.t. tank.
This has been such a weird adventure. So many problems already and I haven't even got a fish or coral yet. I'm still doing this, I've got this far. The things I'm doing now should help immensely once I get this rock cycled. I'm just trying to stop or reduce problems that I know could happen with bad/dirt rock.
Be careful....if memory serves me right......bleach mixed with muriatic acid releases chlorine gas....and is extremely dangerous.....extremely....
That it does, This project will be done outside. I also have a respirator and protective clothing. I have seen what is capable with mixing bleach and muriatic acid. It was one of the main reasons I didn't want to do it.
This is a EXTREME project. A lot of reefers w!w don't recommend doing it.
ooh ooh....'Back to the Future' 'Doc' clothes..... |^|.....film it.. |^|
I'm not sure about filming it, I'm the only one doing it. I'll have enough on my mind without worrying about filming.
I guess I'm going to clean the patio while I'm at it. That will make Michelle happy. I might have painted and stained a few stand on it. she was a little upset over that. Finally something that will help clean up some of my projects. Lol
After this is finished and the tank is drilled i can set up the hole thing, sand and all. It shouldn't take that long to cycle. I'm going to get some live rock from Dan. I think i can trust his rock is clean. He knows a lot more about salts then me. It's nice to have him to fall back on, he will stand back and let me make my own mistakes. Like the overflow, he knew exactly what was going to happen. If it's going to be a costly mistake he'll give me his two cents on the matter. Most of the pvc from the failed overflow will be used with the new one.
Can you do that vodka dose thing for freshwater aquariums too?
Quote from: big b on October 09, 2015, 06:35:49 PM
Can you do that vodka dose thing for freshwater aquariums too?
I don't believe so.....you can only use certain vodka's (ethanol) that are 80 proof distilled....vodka is the purest of boozes...
"The addition of vodka/ethanol is thought to increase bacterial biomass. For this, vodka addition would result in bacterial growth and reproduction. During this process nutrients in the water (including NO3 and PO4) are taken up for the formation of new macromolecules that are needed in cell synthesis and viability. Due to this rapid growth and reproduction, NO3 and PO4 can drop quickly from detectable levels by most test kits on the market. The increased biomass of the bacteria leads to a notable increase in skimmate production, removing more waste than without vodka addition. The increased skimmate is thought to remove the bacteria or bacterial biproducts that have assimilated the NO3 and PO4 within the water column leading to NO3 and PO4 depletion." a dosing chart..
(http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/2008_parms_tb.jpg)(http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/2009_parms_tb.jpg)
That's to bad. I can't take the easy way for everything I guess.
It's interesting to think vodka can drop N03 and P04. I wounder what other nutrients are taken up. It's something I could probably use in the future.
Big b, I'm quickly learning that the easy way is probably best left alone with saltwater. I tried to take the easy way out for curing the rock. Should of just acid washed the rock last week when I found out about the process. Also the diy overflows, although if I had the space in the overflows box to make the durso pipe I could probably still make it work. But the weir on the box isn't cut wide enough apart and it's uneven. So I would have to work on them some more. To get them right in would need to get a new blade for the table saw so I can cut plastic. The wood blade likes to grab the pvc. With small cuts like the weir it just pops them off. Not good for making overflows. I also had it kick back and piece of 4 inch pvc that I was split in half. It hit me in the stomach, felt like I got hit with a bat. I don't want to go through that again, so I bought a overflow box.
Alcohol (or vodka) has been used in denitrifier biological filters.
The alcohol provides carbon to the bacterial in a low oxygen area (often water being slowly flowing through a long thin tube).
The bacteria eat the alcohol, and in the process, use up the oxygen metabolically in their part of the tube and have to get oxygen from somewhere.
Certain bacteria can get oxygen by taking apart two NO2 molecules, to yield a N2 molecule (nitrogen gas) and two O2 molecules (oxygen).
The nitrogen floats away (or might get used metabolically possibly to make proteins), the oxygen gets used by the bacteria along with the carbon from the alcohol.
The things we go through for our fish tanks! ok this one might be the most extreme thing. I got all the rock acid washed. It wan't as bad as I was thinking. But it is time consuming and dangerous. It didn't smell so bad. So this is where I got completely stupid! DON'T DO THIS EVER! I had to see what the acid smelt like, (Not my shining moment). I stuck the bottle to my nose and smelled it. It almost put me on my butt! and it burned like someone set a fire in my nose. I think I got very lucky it didn't do any damage to me. Maybe killed off a few more brain cells. but as you can imagine I don't have that many left. I need to conserve the few that are still in there.
The rock after bleaching. It's pretty clean now. All life forms should be dead. I was reading that majano can survive bleach. not sure how but it did survive being dry for weeks.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/cc59ec87-6740-4fb0-8ce8-1c421ac43721_zpsyeaqfq43.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/cc59ec87-6740-4fb0-8ce8-1c421ac43721_zpsyeaqfq43.jpg.html)
This rock is to show the tube worms. A lot of the rock is covered with it. not a bad thing there dead. but makes the rock ugly.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/c6a2d7a9-c5eb-4dbf-853b-700e3d529464_zpsvkedhh5e.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/c6a2d7a9-c5eb-4dbf-853b-700e3d529464_zpsvkedhh5e.jpg.html)
The reaction was quick. it did over flow the can. I used two cans and they were half fill. I feel sorry for people that try this with 5 gallon buckets. The patio didn't get as clean as I was hoping but that's okay
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/cleaning%20dry%20rock_zpsxaadqwau.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/cleaning%20dry%20rock_zpsxaadqwau.jpg.html)
This is the small rock that had the tube worms. the worms are gone on all rock. This rock took a beating. It lost a lot of it's weight.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/1e2812a4-1a4f-4da0-a6cc-a4da5bfe778b_zpsw1i3khdi.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/1e2812a4-1a4f-4da0-a6cc-a4da5bfe778b_zpsw1i3khdi.jpg.html)
Here is all the rock. It's all clean and shiny. Most of the coralline algae is gone. what little is left is just calcium now. the little white rock is different. it's a dead coral. I did acid wash it, I didn't leave it in the acid as long. Only fifteen minuets. The rest was an one and a half hours. That still took a lot off the thing. It's still a cool rock.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/8ca19a6b-a85d-4148-8985-63ea6c7169d4_zpsxj86inlp.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/8ca19a6b-a85d-4148-8985-63ea6c7169d4_zpsxj86inlp.jpg.html)
Over all I'm happy with how this turned out. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. it was quicker then curing it to let all dead matter rot off. That would of took for ever, any where from 1 to 6 months. and with the amount of matter on the rock it would of been 6 plus months. And the Majano was still alive on the rock. That's not a good thing at all. now I'll soak it in fresh water for a few days. then put it in the tank.
You sniffed what...???...geez Louise....you're a lucky guy...be careful my friend...please...
I saw a guy sniff industrial strength ammonia based window wash.....he did fall down...knocked him cold..
The rock, etc..looks really good.....it'll look nice and should be worry free from now on..............
No lectures from me Scott but please be careful buddy. ???
It's story time, and a little bit of how stupid I was. When I was a younger man, the first factory job I had they used Tylene to strip paint off screws. This was some nasty stuff. It stunk bad, so me and a few friends decided we would sniff the stuff. The owner was dumber then me. She gave me keys to the shop. Tried making me a boss. I was 18 at the time. And only really concerned where the next high was at. I found it, so I opened the shop for some friends to try the paint stripper. Now there was 5 people in this shop getting high on paint stripper. This stuff just knocked you out quickly. One hit was all it took. Luckily no one died that night.
Quote from: b125killer on October 10, 2015, 06:31:45 PM
It's story time, and a little bit of how stupid I was. When I was a younger man, the first factory job I had they used Tylene to strip paint off screws. This was some nasty stuff. It stunk bad, so me and a few friends decided we would sniff the stuff. The owner was dumber then me. She gave me keys to the shop. Tried making me a boss. I was 18 at the time. And only really concerned where the next high was at. I found it, so I opened the shop for some friends to try the paint stripper. Now there was 5 people in this shop getting high on paint stripper. This stuff just knocked you out quickly. One hit was all it took. Luckily no one died that night.
I think we all have a few stories that make us wonder how we're still kick'n........me?.....more than just a few too.... w!w
Quote from: b125killer on October 10, 2015, 06:31:45 PM
It's story time, and a little bit of how stupid I was. When I was a younger man, the first factory job I had they used Tylene to strip paint off screws. This was some nasty stuff. It stunk bad, so me and a few friends decided we would sniff the stuff. The owner was dumber then me. She gave me keys to the shop. Tried making me a boss. I was 18 at the time. And only really concerned where the next high was at. I found it, so I opened the shop for some friends to try the paint stripper. Now there was 5 people in this shop getting high on paint stripper. This stuff just knocked you out quickly. One hit was all it took. Luckily no one died that night.
I've done something as stupid before too. We are lucky. |^| |^| |^|
I got my glass drill in today. The first try at drilling glass didn't work out so good. The first hole I put too much pressure on the drill. The second hole my son was putting pressure on the glass. The third hole I got it to drill but it chipped in the back. But I didn't tape the back. I didn't care, the glass wasn't any good
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/0a32f075-10a0-4764-a426-e308ce8dd498_zpss15d5f86.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/0a32f075-10a0-4764-a426-e308ce8dd498_zpss15d5f86.jpg.html)
It's a good thing I had another 40b to drill. I got the holes drilled pretty good. A few chips but not big or that many. What looks like a crack near the rim is just black marker where I'm putting the overflow. It was marked out better but drilling the holes made a mess.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/741541f8-56e4-42d2-a0d3-7aefdf86de25_zps9xqyhs9j.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/741541f8-56e4-42d2-a0d3-7aefdf86de25_zps9xqyhs9j.jpg.html)
I thought that you put a block of wood behind the pane..and taped...???
Nope, i watched a lot of YouTube video. They all just used tape. They seemed to drill there's faster. But maybe that's because I was nervous and wanted it done without cracking. I sure hope I can get this plumbing right. I'm redoing all the plumbing. I need to take out the horizontal runs on the incoming water. Also there's going to be two lines for the incoming water now. The last try I made both line join together. I guess your not supposed to do either.
Still following the link closely. You're doing a fine job. |^|
Quote from: b125killer on October 12, 2015, 08:47:13 PM
Nope, i watched a lot of YouTube video. They all just used tape. They seemed to drill there's faster. But maybe that's because I was nervous and wanted it done without cracking. I sure hope I can get this plumbing right. I'm redoing all the plumbing. I need to take out the horizontal runs on the incoming water. Also there's going to be two lines for the incoming water now. The last try I made both line join together. I guess your not supposed to do either.
...sounds like you're getting the hang of it now.... |^| nice job... 8)
I'm really enjoying this thread Scott. (The "Mom" in me just has to say be careful though.) Thanks for taking the time to share. Now I'm going to Google those things in the rock that need acid to die.
I got the overflow done :D, I hope it works better then the first attempt.
This is how it will be set up in the overflow box.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/c9992235-a926-469c-91c2-b9f3c8fea33d_zpslzny3yyw.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/c9992235-a926-469c-91c2-b9f3c8fea33d_zpslzny3yyw.jpg.html)
This is the top of the box.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/a5cb18f7-ee1b-465e-a4e3-11edc553579d_zps75t9qkkb.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/a5cb18f7-ee1b-465e-a4e3-11edc553579d_zps75t9qkkb.jpg.html)
This is the back of the tank.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/b2caad02-e558-4950-8fb0-965580605673_zps0vebnyab.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/b2caad02-e558-4950-8fb0-965580605673_zps0vebnyab.jpg.html)
This is the front of the tank. It looks a lot cleaner now.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/fc3b59ba-7240-4437-b3d4-6f31abed4ca5_zps2ai97ce8.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/fc3b59ba-7240-4437-b3d4-6f31abed4ca5_zps2ai97ce8.jpg.html)
I'm not quit done with the back. I'm going to set up a Durso overflow. I need to set up the back a little differently. I sure hope this works. I put in a lot of time on this setup.
Here's my second attempt at plumbing the overflow. The tee coming out of the overflow box is the main water supply. It has an air input to control water levels. The more air I put in to the system the faster water flows and lower the water level in the overflow box. The second line next to it is a trickle/emergency line. The water should trickle through this line but if the main gets clogged the second will still work. the second line is set up unrestricted and if it does fill up it should make a lot more nose. I also took out the horizontal runs on the incoming water supply, that's to help stop back pressure. The return still has a horizontal run. That line has the pressure from the pump so I'm not to worried about it. The last improvement is the pvc unions. This way I can get the sump out if I need to. Sure wish I would of done that one the first time around.
If I really wanted to I could drill another bulkhead for the return line. I would need a smaller glass drill and another bulkhead. there's also the chance of breaking the tank. It's just not worth the trouble.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/overflow%202.0_zpske8amxpo.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/overflow%202.0_zpske8amxpo.jpg.html)
..nice rig....how big's the pump?
The pump is 1300 gph. It's way over powered for the system. I'll use it on the big tank when I'm ready.
Quote from: b125killer on October 16, 2015, 05:32:41 PM
The pump is 1300 gph. It's way over powered for the system. I'll use it on the big tank when I'm ready.
Hate to mention it now, but have you considered shut off valves for the intake/outflow....??....just in case....or for adjustments??
Both lines have ball valves on them. I need one for the return, it will suck the pump dry with the intake wide open. The only line that doesn't is the trickle line. That one needs to be unrestricted. It's only supposed to have a low flow. And if the main line gets plugged it will serve as the main. It will also be louder then the main. It's to let me know somethings wrong.
Quote from: b125killer on October 16, 2015, 07:28:27 PM
Both lines have ball valves on them. I need one for the return, it will suck the pump dry with the intake wide open. The only line that doesn't is the trickle line. That one needs to be unrestricted. It's only supposed to have a low flow. And if the main line gets plugged it will serve as the main. It will also be louder then the main. It's to let me know somethings wrong.
Good...ya got it covered..... |^|
I did learn a little from the last try. As long as this one doesn't sound like a toilet flushing ever few minutes all will be good. It shouldn't, there is a couple things I did complete wrong with the first try. I ran both overflows into one pipe and had a horizontal run to the sump. I guess that's a good way to build back pressure. And it gives you the toilet flushing sound. What's actually happening is the overflow box would fill with water. Then when the pressure builds up it would drain the overflow. once that happens you get the waterfall sound of the box filling up. After it was full it would flush the water to the sump. That's the flushing sound when it drains. Gets real annoying quickly.
I also got the aggregate for the tank and ro water is running. I'm going goint with all dry for now. It will take longer to cycle the tank. But I'll have the piece of mind knowing there's nothing bad in the tank. At the rate of my ro unit I should have enough water some time sunday. I'll have to shut it off before I go to bed. I'm going to test the system Sunday. If all goes well maybe I'll have it running soon.
Quote from: b125killer on October 16, 2015, 07:48:44 PM
I also got the aggregate for the tank and ro water is running. I'm going goint with all dry for now. It will take longer to cycle the tank. But I'll have the piece of mind knowing there's nothing bad in the tank. At the rate of my ro unit I should have enough water some time sunday. I'll have to shut it off before I go to bed. I'm going to test the system Sunday. If all goes well maybe I'll have it running soon.
|^| =;-)
I got the the tank running again. It doesn't make the toilet flushing sound anymore. It is a pain to get the flow just right, I think I have it. It even looks better. I need to get a better skimmer. I have a cheap hob skimmer. It supposed to be both in sump and hob. But it doesn't work well in the sump. The output is 90 the top of the skimmer that makes a lot of noise. Actually the hole skimmer is louder then I would like it to be.
Pretty setup....got your 'Super glue' ready...??...it won't be that long now ;D
Why did you opt for the Durso instead of the Bean animal?
honestly I'm very new to all this. it's a bit overwhelming at the moment. I have a customer that showed me how to set up the Durso. I only just found out about the Bean Animal a few days ago. there's also the Herbie set up.
I couldn't do the Bean Animal with the overflow set up. I only have two bulkheads in the tank. Also the overflow box is too small for three bulkheads. I might of been able to do a Herbie. Just not to sure if it needs a full length overflow box.
Right now I have the input to the sump turned down slightly, the return pump is turned all the way up. It's a high flow system the is quiet. I'm getting more noise from the skimmer right now. I kind of messed up on the skimmer. I was inpatient on getting the rock cycled. and got the cheapest skimmer I could find, it's a Seaclone 100. I was told It could run in the sump. It can but it was designed to to be a HOB skimmer. It's nosier in the sump, the waterfall effect is horrible on it. I'm researching new skimmers now. It's just hard to find one that's not going to break the bank and fit in the small sump opening I have. The opening in the sump is 6" long by 7" wide. the depth is at 6 to 7 inches. I can play with the depth a little if needed. but I cant go over 8". and under 4".
I found out what happens when you use API ammonia test for freshwater on saltwater, it congeals! Guess It's time to get a saltwater master kit.
funny...Who'd have thunk?
Yea, i was kind of hoping that it was the same stuff with a different label. It must bind with the salt. Kind of sucks. I need ammonia in the tank to start the cycling presses. I don't want to just just dump a bunch of ammonia in there. I was told I need the ammonia around 4.0 ppm. I have done enough things wrong with this tank. I don't need another set back. Other than that the tank looks good.
I got my "clean" live rock today. Wouldn't think I would be so excited about rock, I am! Look at the purple coralline on it, this will seed my rock nicely. I'm also dosing it for coralline growth and enzyme starter.
I got my test kit in too. My ammonia is at .8, that was from the live sand. It might go up a little more from the rock also. Now it can start the cycling process.
Most excellent....let the cycling begin.... w!w
I also got my first coral for my tank. It's pulsing xenia, it's only two small heads. I didn't take a pic of that because it only looked like a little piece of rock with two little slime balls. But the pic is from the colony it came from.
I gave it to Dan to grow out, the stuff grows like a weed. By the time I'm ready for it I should be able to pull a nice colony from it.
..nice looking....what colors are you striving for overall ??
I'm looking for a bunch of colors. I want a blue frogspawn, green duncan, and a rose tip anemone. The only fish I'm thinking about is a pair of clowns.
Quote from: b125killer on October 25, 2015, 07:12:12 PM
I'm looking for a bunch of colors. I want a blue frogspawn, green duncan, and a rose tip anemone. The only fish I'm thinking about is a pair of clowns.
Yellow tangs would look nice too..
or some of these..??
https://www.google.com/search?q=orange+tangs&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CFIQ7AlqFQoTCN6k0obu3sgCFUc5Jgods8cONg&biw=1536&bih=701 (https://www.google.com/search?q=orange+tangs&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CFIQ7AlqFQoTCN6k0obu3sgCFUc5Jgods8cONg&biw=1536&bih=701)
I really want a scopas tang. But I need the bigger tank running to get a tang they get too big for a 40b
I also want a magnificent foxface. There poisonous but the lfs has one and he's so cool. They will also eat algae.
colors and known personalities are what to look for imho....knowing how they interact with others is important to having a nice serene population...
It's the personality of these fish I like. At least the ones at my lfs. The scopas I feed by hand. The foxface I feed with tongs. I could feed him by hand but with him being poisonous I don't want to take the chance of getting tagged by him.
Quote from: b125killer on October 25, 2015, 07:50:51 PM
It's the personality of these fish I like. At least the ones at my lfs. The scopas I feed by hand. The foxface I feed with tongs. I could feed him by hand but with him being poisonous I don't want to take the chance of getting tagged by him.
Tongs, you bet.... w!w |^|
I have diatom algae! It's a start. Not really what I was expecting but it's something. This is going to be a long process. I was reading the different stages of cycling saltwater. Basically after the ammonia spike the algae starts growing. I didn't know that was going to happen. I guess cyanobacteria will be next. Then heterotrophic bacteria and protists that eat the cyanobacteria. Next will be hair algae. At that point I should be able to add some clean up crew.
I also tested the water. I already knew what it was going to tell me. I still have ammonia but it's low .2 ppm the nitrite is .5 ppm and nitrate is 20 ppm. I knew the algae wouldn't take off it the nitrate wasn't high. I can almost see the stuff grow. I'm thinking by tomorrow the tank might be fully covered in it. I was kind of hoping by adding the live rock I could avoid the the process and wake up to a nice coralline covered tank. I guess it's true nothing that happens fast in a saltwater tank is good and nothing good happens fast.
As I've said, the only thing I know about salt is that it is an exercise in patience while the tank works it's way to stability. After that, it's an exercises in restraint.
Patience I have, restraint is another story. I'm hoping i can add life before Christmas. I need to restrain my self from not over stocking the tank.
Restrain yourself. This is salt water, It's not like fresh where you can change water at will. Go slow.
Quote from: LizStreithorst on October 29, 2015, 09:26:52 PM
Restrain yourself. This is salt water, It's not like fresh where you can change water at will. Go slow.
+1....ditto......slow and easy....
Quote from: Mugwump on October 30, 2015, 06:36:39 AM
Quote from: LizStreithorst on October 29, 2015, 09:26:52 PM
Restrain yourself. This is salt water, It's not like fresh where you can change water at will. Go slow.
+1....ditto......slow and easy....
+2
Found a hitchhiker today a Asterina sp. star. I took him out, there like Trumpet snails in fresh water. Given the chance they will take over the tank. It's a good sign, the tank is supporting life.
surprise!!!.....hopefully the only one too... ;D
I also got a fist full of macroalgae for the refugem. I figured with the nitrate being high the plants should help out. It was also the last thing I needed to get the refugem complete. Things are looking good in there, I'm happy with it so far.
...Nice....I like it.....sweeeet !
It was a nice surprise but he had to go. I'm thinking it might not take as long as I was thinking to cycle it.
Starting week three, things are starting to turn green. It's a good sign, pretty soon I'll need a clean up crew. I also need a different protein skimmer. The one I got is a piece of poo! Unfortunately the spot I made in the sump is rather small for a skimmer. I have found a few but there kind of expensive.
...great, it's coming along nicely.......slow and steady, as it should be....nice job, Scott... |^|
Thanks, it has been slow. Things are starting to happen so that makes me happy.
Quote from: b125killer on November 02, 2015, 07:11:49 PM
Thanks, it has been slow. Things are starting to happen so that makes me happy.
+1....
Looks good Scott. |^| |^| |^|
Thanks Guys, It took 4 weeks to cycle the tank. My water parameters dropped to 0. I had a friend price a clean up crew package for me. It had over 200 critters in it! and he wanted $125. plus $50. for shipping! I told he he needs to put down the pipe! w!w I asked why he would put so many critters in a newly cycled tank. He said to clean up the algae quickly. I asked what happens when they clean everything and there's no algae left. he said that half of them will become food for the other half. That just doesn't sound right to me. More likely most will die and spike my parameters. So I got my own clean up crew, There doing a good Job too. There's also a purple feather duster in there. She is a filter feeder but she needs to be fed. I wouldn't consider he part of the clean up crew. the rocks where completely covered in algae Friday.
2 emerald crabs, 12 Hermit Crabs, 3 Turbo Snails, 3 Cerith Snails, and 4 Nassarius Snails.
...cool....will any of them multiply?
I'm not sure if they will.
Found this guy lurking about tonight. I think he hitched a ride in a empty snail shell. Not to sure how I feel about bristle worms. But he found a home and as long as he doesn't bother anything he can stay.
...strange looking little creature...
you might read this tho....
http://reefbuilders.com/2007/06/09/bristle-worm-removal-from-saltwater-aquariums/ (http://reefbuilders.com/2007/06/09/bristle-worm-removal-from-saltwater-aquariums/)
Now it's starting to look like something. I got a Duncan coral and purple tip hammer coral yesterday. The small frags but they are still cool. I also got a Halloween Crab. I'll have to try and get a decent pic of him.
This is the hammer.
...Super Glue em on ??
...you should have seen the frag's at the AE show.....they had 'salt' folks showing/selling all over the place...
Someone glued them to there plugs but it wasn't me lol. I know that Beyond The Reef was at the show, Maybe next time. For know I'm just hoping these coral don't melt. If they do good I want to get a bird of paradise coral. This one is a sps coral, the birdnest coral are supposed to be a good beginner spsific coral.
Great job you are doing there Scott. It looks really good. I didn't like what I read in that link by Jon about that Bristleworm though. Keep up the good work. |^| |^| |^|
Wow Scott! I was thinking about your tank as I missed checking out a few of your posts. You're doing a super job. I love how there's so much activity in there...something that has to be seen up close to appreciate. |^|
Thank's guys, I have added a few more critters to the tank. Two clownfish, pulsing xenia coral, and purple/blue mushroom coral.
This is one of the conditions I had to meet to start a saltwater tank. Michelle wanted clownfish(Nemo) and his dad Marlin. I tried to tell her there both males for now but one will switch and become a female. She doesn't care, so will have a female named Marlin. The second condition was to get them to host a anemone. They are hosting the hammer frag And I'm not happy about that. It's such a small frag that the fish are irritating it. They Might "love" it to death. I'm not sure I want to put a anemone in the tank. there not really reef safe. they will move on there own and have a powerful sting that can hurt or kill coral. I might have to shell out the money to get a decent size colony of hammer or frogspawn coral. I'll wait and see if this hammer will hold up to the clowns.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/9ed7be72-b7ae-4ab0-b092-7748a4a8a931_zpsto0ewu3u.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/9ed7be72-b7ae-4ab0-b092-7748a4a8a931_zpsto0ewu3u.jpg.html)
I had to take a video of the xenia. You have to watch the video to see why there called pulsing xenia. Some people say there a weed and shouldn't be kept. I really like them, I'm not to worried about them spreading.
And here is the blue/purple mushroom. not much to say about him. Other than looking neat he doesn't do anything. It will spread or I can cut them and glue them. there hardy and hard to kill off.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/23ef3e5d-6563-4dda-b8b7-42883ea65bf9_zpsevslgzwl.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/23ef3e5d-6563-4dda-b8b7-42883ea65bf9_zpsevslgzwl.jpg.html)
Nice progress......looks good.....
There's still a few corals I'm looking for. I want a Eagle Eye Zoanthus
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/5540be95-7f30-4d51-bbdc-356a1d66fd4a_zpsa0ilnpl8.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/5540be95-7f30-4d51-bbdc-356a1d66fd4a_zpsa0ilnpl8.jpg.html)
And birds of paradise coral. This one is a sps coral. it's going to take a little more work to care for it. But the birds nest corals are suppose to be a good starter for sps corals.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/02d70b1a-cede-4d04-ad97-66178adf62f3_zpslrrzojhh.png) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/02d70b1a-cede-4d04-ad97-66178adf62f3_zpslrrzojhh.png.html)
Very nice Scott. I'm intrigued by the thought of propagating some coral.
Dennis
Go Scott. You are doing a great job. Nice Xenia video and Nemo and Marlin look great. |^| |^| |^|
Impressive Scott. You are a conscientious beginner that's for sure. Its evident in the way you are approaching the building of this tank and caring for its inhabitants. Great thread you have going here. |^|
Thanks everyone, I know I'm a beginner but I had a lot of help along the way. There's still so much to be done with the tank. I still need a better protine skimmer. And I think i might be getting a par meter. With the led lights being adjustable it's all guess work on if the lighting is right. I'm kind of letting the corals tell me. That can be expensive if you lose a few.
So far i haven't seen any growth on the corals. I also know that it's a slow process. But the rock is starting to turn a few shades of purple. It should take upto a year for it to be fully cured. I have also seen copepods on the glass. That's another good sign that things are going in the right way.
I do have some new pics of the saltwater tank, with some new corals. I do have to say that taking care of discus is a lot more work then the saltwater. I don't do water changes on the saltwater tank as much. but I do keep a closer eye on the water parameters of the saltwater. Things like calcium, alkalinity, salinity, magnesium,and phosphates, are a few things I check for. I think I'm getting this saltwater stuff down.
One of my Christmas presents, it's a Elegance Coral. they can be hard to care for depending on where they were collected. the Indo- Pacific Elegance are all bad. they have been over collected. and divers have to go to deeper depths to get them. the specimens they collect don't last long in captivity. Australian Elegance are much better. there cleaner and live longer. My problem is I don't know what this one is. I guess time will tell.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/20151224_120055_zpswgzb7myw.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/20151224_120055_zpswgzb7myw.jpg.html)
Purple bubble anemone. I almost lost this one. I wasn't sure where to put him. He has a foot and can move to different spots if he's not happy. He wasn't attaching to anything and floating around the tank, that's bad on many levels. he has a powerful sting and can kill other corals, or get sucked into the overflows. I found a nice little cave in the rock and pushed him in it. then offered a few pieces of shrimp to let him know this was a good spot to find food. so far he hasn't moved from that spot.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/20151224_114507_zps0gydgtvq.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/20151224_114507_zps0gydgtvq.jpg.html)
This is the hole tank. I need to move a few things around. the bubble is to close to The Montipora. he could sting him if he wanted. But I glued the monti to the rock. he's not going to like being ripped off it. but it's better then getting killed.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/20151224_115117_zpsq9ujblpo.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/20151224_115117_zpsq9ujblpo.jpg.html)
There's a few other new things in there but they hide and don't like to come out. There's a skunk shrimp and a coral beauty angelfish.
This is a bad pic of the coral beauty. but he doesn't come out of the rock long enough to get a good pic.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/ae321fba-0962-40d0-8722-5394a0fe2740_zpsbtnrzo7h.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/ae321fba-0962-40d0-8722-5394a0fe2740_zpsbtnrzo7h.jpg.html)
and a bad pic of the skunk shrimp.
(http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y461/b125killer/c25ddfe0-ead6-4856-9e3a-cc45fb511585_zpsaxhrlm17.jpg) (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/b125killer/media/c25ddfe0-ead6-4856-9e3a-cc45fb511585_zpsaxhrlm17.jpg.html)
..very nice set up....great pics.. ;D...nice job.....
..are you a vodka doser yet?...
I don't want to does with it because I have a pile of poo for a protein skimmer. my nitrate level isn't detectable and phosphate is low. so I haven't been to worried about it.
Looks great Scott. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Those pictures are awesome. |^| |^| |^| |^| |^|
Nice pics Scott.
The reward of a lot of work.
Thanks guy's, things are comeing along nicely. I'm starting to see more coralline algae on the rocks and everything else. I'm going to slow down on stocking it. There's a few corals in there now that will outgrow this tank. If I don't have the 180 read I'll have to frag them. I'm excited to get the big tank going but the cost of it is holding me back a bit. I need to get so much stuff and nothing is cheap. I'm going to run 2 55g tanks for the sump. That's The plan for now anyways. I also have to get the skimmer that can handle 300g. I found out the hard way that you get what you pay for in skimmers. I got a cheap skimmer on the 40 and I hate it so much. I can hear the skimmer upstairs, and it doesn't work that great. I have to constantly adjust it.