Started a 30g Reef Tank Build.....Advice Welcome

[joem1cha3l]

Well guys, ive been wanting to do this for what seems like forever but never seemed to want to make the investment. Well now is the time and I figured id start small. I just bought a T5 HO Lighting system to accompany a 30 gallon tank. I will post my steps to the build step by step throughout the next few weeks. Live rock will be here shortly along with the sand. Heres what I have so far, please any questions or comments are welcome. Im new to this and could really use any insight.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/Picture004-1.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/Picture007-1.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/Picture009-1.jpg

[JamesJR]

Okay, looks pretty good so far.

My question is, what is it you intend to keep?

Also, my first suggestion would be to get some powerheads or pumps.
I personally would recommend Hydor Korallia pumps. I would get 2#2's myself.

[joem1cha3l]

I was hoping to keep mostly reef and a couple of fish

[matt880305]

only advice get more waterflow...

[matt880305]

and how much live rock/ sand you getting?just in advance minimal pound per gal.

[ImprezaSTi]

Do you plan on getting a skimmer?

[joem1cha3l]

Protien skimmer, 2 powerheads, 50-60 lbs. of liverock and 2" of sand coming next.

[IndoorOcean]

What kind of corals are you going to keep? Depending on the answer you may need to upgrade the lighting. It appears you have a single 24 watt T5. If you want to keep anything but the least light demanding species you'll need to get a light fixture with about 3 or maybe 4 bulbs.

[joem1cha3l]

heres the initial tests before LR or Sand

Calcium - 500 mg/l (ppm)
KH (Carbonate Hardness) - 11 dKH/196.9 ppm KH
Phosphate (PO4) - 0 PPM (mg/l)
Nitrate (NO3) - 0 PPM (mg/l)

[joem1cha3l]

Some added pics after further filtration...looks to have some traces of calcium, how do i get rid of them?

Start:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/Picture009-1.jpg
Middle:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/DSCF1246.jpg
Now:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/DSCF1247.jpg

[cdbias2]

Are you just testing for leaks?

Rock goes in first.
Sand goes in second.
Water goes in next.

Or else your in for a really cloudy tank.

[Esquare]

That's the order I did mine in and I'm still fighting cloudy water (not too bad and it's only been a day):). Good thing I rinsed the sand first otherwise I be in real trouble.

[cdbias2]

Put a paper towel on your sand.
Place a cup and saucer on top of that.
Pour water slowly into the cup to fill.

[joem1cha3l]

This is where I stand as of today...its a slow build because im working paycheck to paycheck to get this thing moving. Running two Koralia #1's right now....Added a water clarifier but its still cloudy. There are little black peices in the sand that just wont filter out, what can I do to get them out of there? Also will a water change clear things up a bit if I add like 8 new gallons? Live rock will be in shortly, again due to a limited budget.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/Picture263.jpg

[joem1cha3l]

Heres where I currently am guys, added a piece of liverock from the local LFS to get things started....Have another 22 lbs that will go in also and will add more accordingly, its finally ncie to see something other than sand and water in there....How long before I see things start to grow or some stuff crawl out the of the rock?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/Picture271.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/HID_Positive/Picture269.jpg

[bychance]

Looks good joem1cha3l.
It was suggested to me when I set my tank up to put the rock on the glass bottom, then add the sand.

[wbond]

looks good so far. good luck