Setting up first tank

[jdjp]

Been doing a lot of reading. And will continue to do so. I plan to do fish and the easier corals.

I just bought a used 80 gal rimless deep blue professional, with the low iron glass. Dimensions are 24x48x16. It came with a 29gallon tank for a sump, a reef octpus nwb150 skimmer with the gate valve and silencer, a bubble blaster pump, and some nice looking dry live rock.

I have some more supplies on the way. --Two AI primes (might have to add another down the road?) Im going to hang them from the ceiling should look clean.
-RO/DI system.
-ATO
-60lbs of dry rock
-40lbs of caribsea dry arogonite special grade sand
-bucket of instant ocean reef crystals
-floating hydrometer /thermometer
-200w heater
-950gpu danner magdrive return pump
-API liquidmaster test kit.

I need to get more sand and i think i want to go with a maxspect xf150 gyre powerhead.

I just picked up another 29 gallon tank that will be my display refugium.

My current plan is to overflow the DT into the refugium without a sock filter. Drill holes at the other end of the tank and have the refugium overflow into the skimmer tank. Have a bubble trap then the return pump.

maybe deep sand bed with mangroves in the refugium and a good CUC will take care of the detritus?

Ill take any advice you guys can give me .

Thanks

Dylan

[Luke Schnabel]

I would for sure run filter socks from the overflow coming from your display tank. They will trap a lot of stuff that you don't want in your sump.

[jdjp]

Yeah im guessing most will say i should run a sock. I just need to figure out a way to have it above the refugium so you cant see it. Maybe in a piece of pvc.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/27/778b7d44d3adc02bacabf6ba4d14e1f4.jpg

[SammyL]

Yeah im guessing most will say i should run a sock. I just need to figure out a way to have it above the refugium so you cant see it. Maybe in a piece of pvc.


I will not, I have never used them and have no plans to start.

[Aero175]

I run two AI Hydra 52's over my 90 gallon (48x18) and I think it is just the right amount of light. I am not sure the primes will give you enough coverage over a 48" tank. You might be able to put a 3rd in the middle to provide more coverage.

[jdjp]

Ive made some progress. Ive got my rocks aquascaped (very happy with those) got my sand in. I hung the AI primes tonight.
Ive got bulkheads and a glass saw on the way to connect my sump tank to my refugium tank.
I orded some dr tims one and only and his amonia going to try a fishless cycle.

I planned to get a couple small pieces of live rock but im not sure now. Id like to keep from getting the bad hitchikers in the tank.

Ive got to place another order with marine depot does the forum get a discount?

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/02/6279930dc214e84548c4654ee8706c5f.jpg

[jdjp]

I was looking around trying to find and answer but there are a million refugium sand threads. I want to do sand in the refugium im just wondering if the caribsea special grade is ok being that its more course? I plan to do a few inches in my 29gal fuge. Thanks

[bkostuch]

I run Caribsea ultra fine sand in my fuge, I have actually been reading conflicting thoughts on the Sand/No Sand fuge debate. Tagging along here.

Setup looks good, I like the aquascape :)

[Erosa911]

Dont wanna cause conflicting theories... but ive always stayed away from any filter sock without issue... unless you can afford the time to replace and wash a bunch of them every 2 or 3 days and keep on it Im under the impression that they just become huge nitrate pits

[jdjp]

Yeah apparently some people dont agree with other people haha. Sand, no sand, sock, no sock. So far ive decided im going to use a sock and put sand in the fuge. Just wondering if it should be fine or if course will work.

Bkostuch- thanks I was suprised how quickly i scaped it and was happy with it. I looked through the whole "minimalist aquascape" thread so I knew what i wanted to do.

[Cosmojo]

Love what you're doing on this, definitely following along with this one.

[Bent]

Ive got some socks, 4 to be precise. Once the tank gets established I may ditch them. But at first with all the crud floating in the system, it helps to have them to grab some of those particles.

[risin]

+1 no filter sock. If I had to use one I would probably quit the hobby. Cleaning them is a pain, and you go through them fast on a large tank.

[ericarenee]

Do you have all of the display water running thru the Fuge?

If so how much is it exactly?

The reason i ask is because my fuge does way better with around 200 gph running thru it. OF of the 2600 gph that my pump pushes my fuge is 60x18 x14 in tall....

The other thing I had issues with film building up on top of the water in the fuge.. I Created a baffle from bottom up for the water to over flow into a chamber where there are two drains that drop into my sump skimmer chamber...

Seems low flow in FUGE With no PRE Fuge filter socks work best for me... At the end of my sump i use micron filter pads in between two baffles to prevent stuff from leaving the sump into my reeflo hammerhead pump and end up back in the display

When i did have all the flow / well most of it going thru the fuge the plants were not doing so well and i lost 5 mangrove plants. After replumbing to bypass the fuge with most of the Circulation water My Fuge took off growing like mad... It now supperts enough Caulerpa (blade type mostly) TO Keep my Vlamingi tang fed and keep Nutrients TO Near 0... Sometimes i think my water is too clean as my skimmer produces less and less the more the fuge grows out.....

The above is Just how i do it... Yours could work fine for you as is ... but i would give slower flow thru fuge a try . I Think you will see better results on pod population and plant growth........ OHH I USE 3 Cheap 10 w 6500 k Flood Lights over fuge on from about 5 in the evening until 10 am .They are off in the middle of the day and on during daylight hours when i am normally down there to check on things... ..

[Bent]

I still have no idea how you guys are estimating your flow.

Maybe I'm just too inexperienced to be able to eyeball it.

What does 200gph look like?

[Jandawil]

Off to a very nice start. This is going to be a beautiful tank.

[jdjp]

Eric- as to the flow through the fuge. My original plan was to flow it all through the fuge but i changed plans.
I actually just got my glass hole saws in the mail today and just finished drilling the holes in the fuge tank and the sump tank.

The overflow from the main tank will go through the sock into the sump. At the other end of the sump is my skimmer and return pump. Between the overflow and the skimmer will be a 240gph pumping water from sump into the fuge. That water will overflow back into the sump by the sock

[CStrickland]

What does 200gph look like?

in my case IIRC 360 gph looked like a five gallon bucket filled up 3/5 of the way in 30 seconds while I was leak-testing my sump plumbing.

for powerheads i trust the manufacturer. but theres so much head loss and restriction on an overflow return, i think its good to double check.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/03/99a7f1af21b0330834baa81ee7854868.jpg

[civics14]

I really like your aquascape, big fan of openness

[whosurcaddie]

I love my filter socks. I use 10 micron socks and change them every two days. I also just use rubble rock in my fuge. By using a sock you keep your sump clean and free of detritus, at the same time though its not a must have. Its a personal preference type of thing. I can tell the difference in water clarity when I have a sock and when I don't.

[jdjp]

Slowly piecing it together here. But ive encountered a problem. I bought the perfect ato res.(just barely fits where i need it in the stand, but looks like it will hold over 15 gal) as well as a brute 44gal trash can for mixing and a 5 plug GFCI .

I also bought a phillips led indoor outdoor floodlight for the refugium. Problem is I was messing with the ato system and every time the ato pump comes on the led turns off, nothing else just the flood light. Does it have some sort of breaker in it? I have it in one of those clamp on work lights. And i tried it with just the light and the pump straight into the wall and it still happened.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/04/2c0b377f9c788745ab883676329732ff.jpg

[platypusklr]

Just got done reading a thread about DBS 40B's. Might want to check before you drill, some are tempered all the way around!

[jdjp]

Not drilling the big tank

[Bent]

Not drilling the big tank

why not? its super easy.

[jdjp]

Its already drilled. I drilled my sump and refugium tanks.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/07/95d796b0278574a71ebb2a42b145725a.jpg

[jdjp]

Got it all plumbed. Sand and rock in the fuge. Waiting on the ro buddy

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/796d5849dfde9a294ba6bd7264cf2ecb.jpg

Waiting on the next batch of RO water. That is the AI primes with all colors less than 20%. And no whites.

The salt is high right now 1.030 i still have to add another 50 gal to get everything topped off so ill make that batch more fresh.

The maxspect gyre fx150 seems to work well. I have to keep it on the lowest setting in constant mode or it will blow the sand on the other side of the tank around. I have to put my ear tight next to it to hear it also.

[jdjp]

Looks like i bought more pump than the overflow in the display can take. And the pump i have to pump water from the sump to the fuge seems to be a little to much as well.

I think ill try to T off the return line and run it over to the fuge with a ball valve. One less pump in the sump.

[Jandawil]

Just make sure if you T anything and add a ball valve, that the pump is completely unrestricted. I burned my first pump out by not knowing that. Rookie move on my part.

[tbeitouni]

this looks great! tagging along :)

[CStrickland]

Just make sure if you T anything and add a ball valve, that the pump is completely unrestricted. I burned my first pump out by not knowing that. Rookie move on my part.

Was the restriction before the pump? Lots of people dial back their flow with valves that restrict after the return pump.

[Jandawil]

No it was after. Before I wouldn't see an issue.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/10/a275496e1bb2afd8ebe8a3e668f740e7.jpg

Alright. Its up and going! Finally.


Salinity is right about 1.024.

I added in dr tims nitrifiing bacteria and ammonium chloride solution, ill test the water tomorrow and see how thats working.

Ive been searching for what should be added first. Havent really found a good answer. the only thing i know i want so far is a pair of fire gobies.

Thanks for the input.

[CStrickland]

Looks great!
I think the very best thing to do is decide your whole stocking plan first, then once you've picked your fish family you can determine the order based on personality and difficulty. There's a great thread in here called "please check your purchase" where you can get invaluable advice from a dude who knows way too much about what diff fish need. I would absolutely run your list by him before you buy anything

It's my understanding that restricting the inlet to a pump can cause cavitation, which wears out the pump. Restricting the outlet is safe within reason and a very common way to balance overflow from the tank with the water coming in. If you could only run pumps full blast you would have to pick them very carefully to be just as strong as your drain can handle (which varies by a lot of factors) after head loss and elbow restriction (again, variable) are accounted for. That would be nearly impossible without restricting the drain, and I think that's pretty dangerous.
Mostly though, if putting a valve on after the pump to dial it back a little wrecked the pump, there'd be a lot of wrecked pumps out there.

[jdjp]

So i am wondering about light schedule for the DT and refugium.
I know they say opposite light schedule help keep ph stable.
The problem i see is, if i have the lights off in the fuge in the daytime then the ambient light in my house from the sun will keep it lit all day.

Would this cause any problems? Dont plants and animals like to have some darkness?

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/20/c89ff64a89651c6b2b582022b8c3c48b.jpg

[jdjp]

Amonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0

Thanks to dr.tims one and only the tank cycled quickly.

Inhabitants :
From saltwaterfish.com-
Yellow tang
Firefish
pygmy angelfish
Pepermint shrimp

From my beautiful south florida Tequesta intracoastal-
nickel sized french angelfish
1.5" sharpnose puffer
horned blenny
Banded coral shrimp (in refugium)
Florida fighting conch (fuge)
Red mangrove pods(fuge)

From live-plants.com
Assorted red macros
Caulerpa prolifora and mexicana
Hypnea pannosa
And tisbe pods
Dragonsbreath on the way

Planning on corals next

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/8761f812a5b3c07d1328334d4ad11183.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/0ddfae8aa411e3936d64d637e7385881.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/53c5c2c21687aa51edd6f7ea9c649f7d.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/d42607614f35e2cc29d4d3b098d60dd9.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/7b4c19475d5809edf6b18ff3961ed618.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/cca963ed6dbbab10faebcbcd66246efb.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/8455d108904d97bf426cca99547aca27.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/ba17f3aa260b7849164862ece65cdb56.jpg

Oh yeah also from saltwaterfish.com
50 assorted snails (fuge)
50 assorted hermits (DT)
20 empty coraline encrusted hermit shells

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/3bb418898eace9247f4bd3d8159e035b.jpg

[CStrickland]

Do you have a top to keep the firefish from jumping out?

[jdjp]

Sure do

[CStrickland]

:thumbsup:

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/24/dc91b014fd2a5b954b6ed403a8b2934d.jpg

Diatoms?

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/25/1325990588fbc616c0435d469b27b05e.jpg

Dont think this is a horned blenny anymore

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/25/f7e61da9dc5638dc4106e4940198f1bc.jpg

Love watching the firefish now that hes out. The blue stripes on his head dont show in the pictures.

[jdjp]

Everything is going good.
The puffer was messing with my hermits so i let him go where i got him.

The blenny was a little aggressive so i finally caught him and let him go. I had to hook him with a flyfishing hook and a piece of shrimp.

I added a skunk cleaner shrimp and another firefish. The first firefish is now out with the second . Before i almost never saw him.http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/73f40cef2354c3d1985782d855ccd583.jpg

[jdjp]

Oh yeah. And i aded a small zoanthid frag.

[jdjp]

The fuge is doing well also. And i have hundred of pods in both tanks.http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/3b53ab4dd1b8c2e9df872ee40c3c0418.jpg

I had a diatom bloom in both tanks, but it only lasted a week and its almost gone now.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/08/49aa166b416530dad40fb8c8d3dc23f2.jpg

Added some sand.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/12/965356ac3ca1ef009b6ad515786b19a8.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/12/46eb6f4b16a9da642f6cc6585b731ea7.jpg
I added some fish. I now have:

Display tank
2 firefish
1 french angel
1 pygmy angel
3 threadfin cardinals
2 carberryi anthias
1 skunk cleaner shrimp
Assorted hermits
A couple turbo snails

Refugium
Time out for yellow tang. Hes enjoying a macro buffet.
2 snowflakeXblackice clowns
Assorted snails
Banded coral shrimp

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/12/b8a67991b0b7790783fbd4a00f46ddb2.jpg

[jdjp]

My nitrates are 5-10 ppm. phosphates are close to 0. Dkh is only 6-7. Thats after a 15% water change.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/15/da46625fb6325260553e541c051346b0.jpg

I know its hard to tell from a picture but does this look like green coraline?

[CStrickland]

That's what mine looked like. Coralline is harder to scrape off with a fingernail than algae is, if that helps

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/17/9b9206944b69dcfbd49e2dbe02fab5b6.jpgToday I put an AI prime on the Fuge. Replaced a lowes led spotlight
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/17/cb12d542411fcd12a72abb0abfd3d413.jpg
Also got some clear 1/4" mesh screen from marine depot and replaced the doubled up 1/2" black bird netting that was on there

Good day.

[htxhunter34]

looks great, where did you get the rock from?

[thetedinator]

Everything is going good.
The puffer was messing with my hermits so i let him go where i got him.

The blenny was a little aggressive so i finally caught him and let him go. I had to hook him with a flyfishing hook and a piece of shrimp.

snip


What does "let him go where I got him" mean?

[jdjp]

I let him go exactly where i caught him. The intracoastal waterway.

[jdjp]

Rock came from marine depot.

[htxhunter34]

Did you have to cure it? And did you add live rock or sand to the tank or just a bacterial supplement?

[CStrickland]

I let him go exactly where i caught him. The intracoastal waterway.

Do not do that again.
While he was in your tank he was exposed to countless organisms which are not native to your local waters, some of which he likely introduced when you released him.

Here is a story about lionfish: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/invasion-of-the-lionfish-131647135/

[jdjp]

I understand not releasing a non native fish. We have tons of lionfish here. Is there an article on releasing native fish?
How about when rehabbed turtles are released?

[jdjp]

No i didnt have to cure the rock. I didnt use any live rock or live sand. Only bacteria in a bottle.