Reef revision-tank rebuild

fabulousfavia · 10/11/2017, 05:50 PM

Hello all. A few days ago I had the chance to gp to reef-a-palooza in Anaheim and I picked up some new gear. I had bought a used 55 gallon aquarium around this time last year and had worked on it to get it into good condition. What I didn’t realize was that most of the gear was old and needed tp be replaced. When I put in some starter fish they didn’t do to well and when reef-a-palooza came I dedcided it was time for change. I replaced my huge old skimmer that barely fit in my sump and required a water level so high the sump had to be almost filled to the top so it stayed off a lot. I got a smaller skimmer that is perfect size for my tank. I also got a new eshopps sump so I will no longer be using my old 40 g used diy sump but instead now I have a 35g custom sump that allows room for an ato resovoir. So then I got the new neptune ato kit so that I now actually have an ato and a really good one. Then I decided that I wpuld use a third reactor that I got free at reef-a-palooza. I have also gotten new aquascaping materials to work with so I will replace all the water, gear, and change around the aquascape. I hope you all stick around to see what happens with this build.

DivingTheWorld · 10/13/2017, 02:39 PM

Looking forward to the updates T! Be careful to not replace too much inside the tank (water, rocks, sand) or you might go through another cycle and need to start the aging process again.

James404 · 10/13/2017, 07:50 PM

Sounds like you're on the right track. Post up some pics when you can!

fabulousfavia · 10/15/2017, 07:35 AM

I have some new dry rock but will not be taking any existing rock out. I can also now have mangroves in my acrylic fuge.

fabulousfavia · 10/15/2017, 02:44 PM

Today is the day that I will install all the equipment that I got at reef a palooza and do a 100% water change. I took advantage of this time to upgrade to t5s also.

fabulousfavia · 10/24/2017, 11:53 AM

Some pictures of the equipment and aquascape. There is no water in it yet but I am hoping to get that done today or tomorrow.

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fabulousfavia · 10/29/2017, 09:57 AM

Lights are on and the tank is getting filled. I will start the nitrogen cycle today.

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fabulousfavia · 10/31/2017, 05:58 PM

It is full and cycling. My return pump was stronger than I thought. Refugium is set up too.

If anyone has any advice or if I am doing something incorrect please share.

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fabulousfavia · 10/31/2017, 05:59 PM

Happy Halloween

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fabulousfavia · 11/01/2017, 09:07 PM

All equipment is working fine. The tank is a little loud but I can fix that by putting the secondary drain under the waters surface.

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fabulousfavia · 11/01/2017, 09:13 PM

I got this bright red maroon clownfish at reef a palooza and he is doing good in my qt. I feed it pe saltwater pellets. What do you guys feed your fish?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fabulousfavia · 12/05/2017, 10:18 PM

More fish!!
I got a sand perch (red lizardfish), occelaris pair, and some green chromis. pic was taken in my qt

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

fabulousfavia · 12/07/2017, 07:44 PM

First fish added to the dt. Currently having some aggression trouble. Lost one chromis and one of the clownfish is looking a little lethargic but otherwise all are doing well.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

fabulousfavia · 12/07/2017, 07:45 PM

Don't know why my pics came out sideways but I got a new phone so maybe that's the reason. Does anyone else see that?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

fabulousfavia · 12/10/2017, 12:05 PM

Went to Ocean Aquatics grand opening. I got some more clowns, a sixline wrasse, a scooter blenny that I got for $10, some blue chromis, a firefish (free), and some brittle stars.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

fabulousfavia · 12/11/2017, 09:14 AM

There is some aggression going on towards smaller fish but everything else is good

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

10/11/2017, 05:50 PM	#1
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	Reef revision-tank rebuild Hello all. A few days ago I had the chance to gp to reef-a-palooza in Anaheim and I picked up some new gear. I had bought a used 55 gallon aquarium around this time last year and had worked on it to get it into good condition. What I didn’t realize was that most of the gear was old and needed tp be replaced. When I put in some starter fish they didn’t do to well and when reef-a-palooza came I dedcided it was time for change. I replaced my huge old skimmer that barely fit in my sump and required a water level so high the sump had to be almost filled to the top so it stayed off a lot. I got a smaller skimmer that is perfect size for my tank. I also got a new eshopps sump so I will no longer be using my old 40 g used diy sump but instead now I have a 35g custom sump that allows room for an ato resovoir. So then I got the new neptune ato kit so that I now actually have an ato and a really good one. Then I decided that I wpuld use a third reactor that I got free at reef-a-palooza. I have also gotten new aquascaping materials to work with so I will replace all the water, gear, and change around the aquascape. I hope you all stick around to see what happens with this build.

10/13/2017, 02:39 PM	#2
DivingTheWorld Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 1,963	Looking forward to the updates T! Be careful to not replace too much inside the tank (water, rocks, sand) or you might go through another cycle and need to start the aging process again. __________________ Current Tank Info: LeeMar Rimless (40x24x22), ATI 8x39 Dimmable w/Reefbrite XHO, 2x Vortech MP40w QD w/ Battery Backup, Apex Gold, Trigger Systems Ruby30S, Reef Octopus POV-DC1 w/Auto Waste Collector

10/13/2017, 07:50 PM	#3
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	Sounds like you're on the right track. Post up some pics when you can! __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

10/24/2017, 11:53 AM	#6
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	Some pictures of the equipment and aquascape. There is no water in it yet but I am hoping to get that done today or tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

10/29/2017, 09:57 AM	#7
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	Lights are on and the tank is getting filled. I will start the nitrogen cycle today. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

10/15/2017, 07:35 AM	#4
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	I have some new dry rock but will not be taking any existing rock out. I can also now have mangroves in my acrylic fuge.

10/15/2017, 02:44 PM	#5
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	Today is the day that I will install all the equipment that I got at reef a palooza and do a 100% water change. I took advantage of this time to upgrade to t5s also.

10/31/2017, 05:58 PM	#8
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	It is full and cycling. My return pump was stronger than I thought. Refugium is set up too. If anyone has any advice or if I am doing something incorrect please share. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

10/31/2017, 05:59 PM	#9
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	Happy Halloween Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

11/01/2017, 09:07 PM	#10
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	All equipment is working fine. The tank is a little loud but I can fix that by putting the secondary drain under the waters surface. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

11/01/2017, 09:13 PM	#11
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	I got this bright red maroon clownfish at reef a palooza and he is doing good in my qt. I feed it pe saltwater pellets. What do you guys feed your fish? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

12/05/2017, 10:18 PM	#12
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	More fish!! I got a sand perch (red lizardfish), occelaris pair, and some green chromis. pic was taken in my qt Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

12/07/2017, 07:44 PM	#13
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	First fish added to the dt. Currently having some aggression trouble. Lost one chromis and one of the clownfish is looking a little lethargic but otherwise all are doing well. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

12/07/2017, 07:45 PM	#14
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	Don't know why my pics came out sideways but I got a new phone so maybe that's the reason. Does anyone else see that? Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more

12/10/2017, 12:05 PM	#15
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	Went to Ocean Aquatics grand opening. I got some more clowns, a sixline wrasse, a scooter blenny that I got for $10, some blue chromis, a firefish (free), and some brittle stars. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more Last edited by fabulousfavia; 12/11/2017 at 09:23 PM.

12/11/2017, 09:14 AM	#16
fabulousfavia Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 198	There is some aggression going on towards smaller fish but everything else is good Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk __________________ I'm an impulse buyer, I need this, this, and this, oh and this would look nice with these zoas Current Tank Info: 55 gallon rimless saltwater reef tank and many more