Starting DSB before tank

smb2415 · 04/21/2013, 02:08 PM

I am thinking of starting my sump/fuge before my DT (550g) allowing me to time to cycle it and have a more mature DSB and rubble fuge ready for when the DT goes up. My plans for my fuge consist of separate tanks for Rubble, DSB, Sump, and later plans to add cryptic and ATS. Photo below (from Simon Garret's design) shows the design I'm seriously considering.

So far I'm thinking of seeding the rubble and DSB with:

(1) 12lb fuji mud refugium starter
(10) lbs caribsea oceans-direct oolite
(10) lbs caribsea argonite reef sand
(2) rock crud from premiumaquatics
(2) aquacultured sand from premiumaquatics
(1) 10g package live rock/sand from gulfview

and a final ~5lbs with samplings of live sand from LFS and reefers to give diversity.
I will probably need additional live rock rubble which I'll acquire at a later date, maybe part of the DT setup purchase. Either way it'll be from a different sources.

from what I've read on DSB and live rock - diversity, diversity, diversity.

or perhaps I'm overthinking it?

I will need to feed the fugues until the DT comes online and mutures.

smb2415 · 04/21/2013, 02:11 PM

at very top is cryptic, then rubble, dsb, ATS.

large white pipe is the supply from overflow. There is also a sump which is not shown.

smb2415 · 04/21/2013, 02:13 PM

ahh almost forgot. Cryptic, DSB, ATS will be 40g each. Rubble would be about 20g 36x17x10

smb2415 · 04/22/2013, 05:30 PM

anyone?

MARINECRITTERS · 04/22/2013, 05:36 PM

While you do not need all this extra stuff, it will definitely be highly beneficial, also very cool to have that behind the scenes!
I would setup the tank along with the sump/refuge at the same time, if you establish the sump first then add 550 gallons of new saltwater, then it will take just as much time to cycle it as cycling the sump/refuge alone. In my mind just set it up all together, it will save some headaches.
Awesome plan BTW, you should make a build thread.

smb2415 · 04/22/2013, 05:52 PM

my build site is at http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2285093

its going to be awhile before the 550 is online.... Im aiming at end of summer. I need to finish the basement remodel where the tank will be. I figured I would prob have 2 cycles due to the volume of the 550g. however bringing up the sump/fuge first would give me some experience....hmmm

Unome · 04/22/2013, 06:16 PM

You're new to the hobby & going for a 550G right off the bat? You're braver than I am.

Good luck & look forward to seeing the progress & setup.

smb2415 · 04/22/2013, 06:33 PM

thank UNOME! the tank was a find on craigslist. I was searching for something unrelated and this beast came up....well I was able to negotiate a GOod price - less than a 120g at the LFS, and drove home with it. Its never been ran ran with salt water....yet

smb2415 · 11/30/2013, 10:35 PM

200lbs Live rock has been curing for 5 months now, Since May. I finally moved it into the basement and noticed I have coralline algae on some of the rocks

also found a bristle worm. Nassarius snails have been doing well in there, I feed them weekly. All signs of pest algae are long gone. I put a ball of Cheato in there and now looking for a good light for it LED preferably. DT is going up this weekend.

I never got around to getting a batch of live sand going, damn Petco $1 gallon sale isn't well advertised.

CoralReeForrest · 11/30/2013, 11:04 PM

What a great idea, my fuge is only about 5 gallons but i could fill up the whole sump and I could get that cycling now to help seed my tank. And put a few small chunks of live rock in there.

04/21/2013, 02:08 PM	#1
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	Starting DSB before tank I am thinking of starting my sump/fuge before my DT (550g) allowing me to time to cycle it and have a more mature DSB and rubble fuge ready for when the DT goes up. My plans for my fuge consist of separate tanks for Rubble, DSB, Sump, and later plans to add cryptic and ATS. Photo below (from Simon Garret's design) shows the design I'm seriously considering. So far I'm thinking of seeding the rubble and DSB with: (1) 12lb fuji mud refugium starter (10) lbs caribsea oceans-direct oolite (10) lbs caribsea argonite reef sand (2) rock crud from premiumaquatics (2) aquacultured sand from premiumaquatics (1) 10g package live rock/sand from gulfview and a final ~5lbs with samplings of live sand from LFS and reefers to give diversity. I will probably need additional live rock rubble which I'll acquire at a later date, maybe part of the DT setup purchase. Either way it'll be from a different sources. from what I've read on DSB and live rock - diversity, diversity, diversity. or perhaps I'm overthinking it? I will need to feed the fugues until the DT comes online and mutures.

04/22/2013, 05:36 PM	#5
MARINECRITTERS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,525	While you do not need all this extra stuff, it will definitely be highly beneficial, also very cool to have that behind the scenes! I would setup the tank along with the sump/refuge at the same time, if you establish the sump first then add 550 gallons of new saltwater, then it will take just as much time to cycle it as cycling the sump/refuge alone. In my mind just set it up all together, it will save some headaches. Awesome plan BTW, you should make a build thread. __________________ MarineCritters, life in the sea is superb Current Tank Info: 91 Gallon Reef

04/22/2013, 06:16 PM	#7
Unome Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ellenwood, GA Posts: 147	You're new to the hobby & going for a 550G right off the bat? You're braver than I am. Good luck & look forward to seeing the progress & setup. __________________ If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning. Current Tank Info: 125G Planted FW

11/30/2013, 11:04 PM	#10
CoralReeForrest Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Redding,Ca Posts: 1,010	Starting DSB before tank What a great idea, my fuge is only about 5 gallons but i could fill up the whole sump and I could get that cycling now to help seed my tank. And put a few small chunks of live rock in there.

04/21/2013, 02:11 PM	#2
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	at very top is cryptic, then rubble, dsb, ATS. large white pipe is the supply from overflow. There is also a sump which is not shown.

04/21/2013, 02:13 PM	#3
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	ahh almost forgot. Cryptic, DSB, ATS will be 40g each. Rubble would be about 20g 36x17x10

04/22/2013, 05:30 PM	#4
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	anyone?

04/22/2013, 05:52 PM	#6
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	my build site is at http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2285093 its going to be awhile before the 550 is online.... Im aiming at end of summer. I need to finish the basement remodel where the tank will be. I figured I would prob have 2 cycles due to the volume of the 550g. however bringing up the sump/fuge first would give me some experience....hmmm

04/22/2013, 06:33 PM	#8
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	thank UNOME! the tank was a find on craigslist. I was searching for something unrelated and this beast came up....well I was able to negotiate a GOod price - less than a 120g at the LFS, and drove home with it. Its never been ran ran with salt water....yet

11/30/2013, 10:35 PM	#9
smb2415 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 738	200lbs Live rock has been curing for 5 months now, Since May. I finally moved it into the basement and noticed I have coralline algae on some of the rocks also found a bristle worm. Nassarius snails have been doing well in there, I feed them weekly. All signs of pest algae are long gone. I put a ball of Cheato in there and now looking for a good light for it LED preferably. DT is going up this weekend. I never got around to getting a batch of live sand going, damn Petco $1 gallon sale isn't well advertised.