First time 10g Build

[bassplaya12]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help you've given me so far...I'll definitely be needing more. I'm gonna start a build thread bc it's finally starting to come together. Just got the light today and I think it looks great. Only have one pic right now but I'll get some more (it's at my buddies house as he lives closer to school). So here it is as of today:

[IMG]http://i47.*******.com/6h6d92.jpg[/IMG]

[bassplaya12]

About 15 lbs of LR
Live sand and aragonite sand underneath
AC50 filter
http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-24quo...quarium-l.html (this light, amazing for the money)

Have some things on order so just waiting and letting cycle. I think this is about 2 weeks in now

[Jarred1]

sweet man! you should get a back for the tank either black or blue!

[bassplaya12]

I was gonna ask what color I should get haha. We're on the same page or something here jarred. I was thinking dark blue...Thoughts?

[bassplaya12]

^^ and thanks!

[fatrip]

I personally like black myself but blue is a good alternative. I wouldn't use any other color tho. Looking good, I'd add a bit more water tho.

[bassplaya12]

Yeah we're planning on it. It got a little messed up putting the sand in so we're waiting to test where the salinity is to determine which water to add. I'm gonna get a dark blueish purple or black i think

[Jarred1]

black would look nice. are you going to end up modding your filter?

[bassplaya12]

It works pretty well so for now no....later down the road I may. It would be nice to have a little micro fuge. I'm definitely going dark, just not sure how dark. I see all these tanks with coraline and stuff growing on the back....am I to expect this with mine?

[Jarred1]

yes but my tank has been set up for about 7months and im just now getting coralline.

[bassplaya12]

oh alright, so a while from now hah

[bassplaya12]

do you guys paint the back of your tanks or do you use a vinyl thing? btw, bought a timer for the light today...digital timer with two plugs for 6.99 from harbor freight tools. I'll report back on whether or not it's complete junk. Also probably gonna build the lid off you designs tomorrow jarred. Just gotta buy some egg crate.

[fatrip]

I usually paint mine but didn't have time on this last build so it has a vinyl backing, don't really notice the difference unless you really try to figure it out. The timers from harbor freight are usually very good, I think i have only heard of one instance where the relay died and wouldn't turn on.

[bassplaya12]

cool. I'll have to get a vinyl then. Hopefully the timer will work out. Seems good for 7 bucks

[bassplaya12]

Timer seems to work pretty well. Stuff is popping up all over the tank. Everything looks alive hah. When is it safe to add corals?

[Jarred1]

get your self an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit and tell us the results

[bassplaya12]

waiting for the test kit to be shipped. I may take some water to a store this week to get it tested.

[bassplaya12]

Here's some additional pics. Also what is the thing in the red circle?

[IMG]http://i47.*******.com/nehm5k.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i45.*******.com/2wfn4hv.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.*******.com/2yv5cpc.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i46.*******.com/68dnck.jpg[/IMG]

[Jarred1]

get some more water in the tank

[bassplaya12]

those are just better pics from the same day...it's filled up to the black now

[bassplaya12]

whats the thing in the red circle?

[Jarred1]

is it soft or hard?

[bassplaya12]

Not really sure, but it's fast. It wasn't on that rock anymore about ten minutes or so later..

[Jarred1]

so it can move?

[bassplaya12]

yes it can. Also the black and orange spots near it...are those sponges?