NEW SETUP ??'s

[douggusler]

Just setup my 90 gallon finally last night. Now my questions are I would like to know how long the tank should run before I throw anything in it. I have about 70 pounds of LR in the tank but rock got dry while sitting. Before I add anything to this tank how long should I let this thing sit?

I also have a drip from underneath one of my bulkheads I think it needs to be tightened.. there is a gallon bucket underneath it now but it is only dripping like less thatn a cup every 24 hours. Is it ok to leave the bucket and just empty it back into the tank.

[hanas]

You will need to get some test kist in order to determine when the water is ready. But assuming the LR you added was not cured, I would wait at least 1 to 2 months, but you must test the water.

As far as the leak, the bucket is a good solution for now, but you're going to have to address the issue before it becomes a much bigger problem. Are you able to reach it so you can tighten it?

[douggusler]

I can reach it with my hands but not any tools to tighten it a little more. The stand is cut out around so the plumbing fits right in to it is hard to get to. I might just try and tighten from inside the overflow if I can get to that side.

[hmello@bermexin]

Be careful not to overtighten, the glass might break......

[douggusler]

yeah so I have been told. But what happened what is my return pipe was leaking so I though I was gonna have to change it but when I flipped the tank over all I had to do was tighten that one and bam no more leak. But I think since I had to move the other pipe around a little bit I loosened it. But now the tank is full and I dont want to empty it now. I am gonna just try to tighten this one the best I can if not I guess I might have to . Also the lights were built into the canopy for this thing(kinda like how it is setup) but two of the lights work now a blue one and a regular white one. Coralife somthing I think. Should I buy four new ones... prev owner said lights were 5 months old. Lights are still bright but second opinion would be nice. Thanks for all the help guys I love this website

[hmello@bermexin]

I would get new bulbs if it were me. Just being bright does not mean they are correct. I have read changing bulbs from 6 months to 1 year as they start to lose some of their color spectrum intensity after 6 months. Starting out new I would like to have everything where I know what it is so I could adjust future schedules to where I in fact know I am.
I also think if it were me I would go out and get a couple of Brute 45 gallon trash cans and empthy the tank so I could get at the blukhead correctly. If you don't and have a bigger problem with leakage later after all of your livestock is in you will kick yourself for not taking the time to do it right while the tank was mostly empty.

JMO FWIW

[douggusler]

Yeah I should empty it now and fix that thing. I just hate that I Put it all in and now I have to change it again. When I tested it is didnt leak with water in it for like an hour. I think I will get some silicone and unscrew both heads and then tighten them with that on there to get like an extra seal. Thanks for the idea of the containers though. I can put the water in that with the live rock and bulk heads and it will be its own tank. Thanks

[Shagsbeard]

Your bulkhead problem isn't that it's not tight enough... finger tight is sufficient for it to work. The problem is that you're putting stress on the bulkhead... and no degree of tightening is the right cure for that.

What you have to do is support the weight of the pipe with some other method. Using the bulkhead to hold up a heavy piece of PVC (and all the water in it) is going to cause problems down the line no mater how tight it is. Get some brackets and have them hold up the weight of the pipe and your leak should fix itself.

[douggusler]

you know that could be it for sure my tank and sump are lower and the pipe going to it is hanging down. I actually had to wedge something ontop of the sump lid to hold it down. Should I just get some boads to put under the sump tank?? if so would i still need brackets if the sump is at the other end suppoting the pipes.??

[hmello@bermexin]

There is something to think about douggusler, does shagsbeard's analysis seem like somthing that might be happening to your system?

[douggusler]

yeah it does kind of... For the hour I tested it I had no pipes hooked up to my system and there was no leak. Now that the plumbing is hooked up all the way to the sump, the sump is not level with the pipes. Since that is happening maybe he is right. I mean I did have to wedge a pipe between the bottom of the tank and top of the sump lid to hold it down. It makes sense that there is alot of pressure on it and it is now leaking. Great possibility I think.

[hmello@bermexin]

Hmmm.... I don't know much about larger tanks as I have a 29 gal. but imagine the tork put on that 4 foot pc. of glass in that one spot. Seems like disaster waiting to happen to me. Better get that fixed.

We need warp speed now Scotty!

[douggusler]

Yeah I am glad it is an easy fix though. I am goin home tonight and putting some board under the sump tank to make it even with the tube and hopefully I will be good to go.

[hmello@bermexin]

I hope so too. Good luck. Oh yes keep us posted and show us some pictures pleas.

[douggusler]

Thanks for your help both of you who replied