FIRST Tank Build!!! ~35gal Bowfront --Picture Intense-- - Page 2

kau_cinta_ku · 06/06/2008, 12:33 PM

"The closest match indicates the ppm (mg/L) of ammonia in the water sample. Rinse the test tube with clean water after each use."

sorry, after re reading the instructions I guess ppm is the same as mg/L. either way I suggest getting a new test kit or bringing a sample of water to your LFS just for a double check.

for a return pump you are only needing 105-175 gph after head loss nothing strong.

khanb31 · 06/06/2008, 02:15 PM

ah ha....well i guess that works then. Kinda makes sense so ill run with it.

thanks!

I still dont have that diagram made up but im about to go out to dinner with the woman so ill get it up when I can.

Also, I just had a nice hour chat with a guy here on reef central. His name is Douglas Lehman and he gave me a rio 2500 pump which should do the job just perfectly. It fits into my return section and im planning on getting a SCWD to keep it interesting. Everything will be pointing from one side of the tank to another (towards the overflow). Like I said, ill put up a diagram to show exactly what I mean.

AngeloM3 · 06/06/2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by khanb31
AngeloM3 - hmmm....Im a little curious on the base rock suggestion. Why would dead rock throw another cycle? It doesnt have any life on it.....I wouldnt be surprised if it helped with the PH buffer.....buuut. Im curious.. Its not like Im going to add any more rocks after I get fish....(was never planning on it), BUT.....hmmmmm

Any suggestions on good submersible pumps?

Ok now that you mention it... I may be very wrong

But I always thought that you if add anything thats not "live" it would add bad nutrients to the tank and the tank would have to correct it self by having a minor cycle..... if I'm wrong please someone correct me!

And when you ask about submersible pumps... I've always had good luck with Mag's.... although those might be to big to fit in your overflow section. Just remember with a SCWD it reduces the pumps GPH by about 1/2

khanb31 · 06/06/2008, 02:48 PM

Angelo - I dont know about the dead rock. I put all of the rock that I wanted in so im not too worried about it. However from what Ive read so far, if you put in dead rock...it must be cycled before hand in salt water.

And for the swcd.....OH, really? well im glad that I just bought a rio 2500 thats rated for i think at least 600gph. its one hell of a pump. let me tell you!

Lets just say that when we tried it out to see if it worked, we washed the ceiling!

khanb31 · 06/14/2008, 01:41 PM

Alright, its been 11 days since I first started and things are going good.

Heres the update:

Got an RO/DI unit yesterday and im making water like no tomorrow. YAY. also, im gonna do my first water change today. Im about to start mixing the water and salt. I have about 5 gallons of water so far. I gotta get the other tank from the garage.

I have my SCWD up and running with my rio 2500. its working out really well and I need to get some more nozzles. I need at least 2 more. Anyone got some?

Ill post some more pics of my aquascape. I am hoping to get some live sand in there from an established system on tues from rickyb. YAY.

Otherwise......my live rock is pretty white now....I think its because my PH is low. 7.8.....is kinda low. I hope the water change fixes that. It went down steadily after i first filled the tank. I got an air line that im about to run in the back for bubbles.....we'll see how it works out.

Anyone else have some ideas on what I can do about my ph being so low? I dont want to buffer it.....if i can avoid it.

jkrentz2515 · 06/14/2008, 01:53 PM

I would wait on the water change until your tank is done cycling, or else do a very small one.

khanb31 · 06/14/2008, 04:59 PM

oh its done cycling. I just checked everything and for some odd reason the PH has now jumped back up!!!! I know its later in the day so that affects it. Also, ive been gone for the past few days so I havent been able to get my ph reading since Tuesday. There are some nitrates (of course) but the rest of the parameters to the tank are very stable and have been since before i left. its working out well.

Hopefully if everything is nice and stable, I can get some clowns within a few days!

Or should I get my CUC in there first? Theres not much cleaning to do....

06/14/2008, 01:41 PM	#30
khanb31 SLim Jim Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Near Ohare, Des Plaines 60016 Posts: 1,096	Alright, its been 11 days since I first started and things are going good. Heres the update: Got an RO/DI unit yesterday and im making water like no tomorrow. YAY. also, im gonna do my first water change today. Im about to start mixing the water and salt. I have about 5 gallons of water so far. I gotta get the other tank from the garage. I have my SCWD up and running with my rio 2500. its working out really well and I need to get some more nozzles. I need at least 2 more. Anyone got some? Ill post some more pics of my aquascape. I am hoping to get some live sand in there from an established system on tues from rickyb. YAY. Otherwise......my live rock is pretty white now....I think its because my PH is low. 7.8.....is kinda low. I hope the water change fixes that. It went down steadily after i first filled the tank. I got an air line that im about to run in the back for bubbles.....we'll see how it works out. Anyone else have some ideas on what I can do about my ph being so low? I dont want to buffer it.....if i can avoid it. __________________ I got the fish down pat....but those corals are tricky! Current Tank Info: DIY 120 Gallon 68"L x 30"W x 15.5"T Starfire Rimless - 75 Gal Sump, K2 Cone skimmer, 20gal Coral QT, 10 gal Fish QT, 8 bulb T5 Tek Fixture - 3 ATI Blue+, 3 ATI Blue Special, 2 Fiji Purple, 12 cool white/12 Royal Blue 3W LED's.

06/14/2008, 04:59 PM	#32
khanb31 SLim Jim Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Near Ohare, Des Plaines 60016 Posts: 1,096	oh its done cycling. I just checked everything and for some odd reason the PH has now jumped back up!!!! I know its later in the day so that affects it. Also, ive been gone for the past few days so I havent been able to get my ph reading since Tuesday. There are some nitrates (of course) but the rest of the parameters to the tank are very stable and have been since before i left. its working out well. Hopefully if everything is nice and stable, I can get some clowns within a few days! Or should I get my CUC in there first? Theres not much cleaning to do.... __________________ I got the fish down pat....but those corals are tricky! Current Tank Info: DIY 120 Gallon 68"L x 30"W x 15.5"T Starfire Rimless - 75 Gal Sump, K2 Cone skimmer, 20gal Coral QT, 10 gal Fish QT, 8 bulb T5 Tek Fixture - 3 ATI Blue+, 3 ATI Blue Special, 2 Fiji Purple, 12 cool white/12 Royal Blue 3W LED's. Last edited by khanb31; 06/14/2008 at 05:05 PM.

06/06/2008, 12:33 PM	#26
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	"The closest match indicates the ppm (mg/L) of ammonia in the water sample. Rinse the test tube with clean water after each use." sorry, after re reading the instructions I guess ppm is the same as mg/L. either way I suggest getting a new test kit or bringing a sample of water to your LFS just for a double check. for a return pump you are only needing 105-175 gph after head loss nothing strong.

06/06/2008, 02:15 PM	#27
khanb31 SLim Jim Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Near Ohare, Des Plaines 60016 Posts: 1,096	ah ha....well i guess that works then. Kinda makes sense so ill run with it. thanks! I still dont have that diagram made up but im about to go out to dinner with the woman so ill get it up when I can. Also, I just had a nice hour chat with a guy here on reef central. His name is Douglas Lehman and he gave me a rio 2500 pump which should do the job just perfectly. It fits into my return section and im planning on getting a SCWD to keep it interesting. Everything will be pointing from one side of the tank to another (towards the overflow). Like I said, ill put up a diagram to show exactly what I mean.

06/06/2008, 02:48 PM	#29
khanb31 SLim Jim Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Near Ohare, Des Plaines 60016 Posts: 1,096	Angelo - I dont know about the dead rock. I put all of the rock that I wanted in so im not too worried about it. However from what Ive read so far, if you put in dead rock...it must be cycled before hand in salt water. And for the swcd.....OH, really? well im glad that I just bought a rio 2500 thats rated for i think at least 600gph. its one hell of a pump. let me tell you! Lets just say that when we tried it out to see if it worked, we washed the ceiling!

06/14/2008, 01:53 PM	#31
jkrentz2515 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mauerapolis Posts: 635	I would wait on the water change until your tank is done cycling, or else do a very small one.