[jumpfreak26]

UPDATE 1/29/08
Good news. Actually great news. After looking at the 30 we currently have, there were some weird stains and water deposits in the silicone, some wasnt even there, idk how it didnt leak, but we decided not to take our chances so we decided to go with a 40 breeder! im pumped, this thing is huge compared to everything else, i love how deep it is too. got it pretty cheap too. Anyways, this is going to be my first saltwater, and a full out reef tank with a drilled overflow and refuge, and ill keep this fairly updated with a parts list and set up price.
So far,

$80-1X40 gallon breeder
free-1X10 gallon (for refuge)

Running total=$80








The pictures dont do it any justice at all. its 3 feet long, 20 inches deep, and 16 inches tall. saweet.

[jumpfreak26]

Finally built the stand over the weekend. We used 3/4" plywood, its a pretty simple desgin, and if you are wanting to build one like this i can give you some diagrams or a SketchUp model. Its amazingly sturdy too. The stand is nearly finished, just need to finish it and put some doors on and were set.

Stand=Free (had the wood lying around) idk how much a sheet of plywood costs

[jumpfreak26]

Just finished up all the plumbing today and finished up the sump last night. Everything is working great had one leak, cuz it wasnt glued. So i glued it. Now everything is fine and right now im doing a long leak test, letting it run for all day with the pump on. Finished up the overflow too, pretty good idea IMo lol, and working on a silencer, similar to this...R. Durso's 180g - Ken Stockman Standpipe.

Cost of plumbing-$30-$40
Mag Drive Return pump-$60
Running Total-$180

Well anyway, here is the pics from today. Just have to finish the stand and were ready to start! WOO!

[jumpfreak26]

So heres my list(which is welcome to suggestions, chnages or comments):

Lighting-MH fixture with PC or VHO. but what size lights? 1X150 or 2X150? I wold imagine 1X150 is about right.

Salt-recomendations?

Substrate/Live Rock-Caribsea Aragonite or OOLite/Live Rock...

Protein Skimmer-AquaC Remora HangOn

Powerheads-Koralia 3X#2's

i think that is about it. let me know if i have forgotten anything or if you have suggestions, thanx

[jumpfreak26]

for corals, we plan on having SPS and LPS, and maybe, maybe an anemone in a few years. I really dont want to upgrade the lighting in the future so if i could find one that will last and to my needs. So would a 150w be too little, or 250w too much?

[e_baer]

I like that overflow idea! Very creative!

[jumpfreak26]

Thanks! I couldn find an overflow box that was cheap so i designed that based off my LFS display setup.

[e_baer]

Aquatraders has some cheap overflow boxes, but I guess its too late for that now....besides, I like your design better!

[jumpfreak26]

Woot! Got 25 pounds of live rock yesterday,(just for now) and 40lbs of kordon Coral beach, (which i just now realized how dumb that was. it says its made of former coral reefbeds, but i should have gotten aragonite. shoot. will this affect it in any way in the long run?) and Instant ocean. Got the siding on the stand today, and trim, just need to put the doors on which we will do later. Got everything hooked up, no thermometer yet, but it shouldn be a problem for now as its about 70 in our house. Salinity is 1.023 and pH is...uhh, get back to you on that, i need a saltwater ph. only have freshwater, thought is was both. oops. so far the sump is running, and i have weak maxijet pumping the main display around, and i have a 55 watt PC for now until we get some halides. Anything else you want know, ask, or if you have any tips just let me know thanks!










Is the coralline going to die off during the cycle?

Another quick question. What test kits should i also get? i have ammonia,nitrite, nitrate,pH and alkalinity...anything else?

[jimw369]

Gotta have a Ca/calcium test kit. IMHO good luck!

[aquasalt]

Off to a good start! I love build threads!

[Jeremy0322]

looking good so far, keep the pics coming. and i liked the overflow design, very imaginative.

[jumpfreak26]

Last night i just picked up 15 lbs of aragonite and about 25 lbs of rock, and 5 pounds of the stores display tank rock. I dont have any pics, a lil too cloudy for a good pic. My cycle has also started, ammonia is about 4 ppm and i have about .5 nitrite. So far everything is looking good, looking for signs of life, but none yet. Quick question:cleanup crew. How many of each snail would you recommend? I really dont have any idea as to how much, so if you coul dhelp that would be great.(dont worry, i will wait until AFTER the cycle is finished, just trying to be prepared) If you could help that would be great!
__________________
So is there a ballpark range I should be looking at?
Here is what i was thinking: 10 nassarius, 20 astreas, and 10 ceriths, and a coupl ehermits, and maybe an emerald crab

[WILLIAM1]

I might consider putting a front on your cabnet it looks like it might rock back and forth....Very nice tho.

[cappy290]

This is looking pretty good so far any more pics?

[Tonz of fun]

Will you be putting your skimmer on your tank or in your sump? I also would jam as much live rock in there as you can...

[jumpfreak26]

william1-we are putting on doors, we just havent finished them and as they arent really needed, we decided to set it up and put the doors on later.

tonzofun-i will be putting the skimmer on my sump(Aquac Remora) if it fits for now, or ill put it on the tank until i build my acrylic sump which is bigger and taller.

Got your pic. Tank has really cleared, it looks so clean!

[Tonz of fun]

You did a good job on the stand. You will be pleased with the remora...

[jumpfreak26]

So i have heard, just amazing output for that size, im excited.
.....this jsut in. the a$$hole bailed on me. will have to wait for another good oppurtunity.. F WORD!

[bnhaus]

It's getting there. Nice job

[jumpfreak26]

'nother little update. I removed the crushed coral as i was informed on other forums that CC trap detritus and are a pain compared to sand in the long run. I just added 40lbs tan sugar size sand from Kordon, on top of 20 lbs of 1-2mm sand. So its about 3" deep, 5" in some areas when im finished.

Some pictures for you guys of the new sand, which i am actually happy with. It sugar sized tan sand. I like it, about 2" of it over the 1" of larger sand.

Still a little cloudy

[DEWAYNE]

looking good, wish I was starting over, now that i have gatherd all this knowledge from this site. 110g fish only (for now )

[aquasalt]

Good move on the sand!

[jumpfreak26]

Picked up fifteen pounds of rock yesterday, along with a really cool Fiji looking peice. Like a hunk of acropora. They sold it by the peice which was $30!!!!!!! Little much, but i like the look and paychecks are starting to get a little hefty lol,so its not too bad. Re scaped it and it looks way better. I think i am finally done with the rock! heres the pics!





Enjoy!
jump

[aquasalt]

Getting all your rock together and aquascaped is a major accomplishment. I'm not sure if I am done yet myself--probably will cherry-pick a few more pieces here and there to fill in any gaps.

Looks like you have diatoms or cyano? You may want to consider running your tank without lights for a few days to let it clear up.