First large tank - 180 reef build (1 Viewer)

[pmnovak1]

You might want to think about re-installing the baffles. The last you want is 2 months from now having to re-do it because there are micro-bubbles. Better to get it out of the way now, than way til things have settled.

You had talked earlier about a potential automated water changes. What I did was put a pump in the RO/DI saltwater tank and ran the line directly into the sump. I was able to pump water directly into it rather than use buckets.

I also had a drain in my basement that the humidier drain went into. I would do all of my water changes directly into that without any ill-effects. I used a python to take water out of the display tank into the drain, and then used the pump in the RO/DI saltware to pump it back into the sump after the water had been extacted. Seemed to work pretty well with little effort.

 

[tthorn125]

Hey Paul. How have you been?

Thanks for the info. I still have all the corals I got from you a year ago, and the leather coral is now HUGE.

Did you get the tank setup in your basement?

 

[smithben1983]

I am just starting to get my 180 going(first tank) how much rock you got in there?

 

[tthorn125]

I have 60 lbs. of rock in there now for the cycle, but I have a little more than 100 lbs. in my other tank that will be moved over there.

Eventually I'll also pick up some rubble, maybe 10-15 lbs to put in the sump as well.

 

[smithben1983]

oh I see. I have really enjoyed reading your build? Did you end up doing LEDs?

 

[tthorn125]

Thanks.

I have the Meanwell drivers and heatsinks for the LED's, but I haven't actually ordered them yet. I am still planning on doing 108 of them. 3 sections of 36 each.

There was actually a new LED announcement today from CREE that I'd be interested in if the time frame allowed for it. I posted the link for it in the DIY section.

 

[tthorn125]

Small update.

Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 20

 

[tthorn125]

Found the first "pest". Must have been on the rocks while they were sitting in the 40 breeder.

Appears to be an Aptasia already. He's attached the glass on the back of the tank. I'll let it sit there for a while and see how it reacts to the changing parameters. Then a little Aptasia X... :beerchug:

 

[tthorn125]

Have the QT tank setup right next to the main now. Getting close. 40 breeder sure looks small next to the 180...

 

[pmnovak1]

Nope, I never did. I got the basement finished and it looks great. After my big "die off", the wife put a hold on the tank. (Of course I had the builder frame the wall for a 120 before installing the dry wall over it).

I'm looking for a new job right now. If I find it, my congratulations to myself will be to cut open that dry wall that's just waiting for me.

Glad to hear the corals are doing well. Can't wait to see how this looks finished.

 

[tthorn125]

Good plan!

 

[tthorn125]

Small update and question that I'll post in another forum as well if it doesn't get much traffic here... :beerchug:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

At this point, the cycle appears to have happened, but the sand is new and I haven't added a few cups of the established sand from upstairs yet. I will later tonight or tomorrow after work. Hopefully I get some small stars and pods with it.

I have 4 blue/green chromis in my 75. Should I add them to the 180 now with the cycle complete or should I get some new ones from the store?

I was planning on adding more anyways, so if I bought 3-5 more from the LFS and added them tomorrow is there any harm? I've cycled a tank many times before in the past, however this is only the 2nd time with saltwater. The 75 sat for about 1 1/2 months with nothing but rock and some snails because I went VERY slow with it.

 

[holmstar]

The baffle didn't hold because silicone doesn't adhere well (almost not at all) to acrylic. The others are probably holding because there isn't much force on them, or the edges are rough enough to give it some adherence. I'd recommend redoing them with glass. Call a glass company and have them cut it for you. Usually they will smooth the edges for no additional charge. Better to do it now while there's no livestock.

Also, I'm not trying to be a downer, really I'm not, but it doesn't look like the blue RO/salt mixing barrels are supported very well. They only have support on each edge rather than across the entire bottom. Maybe that's not an issue but I'd think that, being plastic, they will deform over time if not well supported. If under enough stress they might even crack, eventually. Just my 2 cents.

 

[pmnovak1]

I was able to do a 3 layer baffle using acryllic from HD. I had to make sure that I had a good bead of silcone on both sides of the acryllic. That held it in place even though there isn't a good bond. I also doubled up on the acryllic layers so I did get any bending. It's also only the last piece that really has the strain on it. The first two have mostely even pressure from both sides.

Agree on the water barrels. It would be pretty easy to simply slide a piece of 3/4" plywood underneath or simply use another piece of wood in the gap in the middle.

With regard to the fish, if you believe the cycle is complete, I would utilize your past process and go slow. You might want to only add 2 or 3 and keep a close eye on the water params. Patience is truly a virtue here.

 

[tthorn125]

Good thoughts. I'm not pleased with the water stand and will probably add to it when I do the next major water change. They are both full now, but will be doing some large changes in the next week or so. :beerchug:

 

[tthorn125]

Got 6 Chromis in there now, couldn't catch the other two from the 75 yet. They are slowly moving around and checking out the new environment.

Ammonia and Nitrite were still 0.

These fish are all an inch or under so I'll be checking params over the next couple of days to make sure the bacteria keeps up.

 

[tthorn125]

Got 6 Chromis in there now, couldn't catch the other two from the 75 yet. They are slowly moving around and checking out the new environment.

Ammonia and Nitrite were still 0.

These fish are all an inch or under so I'll be checking params over the next couple of days to make sure the bacteria keeps up.

 

[tthorn125]

Small updates.

Sump is now a 75 gallon with no baffles.

Have about 40 lbs. of existing rock from the 75 moved over. Handful of fish in the tank and all are doing well. Did a 40 gallon water change when cutting over to the 75 and will be adding 15 gallons more when the new water is being mixed. I ran out filling up the new sump. :beerchug:

LED components are mostly here. I still need the dimming kit, and finding a 10V adapter is proving to be next to impossible without ordering from Korea.

The remaining fish are not cooperating and are hiding in the rock work of the 75, and I can't move that rock over as it has corals on it that wouldn't fare well with the t8's over the 180 right now.

Pictures to come as the cameras battery is pretty much dead.

 

[tthorn125]

Here are some pictures...

75 gallon sump is now in place.

Blue Hippo, Kole, Naso, Fox Face, & some Chromis

Clowns seem to stay on the right hand side of the tank until it's feeding time. (fuzzy picture)

 

[tthorn125]

Update time.

There was an outbreak of Brooklynella in the tank and it killed the Blue Hippo, Kole, two perc clowns, the mystery wrasse, and a carpenters wrasse.

:angryfire::angryfire::angryfire::angryfire:

The survivors were my Naso, Foxface Lo, and two blue green chromis. They are both personality plus!! I still have 7 fish in the 75 that need to be migrated, but I held off because of the disease.

The LED's are in progress and all supplies needed are ready to go, just need a chunk of time to do it.

Here is a new picture with the tonga branch in there. I had it cooking for about a month. I have about 70 lbs. of rock to move over from the 75 that is still in there, but that is a work in progress.