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Reef #2 - The Unplanned Upgrade (1 Viewer)

The rods work great, but make sure when you cut them that they don't have a wire down the middle. I'd randomly run into that.

I built my rock structure using BRS thick superglue (multiple thin layers with accelerator after on each one), the came behind with epoxy. It makes the joints MUCH stronger. If you do the rod thing, put epoxy into the holes after you do your dry fitting to really lock the rod in place.

If you have a Dremel, I would even cut some slots along the rods to give the epoxy something to really grab into.
 
Thanks guys. I ended up with some 1/4” acrylic rod. So I know internal wire won’t be an issue. When you’re drilling the rock do you use a hammer drill? I have a proper sds hammer drill, but I’m definitely concerned about shattering the rock.

Otherwise all great suggestions. I’m going to hopefully start gluing tomorrow afternoon/evening.
 
I always used an sds bit but in a regular mode on a hammer drill as to get the cutting/drilling I wanted but with out all the violence but would bounce back and forth as needed in hammer mode. I also drilled small and worked my way up to the size I needed.
 
Most reef rock is soft and porous enough the a hammer drill isn’t necessary, just use a masonry bit. I used a regular bit on my first hole, that’s all the longer it lasted
 
I wouldn't use a hammer drill. Unless you are drilling very dense base rock, you will probably do damage in hammer mode. I seem to recall when I did it, I didn't even use a masonry bit...just a cheap bit in the right diameter.
 
Okay thanks guys. I have some cheap bits, some cheap masonry bits, and the real deal masonry bits. I’ll start with the crappiest in my normal drill on normal mode and work up as required. Thanks!
 
Varig said:
Okay thanks guys. I have some cheap bits, some cheap masonry bits, and the real deal masonry bits. I’ll start with the crappiest in my normal drill on normal mode and work up as required. Thanks!
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Super excited to see where you run with this, looks like I will have to make a trip out again to check it all out!
 
Haha, love to have you over again. I should look what the meeting schedule looks like later in the fall once the tank will be setup. As I've mentioned, I'm taking it pretty slow and enjoying the process. But I need to get a bit of a move on, I want it wet in my basement before it freezes outside.
 
I'm feeling that pressure, too, mate. 🤣
 
Haha, I at least decided to cure my rocks in the basement (instead of the garage). So that takes some pressure off. I guess really worst case I just need to get the stand painted and new plumbing leak tested (ideally outside) and then the system could just sit dry in the basement until I was ready to get it going. Regardless, it will be great :)
 
This is going to be fun, both of us doing large upgrades at the same time.
 
Both doubling volume. You just have an actual big big tank :)
 
Whelp, got the cycle started offline. I’ll be adding bacteria and trying to cure this rock now for a month or 2 at least. I want to make sure I get all the last phosphate etc. out of the rocks and to establish as much positive biofilm via a “dark cure” as possible.

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Out of curiosity, does anyone recommend adding an air stone to this? I have the gyre moving water around, but didn’t know if some extra oxygen is smart too?

I’m going to try the recommendations from Dr. Tim (even though I’m not using his bacteria…..perhaps that is sacrilegious :) ), namely running lower salinity (20-25ppt) and higher temp (82-84F) as apparently that is much more suited to the nitrifying bacteria. Then as I get close to putting the rock into the actual tank I will bring both slowly back to standard reef parameters.

Now that that will be cooking along I’ve shifted focus to the stand. I got it all sanded down today to prep for a new coat of paint. I think I will fill in some holes etc (should have done that first) and caulk a few more of the seams before I paint. I have a work trip this week, so hopefully I can get it painted by next weekend.

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Onward and upward.
 
Seems to me that as you’re feeding the tank to build up nitrifying bacteria, the byproduct will be nitrate and phosphate. Are you going to be doing regular water change to keep those levels down? Otherwise, I think I read that rocks can absorb phosphate and leech it out later
 
Yep, that’s the plan. I’ll be testing and changing water as required. 100% nitrate will build up from the bacteria. I don’t “think” they produce phosphate (could be wrong?) but they do need some phosphate to live. So the goal is not 0/0, but to keep basic reef levels. Basically I will do water changes to keep it in check during this cycle.
 
Sorry to hijack on your thread, but please check your Conversations when you get a chance, Varig.
 
I cycle the same way but dose lanthium to extract all the phosphate so rock is totally PO4 free when I use it.
 
I do actually have lanthium as well. I was thinking it would take out phosphate as you mentioned, but that I might still need water changes to keep nitrate down. Thoughts?

Do you dose bacteria and ammonia during the cycle or what is your method? Very clearly you have beautiful and successful reefs, so any info I can glean from the experts will be appreciated :)
 
Bacteria once and Ammonia every other day until I use the rock I usually set it up with a doser. lanthium every week I don't worry about nitrate but thoroughly rinse the rock in fresh seawater before I place it
 
Great info. Perhaps I will setup a quick doser. And fair enough re: nitrate. If it doesn’t hurt the bacteria and doesn’t get into the rock, I guess there isn’t much point in worrying about it.

I was debating about using some Dr. Tim’s refresh and/or waste away, adding the bacteria that would eat up other gunk on the rock. I know those are usually the. Removed by the skimmer (which I don’t have in the cycling tote). Thoughts on that? I guess if I use them I was thinking to use a water change as well to pull out that gunk from the water. Dumb idea?
 
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