20 long build

UPDATE: Went and got my live rock today instead of monday. I don't have the lights yet but it shouldnt' matter. I jut want to get the cycling started. When did live rock get so expensive!

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Sorry that the pics aren't any better. their coming from my shutterfly account, which always degrades them a bit.
 
So along with this build i'll be doing some work with the built in wall cabinet that the tank sits in. Today I painted where the doors used to be.
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And I am going to be doing a custom slotted cabinet for all the loose things I have. I've got drawer after drawer filled with fish stuff and I want it to be a bit neater.
Here's what I'm thinking.
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Where the line is will be a small piece of wood holding the hydrometer into that place in the cabinet. I think it'll look good when its finished. I've got a flying lesson in a bit, and after that I will be working on the cabinet.

And here is just the tank right now waiting for my light fixture. UPS says its on time and will be delivered tomorrow. Can't wait!
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well, i bagged the custom insert thing. I decided i didn't want to ruin the cabinet. Probably a good idea since it's a built in unit. oh well. I just organized it again, which won't stay that way for very long. lol.
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Also here are some pictures of some shells that my uncle had laying around in his room here. (I'm at my grandpa's house). I thought they were pretty cool.

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I guess blue sea glass is hard to find, or so says my aunt. Those last two pics are from when I was in Boston visiting them when I was like, 12.

Anyways, i'll post pics of the lights when they come tomorrow. :)
 
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So I just tested my water.

ph- 7.5
nitrate-0
nitrite-0
ammonia-0

Right now everything looks good except PH, but I'm skeptical. Will something happen with my water? It seems TO easy.
 
Your ammonia will spike, then go down. Then your nitrites will go up and down. Then nitrates. After the nitrates fall a little and phosphates start up, you'll start to see diatom algae sometimes hair. Get a clean up crew at that point after you do a big water change.
 
NOT happy! my lights came today, and there was no hood. just all the wiring to wire it up by myself. It was all in pieces. I ordered it from Reefgeek.com. They said i ordered the retro fit kit, but clearly on my receipt it says full kit. So their overnighting me the right thing and i'll have to send what I got back to them. like I said, not happy. So i guess it'll be either tomorrow or thursday until I get the lightings up.

On a more positive note, they were nice enough to let me keep the bulbs and the hanging kit so I didn't have to reorder the same thing again. They were helpful on the phone, i'll give them that.

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anyone have an opinion on how the bulbs should be placed in the fixture (IF it ever comes)? like the order? i'm not exactly sure.....


EDIT: I just got a conformation email that the new, and HOPEFULLY correct, light fixture will be here on thursday, along with my MP10. And then my new skimmer will be here on friday. Lets hope everything is correct and in good working order. lol.
 
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ok so I am beyond ****ed. Reefgeek now decided to send the wrong unit. I got a two bulb instead of a four bulb like i wanted. I'm done with these people. So my question is this. out of the following list of bulbs, what are the most important for LPS and SPS corals? What two should I have in the unit?

I have two Blue Plus, one aqua blue special, and a fiji purple.

Out of those two what bulb can I have for those types of coral.

This is absolutely ridiculous. DO NOT order from that company. They well **** you.
 
anyhow, here are some pictures of the lights.

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After I put the light covers on.
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This is with the fiji purple, and the blue plus. Anyone think I should switch the the aqua blue special bulb?
 
I switched out one of the blue bulbs for the aqua blue special. So the two bulbs I do not have in are the two blue ones.

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You can see the lights coming down the hallway to my room.

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So here is my big question. The two lights I have in there, are they enough for sps and lps coral, and maybe a softie or two?? i can easily order the same unit again and install the two other bulbs if you all think need be.



Tomorrow my skimmer arrives and my mp10 should be here. (was supposed to be here today but it didn't show up)


ALSO: The height that the two lights are, is that a good height? Should they be lower or higher? The shelf it's attached to can be moved up or down very easily.
 
you absolutely need to get another fixture to keep lps or sps. I have a two bulb 24 watt fixture and corals stretch for light.
 
you absolutely need to get another fixture to keep lps or sps. I have a two bulb 24 watt fixture and corals stretch for light.

Ok, I will order it in a bit then. I ended up getting some damsels for the tank. The store said they are good to help cycle it, its funny though, all my water perimeters are perfect still. I did use natural sea water already balanced and also I used good quality, established live rock.

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What was your equipment on the 10 gallon? Do I see a skimmer? Also love the look of the 20 gallon

10 gallon equipment: Bio-wheel for water movement, heater, and a aquaticLife internal mini skimmer 115.

I need to figure out a way to keep it cleaner. that was my first tank back when I didn't know much, and it could be in better shape. With my 20g I'm doing everything correct from lighting to flow to only one type of coral.

And thanks for the comments. :)
 
You're going to need 4 bulbs for sps. How high are those lights from the top of the water? They look to high up.

What are your plans for keeping parameters stable if you're keeping sps?
 
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