28 jbj hqi

[MikeL152123]

So I got this tank for xmas and just finished building the stand. I plan on setting it up within the next week or two. I wanted to post my plans first to hopefully get some usefull feed back. All opinions are welcome and appreciated.

I plan on trying to run this tank skimmerless..... at leat at the begining. I will keep an eye on my water quality and if it gets to a point where weekly water changes are not enough I will buy a Tunze 9002 or a Hydor Koralia Nano-Skim. Planning on 5 gallon water changes weekly.

100w Heater
Twin fan over the back chamber


I will be using the back center chamber as a fuge holding miricle mud and chateo.
The heater will also go in the back chamber on the left side.

Live Stock

2 False Percs Tank Bred
2 Firefish
1 Tail Spot Blenny
1 Orange Stripe Prawn Goby

5 Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab
3 Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab
1 Feather Duster
1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
6 Turbo Snail
3 Margarita Snail
5 Bumble Bee Snail

35 Lbs Live Rock
30 Lbs CaribSea Live Sand Oolite


I will be posting pictures hopefully tomorrow. Please let me know what you think about my live stock list, I am not sure if my fish list is too much.

 

[MikeL152123]

Forgot to mention I also am going to run a Korali a nano (425gph)

 

[DBreefs]

Sounds like a nice setup. Post some pics of your build.

 

[MikeL152123]

Pics

 

[MikeL152123]

I missed the FedEx guy yesterday and today so I have to pick up my order tomorrow or friday. It's salt, heater, miricle mud, test kit and hydrometer. Should have this up and running within the week

 

[MikeL152123]

So an agrevating update..... one of the return pumps in the back of the tank does not work. I am probably just going to buy a new one instead of going through the process of returning it. Here is a pic of the tank with water and sand. Any idea of how long it takes to clear up?? I have just the one return pump on now.

 

[MikeL152123]

Water and sand

Water and sand

Water and Sand

 

[NanoCubeHQI]

Lookin good man

 

[renogaw]

i'd just put a maxijet1200 for both return pumps.

do you have filter media to help clear up the cloud?

also, i'd return your hydrometer and get a refractometer.

 

[MikeL152123]

I am going to replace both return pumps eventually, planning on two ViaAqua Powerheads just not sure if i want the 200gph or the 370gph

 

[MikeL152123]

So I noticed that when I pluged in the return pump that i thought was broken, i could hear it. So i pulled up the pump and noticed that the outlet to the pump had broken off, so i forced on the hose for now and will replace the pumps later on. Tank is still cloudy but improving.

 

[MikeL152123]

Added a bit more sand, and tank is clearing up well. Trying to decide if i want to get all live rock or just a bit with macro...... any sugestions??

 

[renogaw]

did you put some baserock down in the sand? you may want to grab some first. marco rocks are nice shapes/sizes, but there's nothing like buying great quality live rock for the coloring and life that comes with it. granted, there may be bad hitchers, but there's bound to be beneficial ones too.

if you buy from LFS, you can probably hand pick some good pieces that have been curing already, which will drasticaly lower your initial cycle time

 

[BarryRey]

I went with about 30 lbs of Marco nano rocks and seeded it with a few live rocks from my LFS. Very pleased with the Marco rocks although they are just now (2 months later) starting to get some sign of coraline on them. I did have to get a peppermint shrimp to address a few small aptasias on the live rock. I was very close to going with Tampa bay saltwater rocks but couldn't justify the cost. Those that do have it sure do have a lot of life.

 

[MikeL152123]

Love the look of the tank BarryRey, rock looks awsome. I am leaning towards the macro with a few pieces of live rock with it.

Thanks Renogaw for all the advice, keep it comming. I would love to put all live rock in the tank but it is just so expensive at the lfs. If a good deal comes up on the one of the forum markets I will probably grab all live rock if someone is selling it for a reasonable price.

 

[renogaw]

check your local clubs (boston reefers or CTARS, depending on location). i know CTARS members generally sell live rock for 2-3/lb when offloading is needed.

 

[MikeL152123]

Thanx renogaw, I am on boston reefers but i will have to check out the other club

 

[renogaw]

i just double checked our reef central page and it doesn't look like anyone's selling live rock right now.

 

[MikeL152123]

Thanx, I'm going to keep looking on bostonreefers.... something is bound to come up

 

[renogaw]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1982579