40G Starfire BB SPS Build Thread
- Thread starter rutz81
- Start date
30reef
New member
Hey rutz, are you gonna use any starboard on the bottom? I put some in the bottom of my tank and at first I didn't like it but now, a year later is is encrusted over with about 10 layers of coralin and looks cool. I put it there to make the rocks stay put a little better and for a little shock protection for the bottom pane of glass. I did run a big bead of silicone around the edges to seal it but now I don't think it was nec.
rutz81
New member
I wasn't going to because on my last tank I had starboard and detritus got underneath and I could never get it out. Never had any adverse effect from that, but, I think over time it may have started to leachn phosphates into the water. To keep my rocks in place I'm going to drill and peg them. Therefore making more of one rock which is almost impossible to have a rock slide and almost never move.
chem-e
Active member
I think you'll like the rock stacking. I did the same, except I used a 3/8" bit and PVC tubes. No rocks fallen thus far. 
It looks like the Tunzes work pretty well in you tank. Would you say they're underused or do you feel like you get pretty good use out of them?
Lastly... more pics please
It looks like the Tunzes work pretty well in you tank. Would you say they're underused or do you feel like you get pretty good use out of them?
Lastly... more pics please
rutz81
New member
Sorry for the delay,work and playoff football had me occupied all weekend. Anyway, I've gotten a few things done on my tank. My skimmer wasn't really skimming anything, so I took it apart and figured out that the air intake hose was getting crimped not letting air into the pump. Fixed it, and it is now skimming like crazy again. I put my rock in, decided not to peg it, I guess I got a little lazy on this, but, it seems pretty sturdy, we'll see; I can always do that down the road. I also modded my 6055's(Can always use a little more flow!). But, honestly I didn't notice a HUGE difference, maybe a little, but, it wasn't that hard of a MOD, so, it didn't really bother me. Anyway, here's some pics, not much to look at yet, but, I'm getting there.
A few hours of simmate, I love the Deltec MCE600!
My 7094 controller
Front Shot
Side Shot
I put the rock in on Thursday, how long can I expect my tank to cycle for? I'm figuring around 3 weeks?
A few hours of simmate, I love the Deltec MCE600!
My 7094 controller
Front Shot
Side Shot
I put the rock in on Thursday, how long can I expect my tank to cycle for? I'm figuring around 3 weeks?
MADtanks
Stix Anyone?
Looking good man 
I would def expect about 3 weeks the longer you wait the better. Honestly I would not skim too much to cycle the tank yo want thosenasties to turn into amonia asap so best thing is to just let it to its thing keep us posted!!! I am planing a tank this exact size as we speak but instead of tunze I am going to use CL an OMSS with a dart pump and bypass the excess to a spray bar at the bottom of the tank. I cant wait!!
I would def expect about 3 weeks the longer you wait the better. Honestly I would not skim too much to cycle the tank yo want thosenasties to turn into amonia asap so best thing is to just let it to its thing keep us posted!!! I am planing a tank this exact size as we speak but instead of tunze I am going to use CL an OMSS with a dart pump and bypass the excess to a spray bar at the bottom of the tank. I cant wait!!
rutz81
New member
Thanks rich. I thought glasscages had great customer service, great prices, and the tank quality is awesome too. The only, and I stress ONLY thing I didn't like was that they didn't offer teh external overflow. If that's not that big of a deal to you(it wasn't a deal breaker for me) then I would defintely reccomend them. Also, make sure one of their drop off sites is somewhat near your house, cause shipping a tank would be crazy expensive.
rutz81
New member
And not that I'm trying to disagree with you, but, honestly, I'm not sure which is correct; maybe someone else can chime in. This is a quote right off the FAQ's on RC.
""Should I skim during cycling?"
Yes. Protein skimming will soften the cycle and potentially keep more of the sensitive organisms growing on the rock alive. "
""Should I skim during cycling?"
Yes. Protein skimming will soften the cycle and potentially keep more of the sensitive organisms growing on the rock alive. "
MADtanks
Stix Anyone?
yea, i feel you on that(interbox) what i am thinking is having them make me a horizontal box instead of the way you got it, this way i can run the returns under the box and not block flow... you are all set though bc of the way you are runing your tunze 
i want to make my water flow go in a circular motion continuously and have a spray bar at the bottom. Delivery shoudl not be much since i live about 1-2hrs from white plains NY. thanks again. I will keep close watch and let you know when i get my tank good luck bud.
i want to make my water flow go in a circular motion continuously and have a spray bar at the bottom. Delivery shoudl not be much since i live about 1-2hrs from white plains NY. thanks again. I will keep close watch and let you know when i get my tank good luck bud.
quality live rock, no fish because most have determined it unethical and all have determined it unnecessary. get the freshest lr you can an let her be... the skimming will speed up the process. my shop has been getting mac certified fiji rock for the last few months now and it cycles in about a week if you have the filtration setup correctly.
