50b Sumpless Mixed Reef Build!

[BigJohnny]

Here are some additives/filtration materials/medication etc:

From left to right:

-BRS Bulk Magnesium Mix (the kalkwasser/calcium reactor supplemental version)
-BRS Bulk Kalkwasser
-BRS Bulk Premium ROX 0.8 Carbon
-BRS Bulk GFO
-Seachem Stability
-Seachem Reef Plus
-Seachem Reef Fusion 1
-Seachem Reef Fusion 2
-Hikari PraziPro
-Seachem ParaGuard
-Seachem Cupramine
-API Pimafix
-API Melafix
-Coral Frenzy
-Coral Rx Pro

 

[BigJohnny]

All my ATI bulbs:

 

[BigJohnny]

Aquascape and coral mounting supplies:

-DD AquaScape Construction Epoxy
-bSi IC-GEL
-Boston Aqua Farms Reef Glue Accelerator

 

[BigJohnny]

Acclimation Tools:

-Tom Aquarium Products "Dip & Pour", Large
-Accudrip Drip Acclimation Kit (Fancy air line tube connected to a rigid acrylic j tube and drip adjustment wheel) . It looks like an iv drip kit ha

Captain Salty's Frag Rack. He has a website and ebay store. Really nice magnetic frag racks of all shapes and sizes at reasonable prices. I think this was the medium rectangle for $12-$17 shipped. Great build quality.

I have big hands (6'4") so it's bigger than it looks.

 

[BigJohnny]

And two extremely jealous dogs. I know this is about reefs but they are part of my maintenance team (although very disruptive to the whole process haha) They literally knock aquarium stuff out of my hands and sit on my lap when I'm trying to work on anything!

Border Collie/Lab/Thai Ridgeback Mix:

Refusing to look at me in disgust after a lengthy equipment installation on a beautiful day

Me making up for it

And the result, one big smile! We call those pirate puzzle teeth[emoji6]

Foxhound/Beagle Mix:

Is it time for a walk yet?

Why won't you play?!

"What are you looking at peasant, I'm done with you"

Those were the only dog pics/non reef related pics I promise. More good stuff to come!

 

[Miguelh1302]

Mine says hi lol

 

[BigJohnny]

Mine says hi lol

Haha hey buddd

 

[Happyschneider]

Have not started my build thread yet. Still working out some issues with my plan. Once I am back from my business trip I will start full power can let you know.

 

[BigJohnny]

Have not started my build thread yet. Still working out some issues with my plan. Once I am back from my business trip I will start full power can let you know.

Yea def let me know. Starting my cycle on friday, more pics to come

 

[BigJohnny]

Starting the fill!!!

Took so long to make all that water, it's 430am.

We have lift-off[emoji41]

 

[BigJohnny]

Got the MP40WQD on about 10% in constant mode right now, this thing is a beast! Can run it up to 50-60% without any issues but I'm just using it for gentle circulation at the moment. The sand well in front of it is not from the pump but from the first bucket of water I pumped in.

Jebao RW-4 set at 75% in constant (H) mode. Great little pump for the price, tried some waves last night and they were great

 

[Isaacs55]

Dope mag float!!

 

[BigJohnny]

Dope mag float!!

Haha thanks man! It's the "Piranha" model. I love the wood look. Forget the company but just looked nicer than the Mag Float brand IMO. I have a spending problem now [emoji29]

 

[BigJohnny]

Day 1 params!:

Little curious as to why my pH is that low at 7.89. Should be 8.2-8.4. I used Red Sea Salt. dkH/Ca/Mg are all in check. Maybe my water source has slightly low pH. I'm testing pH with a freshly calibrated in tank BRS Lab Grade pH probe. Only other pH test I have is API so not really a legit back up but I will test and see.

 

[BigJohnny]

Check out this bad boy:

 

[BigJohnny]

I realized my pH is low because one of my powerheads in my mixing tank was broken so the water likely has excess co2 due to lack of aeration. Reef water sufficiently saturated with air would normally have a pH of 8.1-8.3 when dkH is 8.12. I will re-test in the morning and in 24 hrs.

I now have my Jebao RW-4 turned up to 87.5% aimed 20 degrees(nerd estimate) upwards to increase surface agitation. Turned my MP40WQD up to 20% as well.

My skimmer and carbon/gfo reactor aren't running currently, but those should significantly oxygenate the water as well, especially the skimmer.

 

[Devaji108]

OHHHH looking good my friend!
you got your self some pretty nice new toys

 

[BigJohnny]

OHHHH looking good my friend!
you got your self some pretty nice new toys

Thanks devaji! Yes I do, can't stop fiddling with everything. My wife/dogs are super jealous because I haven't been paying any attention to them haha. I'm just so pumped because I've been waiting to get this tank started for a loooong time!

 

[Potsy]

I have the same sized tank, a predominantly lps mixed reef. Your aquascape looks good with plenty of surface area for mounting coral.

 

[BigJohnny]

I have the same sized tank, a predominantly lps mixed reef. Your aquascape looks good with plenty of surface area for mounting coral.

Cool thanks, I agree!