Back in the hobby

Gobydood

Gobydood

New member
All,

I decided to pull my Tank out of storage and return to the hobby. I purchased everything when I was stationed in New Mexico and before I could get it all set up, I got stationed in Colorado (My Hometown!!!) Everything is new but was sitting in storage for 2 1/2 years. I did have a nano reef back in 2000 to 2001. I know a lot has changed since then. Would you all mind if I post pics and progress as I go along? My setup:

45 Gallon Sea Clear Acrylic tank (Added aftermarket overflow box in center)
Matching stand and hood
4X96 Watt VHO's with Icecap Ballast
Wet/dry filter (Am going to do a sump with refugum instead)
MAK 5 external pump (1200 GPH)
SCWD mechanical wave maker
150 pounds Southdown sand (Bought a pallet with a bud in New Mexico, never used it)
Forgot to add a 3 canister RO unit

I would appreciate any advice anyone could offer. I have been reading up for the past 2 weeks to try and catch up on what I have missed out of the hobby as I was a noob when I stopped and even more of a noob now. Thanks a bunch. Pics to follow (i'm at work! LOL)

Lou
 
Welcome to the forum!

Please do provide pics. It is always neat to follow someone through the set up and maturation of their reef.

My advice, like most people's, is to be patient. The only things that happen quickly in reef tanks are bad things ;)
 
Your hardware sounds pretty spot on..

I suppose the first choice is going to be the live rock... I personally would love to do a TBS live rock setup just because it is so diverse with life. I know there are a lot of items that can and do arrive you do not necessarily wanted but that would be half the fun :)
 
Randall,

I hate to sound stupid but what is TBS rock? Should I order it online or throught the LFS. I stop at my LFS lastnight to buy a used tank to make a sump and the cheapest I found was 40 bucks for a 20 Gallon. The guys said to go to walmart and get a plastic tub to make a sump. Is that a good idea or should I just stick to a glass tank. Thanks for the kind workds guys!!

Lou:bum:
 
Personally, I would avoid TBS rock. You are just starting out and this rock can be problematic. Yes it comes with large amounts of life, which usually includes mantis shrimp and gorilla crabs, which you then need to remove. Many people love TBS, but it would not be how I would start. The other thing I don't care for when ordering rock online is not being able to pick what you want.
I go to stores and pick the shape and size rock I want. This is my opinion, decide for yourself what you want to do, but I suggest you read some of the threads concerning TBS and decide if you think it is worth it.
Good luck and maybe we will see you in the spring as it appears we will be moving to your area after our ski season ends.
 
Drew,

Thanks for the advice. Ever been here before? I grew up here then joined the Air Force, a lot has changed since I was a kid! Good luck on the move.

Lou
 
All,

Well I painted the back wall blue, my overflow box is blue, my buddy installed it for me. I screwed up though cuz my overflow is dark blue and I painted my back light blue. Looks kind of goofy, oh well. I bought a rubbermaid container to use as a sump, I read a lot of people say these fail so I will only use it till I can build my own acrylic sump. (I just bought a new house and haven't sold the old one, I'm poor) I took pics lastnight and will post them tonight (I'm working hard, can you tell?) If everything goes right I should have it up and running in a couple of days. Thanks for all the help.

Lou
 
Hey Lou, I forgot to respond to you. Yes, we have been there before. We go to a ranch for riding and fishing every summer and have been there skiing many times, so we know we like it. We have some good friends that live in Parker, and my cousin is in Boulder.
 
Pic

Pic

All,

Here are some pics of my progress so far.

Lou

DSCN1622.jpg


DSCN1624.jpg


DSCN1623.jpg


DSCN1617.jpg


DSCN1620.jpg


DSCN1618.jpg
 
All,

I'm at a bit of a dilema. My buddy back in New Mexico created a stand for his live rock with eggcrate and pvc pipe. I made one for my tank but my G/f doesn't think it will look good. After looking at it more, I think it will just take up too much space. Anyone care to give me some advice? Should I just put the LR on the sand? Thanks a bunch.

Lou
 
We just moved a tank and placed the rock first, and then carefully placed the sand only in the viewable areas. We used less sand and it still looks great. We did make a small square of PVC t's with short lengths to hold them together. This was a premade home for pistol shrimp and yellow watchman goby. We put a rock on top of that and buried the PVC in sand. If the shrimp digs it out there will just be a small amount of PVC, which will rapidly be covered with coraline algae.
 
All,

I decided to modify my trickle filter sump and turn it into a sump refugium. I saw a thread on here (Melev website) and liked how the sump was set up. My Father in law cut everything out for me (he is the man, can make anything by looking at it) and I will assemble it tonight. one question though, what should I use to attach the plexiglass together? Will silicone work or do I need that acrylic stuff? I will post pics tonight. I appreciate all of the support!!!!!

Lou
 
if this is just for the internal baffles, you can just use silicone sealer.

Weldon is the acrylic product you are asking about #4 is the most commonly used (wicks into seams) and #16 is more like airplane glue (and messy to use)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8544260#post8544260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randall_James
if this is just for the internal baffles, you can just use silicone sealer.

Weldon is the acrylic product you are asking about #4 is the most commonly used (wicks into seams) and #16 is more like airplane glue (and messy to use)
Click to expand...

I thought that silicone didn't bond to acrylic. When you specify if it is for the internal baffles, does that mean that the seals may not be perfect with silicone, but good enough the job? Or is silicone really as good as the weldon?
 
Weldon is superior for sure. For weldon #4 you need to have the items fitted well. Slide them into place (they should wedge in) and then you simply "wick" the weldon #4 into the joint.

The advantage to the weldon is the seam becomes structural as it "melts" the to pieces together. Silicon is just "adequate" for internal baffles as if they leak, no big deal.

You can get weldon from most sign manufactures or plastic sales stores. #3 is pretty hard to work with so avoid it. Also get a syringe for the application
 
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