bigfish14 40 gallon reef build
- Thread starter bigfish14
- Start date
bigfish14
New member
Thanks!! I could never seem to get it right until today, but now I am very happy with it. It's weird because I came across your build thread and was about to leave a post on it with a link to my build thread. When I went to get the link, I noticed you already posted on my build thread :lmao: Well now I am off to go post on your thread
Hyperion1337
Active member
do you have a build thread on your light hanger? it looks really nice.
bigfish14
New member
That's actually 50 pounds of BRS reef saver rock. I did use all 50 pounds, which ended up being 7 good sized peices. I do plan on adding sand next week. I am going to add 1 inch of argonite sand, purely for cosmetics.
bigfish14
New member
Sorry, I do not have a build thread and I did not take any pictures. It was very simple to make though. It is made out of pine 2x2s. Just make an L out of the 2x2s and then cut some small peices and add them at the joint of the L to make a 45 degree angle. I will add some close up pictures later tonight if you are a visual person like myself.
TheFishTeen
New member
Whoooa wait a second the light hanger is wood? I really thought I was looking at steel! Nice job.
bigfish14
New member
The UPS man came today!!! I now have everything needed to make saltwater
Some of you may be wondering why I haven't got my light to go with my light fixture stand or my protein skimmer. I am simply trying to manage my budget in a timely manner. I do not need the protein skimmer or light to start my cycle, so I can get my cycle going and then save up for those 2 expensive peices of equipment. I also want to wait to see what the Kessil Tuna light is all about, as I am considering buying it. I want it to be tried out by plenty of people first though.
Some of you may be wondering why I haven't got my light to go with my light fixture stand or my protein skimmer. I am simply trying to manage my budget in a timely manner. I do not need the protein skimmer or light to start my cycle, so I can get my cycle going and then save up for those 2 expensive peices of equipment. I also want to wait to see what the Kessil Tuna light is all about, as I am considering buying it. I want it to be tried out by plenty of people first though.
bigfish14
New member
I hooked up my RO/DI unit today and was very disappointed to find out that we have less than 20 PSI water pressure. I dreaded this decision, but I was left with no other choice if I want to get this thing going. I had to order a booster pump, which should be here around Wednesday. Not too much of a set back since I won't be able to get my sand, test kit, and shrimp until Wednesday anyway. It is a huge dent in my wallet though :headwally: Those things are not cheap!
Sorry to here that. I have near perfect water pressure for my RO/DI. I am currently in a setback, too. After going to Lowes to find the fittings I need for the returns, I decidied they didn't have enough choice, so I put in an order with Grainger. Stuff won't be in my local store until Wednesday, also.
bigfish14
New member
I guess it is all part of the hobby. This side of the aquarium hobby has really taught me to have patience. I will continue reading about tank cycling until I get the booster pump. I hope to learn something new and make this set back a good thing. Hopefully you get those fittings soon so you can keep moving forward with your tank. Better to do things right the first time, than to try and rush through it all.
bigfish14
New member
While I have been waiting for my booster pump, I have been messing around with my aquascape. To be honest, it is driving me crazy! :headwally: I started with a 2 island look and it was cool, but there were not enough hiding places for the shrimp and fish. Then I tried created a rock work that looked "fancy" but it seemed to take up the entire tank. Today, I know everyone hates it, but I tried the wall aquascape. It provides plenty of room for coral placement and has a lot of caves, but it simply looks like a pile of rocks. I do like that it gives the fish a lot of swimming room though. Let me know which aquascape you guys like.
I liked the way you had it pictured in Post #19 above. However, all of them would work well. If you are worried about the "pile of rocks" look, once corals get place and the rock have some age you won't notice it anymore.
I will be playing around with my aquascape tomorrow, so we will see how that goes.
I will be playing around with my aquascape tomorrow, so we will see how that goes.
bigfish14
New member
They recommend at least 40 PSI, but they say that 60 PSI will make the membrane the most efficient and reduce the amount of waste water. I went with the 1/4" booster pump kit on their website. If you are using a BRS unit then get the 1/4" pump, not the 3/8" pump. All Bulk Reef Supply RO/DI units use 1/4" tubing. Do you have a build thread? I would love to check it out.
bigfish14
New member
I have finally settled on an aquascape. I decided to give the "wall aquascape" or as some people call it "a pile of rocks" a chance. I think it can really look nice once covered in coraline and corals. There is actually room behind the rocks for the fish to swim. If they feel like escaping into the darkness then they can, or they can swim out in the open. Hopefully it turns out as cool as I imagine it. Sorry the pictures are so bad. I took them with my iPhone, but I will try to use a digital camera from here on out.
Looks good! I like the side shots because it shows how much room you have in front of the rocks. My two big rocks take up a lot of space, but only a little more room than yours do; so I am somewhat relieved with my decision to use the rocks intact. Anyway, looking forward to beginning the cycle here shortly.
