d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[d2mini]

Tin is common to see

Good to know, thanks.

Sorry about your fish I know it's a pain to start over but you are pretty good at it

Have you considered using regular sand instead of crushed coral. So much gunk builds up over time in crushed coral.


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It is sand.
It has some larger bits in it but it's straight off the very top layer of the ocean floor.
Made up of everything from sugar fine particles to broken shells.

 

[d2mini]

Late night but I made it back from the airport and got it all in the tank.

Here's the obligatory shot of one of my kids making the airport run with me.
The girl one decided to stay home with Mom this time. Girls! :facepalm:

And THIS is why 5 boxes weigh in at 285lbs!
Layers of heavy duty plastic bags and real NSW.

It was dark out when I was unboxing stuff outside but here's a quick shot of a random rock.

The tank is super cloudy now but I'll get some better pics later this weekend.

 

[Grayhead]

Richard loves you Dennis��

Are you going to quarrintine this go around? Can't wait to see you new rock. Love that feeling of unpacking. Especially if the kids are with you

 

[d2mini]

Richard loves you Dennis��

Are you going to quarrintine this go around? Can't wait to see you new rock. Love that feeling of unpacking. Especially if the kids are with you

LOL!
Yeah, even under these circumstances, can't help but being excited about The Package. :beachbum:

I've actually been better about QT'ing lately.
At least observing fish for a couple weeks to make sure there are no obvious issues.
And I have cheated a couple times, taking the risk with Diver's Den.

 

[sde1500]

Man every time I see TBS rock I kick myself for not going that route. Next tank without a doubt I'll use it. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Could call this the Phoenix build.

 

[Breadman03]

More proof of Dennis' general skill at growing out nice frags.

 

[liverock]

more proof of dennis' general skill at growing out nice frags.

lol

 

[saf1]

Is that shipment 1 of n?

You are going to be on v2 while my 240 is still in its crate in my garage. Everything is in one box or another and more than likely could be set up in a weekend or two. I really need to fix my motivational button.

 

[d2mini]

Is that shipment 1 of n?



You are going to be on v2 while my 240 is still in its crate in my garage. Everything is in one box or another and more than likely could be set up in a weekend or two. I really need to fix my motivational button.

Yup, first of two.
Part two next week.

Getter done man!

 

[choss]

Dennis,

This time around are you setting up an automatic water change system again? If so, I am curious which pumps you will go with. I'm about to pick up the Litermeter3 but am always curious to see what you do (and always with great details and analysis in your write ups).

 

[d2mini]

Dennis,

This time around are you setting up an automatic water change system again? If so, I am curious which pumps you will go with. I'm about to pick up the Litermeter3 but am always curious to see what you do (and always with great details and analysis in your write ups).

I'm already set up for AWC.
I planned ahead and set that up initially. :thumbsup:
All I need to do is decide on pumps.
LM3 is fantastic. But I don't need my pumps to control my AWC since I have the Profilux for that. I just need to decide if I should do peristaltic or not. Gravity may be an issue.
And i need one additional level sensor for the sump.

 

[Misled]

I just need to decide if I should do peristaltic or not. Gravity may be an issue.

I may have something for you Dennis. I'll get a pic.

 

[Misled]

You ever use one of these?

 

[d2mini]

You ever use one of these?

What the...?!
nope, can't say I have.
Closest thing I've used to that is my Cole Parmer Masterflex.

 

[saf1]

You know, with so much life on those rocks one would think the boxes come with warning label or gloves. You reach in and grab one only to get your thumb or finger pinched, snapped, or cracked from a hitchhiker

Exciting stuff never the less.

 

[d2mini]

You know, with so much life on those rocks one would think the boxes come with warning label or gloves. You reach in and grab one only to get your thumb or finger pinched, snapped, or cracked from a hitchhiker

Exciting stuff never the less.

I've jumped out of my skin before. lol



UPDATE... 24 hours in.... Ammonia has never registered... Nitrates are somewhere around 1-3 ppm.

 

[liverock]

You know, with so much life on those rocks one would think the boxes come with warning label or gloves. You reach in and grab one only to get your thumb or finger pinched, snapped, or cracked from a hitchhiker

Exciting stuff never the less.

They have to eat to.....LOL....:spin1:

 

[liverock]

I've jumped out of my skin before. lol



UPDATE... 24 hours in.... Ammonia has never registered... Nitrates are somewhere around 1-3 ppm.

Which is how it works for most everybody.....when you use real live rock and sand...there is no cycle...as you are already cycled with what I send you. Had a customer today ...was waiting for the cycle....he was reporting there was never even a need to make a water change on part one of the Package. Works that way most of the time, as the rock is alive...shipped underwater...and gets to you alive.

Nothing you read about live rock and cycling...curing...and all that goes with traditional live rock in the internet market applies to real live rock and sand that is aquacultured here in Florida in the Gulf of Mexico....makes it easy to set up a tank....successfully.

Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

 

[Misled]

They are called diaphragm or metering pumps. They use the same tubing as RO units. We use them for treating our domestic water. We pump a silicate through the system that coats the pipes. Helps prevent pin holes in copper piping. I've seen one shoot water ten feet without a pipe. One of my techs gave it to me to use as a dosing pump, but it's too loud for my living room. They work by a diaphragm being moved by a magnetic solenoid. The solenoid makes a pretty loud thumping noise.

Look here

Way to go Richard!!!!

 

[Reefer525XL]

I'm already set up for AWC.
I planned ahead and set that up initially. :thumbsup:
All I need to do is decide on pumps.
LM3 is fantastic. But I don't need my pumps to control my AWC since I have the Profilux for that. I just need to decide if I should do peristaltic or not. Gravity may be an issue.
And i need one additional level sensor for the sump.

How do you plan to use the P4 for AWC? Just with level sensors in the sump and one pump to drain and one pump to fill?