Diary of a Newbie's 46g Tank. What to do Next?

[robilium]

So after reading 5 books, countless newsgroups/forums, and hours speaking with some of you I have done the following:

I was offered a 46g bowfront aquarium and stand for free so that will be my starter system. However, I have engineered my setup to be capable of a 120g tank.

With the advice from everyone on this list I have set up the following:
-46g bowfront & stand.
-Pro Clear Jtube HOB overflow (I heard CPR sucks)
-MaxiJet 900 Power head
-Specialized return nozzle
-Oceanic II Sump
-Iwaki 40 RXLT External Pump
-PM Bullet 1 skimmer w/ mag12 pump
-Spectrapure RO/DI 60gpd
-WON 350 Titanium Heater
-Electronic tempature gauge with alarm
-Leifert Reef Cycle Test Kit
-Sump table made using good old college materials, cinder blocks and plywood.
-GFI outlet installed and all outlets will have drip loops.
-Live Rock as cleanup crew from "The Package" at TBS (Tampa Bay Saltwater)

I plumbed some PVC into my basement and spray painted it black so it would look good upstairs. Gate valves were installed for reducing the flow while I have a 46 til i get the 120. I am now in the process of tapping into my cold water line to attach the Spectrapure. The water softner drain is close by and I will run a hose along the joists as a way to do easy water changes.

I apologize for my poor photographing skills

Front View of Tank [\B]

View of Tank Equipment[\B]

Overflow box [\B]

Return [\B]

Sump Setup [\B]

I do still have a few questions as to how to proceed with respect to DIY lighting and live rocks.

DIY Lighting?
I am looking to build a hood and custom MH/PC light system. I have no idea yet what to order for ballasts, bulbs, etc. My initial guess would be to get a single MH and a 2 36" 96w Actinics? Should i Just go with Actinics and 50/50 bulbs?

Live Rock TBS?
I have read about 15 threads start to finish about TBS and am a no closer to a decision now then I was before.

Is TBS the best place to order auqacultured rock from florida with lots of life? I have seen comments about Gulf View/www.floridaLiverock.com or www.liverock.com being better?

How much more dense is TBS than say Fiji i.e. do i need 80lbs instead of 40?

It doesnt looks very open. The Fiji/Marshall rock looks to have more "holes/caves" built in.

I assume the Fiji and Marshall would have next to ZERO life on it when it gets to me? Besides maybe some coraline that would grow again?

So I am kind of on the fence to do one of the following:

1. Buy a 45g "Package" from TBS

2. Buy a 35g "Package" from TBS and then order another 10-20lbs of Bali, Fiji, Marshall, or "Super Select" from www.phishybusiness.com or www.premiumaquatics.com.

3. Order 60lbs Gulf Rock from www.liverocks.com or www.floridaliverock.com and then 10-20lbs from phishy or premium, and a cleanup crew package from phishy

I just dont know!

 

[zoltetov]

It all is completely up to your preference. Fiji/Marshall, etc.. is not nearly as dense as gulf rock. That's one big difference between limestone and volcanic rock! As far as how much life is on the rock, that's also up to you. For me, I'd rather get coraline rock with less life but less die-off. The TBS rock is beautiful, but the question is how much of that stuff survives curing. Some people have tons o' life after while others don't. It's up to your preferences. You'll have people on either side of the fence tell you different things. My preference is the less dense, more porous volcanic rock like fiji, etc...That being said, some Hatian rock is pretty cool too.

 

[robilium]

Have you ever used one of the above stores for Fiji or Marshall or do you just go to the LFS?

Funny thing is that I have been to Kwajalein and Majuro (Capital of RMI - Republic of the Marshall Islands) about 8 times in the past two years. Everytime I go I see tons and tons of liverock right off the front porch Damn customs!

I still have friends living out on Kwaj/Marshall islands. Too bad they just cant fedex

 

[shanersnyder]

Its always good to mix the type of rock in your tank so you have a different mix of life in your tank. I would suggest your option 2.

 

[robilium]

Thanks shanersnyder! With # 2 I may need to buy some suplemental live sand and clean up crew but thats ok

Have you had any experiences with shippin the Liverock, or do you just go to LFS?

Also, as an aside. Die Hard Patriots Fan here, should I have added that to my first post as a caveat? Sorry to see all that TO crap. Eagles usually have great chemistry too.

 

[zoltetov]

I've never ordered live rock from an online vendor, but i hear it's preferred. I just don't want to pay shipping and there's a lfs down here that gets great live rock at $3/lb.

 

[shanersnyder]

I've never ordered online, and have always picked it up from the LFS. From what I have heard on TBS is that it is great stuff. As far as live sand, you might want to save yourself some money and get some Southdown sand. Take a look around the board and I'm sure you will see what I mean.

Ugh a Pats fan huh? Thats okay nobody is perfect!!:rollface: :rollface:

 

[zoltetov]

I'd go buy Southdown and then get some ls from someone in your area. It'll be more diverse than the stuff that comes sealed in a bag anyway. Besides, by the time you're adding livestock, you'll have a nice live sandbed.

btw, in 4, 10 years, watch out! My 'phins are on the way uhm..up! I hope.

 

[robilium]

I was reading the 32 page post about Southdown. It looks like they are out of business?

It looks like there are lot of scavenger hunts on going to find some!

Thats a real bummer.

 

[robilium]

Anyone know of a good thread on how to make a DIY light system? I have seen/read alot of comments about www.hellolights.com.

Is there a good shopping list around of what ballast, bulbs, etc to get for a 36" hood?

Everyone has been great so far!

 

[zoltetov]

check out the stickies on the equipment forum. great info!

 

[robilium]

The Iwaki arrived last night and I will install it when I get home

I got an Iwaki RLXT 40.

It is a WMD version tho with an American Made motor instead of Japanese made. Has anyone had experience with the USA vs. Japanese motors and can comment?

Also, what do people usually use for conenctions to the pump? Rigid PVC is what I was thinking.

 

[RunDrums]

I purchased my rock from LR.com both their gulf and key's, the gulf rock has a lot of life on it, BUT not near as much as the TBS that I've seen photos here at RC, little disappointed in that. I had a big cycle out of it with high ammonia spikes I just kept the water changed and pull the dead stuff off, a good bit did survived. The keys rock was very colorful, covered in colorlin algae, it has a few plant type algae's , it was very fresh and did not produce any type of cycle / ammonia spike. but did not have coral like the gulf did. All of this was shipped via DHL ground over night, I picked the boxes up at DHL and opted NOT to have it delivered to my house. The reason I decided to purchase from LR.com instead of TBS was because of the price of air freight which I think that is the only way TBS ship's. The only down side I have found with the Florida rock is these c-pod's hard to catch but advinely will get rid of. all the other hitch-hikers where easy to catch. I have a 45g tank and put 60 lr + 10 dead rock Now if I had to do it over again. I don't know?? maybe just go with the Fiji and cure it my self. Or 1/2 tbs 1/2 Fiji??
I'm still trying to figure out this rock density stuff.

 

[Doggydog911]

Just following along

 

[robilium]

Thanks for the bump Doggy!
I will install pictures of the pump install tonite.

If my Spectrapure RD/DI arrives tonight I will install that as well and begin filling the tank. It is a 60gpd unit, so I should be able to almost fill the tank and sump and get the water salted up and cycling.

I would then order the TBS (35g Package) for delivery on Saturday.

That would mean,
Thu-Fri: Fill Tank with water and salt
Fri-Sat: Mix the salt up....
Sat Afternoon: Receive rock via Southwest?

The big unknown is whether TBS can ship with that little notice.

A 35g package would get me 70lbs of rock. I would then like to buy about 10-15 lbs of Marshall or tonga premium rock to mix it up a lil.

 

[robilium]

Late night!

I got the spectrapure in the mail last night as I had hoped. Unfortunately there were a few issues The pressure gauge was cracked, luckliy only the glass as it appeared to still work. The second issue was that the caipllary line seemed to be too short.

Depending on the mL/s flow you are supposed to trim the line from 1-16". I am on a well with only 25-45psi so therefore I need that capilary as long as possible. However, when I pulled out the line to check the size it appeared someone else had already trimmed it to only 5". Bummer!

Good news is I hear spectrapure's customer service is AWESOME so I will give em a call today. So for now I am stuck with only about 20GPD instead of the rated 60GPD.

Guess I will be hitting the grocery store for about 40 gallons of distilled water?[\B]

I did get the pump installed tho! All the PVC should be run. Now to turn it on and pray! If there are any leaks that is ok. PVC is easy to work with.

I am still hoping to schedule a TBS delivery for tommorow!

 

[zoltetov]

Depending on where you are, you might have a few options to make up the 40g of water. We have Publix here, which sells RO water as part of the general water selection. (If you aren't in Florida, which I guess you're not if you have a basement, Publix is our grocery store.) I don't know what the tds is of the water, but, it's probably better than distilled. Another thing to check out would be a lfs store. Lots sell RO water. Again, some lfs sell RO that equals 0 tds while others haven't changed their filter since theTruman administration. Either way, it's just another alternative. I wouldn't stress about the water too much anyway since you'll be cycling the water and eventually doing partial water changes. By then, you'll be up and running with the Spectra.

 

[robilium]

Thanks for the info Zoltetov!

I just got off phone with TBS. They will be shipping Tuesday via Southwest. They said it was better to wait til then since my salt isnt cycling and settled yet.

They said get the salt in my tank and cycling for 4 days first. Thats cool, only bummer is I wont have anything to watch/play with over the 4 days weekend

But as I have read time and time again. PATIENCE!

Hey Zoltetov, I noticed you have a 46bow as well! Got any pics or threads going? How is it working out for you?

 

[zoltetov]

LOL...I have a pic of it empty if ya want! I suffer from this incredibly bad form of laziness, where i just can't keep up with diary threads! I was never good with journals or blogs either! I'm pretty happy with mine. It was already established as a 29, so it was basically just a matter of transferring everything. I added more rock, and changed the set-up around a 'lil bit. I'll tell ya, I got an itch to go bigger though! I'll see about taking some pics tonight and posting them for ya!

 

[robilium]

Hahaha I hear ya,

This is my first attempt at a log/ diary. But i figured I could trade pictures for advice!

The big tank is what I am looking at too. I piped and sized everything up to work for a 120 or 150. That way if/when I upgrade I can turn my 46 into a refugium. As you can see I have set aside space on my basement table next to my sump. The plan is that since my 46 is taller I can place it next to the sump, drill a hold near the top and have the 46 overflow directly into it.

Thats the idea.... limiting factors being the $$$
Big expense already.

So I was thinking of lighting still. I wonder if for this small tank I should just go with the Current USA Orbit 36" 2x96W 1-Dual Daylight /1-Dual Actinic. That would give me 192w for a 46g tank = 4w per gallon. I was thinking of doing the lighting DIY but I may save that for MHs down the road.

Anyone have experience with Current USA products? I was looking at Jebo/Aquatraders too, but I have heard mixed results.