Fragtrader's 39G Reef Build

[fragtrader]

Guys:

Received tank today from Eddie @ CAD Lights. It arrived in one piece and was packaged very well. Overall fit and finish was excellent. Because Eddie did not have the regular BM skimmers, he upgraded me to the 3.5 Cone Skimmer. I am not complaining. Only issue is the skimmer area in the rear sump was built for the original sized BM, so the chaeto/fuge area will have to be allocated to this monster skimmer. I went to Home Depot and built an egg crate riser to get it up and above the water line. Making water now with my 75GPD. More like 7.5 GPD. Will use original skimmer area for fuge with lighting in the off cycle.

Here are the preliminary details on the tank:

39G CAD Lights Signature
- 120W LED Pendant (Upgrade)
- BM 3.5 Cone Skimmer
- Vortech MP10W

I bought dry rock from Bulk Reef Supply and dry sand from Carib Sea. I hope to get salt mixed up this week and add the sand and rockscape before weeks end so it can sit unlit for a few weeks with a couple peel n eat shrimp to cycle the tank. Also, I heard the BM skimmers need a good 6 week regiment to break in.

Still haven't received my BM dosing pump yet from Eddie. I bought BRS 2 part + mag for auto dosing, and will perform auto top-off manually until I can set something up.

Here is a link to the gallery:

http://gallery.me.com/john.greco#100031&view=mosaic&sel=0

Thanks for looking. Let the setup begin.

John

 

[macclellan]

Sounds sweet. Not a nano per RC spec unfortunately, as it is greater than 34g.

 

[fragtrader]

Sounds sweet. Not a nano per RC spec unfortunately, as it is greater than 34g.

I agree; predicated on the fact that the total volume is 39G including sump, however given rockscape and deep sand bed, i am hopeful that the nano community will accept me in their arms as a being on the upper curve of the scale and not at the bottom of the big brother forums where 39G is still looked as a nano by the 55g and up crowd.

:thumbsup:

 

[fragtrader]

i hit a snag today. went to fill and noticed the silicone caulk bead for my rear sump was broken. had to recaulk and now must wait 48hrs to cure.

the egg crate riser worked perfect for the skimmer.

also the 120w pendant is strong!

updated pics here: http://gallery.me.com/john.greco#100031&view=mosaic&bgcolor=black&sel=9