JG's Custom 120 Peninsula Build

[Reefers4U]

UPDATE: Wow its been almost a month of working to get the system ready for water.

To solve the measurement issue we extended the deck of the tank and its supports out 2 inches so now it sits squarely on the stand. We also added shints to the floor to make sure the tank was exactly level.

The tank was filled for 1 week with water without any leaks or issues. It then was loaded with rock and sand a week later around the 23rd. Everything is running well, power loss procedures are able to keep the tank without any leaks or overflows. The skimmer, reactors and refugium are all working.


THE PROBLEM: The tank seems stuck in the Nitrite portion of the cycle. I've done a few water changes to reduce the Nitrite and in hopes of kickstarting the cycle but the test kits still report high nitrites about as high as the test kit will handle.

The rock sat there curing for a few weeks while on vacation and when I came back on 1/4 the Amm was off the charts and stayed that way.

I added BioSpira which I've used two other times always with good results. The ammonia dissipated immediately and hasn't returned but the nitrite won't go away.

The tank has now been up and running for about 4 weeks with a treatment of bio spira - which usually cycles the tank right away. The rock is already forming some great colors so I've got high hopes for this thing if it can ever get off the ground.

Any ideas?

 

[BeanMachine]

Try a different test kit to confirm?

 

[Reefers4U]

yeah I went and had the LFS test the water and the kit is correct. Apparently tho, I've been holding off on lighting the tank because I was trying to keep the algae from blooming but the LFS said this was the reason as I'm not giving the bacteria the light it needs?

Anyone here this before?

 

[ratienza80]

How much rock do you have in there? May just need to add more to let the bacteria colonize it.

 

[Reefers4U]

here is the tank with the lights hooked up

 

[Reefers4U]

How much rock do you have in there? May just need to add more to let the bacteria colonize it.

~120 lbs I purchased 4 30lbs boxes.

 

[Reefers4U]

How much rock do you have in there? May just need to add more to let the bacteria colonize it.

I added 1 lbs per gal - four boxes at 30lbs a box. 120lbs

Anyone here this before?

hear I apologize to my writing professors right now.

 

[Reefers4U]

happy to report she's cycled. Just in time for the MASLAC party!

Wow you really learn something new with every build. I never knew the lights needed to be on for the nitrogen cycle to complete - but its also the first time I didn't keep my lights on.


So, how soon is too soon for a clam? :inlove:

 

[Reefers4U]

UPDATE:

All systems a go. Probes reporting data and controller accessible remotely. The little live stock that's in there is doing fine.

Hanna checker reporting some phosphates but the chaeto O2many gave me outta do it - thank you Dave.

Here are some updated pics. Come a long way from that first pic!

LOOKING FOR LIVESTOCK! Hook a broke law student up! hahaha

 

[Reefers4U]

wow. I can't believe its been this long since an update. :uhoh3:

What happened to this year?


Here are some recent pics.

Battling a serious tube worm infestation compounded by a lazy Arrow crab. But the corals are growing at least.

 

[Reefers4U]

It finally happened....

It finally happened....

Well it finally happened to me. After 15 years of keeping reef tanks mine finally broke.

To be clear, it was totally my fault, it could have been avoided, and that hurts probably most of all

Those who follow my poorly-written posts may know that I moved my tank a few months ago; some of you great people even offered to help. I made the GIANT mistake of not reinstalling a key 2X4 on the back of my Eurobrace aquarium. And even though it was up and running for a week after I left for vacation the bottom pane cracked from lack of support and I lost everything. Thousands of dollars but most importantly life I was caring for for over a decade.

I feel so irresponsible for my oversight It took me weeks to come to grips with what happened and that it was my fault.

I've decided to rebuild but not before taking the following remedial steps:

1) I've finished the other side of the stand with planks of red oak which reach to the floor in order to support the back edge of tank.
2) I've had the bottom glass pane replaced (obviously).
3) I'm installing 4 water sensors from apex's LDK.
4) Replacing the cork support for the bottom pane.


I come to you as a foolish beggar who has lost everything. I'm going to start repurchasing what I lost but any frag you can spare would be a total gift for my re rebuild.

Thank you advance for reading everyone, this was the hardest post I've ever had to compose. I hope like hell my mistake is a lesson for someone else.

 

[wishntoboutside]

oh no very sorry to read.

I hope you bounce back strong.

 

[Reefers4U]

News: Tank is ready tomorrow. Probably pick it up on Saturday.

Here are the pictures after the install of the wood face. The tank is a peninsula but the stand had an open back. The wood face extends the deck out 3/4'' and made of red oak anchored in with nails. Need to stain the wood.

 

[Reefers4U]

Also installing five leak sensors in and out of the stand.

This is an easy DIY.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=505&v=S_LnWkmpleQ&feature=emb_title

 

[five.five-six]

I come to you as a foolish beggar who has lost everything. I'm going to start repurchasing what I lost but any frag you can spare would be a total gift for my re rebuild.

I'd help out but I'm in the IE, you should reach out to Dave [MENTION=18153]o2manyfish[/MENTION]. He is one of the most accomplished and generous reefers in the hobby.

 

[cojo8888]

I'd help out but I'm in the IE, you should reach out to Dave [MENTION=18153]o2manyfish[/MENTION]. He is one of the most accomplished and generous reefers in the hobby.

Couldn't agree more. He's ths guy

나의 SM-G950U 의 Tapatalk에서 보냄

 

[Reefers4U]

We moved from LA to Rancho Cuc. area now - thanks for reminding me to change my profile!

Hopefully my Dad and I can handle the tank when it comes next Thursday (didn't get done this week).

Couldn't agree more. He's ths guy

나의 SM-G950U 의 Tapatalk에서 보냄

+1 Dave is a great guy and a generous reefer.

 

[five.five-six]

We moved from LA to Rancho Cuc. area now - thanks for reminding me to change my profile!

Hopefully my Dad and I can handle the tank when it comes next Thursday (didn't get done this week)..

My wife and I set our 125 peninsula years a go with just the help of a gray plastic Harbor freight pushcart.
A pair of the harbor freight double suction cups will make it a lot easier.


LMK when you are ready for a starter pack and I'm in Corona, I'll set you up with some starter frags.

 

[Reefers4U]

My wife and I set our 125 peninsula years a go with just the help of a gray plastic Harbor freight pushcart.
A pair of the harbor freight double suction cups will make it a lot easier.


LMK when you are ready for a starter pack and I’m in Corona, I’ll set you up with some starter frags.

Those HF suction cups are money; perfect for our job. Thanks for the head's up.

Thanks for the generous frag offer. Would be great to get a tour of your system as well. Likewise, if I can be of help just holler.

UPDATE: After a decade of service the stand needed resurfacing. So we added a new face, sanded, and re-varnish to ensure its level for the tank. Also a good time to give the inside and sump a good cleaning.

We'll also be adding a new coat of paint-on-plastic for the bottom inside of the stand. Will posts some pics later.

No water or rock until that's done. Might be in a position to fill it on Sunday. :fish2::fish1:

-Josh

 

[five.five-six]

We'll also be adding a new coat of paint-on-plastic for the bottom inside of the stand. Will posts some pics later.

Glad that worked out just for future advice to others, be sure to specify the double suction cups because the single ones are useless for our purposes.


I made the bottom of my stand into a water catch, to capture small leaks before they get to the floor. There are a lot of products that may be less expensive but I used flex seal because Phill Swift is awesome and you can get it at Home Depot.