My 225gal. from the beginning
- Thread starter mskohl
- Start date
mskohl
Active member
My goodness, it's been a long time since I've done anything on this tank. A couple of weeks ago, I had it drilled and had the overflows installed. Then we did the plumbing and this last week we got some of the rock in there. It's still dry, but I'll get my new RODI unit this week and can start making salt water.
I need to get some pics of under the stand, though there isn't much to see there yet, and then gather up all the equipment.
Sorry for the flash in these pics, I was just taking a few quick shots before I had to run out the door.
I tried different ways to aquascape. I was even in the tank at one point. My arms just aren't long enough. I finally gave up and Russell helped me build the arch outside and then recreate it in the tank.
It's hard to tell in this picture, but the small pillar of rock is toward the back of the arch and the arch is at an angle with the right side toward the front of the tank.
I'm leaving the left side open for now and I'll fill it with live rock from my 45g and some that I purchased from Paul T. I'll probably make a tall pillar and maybe a small mound. I just don't know yet. I have a lot of rock, so I'll see what works best in the tank. I'll probably have quite a bit to sell when I'm finished.
I need to get some pics of under the stand, though there isn't much to see there yet, and then gather up all the equipment.
Sorry for the flash in these pics, I was just taking a few quick shots before I had to run out the door.
I tried different ways to aquascape. I was even in the tank at one point. My arms just aren't long enough. I finally gave up and Russell helped me build the arch outside and then recreate it in the tank.
It's hard to tell in this picture, but the small pillar of rock is toward the back of the arch and the arch is at an angle with the right side toward the front of the tank.
I'm leaving the left side open for now and I'll fill it with live rock from my 45g and some that I purchased from Paul T. I'll probably make a tall pillar and maybe a small mound. I just don't know yet. I have a lot of rock, so I'll see what works best in the tank. I'll probably have quite a bit to sell when I'm finished.
mskohl
Active member
WATER!
WATER!
Well, it's taken a few days to get all this water mixed, but I'm getting close to full.
I managed to get the water in without making a sandstorm, but I got pretty tired of toting buckets. Finally, Russell hooked up a sump pump (clean) and water hose (rinsed) and ran it from the barrell of water to the tank. It went much faster this way.
Anyway, I'm about 12" from being full and then I have to add some for the sump. But, I'm out of salt. So, the RO/DI unit is making water and tomorrow, I'm headed to the store.
In the pics, you can see the pvc pipe on the left. I'm saving that for the live rock going in. I'll also add some more live rock behind the small tower on the right. The water is fairly yellow, but I'm hoping that'll clear up with the flow from my Tunzes. Otherwise, it'll clean up when I get the rest of the saltwater made and my locline in and can start the skimmer.
WATER!
Well, it's taken a few days to get all this water mixed, but I'm getting close to full.
I managed to get the water in without making a sandstorm, but I got pretty tired of toting buckets. Finally, Russell hooked up a sump pump (clean) and water hose (rinsed) and ran it from the barrell of water to the tank. It went much faster this way.
Anyway, I'm about 12" from being full and then I have to add some for the sump. But, I'm out of salt. So, the RO/DI unit is making water and tomorrow, I'm headed to the store.
In the pics, you can see the pvc pipe on the left. I'm saving that for the live rock going in. I'll also add some more live rock behind the small tower on the right. The water is fairly yellow, but I'm hoping that'll clear up with the flow from my Tunzes. Otherwise, it'll clean up when I get the rest of the saltwater made and my locline in and can start the skimmer.
mskohl
Active member
OK, tank is full, sump is full, water is circulating....
skimmer is skimming.....
refugium is..... exporting....
I was nervous as all get out when were putting in the last 12" of water and getting ready to turn on the pump. We had a couple of leaks around the bulkheads, but nothing a little silicone couldn't fix.
I had a snail sneak in there on some live rock and he's survived the ammonia spike. Ammonia is dropping and nitrates are rising. Hopefully, we'll have a nice short cycle.
skimmer is skimming.....
refugium is..... exporting....
I was nervous as all get out when were putting in the last 12" of water and getting ready to turn on the pump. We had a couple of leaks around the bulkheads, but nothing a little silicone couldn't fix.
I had a snail sneak in there on some live rock and he's survived the ammonia spike. Ammonia is dropping and nitrates are rising. Hopefully, we'll have a nice short cycle.
wow really starting to look good. I also made my own rock using travis's recipe. the rock has been in the tank for about a month and is starting to get some algae on it and really settle into a nice color. click my website to check it out I will add some updated photos today.
mskohl
Active member
Bobby Mercado in Tulsa, drilled the tank and made the overflows for me. I was nervous while he was drilling, but he was calm - that's the important part.
Is the water running down those pipes louder then say a full overflow drilled from the bottom with Dorsos? I will be drilling out my 100g the same way or using a continous siphone overflow. [/QUOTE]
As for the sound, I'm not sure if it's just water running down the pipes. I think one side is sucking some air, so I'm going to get a pvc elbow and put it on there and see if it helps. Right now, the noise really isn't that bad. If there is no other noise in the house (which is rare - I have 2 boys and 2 tvs) it sounds like the dishwasher is draining. I really think the elbow will help. I'll keep you posted.
Last edited:
mskohl
Active member
I tested the water last night and the bad stuff is dropping:
ammonia between 0 and .25
nitrites 3 ppm (dip strip test)
nitrates 20ppm (dip strip test)
nitrates 10 ppm (aquarium pharm)
Here are some pics - please pardon the glare:
About half full with brown gunk after a few days
My refugium was running a few weeks before the rest of the tank. The chaeto and rock rubble was transplanted from my 45g.
Pic of the overflow that's sucking air. The baffles are just a little below the top of the bulkhead.
ammonia between 0 and .25
nitrites 3 ppm (dip strip test)
nitrates 20ppm (dip strip test)
nitrates 10 ppm (aquarium pharm)
Here are some pics - please pardon the glare:
About half full with brown gunk after a few days
My refugium was running a few weeks before the rest of the tank. The chaeto and rock rubble was transplanted from my 45g.
Pic of the overflow that's sucking air. The baffles are just a little below the top of the bulkhead.
mskohl
Active member
Two Fishies!!!
Two Fishies!!!
Here are a few pics of my new fish. I'm really excited to have them and they are two of my favorites. Sorry about the photo quality, I don't know how to avoid all the flecs on the glass and in the water. At least they are in focus....
Powder Brown Tang
Hippo Tang
here's another because he was cooperating:
Middle section of tank
Whatcha think?
Two Fishies!!!
Here are a few pics of my new fish. I'm really excited to have them and they are two of my favorites. Sorry about the photo quality, I don't know how to avoid all the flecs on the glass and in the water. At least they are in focus....
Powder Brown Tang
Hippo Tang
here's another because he was cooperating:
Middle section of tank
Whatcha think?
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