Hyperion1337
Active member
fill 'er up man! looks sweet
My 55 Gallon build thread
- Thread starter ERivera65
- Start date
ERivera65
Member
Thanks Dan! Soon I will get it going its about ready to go
milsaltnewbie07
New member
Dang looking very nice. What do u want to keep in there. ?? Sps. Or lps?
ERivera65
Member
Thanks for the most part I will keep lps and softies but I will eventually keep more sps. I've got some now and will transfer them over. Pocillopora, birdsnest, montipora cap, and digitata. I plan on trying out some acroporas and other pieces now that I have strong enough lights to keep them.
ERivera65
Member
Tank is now running and cycling! So far I am happy with how things are. I decided to add sand after all. I used Caribsea Fiji Pink sand. Now its time to let the tank do its thing. I am fabricating some brackets soon to bolt my LED fixtures to my canopy. Slowly but surely! Anyways here are the pics.
Full Tank Shot
Overflow box
Return J tube
Back of the tank plumbing
Sump
Full Tank Shot
Overflow box
Return J tube
Back of the tank plumbing
Sump
ERivera65
Member
Here's a big update. The skimmer has kicked in and started to remove gunk which I'm happy about
I wasn't happy with the 90 degree optics on my led lights and how the look of the tank was so I removed them.
I'm very happy with the spread of the lights now without the optics but I can always reinstall the optics if needed.
I had to get new angled power cords because the ones that came with the light fixtures were straight up vertically and my canopy would not close with them installed. I also had to hack the canopy and trim it so the connectors would fit. Not the best looking job but no one will see it once the canopy is closed. I can also touch it up later if need be.
Tank is now constructed and functional.
Now jist waiting on the cycle to finish up. No ammonia now and just a little nitrite is left. Hopefully I can transfer everything over after thanksgiving and before Christmas.
I wasn't happy with the 90 degree optics on my led lights and how the look of the tank was so I removed them.
I'm very happy with the spread of the lights now without the optics but I can always reinstall the optics if needed.
I had to get new angled power cords because the ones that came with the light fixtures were straight up vertically and my canopy would not close with them installed. I also had to hack the canopy and trim it so the connectors would fit. Not the best looking job but no one will see it once the canopy is closed. I can also touch it up later if need be.
Tank is now constructed and functional.
Now jist waiting on the cycle to finish up. No ammonia now and just a little nitrite is left. Hopefully I can transfer everything over after thanksgiving and before Christmas.
ERivera65
Member
Thanks Mr. President!
ERivera65
Member
Well here's a short update. I have been really busy with work, family, and the holidays so the tank has been the same. I added a school of chromis and they have been doing well. The tank is actually at my parent's house and I set it up there with the intention of moving it when I felt it was ready. Its ready now but it I cannot make the move until next month after the holidays so I can focus on transferring the livestock from my current tank and make adjustments. With the philosophy of "Nothing good happens fast in this hobby" I want to take my time and ensure the best for my inhabitants.
ERivera65
Member
Well I finally got some free time to get my aquarium to my apartment and it went rather pleasant and easy. Thank God lol. more pics and enough talking lol
Even though it was a rainy Saturday, I picked up a tarp and covered it all up.
Its amazing how the tank went from this
To This
Here's my new view in my living room, i'm very happy and pleased with how it came out.
Even though it was a rainy Saturday, I picked up a tarp and covered it all up.
Its amazing how the tank went from this
To This
Here's my new view in my living room, i'm very happy and pleased with how it came out.
Your setup looks really nice ERivera. I have a 55 gallon that im in the process of setting up and have a couple of questions for you. How is the glass-holes 700gph overflow as far as sound goes? Im setting mine up in the living room where my fiance reads and she doesnt want a gurgling snorting drain to listen to lol.
Hows the SCA-302 running on your system?
and lastly, I see that you have a koralia in the DT along with the WP-25. Does this work well or would you have rather gone with 2 WP-25's opposite of each other?
Hows the SCA-302 running on your system?
and lastly, I see that you have a koralia in the DT along with the WP-25. Does this work well or would you have rather gone with 2 WP-25's opposite of each other?
ERivera65
Member
Thanks a lot! I appreciate it. The glass-holes 700gph overflow kit is great and quiet enough if you follow the instructions, you shouldn't have a problem. I made the mistake and used a 1" reducer on the 1.5" output elbow to run a 1" drain and it made noise. I believe the instructions call for nothing less than 1.5" plumbing so stick to them. The overflow has no gurgling after I fixed it and after a week of getting the natural slime coat the plumbing will get, its silent. The sca-302 is a great skimmer for the price, I would have gone with something better like a reef octopus but I couldnt refuse the deal my buddy gave me for it. Only one issue with the skimmer, the blue adjustment pipe for the water output of the skimmer is touchy. Any movement or slight turn and the skimmer skims too wet or not enough. I believe there is a mod to add a gate valve for adjustment but I havent ventured that far. Also keep the skimmer in atleast 8"-9" of water for proper skimming and no microbubbles. As far as the wp25, its great. I went with one since I had it already on my previous tank and my buddy sold me the koralia 1050 cheap. Its temporary until I can get another wp25. I think the 55 can handle 2 wp25s but it might throw some sand around in else mode. If anything I can always get a couple of cheap dimmers on ebay and dial the voltage down to slow the flow on the wp25s. For now it works and my tank is doing ok. I have been feeding heavy to get the tangs I added fat and healthy, so im getting some diatoms on my rocks. I did an 8 gallon water change after 2 weeks and might do another soon to help cut nutrients. I also need to stock up on my cleanup crew. I need some snails and crabs.
ERivera65
Member
Im running a rio 2100. I had this pump laying around and decided to use it. I have it with a ball valve dialed down some to slow the flow in my sump to help filter the water better through the sock and skimmer. I want to run a jebao dc powered pump in the future. The controller with the jebao pump and features are awesome and I can appreciate the feed button that turns the pump off.
ERivera65
Member
Thanks Biggar! Awesome idea, I never thought of adding a few back on.... could be a good idea in order to get more light down to one specific area. Thanks again
