My 55 gallon reef project

Here's a couple of pics of my tank with a few pieces of my live rock in it. I should be getting some more partially cured rock to throw in it over the weekend. I guess I'll have to start worrying a bit more about water changes then. I have a few pieces of the good rock left, but the rest will be some good quality semi-cured rock. Any suggestions on water changes will this thing cycles. So far I've got a couple of stray striped mushrooms and a hermit crab that made the journey. I'm not sure how they'll fare when the new rock goes in though.

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Well, I picked up the rest of my rock as well as what I thought would be partially cured rock, but the new rock is pretty well totally cured. Here are some picks with the rock in the tank. I have a good idea of what I want to do with the aquascaping, but it's just somewhat put together/thrown in right now. If anybody has any suggestions on moving this stuff around, let me know. I will possibly need a few more pieces of rock, but I want to bring a stack down from the overflow and then have a stack go up and back down into the opposite corner. I've got the general shape that I want, but I'm not sure I like the way it's arranged. Let me know your thoughts!

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HaHa.....thanks....I can't say that it'll stay that way, but it is nice to see for a while. Anybody have an opinion on the chances of dying green star polyps making through a cycle. The LFS was babysitting my livestock while i was setting up my new tank and some of the stuff just wasn't gonna make it. my gsp's were one of the things that weren't doing well, so I went ahead and brought em along to throw them in the tank. I know chances are slim, but they were doing terrible in the LFS's tank. All my shrooms and other polyps were doing fine, but for some reason the Gsp's weren't doing well.
 
Well now that I've got everything up and running, I think I'm going to make a change. I'm now planning to swap my pumps. I'm going to make the mag 7 my return and attempt to use the quietone 6000 externally as an over the top closed loop (no drilling) with an Oceans Motions Squirt or Super Squirt.

I am expecting my auto top-off kit to arrive in the next few days from www.top-off.com as well.

I'll post pics as soon as these things start to come together.
 
Well the top off kit is here and running. For the time being, I'm using my future 10 gallon quaratine tank as a top off resevoir. I'll change that after I start using the QT to avoid diseases, etc.

Next step, is get my next paycheck, then order Oceans Motions, swap pumps, and hopefully begin stocking.

I also currently use clip on desk fans to cool my canopy. The final step will be to insall computer fans in the canopy.

I think after that, the only thing that I could do to help this system would be to consider a calc and kalk reactor, and a chiller. (none of which I have the room or funds for)

If anyone would like pics of the top-off kit, please ask.
 
I would love to see pics of your top off system. I am in need of upgrading mine since all I use now is a float valve plumbed directly to my RO/DI unit. I don't like doing it that way because the full line pressure from the street is hitting the RO/DI unit at all times if I were to leave it on.

I need to do something different so share your's if you would please.
 
These are the pictures that I just happened to have on photobucket. If you would like more detailed pics please specify and I'll get them up asap.

This is the switching system for the unit. It plugs into a socket and also has an extension cord wired to it. The pump for the top off is plugged into the extension cord, and then the extension cord is plugged in as well.

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This is the float switch chamber. The company will custom make the acryllic mounting bracket according to your required depth. The chamber has a primary switch and an emergency switch in case the primary fails or sticks. It is simply attached to the bracket with a zip tie and I also attached the hose from the pump to the bracket with a zip tie.

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I got my ocean's motion supersquirt over the weekend. I've pulled my quiet one 6000 and replace it with my mag 7 for the return. I'm currently working on the plumbing for my closed loop. Hopefully I'll be able to get it finished in the next couple weeks. I'm out of town most of this week and next, so next weekend is looking like the finishing date. I'll post pics as I progress.
 
Thanks Iechockey_whino

After talking with Paul at Oceans Motions, I'm actually considering removing my rock to run some plumbing work underneath the sand. He recommended having 2 returns in the front blowing up and toward the back and having 2 near the bottom in the back of the tank blowing straight forward. He also recommended having my sump return blow straight down the back. I'm still trying to gain the courage to remove all of my rock, but at least there is nothing in the tank to disrupt if i do it now. Wish me luck!
 
Looks like you're heading for success. Here's my 2.5 year old, low-tech 55. It's not a great shot or the best time of day to really show it. Aaaaand I'm going to get better with the new camera.

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541549#post8541549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JamesJR
Nice tank Slosh. Are you running t-5?
Click to expand...

I don't think so. Aren't those halogens? I have flourescents. A new lighting system is going to be my christmas present this year. I don't know how I knew just what I wanted.
 
dcombs, thanks for the top off pics. Are the float switches 120 volt? Are you happy with the construction and performance of the top off system?

ALSO can't wait to see your updated pics of the OM system installation and working! Looking good so far and you can believe I am staying tuned.

sloshesv, your tank looks great man, I can't believe you have such great growth with just regular florescent. (well I mean I believe you, it's just that . . . well you know what I mean). T-5's are the smaller diameter (5/8" dia) tubes. What lighting are you getting for Christmas and why?
 
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