My first reef build. (Fluval Edge)

[Wet_Fretboards]

Well, I was going to start my build thread today, but I made it this far into the unboxing...

Something told me not to order a glass box online...

Stay tuned...

Randy

 

[mordibv]

Ouch .. Hopefully it won't take long to get a replacement .

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

Yeah. It came from PETCO, who's automated phone system says "Exchanges can be made at any PETCO location". However, I purchased it online because it was 109 dollars vs 149 in my local PETCO. So I'm just curious as to what problems this will present when I go to exchange it...

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

Got it exchanged no sweat. Gonna be residing on my nightstand.

Now, this is gonna be a rather modest reef, to say the least. I'm planning on sand, LR, a few easy-to-care-for corals, a small CUC, and of course a couple of fish. Next on the list is the obligatory lighting upgrade. I think I've settled on a couple of MR16 LED bulbs and a couple of blue LED strips. Stay tuned if you like. There'll be lots of questions to follow, I'm sure...

Randy

 

[mordibv]

Good to hear you got it exchanged ..

So it begins ...

 

[Genin]

I love the look of the fluval edge tanks. I'll be watching to see how this evolves.

 

[FancyDirty]

i want one i will be watching this build

 

[Dazed1]

Interested in updates!

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

I appreciate the interest.
Question 1: Do I really need LIVE sand? I hear from many people that it's BS, and I have to ask "How long can it stay LIVE in a stagnant plastic bag?" I'm planning on about 7 or so pounds of good live rock.

 

[curlykid]

no, the live rock will populate the sand with bacteria. also, you should probably only get 1 or 2 pounds of rock, you want room for your fish to swim!

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

also, you should probably only get 1 or 2 pounds of rock, you want room for your fish to swim!

You bring up a good point. The rock I'm looking to get is manado (sp?), which I've read is very porous. This means, theoretically that if I get 6 pounds of this stuff, it'll probably be way too big. I was just going by the old "1lb per gallon" rule... I'll be needing to get with the coral guy to make sure he knows this stuff has to go into an EDGE before he ships!

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

Live rock guy, that is...

 

[mordibv]

Nice choice on the rock . I hope that it comes in on a new shipment . I have seen some with corals still on them, Love the shape and color .

 

[allsps40]

Keep us posted on the build. I like the look of this tank.

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

So what size Koralia? the 240, or the 425?

 

[Flame_Angel]

I appreciate the interest.
Question 1: Do I really need LIVE sand? I hear from many people that it's BS, and I have to ask "How long can it stay LIVE in a stagnant plastic bag?" I'm planning on about 7 or so pounds of good live rock.

Well...the bags of 'live sand' you see on LFS shelves aren't really live sand. It's sand with some nitrifying bacteria mixed in. You don't get all the little buggies and wormies and other beneficial guys with it, and it's a vastly inferior product to actual live sand, imo.

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

Small update. Please excuse the Droid photos...

Two of these arrived today.

Each one has a female barrel plug socket and 6 foot cord. I only want one cord to power them both. (I hate clutter.) :bigeyes:

Here I've cut the cord off of one, and stripped about 3/16" of the wire.

Removed the same amount of insulation from the other.

Soldered the leads of the cut one to these wires (sorry, forgot to take a photo of that.) and heat shrunk it all in place. The photo here shows electrical tape, but I didn't like that, so I re-did it with heat shrink.

Here's the finished product.

Like I said, just a small update. Taking my time here. The "cool white" MR16 bulbs should arrive in a few days.

Thanks for looking!

Randy

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

Well...the bags of 'live sand' you see on LFS shelves aren't really live sand. It's sand with some nitrifying bacteria mixed in. You don't get all the little buggies and wormies and other beneficial guys with it, and it's a vastly inferior product to actual live sand, imo.

I think I've decided to just go with dry, white reef sand since the live rock will seed it anyway.

 

[JTrem94]

Your doing great so far!

 

[Wet_Fretboards]

Thanks.

My MR16s came in the other day.
Here's a shot of the crappy stock lighting with the blue strips

And this is with the new LED MR16s.

I have found no less than 3 amazing LFS in my area (50 miles or so). I will be visiting them in the coming days to get some supplies and live rock so I can finally get this thing going now.

Randy