New SC Aquarium Build

[k2swat]

Plumbing 95% done. Apex COR20 will power return, ATS, and carbon media reactor. Hopefully it will be strong enough with flow.

 

[k2swat]

Water test today. Everything is working great. Had to make adjustments to the manifold to power the carbon reactor and algae scrubber. All things consider this is a success with no leak. :dance:

Next up drain this bad boy and do some rockscaping placements.

 

[Webmanny]

Very nice. Good job.

 

[k2swat]

Very nice. Good job.

Thanks Webmanny!

 

[k2swat]

Received MP40 yesterday. Place one on each end. Should have plenty of flow. Left it a little loose for adjustments when rocks are in place.

 

[k2swat]

Spent many hours and days on this rockscaping. I think it looks fine. It is the best that this inexperience individual can do for now. :spin3:

 

[k2swat]

5 weeks since the SCA 120g arrived. Finally have the Caribsea sand and saltwater in for cycling. It is now a waiting game. Probably need to wait 4-6 weeks. Will test first parameter in 2-3 weeks.

 

[Webmanny]

I like the aquascape.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[Zoahoarder]

Wow this looks awesome. I want the 5' 150g

 

[k2swat]

Day 5 of cycling the SCA120. Water pretty much cleared up. Not spike in ammonia and nitrate yet as this is Caribsea Special Grade and dry rock. This will definitely take 4-6 weeks. Patience is a virtue in this hobby for sure. :headwally:

 

[k2swat]

Day 8 of cycling. Ammonia is approaching 1PPM, Nitrite still around 0PPM, but Nitrate is about 1PPM. Moving along fine.

 

[k2swat]

Comparing day 8 to Day 13 of cycling my SCA 120. Ammonia is down to ~.6 PPM, Nitrite went from 0 PPM to ~.4 PPM and Nitrate was at 1 PPM and now at ~ 7 PPM.

In a week if all #s looks good, I will start adding some hardy fish. Aiming for this tank to be mostly SPS. Anyone has any suggestions?

 

[brucem]

Getting there

 

[vincemo22]

Looks great!

 

[k2swat]

Looks great!

Thanks.

 

[k2swat]

Day 20 of cycling. Ammonia close ~0 PPM, Nitrite 0 PPM, and Nitrate ~1-2 PPM. I will wait another 5 days. If parameter is good, I will do 30-40% water change.

Any opinions on water change after cycling dry rock and caribsea sand?

 

[k2swat]

Added Apex contoller with WXM today. Trying to make my life easier. Maybe!

 

[k2swat]

Tank pretty much stable after 4 weeks of cycling. Ammonia ~0, Nitrite ~0, Nitrate ~2ppm. PH level is ~8.1.

Just add a pair of Lighten Maroon to the tank. Lets see how things goes.

 

[Webmanny]

very nice. great start.

 

[k2swat]

Took water parameter measurement again today.

Ammonia ~0ppm, Nitrite ~0ppm, Nitrate ~2ppm.

New parameters taking today Calcium ~470ppm, Phosphate ~.064ppm, Alkalinity ~8.7.

Calcium a little high but that should be okay. Hopefully I can keep these parameters stable around these current numbers.