Reeftanks6 90g reef build thread ( pic intense)
- Thread starter Reeftanks6
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melev
Well-known member
You can see pictures of these pumps online. They are in various threads here on RC, no double in Google Images...
Matter of fact, here you go:
http://images.google.com/images?gbv...snum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=koralia+pumps&spell=1
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&safe=off&q=tunze+pumps&btnG=Search+Images
Matter of fact, here you go:
http://images.google.com/images?gbv...snum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=koralia+pumps&spell=1
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&safe=off&q=tunze+pumps&btnG=Search+Images
Reeftanks6
Active member
Chrismunn sorry dont understand your question. Melev Thank you very mcuh. Also guys i dont think my skimmer is working right. Should i be wet skimming or dry skimming i will post pics around 4:00
RumLad
New member
RT6,
You really should have a firm idea what you want to keep in the tank before you go spending a lot on a light fixture.
It seems like you want to have mainly fish in this tank, correct? If that is the case, then the light should not be an expensive outlay.
You should consider whether it will be a canopy, a pendant or a sit on top style of light. Again, this all depends on the tank inhabitants.
Hows the SG today? 1.024 is my guess.
Are we putting the sand in tonight? Let us know if you need assistance with that.
Oh, and go with 2-3 Koralia 3's at this point. Let your uncle buy you a Tunze upgrade for christmas later on.
You really should have a firm idea what you want to keep in the tank before you go spending a lot on a light fixture.
It seems like you want to have mainly fish in this tank, correct? If that is the case, then the light should not be an expensive outlay.
You should consider whether it will be a canopy, a pendant or a sit on top style of light. Again, this all depends on the tank inhabitants.
Hows the SG today? 1.024 is my guess.
Are we putting the sand in tonight? Let us know if you need assistance with that.
Oh, and go with 2-3 Koralia 3's at this point. Let your uncle buy you a Tunze upgrade for christmas later on.
steelerguy
New member
Wow, there are some really nice and patient people here! I see so many good suggestions that just get tossed aside.
Reeftanks6, you don't really have anything in your tank that your skimmer is going to be pulling out right now. I would not assume your skimmer is broken, you tank is just sterile. So just let it run to get rid of any oils that may be in there, but don't expect to start pulling anything out. Once you add the sand, if you have it running, it will probably pull out the fine silt type sand that gets in the water column. You won't really start pulling anything out until you put live rock in there and start to cycle.
As far as the suggestion to get a refractometer, it is a good one. Hydrometers are notoriously inaccurate, so you may think yours is fine but it could be giving your inaccurate readings. I would definitely invest in one if you are serious about having a reef tank vs. a FOWLR.
You should also be a little more open to peoples suggestions. You have summarily dismissed many peoples concerns after you ask for help. Then you give these terse, dismissive answers, and wonder why your thread is "boring".
Reeftanks6, you don't really have anything in your tank that your skimmer is going to be pulling out right now. I would not assume your skimmer is broken, you tank is just sterile. So just let it run to get rid of any oils that may be in there, but don't expect to start pulling anything out. Once you add the sand, if you have it running, it will probably pull out the fine silt type sand that gets in the water column. You won't really start pulling anything out until you put live rock in there and start to cycle.
As far as the suggestion to get a refractometer, it is a good one. Hydrometers are notoriously inaccurate, so you may think yours is fine but it could be giving your inaccurate readings. I would definitely invest in one if you are serious about having a reef tank vs. a FOWLR.
You should also be a little more open to peoples suggestions. You have summarily dismissed many peoples concerns after you ask for help. Then you give these terse, dismissive answers, and wonder why your thread is "boring".
melev
Well-known member
I'd like to know more about your Reeftank6. How old are you, where are you located, and do you go to school or have a job?
I know I've been a tad hard on you and that is because it feels like I'm pulling teeth to get some substantial answers. If I knew more about you, I could tailor my posts better.
Worst case scenario, I'll just have Waterkeeper take over. :lol:
I know I've been a tad hard on you and that is because it feels like I'm pulling teeth to get some substantial answers. If I knew more about you, I could tailor my posts better.
Worst case scenario, I'll just have Waterkeeper take over. :lol:
Reeftanks6
Active member
lol thanks guys ok the salt is around 1.023 almost there i will add more. I want to do a reef tank sorry for not making that clear enough for you guys. Yes i will probably go with the Koralia 3's. I will not be puttting the sand in tonight. I am not sure about the skimmer i will post pics in a little. Melev I am a 15 year old been in the hobby for about 3 years know. I know how people feel about teenagers then dont listen they just do what they want iam not like that i take your advice in and i think about and try to do it. Just please dont think that because iam not like that. I live in Holland PA. And i go to school i do not have a job so thats why it is hard for me to get money. I get my money from going to work with my Dad. Also the light will be sitting on the tank
melev
Well-known member
That helps significantly. I really don't go out looking for ways to aggravate teenage hobbyists, and since you had 3 years experience I had a real hard time grasping why changing salinity is so difficult for you.
We have several teenagers in our club, one younger than you. He's doing a great job with his tank, and is very excited about his tank's progress. I hope you'll have the same success.
You've mentioned fish several times in this thread, but this is the first time you've mentioned you want to keep a reef.
Since you'll have the salinity up to where it belongs <b>by tonight</b> (right?), and adding the sand as well, let us know what lighting you hope to use.
We have several teenagers in our club, one younger than you. He's doing a great job with his tank, and is very excited about his tank's progress. I hope you'll have the same success.
You've mentioned fish several times in this thread, but this is the first time you've mentioned you want to keep a reef.
Since you'll have the salinity up to where it belongs <b>by tonight</b> (right?), and adding the sand as well, let us know what lighting you hope to use.
RumLad
New member
RT6,
I have a teenage son around your age. I know how they can be, trust me. He's the one that got me into this addiction.
Mind if I ask why you don't want to put the sand in tonight?
Just rinse it out in a bucket and pour it in the tank (after you have turned off the pump, of course). Once it's all in there, fire that pump back up and watch the fun start. You shouldn't get too much through the overflow, given the turnover in your tank right now. That will indeed be progress, no?
Do you have a source for more live rock yet, or will you be using base rock and the rock from your current tank?
I have a teenage son around your age. I know how they can be, trust me. He's the one that got me into this addiction.
Mind if I ask why you don't want to put the sand in tonight?
Just rinse it out in a bucket and pour it in the tank (after you have turned off the pump, of course). Once it's all in there, fire that pump back up and watch the fun start. You shouldn't get too much through the overflow, given the turnover in your tank right now. That will indeed be progress, no?
Do you have a source for more live rock yet, or will you be using base rock and the rock from your current tank?
Reeftanks6
Active member
The only reason i dont want to get the sand in tonight is becasue it is already alive and i dont have the light for it to survive and grow more. I would hope the salinity goes up today. the deal with the rock i am going to get my rock from the LFS it is great rock and great price only 2.89 a LB. But there will be base rock and then small pieces going up or i want to make an island look. Here is the link to the light. http://www.aquamartonline.com/01695_1_4_1584.html
steelerguy
New member
Don't worry about lighting with the sand. You may have "live" sand but it does not have anything in there that needs light, just bacteria that will hang around until you give it some nitrogen. Once it gets some ammonia in there it will start to multiply but again, it does not require any lighting to do this.
steelerguy
New member
A comment about that light you are considering:
I also purchased a Current USA fixture, it was a 36" with 4 T-5 actinic bulbs and 2 x 150W MH. I was not really satisfied with the color and I ended up replacing every bulb in there to the tune of $200 or so. I'm sure the light would have worked ok, but I know from reading some of the lighting forums that Current T5 bulbs are pretty low on PAR. You "may" be better off spending more up front, either by waiting and saving more than upgrading afterwards.
Regardless, the lights will certainly be good enough for fish, softies, and LPS. I just wanted to keep some SPS so upgraded the bulbs. If that is not in your immediate future, then the light will be fine I am sure.
I also purchased a Current USA fixture, it was a 36" with 4 T-5 actinic bulbs and 2 x 150W MH. I was not really satisfied with the color and I ended up replacing every bulb in there to the tune of $200 or so. I'm sure the light would have worked ok, but I know from reading some of the lighting forums that Current T5 bulbs are pretty low on PAR. You "may" be better off spending more up front, either by waiting and saving more than upgrading afterwards.
Regardless, the lights will certainly be good enough for fish, softies, and LPS. I just wanted to keep some SPS so upgraded the bulbs. If that is not in your immediate future, then the light will be fine I am sure.
Reeftanks6
Active member
Ok steelerguy i know what your talking about my uncle has this light its great and very bright and you just have to replace the bulbs every 6 months i am going to post some pics of the skimmer soon just to see if it running right. Hopefully i can get some good pics
Reeftanks6
Active member
OK here are some pics of the skimmer does it look like it is working fine so far i know theres not much to get out but for future reference's.
The bottom
http://www.aquamartonline.com/01695_1_4_1584.html
This is the collection cup
The bottom
http://www.aquamartonline.com/01695_1_4_1584.html
This is the collection cup
Reeftanks6
Active member
Ok sorry first pic did not show up wrong URL
The bottom part of the skimmer
The bottom part of the skimmer
MR PALM BEACH
New member
Nice fixture, I have the 4 bulb fixture. But I can tell you this and take this into consideration If you are useing a canopy your best bet would be retrofit. Here Is why the lenght of that fixture Is going to come real close to the inside of the canopy housing, yes It will fit but you will find that fixture will not do to well exhasting the heat. You will have to ad another fan beacuse the fixture housing will become very hot! Trust me Im about to turn my fixture into a retofit after I get some reflectors.
Congrats on your 90 gallon. That's a nice looking tank and should turn out very good. After reading through this thread I just had one quick clarification question--are you just pouring tap water into your tanks or are you using some kind of filtered water such as ro, etc. or some kind of chemical to neutralize chlorine, etc. in the tap water?
Reeftanks6
Active member
ok yea i wish i had the money to get the canopy know but i dont i think ill be fine my uncles tank is great and he gets most of his heat from the light. I used water from my hose but the water here is very clean and there should be know problem with the chlorine.
MR PALM BEACH
New member
Gotcha, as far as the water goes Its not just the chlorine there is other types of metal in the water that do get through.
Reeftanks6
Active member
yes that is true but my water where i live is very clean i dont think there well be any problems at least i hope theres not
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