Smiddy's 260 build

[rds85]

aquascape

aquascape

I will be adding some of the rock from my current 120 so don't be to harsh on me quite yet!

Only some of these are glued/cemented/rod together. So it is subject to change.

It is hard to see the depth ect in the photo my apologies.








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[boon the goon]

do u have any extra 1 inch union ball valves?

 

[rds85]

do u have any extra 1 inch union ball valves?

Let me check when I get home from work today.

 

[rds85]

Protein Skimmer

Protein Skimmer

I tried to provide a size measurement. But I don't know if this does it any justice. It is a monster.

I also was able to hang my lighting rail for my radions last night. I will update photos tonight.

boon: I do not have any valves left. Just a ton of unions SCH 80.

 

[krazysvede]

Looks awesome Ryan! What are you going to be lighting this bad boy with?

 

[rds85]

Looks awesome Ryan! What are you going to be lighting this bad boy with?

I am lighting this up with 4 radions XR30 Pros. I got there light rail with rms attachments and hung it within the canopy.

 

[rds85]

Skimmer Stand

Skimmer Stand

 

[rds85]

Hung up light rail for four radions with wide angle

Hung up light rail for four radions with wide angle

 

[boon the goon]

Unions would still be much needed

I tried to provide a size measurement. But I don't know if this does it any justice. It is a monster.

I also was able to hang my lighting rail for my radions last night. I will update photos tonight.

boon: I do not have any valves left. Just a ton of unions SCH 80.

 

[rds85]

Boon: When you come over today I will just give you some then.

 

[rds85]

The downside of having a big tank

The downside of having a big tank

It has taken me several days to fill almost all these totes with extra salty water (45ppt) to fill the tank then just hook the RODI to even the salinity out and top off the other half of the DT. Sand and water should be in tomorrow or Sunday!

 

[rds85]

Warm and Salty!

Warm and Salty!

I was able to put two of my four radions up, as well as fill the tank with some water. It is the beginning of the cycle starting tomorrow. Only had two leaks HA, but got them fixed.

I am going to using my marine pure block as a live rock additive from current tank to help with the cycle. I will also use some live rock from my current tank as well use Dr.Tims one and only bacteria and ammonia since it is free.
Hopefully the cycle is more than 2-3 weeks with the variety of sources of bacteria.

 

[VoiceInTheDeser]

Looking really good, man.

 

[rds85]

Looking really good, man.

Thank you! I need to get better photos the iphone just doesn't do justice sometimes.

 

[spscrackhead]

Hopefully your cycle goes quickly.
I am dying over here waiting for mine!

 

[rds85]

Hopefully your cycle goes quickly.
I am dying over here waiting for mine!

That is why I am glad I have so much to use from my 120 to help speed it up. Ammonia went from 2ppm Monday to 0 last night do I dosed another round of Ammonia. If I get 3 more of these readings I will be done and ready for 2 fish haha. I am like actually convinced the marine pure 4" thick block works great of applications like these!

 

[rds85]

Still cycling... Did all my clean up work for wiring, equipment ect. Now I am actually saving some money versus spending it that is a plus

 

[rds85]

Update: Two weeks with water

Update: Two weeks with water

I am happy to say the cycle has completed! Took two weeks on the button. Used Dr.Tims One and Only & Ammonia, Live rock from my 120, and marine pure blocks from my 120.

This weekend I was able to transfer over my biocube/refugium tank to the 260 surprisingly enough it only took 3-4 hours to the entire transfer and plumbing. I did not sterilize the biocube before adding to my 260. I did not have any hitchhikers or algae that gave me any concerns from my 120. That is the reason for the direct transfer. The only goal I have with the biocube is pod production as well as a small safe haven tank for new fish to adjust to my water. ( I would prefer to build a QT system but... I don't have the room as of right now and I need one larger enough (55gal min) to actually be suitable for the tangs and possible Harlequin tusk for a month. A 10 gallon with not fly.)

Yesterday I was able to capture two chromis and a PJ cardinal fish (soon to be mother-in-law's favorite fish that she bought me and demanded I must keep it for the big tank.. ) from my 120 and place them in the 260. As of this morning everything is alive and doing fine. In all honesty I was dosing enough to raise the ammonia to 2-3ppm during the cycle. I am a little hesitant to say that these three tiny fish might cause the bacteria population to decrease the biological filtration due to small amounts of ammonia excreted from their gills. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Its not easy to catch fish in my 120 so the transfer process will be slow which will help with this.

PHOTOS of the garage "want-to-be fish room" :

 

[mic209]

Great looking system! There is a great group of reefers right up the i40 in Mohave county, if you're on FB look them up "Mohave aquarium hobbyists". My buddy Jesse has some nice SPS and they're always trading and swapping.

 

[rds85]

Great looking system! There is a great group of reefers right up the i40 in Mohave county, if you're on FB look them up "Mohave aquarium hobbyists". My buddy Jesse has some nice SPS and they're always trading and swapping.

Thank you!

I do have a facebook just don't use them very often. I will look it up. Are you guys over by Vegas somewhere? Or havasue?