Starting a 240 gallon.. Follow Along!

[Reefdrumz]

Hi Gang!

Okay, here goes

I am adding a 55g fuge and a 100g (probably) sump to my system which is currently a 120g and a 20g sump.

My question is this.. Do I have to cycle these new additions? or can I just hook it all up and go with it? I plan on putting a DSB in the fuge and probably about 40- 50 pounds of live rock (cured).
I don't think I will add the rock immediately though.

Any thoughts on this would be great!

Thanks!

 

[scarletknight06]

If the rock is cured. I would keep it cooking/curing in a seperate tub and just add peices of it slowly, making sure there is no cycle or anything. you know we're going to need pictures!

 

[blange3]

I would let the sand cycle until it settles and the fuge is clear before I ran it in line. Then I'd follow Jonathan's advice about the rock.

Heck with the pictures, we'll bring beer and see it in person!

 

[JohnS_323]

Hey Brian, Shout it you need any help. I'd be glad to lend a hand if you need it. I don't know a whole lot about how and when to intergrate stuff, but I make a mean glue fitting (most of the time!)

 

[concept3]

Brian, this is what I would do:

Get everything ready and plumbed up, but do not open the valve that leads up to your tank. Mix up your salt water in your fuge (no sand and rock yet) and open it up so it would be like doing a water change. Let it run fow a few days and then shut off the return feed. I would then add the sand in your fuge and the cured liverock. Keep that separate for a week or two just so you can monitor what is going on in there. this should also enable you to see if the water goes through a mini-cycle. If everything goes well, change the water in your sump/fuge for just in cases.

Open up your return feed at 1/4 to let both waters stabilize, if everything goes well that week, open it up full throttle and you should be running with minimal hassle.

Like I said, this is what I would do...I did something rather similar when i switched from my 55 gallon + 5 gallon sump to the current 75 gallon + 30 gallon frag + 15 gallon sump.

 

[Reefdrumz]

Once those shelves are up and I find I sump, I'll buy the beer and pizza and whoever wants to come and help (or watch) is welcome to.

Hopefully in about 2 weeks I will have the shelves up... Also need to find some of the spa flex pvc. Does Lowe's or HD sell it?

 

[Marcelog]

I've seen the spaflex at both HD and Lowes, but it's not cheap. Better off ordering online, unless you only need a foot or two.

Marcelo -

 

[Reefdrumz]

Thanks Everyone for the tips.. Where do you order the spa flex online from? I dont think I would need more than 10'. Is it even worth it?

Now about starting it up again.. This is confusing me a little bit.
I am going to split my return pump line.. going to fuge and to the main tank. If I cut off the fuge what should I use for circulation in there while it is cycling? A hang on filter? Powerheads?

Thanks Again!

 

[Phyl]

I just started it all up. BAM. Good luck.

 

[Reefdrumz]

I was waiting to hear what you were going to say about that whole setup of yours... That sounds easy! BAM. That's my way of reefing...lol

 

[camz28]

i would use a hof and definite power heads and a heater and see what your #s are and go from there opening the valve a little at the time and of course add some lr and if you have a small skimmer put it in so that it will take the junk out from the lr good luck and keep us posted

Ralph

 

[steve68]

brian when i hooked up my new refugium what i did was put the sand in the rock & the water & i used a power head for circulation & a filter i made to clean the sand storm, it ran like this for 3 days before it was nice & clear & thats when i put the macro in & open the valve it was a nice 125 gallon water ghange

 

[Reefdrumz]

I think that is what I will do...seems the easiest thing to do.

Steve... Did you put a ball valve or anything on the line that ran from the fuge to the tank?

 

[tabndust]

put ball valves every where you might ever want to control or shut off flow

 

[Phyl]

Use the union ball valves. We used them everywhere we thought we might some day want to take the pipe apart. They're EVERYWHERE.

 

[JohnS_323]

Union Ball Valves are the way to go. They are a little extra money but definitely worth it. From a peace of mind standpoint alone.

 

[Reefdrumz]

Another good tip.. thanks guys.

If I end up using the spa flex tubing.. All the normal PVC fittings and glue are compatible correct?

 

[concept3]

yes they will stick.

I third the union ball valves. Lowes has both the Spa flex and TU ball valves.

 

[steve68]

yes brian i have true single sided ball valve union i bought them at lowes, if u look at the picture u can see under the new tank the true union going up & it is closed off & i have another one that is going back in to the sump to devert the water that should be going in to the refugium for now.
when i used the pvc cement i also used the purple primer on the flex pipe & i goop it on.

 

[Reefdrumz]

Man.. I am not looking forward to this trip to Lowes. Or should I say 12 trips!