Teddy's embarkment on the 55gal reef boat. Lets sail away!
- Thread starter teddyzaper
- Start date
teddyzaper
New member
No idea what sand. Thats research for the future, but i do plan like a 1" or less sandbed, basically only cosmetic.
I'm actually buying my salt water and RO water. The LFS is right down the street so i don't need an RO unit. I have one that just needs new filters if i end up wanting to use it, but for now going all LFS. I think i may go for it. I'm testing all the gasket fits and then i'll just smother the connections in pvc cement.
teddyzaper
New member
nice build bud~ I do enjoy seeing other ppl builds
almost time to start thinking about your stocking list!
I have some minor ideas. I actually really want a mated pair of golden maroon clowns, but then i wont be able to get much else. If i don't do that i'll be wanting to get 5+ clown gobies, and maybe a lawnmower blenny. Other than that not sure. Some smaller foreground fish like cardinals/anthias/chromis or something of the sort. Open to ideas!
jonnyu
New member
I will stay in away from reef flakes on sand. I'm having all sorts of problems with it looking bad. I had Fiji pink sand before and really liked it but it moves easy. So you have to be careful with the way you point power heads. FYI if you need powerhead there is someone selling some RW-8's on FMAS page on RC. I think like $30 or $40
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teddyzaper
New member
I got a pair of koralia 600gph power heads. I think eventually I'll go 2 mp10s. Any other recommendations on sand?
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homer1475
New member
Caribsea special reef grade sand. It has a nice mix of fine and larger particles that are just right for a reef. If you want to keep wrasses and such that burrow in the sand, then a finer sand is whats needed. The only problem with fine sand is it has a tendency to blow around.
PH's, while I really like my set of mp10's(ecotech's CS is second to none), they are a bit pricey and your stuck with whatever ecotech decides as proper flow patterns.
I also have a set of jebao pp8's, and with a controller(apex), the option for control ability is endless. Also they are over half the price of mp10's if you don't mind the look of the entire PH in the tank.
Nice looking build so far.
PH's, while I really like my set of mp10's(ecotech's CS is second to none), they are a bit pricey and your stuck with whatever ecotech decides as proper flow patterns.
I also have a set of jebao pp8's, and with a controller(apex), the option for control ability is endless. Also they are over half the price of mp10's if you don't mind the look of the entire PH in the tank.
Nice looking build so far.
teddyzaper
New member
I like the look of that sand. I think i'll go with it. Do you think 30lbs is enough, or should i just grab 40lbs? I did some math and it seems like 30lbs might be just right for a 1" bed.
teddyzaper
New member
Sitting at work and I get a notification that my brs box is at my house. Trying to find a way to sneak out early! (Just kidding, but I'm excited) heater, all the plumbing, a pad for my sump, and some other misc stuff! Next order will be testing supplies and then rock. Debating between brs pukani, TBS live rock, or Marcos rocks. Probably do Marcos and just buy a bunch extra so I have choices.
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teddyzaper
New member
What are your guys thoughts on plumbing? The ball valve from return going right is just extra. The other is my reactor. I've made it so that you can disconnect most of it via the union's. If you guys say it looks good I'll go ahead and glue it up! Btw that locline is a pita...
teddyzaper
New member
Already fixed some minor issues, the union on the back side was right next to the directional thingy which has its own unions, so i moved it down. Everything looks really nice, very glad i did blue tubing. Going to take off all the bar codes and stuff with acetone, then i may paint them black. Not sure yet as i don't really want to paint the unions just incase some gets in them, same with the ball valves. may look strange with just black 45/90s and white valves/unions.
teddyzaper
New member
Finalized plumbing. Happy with the results. Also did a bit of wiring, figured out how I want everything plugged in. Next will be cable management then sliding the tank in and sticking stuff inside! I'm debating between reef cleaner, and Marcos rocks. Ill probably pick up 50lbs as I want a minimal aquascape. Really wishing I had more room in the sump area, but for now this is what I got. Eventually I'm going to order a custom ATO/dosing container that fits a bit better.
Reef keeper online. I continue to be disappointed by it, but I'll at least give it a try for a while. May just swap to apex eventually. Also may not run pH probe yet.
Reef keeper online. I continue to be disappointed by it, but I'll at least give it a try for a while. May just swap to apex eventually. Also may not run pH probe yet.
teddyzaper
New member
Ordered ocean direct original size sand, 30lbs, red Sea aquarium starter, and 50lbs of reef cleaner rock. John at reef cleaner sent me a nice email and I gave him a little idea of what the aquascape plan is, I have high hopes for this rock! Looking at other auto top off containers as I don't think this one will hold enough water. I'd like one that can fit in a little ottoman or some other decent looking storage container off to the left side of the stand.
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teddyzaper
New member
Quicky update. Scrapped the ATO container that i had from the container store. The cabinet to the right of the aquarium got replaced with something bigger and i'll be using that for storage/ATO. Got a 10g glass tank with a lid in there for ATO now.
Ordered NO3/PO4 and CA/ALK/MAG test kits from red sea and the BRS refractometer.
Rock and sand should be coming in the next few days and i'll be doing aquascaping then.
Went to the LFS and it looks a little down. All SPS was bleached out and no polyps extended at all. Not a huge variety of choices for fish or corals, but the rest of the corals looked healthy and the fish all looked pretty decent.
Ordered NO3/PO4 and CA/ALK/MAG test kits from red sea and the BRS refractometer.
Rock and sand should be coming in the next few days and i'll be doing aquascaping then.
Went to the LFS and it looks a little down. All SPS was bleached out and no polyps extended at all. Not a huge variety of choices for fish or corals, but the rest of the corals looked healthy and the fish all looked pretty decent.
teddyzaper
New member
Got ATO tank installed. Cleaned up wiring, and pushed the tank into the final resting place. Received my red Sea cycling kit, my rock, and sand. Along with a huge thing of super glue which I managed to practically dunk my finger in along with it splashing all over my hand. That was a fun hour removing it...
FTS
Right side arch. Really like this side. Notice the left most rock is a bit shady, should be. Nice spot for some really low light pieces
Left side, nice little cave network and a great flat piece for when I attempt sps
From the top. A little disappointed with the light spread, but I can't really complain as they were cheap! Im eyeballing the ap700. Don't tell anyone though
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FTS
Right side arch. Really like this side. Notice the left most rock is a bit shady, should be. Nice spot for some really low light pieces
Left side, nice little cave network and a great flat piece for when I attempt sps
From the top. A little disappointed with the light spread, but I can't really complain as they were cheap! Im eyeballing the ap700. Don't tell anyone though
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teddyzaper
New member
She is wet and running! Had a crack in a 90degree fitting, but it was on the emergency so I just shut that off and opened the main all the way to repair. No leaks at all now! Figuring out the ATO and reef keeper, but mainly 
. It's a huge relief to see it actually working. I love the sand I picked. I'll be starting the red Sea mature kit tomorrow. For now lights are on as per the directions. Gotta figure out the wavemaker setting on reef keeper along with heating probe.
Gotta say, it's very loud. I'll need to work on that. I know it's partly because i haven't started the Herbie yet and just have main fully opened and also the return pump is touching the sump wall. Gotta get some rubber piece for that. Next up is cycle, stand panels, and CUC!
Side note, my red Sea nitrate/phosphate kit came shattered/leaking. Thankfully brs was right on it and the replacement is en route! Great service as always.
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. It's a huge relief to see it actually working. I love the sand I picked. I'll be starting the red Sea mature kit tomorrow. For now lights are on as per the directions. Gotta figure out the wavemaker setting on reef keeper along with heating probe.Gotta say, it's very loud. I'll need to work on that. I know it's partly because i haven't started the Herbie yet and just have main fully opened and also the return pump is touching the sump wall. Gotta get some rubber piece for that. Next up is cycle, stand panels, and CUC!
Side note, my red Sea nitrate/phosphate kit came shattered/leaking. Thankfully brs was right on it and the replacement is en route! Great service as always.
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teddyzaper
New member
So looks like light upgrade will be coming very shortly. The amount of light in my house is too much, so looking at a hood + new lights. Suggestions?
teddyzaper
New member
I went out and purchased a canopy for my tank as the light spread is so annoying at night. $200 at my LFS, jeeze. To make it worse i had the front desk people take it up to my apt and they droped it! :furious: :furious: :furious: :furious: :furious:
There is a giant dent in the corner of it, that happens to be the most visible corner also. If it was the back i'd only be a little ****ed. Talking to the office monday about getting it replaced. Lets see how this plays out.
On a brighter note, just picked up 2 AI Hydra 26HD used on the for sale section here. Will be replacing these big chinese boxes with them. Anyone want some chinese boxes for a good price, let me know!
There is a giant dent in the corner of it, that happens to be the most visible corner also. If it was the back i'd only be a little ****ed. Talking to the office monday about getting it replaced. Lets see how this plays out.
On a brighter note, just picked up 2 AI Hydra 26HD used on the for sale section here. Will be replacing these big chinese boxes with them. Anyone want some chinese boxes for a good price, let me know!
