Want to get his right

[viper83065]

We started a 40 gallon saltwater tank in May and we have out grown it. So I found a used 120 gallon and a return pump. Recruited some resources and we all have been working on many aspects of the build. My stand is just about finished and now I am starting to layout the sump. So here are some pictures of what's done now. We have been making rock for the new tank out of white Portland cement, crushed coral and oyster shells and have it curing for the tank PH is dropping but not there yet. Please if you have any recommendations or you see I am making a mistake let me know.

 

[viper83065]

pictures of the stand

pictures of the stand

i painted the inside of the stand and lid with fiberglass resin to help prevent water damage

 

[Tecnomantis]

Look for rotating WaveMaker on amazon

Enviado desde mi SM-N910C mediante Tapatalk

 

[whosurcaddie]

Ditch the rock with oyster shells. The oyster shells will leach phosphate over the life of the tank. It will be a phosphate nightmare.

Just buy some calcium carbonate dry rock.

I can't emphasize this enough, do not use man made rock with oyster shells!

Buy some dry rock and add it all to one container a brute trash can will work. Add a couple powerheads and dose lanthanum chloride every couple of days. (The strongest kind from SeaKlear is fine) https://www.amazon.com/HaloSource-S...1474795308&sr=8-1&keywords=seaklear+phosphate

Completely change the water every two weeks. Continue this for eight weeks. You will be phosphate free and the rock will be cycled and ready to go. If you skip this expect to pay a fortune in GFO and have ugly's for months on end.

Good Luck and welcome to Reef Central.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Looking good :thumbsup:

There is a lot of information in the sticky with the red arrow in this forum called Setting Up. Great read and easy to find the info you're looking for. It's laid out like a book with many chapters.

I think you're off to a good start, just remember to take things slowly. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby!

 

[kmbyrnes]

Great start. It appears you are having a lot of fun.
Take your time and enjoy the process.

 

[whosurcaddie]

Crushed oyster shells are used as a fertilizer! For the love of all that is holy do not use oyster shells. You will literally be fertilizing the algae in your tank.

 

[Sk8r]

You need aragonite sand, which supports the tank's chemistry. CaribSea is a good brand, either live or dry. If you get dry, you will need a garden hose, a 5 gallon bucket and a LOT Of water to get the dust out before using. Definitely get the dust out!!!!

 

[lockdown52]

@whosurcaddie gave you an important nugget. Skip the oyster shells! At about 23 months using rock made with them in a 40 breeder, I grew hair algae instead of corals!

 

[viper83065]

Ditch the rock with oyster shells. The oyster shells will leach phosphate over the life of the tank. It will be a phosphate nightmare.

Just buy some calcium carbonate dry rock.

I can't emphasize this enough, do not use man made rock with oyster shells!

Buy some dry rock and add it all to one container a brute trash can will work. Add a couple powerheads and dose lanthanum chloride every couple of days. (The strongest kind from SeaKlear is fine) https://www.amazon.com/HaloSource-S...1474795308&sr=8-1&keywords=seaklear+phosphate

Completely change the water every two weeks. Continue this for eight weeks. You will be phosphate free and the rock will be cycled and ready to go. If you skip this expect to pay a fortune in GFO and have ugly's for months on end.

Good Luck and welcome to Reef Central.

OK, now i am concerned please understand i am not questioning your advise. but i want to understand the SeaKlear will remove phosphates from the dry rock you recommended. But will it not do the same for the oyster shell rock i made. this picture will show you why i am proud and this news is disappointing at the same time I made 2 of these to cover my overflows and they look awesome to me and now i should not use them. I am just making sure before i trash them i will follow the advise i am given or i would be asking for it and wasting your time thanks again for the help i am very appreciative of it just wanted to follow up

 

[viper83065]

@whosurcaddie gave you an important nugget. Skip the oyster shells! At about 23 months using rock made with them in a 40 breeder, I grew hair algae instead of corals!

yes i know and i am grateful trust me i don't want to start off wrong which was stated in the title. thanks for sharing you info as well.

 

[viper83065]

we are and loving the hobby and watching all the things going on in the tank is more fun then watching TV.