Just picked up my first reef tank today. 50 gal true vue with stand compact lighting, pumps, power head, 100 lbs of cured live rock, timers, and a bunch of other supplies. I picked up the plumbing for a sump, returns, chiller and a skimmer. I got the tank cleaned out today. I was a little bummed because there are some scratches that I did not notice when i picked it up. But, it was up and running when I got it so when its filled I don't think they will be noticeable. I'll post some beginning picks of the project tomorrow. I'm going to do a live rock wall on the entire back of the tank. Construction will begin in the morning.
YEAH I got my first tank!!!!!!
- Thread starter pv1191
- Start date
InvaderJim
Coral Junkie
Congrats! Can't wait to see some pictures.
Try to polish those scratches out as best as you can. When you start getting algae growth, it is a real pain to get it out of those scratches. Be extra careful when you clean the tank not to get any sand on your cleaning tool(whatever it may be). Can you tell I am speaking from experience? That is why I will only have glass tanks from now on.
This is my first salt tank so I'm not too worried about 100% astetics. I just want to learn and do it step by step. It will likely end up in my son's room after I get it established and stocked. I already have an idea for what I want my next tank to be. It will just take some time and $$$$.
Can't quite figure out the photo upload yet so here is a link to the gallery. one tank photo one of the 100lbs of live rock. More to come.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=203537&papass=&sort=1&size=medium&thecat=
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=203537&papass=&sort=1&size=medium&thecat=
tiffrobbins
New member
Thats a nice looking little setup. I really like the look of your stand. Simple, but pretty.
InvaderJim
Coral Junkie
Wow that thing is nice. I've always liked the True Vue tanks because they are rimless and stuff. Can't wait for you to get stuff in there.
I can't wait either. I'm going to build a reef wall on the back of the tank. I should have the egg crate cut to size later tonight. The bulkhead will be in the top center so I'll need to drill the hole. Once that is done everything else shold be here and installed. Then its time for water, rock and sand.
InvaderJim
Coral Junkie
Sounds good. What are you planning on keeping in there?
mangus7175
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9283392#post9283392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pv1191
Thanks Tiff! My other half was not so impressed when I brought it home because our other furniture in that room is oak. But she's warming up to it.
Is it possible to add a finish to match the rest of your furniture?
Yes there is, but it looks fine and this tank will most likely end up in my son's room after I get it established. I already have ideas for a much bigger system for the living room.
I got all the plumbing finished today, pumps, bulk head, skimmer and sump are in. I'm letting it sit overnight for glue and tank seal to set up. Tomorrow I'll break up the live rock and build the reef wall for the back of the tank. The sand is cured and waiting, then water will added for the final leak test.
I did the leak check today and I had a problem. I turned the pumps on and I have too much return and not enough overflow. I have a 1 1/4" bulhead tied to a 1" hose that goes to the sump. I could only keep about 3" of water in the sump. The more I added to the sump the higher the level in the tank would rise. My return is hooked to a mag 12 (1250 GPH) to 3/4" hose then y connected with 3/4" hose and plumbing to two hydors. I am going to try a 1 1/4 " out to 1 1/2" hose for the overflow. I hope this will solve the problem. I had no clogs or kinks in the overflow. I hope this will work. The only other thing I can think of is to can the y connects and go to a single return or install a ball valve to control the flow. The pump specs were wrong. The directions showed a decrease in flow from 1250 GPH to about 900 GPH with the dual set up and the amount of hose I'm using. I think I should have studied more in math class. Any other suggestions?
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