So it begins, 110 build

[bugj51]

For those who didn't read my intro, I moved here about 5 years ago from SC where I had a 120 mixed reef. Since my niece likes pink fish, the wife said I could start a new tank. I have accumulated a few parts mainly from other reefers getting out or upgrading and because I am picking up a used tank tomorrow, now is as good a time as any to start a build thread. Never done one before but...I have been out of the hobby for a few years and brain dumped most of the stuff. Feel free to chime in. I would like to keep a couple SPS but mainly LPS and softies. So far my fish list is:

-1 ocellaris clowns
-1 yellow watchman, hopefully pair with pistol
-1* cleaner shrimp
-1 citron goby
-1 Anthias either bimaculatus anthias or barletts (never kept anthias before, I understand they can be difficult to keep...?)
-1 Some sort of tang or foxface
-1 red scooter dragonet or spotted dragonet(assuming pod populations are satisfactory)

I love tusks but a 4' is too small. I was going to do a flame angel, but I guess the dwarf angels like LPS. So I was looking for another decent size fish to put in there in place of the tang/foxface.

So items I have obtained:
-Skimmer, read about the SC 303 on RC and found it was pretty awesome and pretty cheap
-Return pump, Mag 9.5
-Refractomoter
-Heater
-Phos and Alk test kits
-Fuge light
-Salt mixing pump

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Items being picked up:
-Tank, stand and canopy
-Nano Extreme 8 bulb T5 light
-Sump

Items in shipping:
-Glass Holes 1500 overflow kit
-Glass Holes 3/4 return kit
-4 Koralia Evolution 1400 pumps

Items needed to start:
-RO-DI unit
-Plumbing parts
-Baffles (sump)
-Salt
-LS
-LR
-Nitrite, Nitrate and Ammonia Test kits

Items to be acquired during cycle:
-Apex controller
-New t5 bulbs
-Hydor wave controller
-Another heater

Here's where the tank will sit
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Let me know what I'm missing

[Mr Cob]

Looks like you are off to a great start, I look forward to your build.

What's the dimensions on the 110? I didn't see any mention of your sump plans but you did mention items relating to the sump/fuge...one coming in with the 110?

[bugj51]

thanks cob

the 110 will be 48x18x30

the sump/fuge will be 30 gal 36" tank. i was just going to use acrylic for the baffles. i used glass in the past, and had it cut for me. thought acrylic would be easier and can pick it up from HD.

also need to get some sort of ATO

[Mr Cob]

If the sump/fuge is glass it would be a better seal to use glass as the baffles. If it's acrylic then acrylic baffles would be best.

[reefreak]

Someone on here has a tunze ato for around $80

[Scutterborn]

Someone on here has a tunze ato for around $80

Goofball had an ELOS osmolator for 80. I don't recall seeing a Tunze.


- Ben -

[350gt]

My flame has been a angel in my 110... Literally.

[Scutterborn]

My flame has been a angel in my 110... Literally.

Lmbo!


- Ben -

[reefreak]

Oh lol and do you have pics of the tank?

[bugj51]

ha, ill have pics later today. im out and about gathering from members

[bugj51]

Thanks to Tristan, Kyle and Tuan, I got the tank, stand, canopy, light fixture and sump today.
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Anybody see an issue with leaving the tank outside for a few days? I don't think it will be a problem and the sun only shines in the back a few hours a day. The UV would be good to help sterilize.

Will be ordering a RO-DI unit and salt this week.

During the week or on the weekend I'll be painting the stand and canopy black and inside the canopy white. The overflow should also be coming in this week, so I'll be drilling it as well.

As for the sump, I've only ever had glass cut for me, I've never cut glass myself. Should I attempt it? Would it just be easier to pay $40 and have 5 pieces cut? Who in town cuts glass cheap? The sump will go:

Skimmer => Fuge => Return

Would it be wise to plumb a manifold off the return when plumbing? I don't plan on running anything but just in case?

[Zen Reef]

Nice Jason! Was good to meet ya. Glad it worked out with the tank. That brick is solid..I had to move it several times..lol. Looking forward to the build.

[Zen Reef]

For my sump and the one we're putting together for Kyle I used binswagner glass. They seem pretty reasonable and the cuts are accurate. Just be sure to tell them to smooth the edges. They're off of 35 and AT&T parkway.

[350gt]

I might have some paint for the inside of the canopy leftover... I can check tomorrow if you are interested..

I used a pricey dockside boat paint and some kilz primer.....

[bugj51]

Thanks guys.

I was just going to use some outdoor white paint on the inside of the canopy. I'm sure yours will last longer but maybe that'll be a reason to upgrade, the canopy fell apart :D

[bugj51]

I received the overflow kit a couple days ago and tonight I drilled for the first time.

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Not too difficult, would do it again. Tomorrow is paint and cleaning. Long work days make for slow progress.

[bugj51]

Tonight was painting night:

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I also got my order from BRS:

16102

I think I might do 75lbs of Pukani rock and maybe like 25-40lbs live rock from an LFS. I like that the way the Pukani looks. I know there could potentially be some phosphates, but I think I can just deal with it. Anybody have Pukani and have an issue?

[bugj51]

Got the sump baffles silicone'd in yesterday. Also got the overflowbox and returns in. Finally, I cleaned the front glass and 2 sides.

Today I plumbed the whole thing. Tomorrow is leak test. Then we'll see about getting LR and LS.

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[350gt]

Looks good, sump looks really good...

[reefreak]

looks good it looks a bit wider than a 110

[bugj51]

thanks guys

it's a 48". The 30" height is not that great. I'm 6'3 and can barely reach the bottom, nvm with the canopy on top.

[bugj51]

The shortness of this update in no way reflects the work I've been doing.

After the leak test I found 1 very small leak and fixed it. I also ordered and received 108lbs of dry rock and 160lbs of sand from Marcorocks.

After visiting ER for salt, I started making water, by the bucket....I forgot that is kinda PITA. At this time, the rock work is pretty much done and tank almost 2/3 full.

No pics b/c the water is cloudy.

[bugj51]

So I started the cycle on Sunday. 3 cocktail shrimps in some pantyhose. Had a dead fish smell on Monday, gone on Tuesday. Started getting numbers on tests:

Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: somewhere between 0 and .1
Nitrate: somewhere between 0 and 2
Salinity: 1.024
Temp: 78

I'm using the Salifert test kits.

I'm in no hurry here but nice to see some numbers show up so quickly.

Also big thanks to alton, I now have a MH retro fit. Will be adding fish first, so bulbs and assembly can wait for awhile. Plus I got some electrical info, fo free.

I'll post pics soon.

[Scutterborn]

Alton is a great guy for sure.


- Ben -

[bugj51]

Quick update, just waiting on the cycle.

Ammonia: .5
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 10

Getting Nitrates so the bacteria is there.

Water is still cloudy after 7 days. It's definitely clearing up. Everyday I can see more and more of the rock work.

[350gt]

Good to see your taking it slow and doing it the right way.

[bugj51]

Thanks for hanging around

Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 1
Nitrate: 50

I also ordered an Apex controller and some other items, labor day sales!!! ATO tank is being built as well.

Is .5 a big enough ammonia spike? Been cycling with the lights off so far. When the Apex comes I'll start using the lights.

[ElChicano]

Just give the cycle some time. Mine took 5 weeks to balance out.

[bugj51]

Dropped in 4 more shrimp this morning before work, just to see what would happen. My Ammonia didn't spike yet, if it did it happened while I was at work. My Nitrites are so high the card doesn't have the shade of purple :D. Seriously though, it is the highest the test kit measures. The Nitrates are also the highest the card measures. Guess I'll have to do some extra water changes before adding anything when the cycle is complete. This is also day 4 of lights on, I'm manually turning them on and off. The tank looks sterile, no signs of algae. I'd post a pic but I stirred up the sand again. This weekend will be 2 weeks cycling.

Ammonia: <.25
Nitirite: 4
Nitrate: 100
Salinity: 1.022
Temp 78

[OUCH!]

looking good and good luck with it all

[bugj51]

thanks

[bugj51]

Tank is still cycling. Still no ammonia and a ton nitrites and nitrates.

I'm going to be using 2x 15K 175w MH with 2 48" actinics. In fact, I just bought 2x 48" ATI blue plus from ER. I really don't want to fork over the money to run a chiller, if I don't have to. So I'm going to DIY a 4 fan array to mount to the back of the canopy and hook it up to the Apex with some sort of temperature alert. The whole fan array will cost about $20.

Also here is a pic of the rock work and sand. Little cloudy b/c I dumped the top off water too much and stirred the sand, plus the back wall has a layer sand dust on it. On the left there is a door into the room, so you see the open water and the left side of the tank when you walk into the room. Also, ignore the pantyhose.

[zaquanh_09]

what mh bulbs are you using? im looking to change mine , want more of a crisper white light

[bugj51]

The light on there right now is a 8 bulb (4white & 4 blue) T5 fixture so that's not a representation of the MH. I'm into the blue look so I'm going 15K. The big frag tank at ER has 14K with some actinic supplement. It's a pretty nice white, not too blue. I'm not really an expert on MH though.

[bugj51]

So I've got a problem. Up until a few days ago I didn't have all my equipment running. Well, I've turned everything on and my temperature is at 84. This with only T5s running. I still need to add the MHs which will knock the temperature up further. I don't have any heaters plugged in and my temperature is just sitting at 84, on a digital and analog thermometer. I keep my house between 72-74. The room the tank is in is a little hotter b/c I have some servers running generating heat. I'm not totally sure how much hotter the room is, it is noticeable not unbearable. I'm running a Mag 9.5 for return, 4 koralia 1400 pumps and a SC 303 skimmer along with a small fuge light and the 8 bulb T5s.

I don't want to face the truth that I'm going to have to drop 400+ dollars on a chiller. Somebody tell me there is some magic and I don't have to purchase one.

[Flyride95]

So..... Yea I think your going to need a chiller

[bugj51]

Thanks Fly, you're always there when I need you.

[Flyride95]

Lmao anytime. Honestly unless some pump or power head is hot for whatever the reason your going to néed to get a chiller. Unless you can tell if one of those is getting hot then thank the heavens. I've only had one pump in the past get really warm/hot.

[bugj51]

I have a feeling it's the Mag 9. I've heard they can get hot. I'm going to start unplugging things, if I get to the end and only the Mag is running...welp...

It also turns out I'm not a chemist, good thing I'm in IT. I was viewing my Salifert tests from the side of the vial, which after reading the instructions more thoroughly, amplifies the readings 10 fold. Only when the results are are minute should you view from the sides. I've adjusted my spreadsheet accordingly. Turns out my numbers aren't so high.

Also got an early B-day present in the mail. The Apex controller, T5 retrofit and what was suppose to be a Hydor wave controller, turns out they sent me the "Sicce Wave Surfer".

[reefreak]

if i were you i would ditch the mag and go with a sicce.

[RayAllen]

IMO

Ive run mag pumps for years and have not had any problems from heat do to using them, as well as countless other reefers. I sware by them.

The temp you keep your house and where you have the tank can influrence temps also. My house is always 74-75 year round which helps keep the tank temp stable. airflow over the surface of the water both of the aquarium and the sump is important.

Id buy a cheap clamp fan from walmart and attatch it in your stand to blow in the sump. ive done this on several aquariums and it helps alot. computer fans really do not move enough air to cool the water. i put my fans on a timers.

ive kept aquariums of all sizes over the last 10years+ and have never needed a chiller...

[bugj51]

I might have to, I also got the Mag used. However, I unplugged the powerheads for about 20 minutes and dropped 2 degrees. I'm going to run them in pairs over night for the next 2 nights and see the results.

[bugj51]

I'll probably do that Ray. A $10 fan is worth testing IMO.

[bugj51]

The cycle has been complete for a little while. I added the CUC a couple weeks ago. I now have a YMG, yay. I also picked up a chiller so my heat issues are solved. The fan simply was not enough to evap cool the water. I needed something like 8+ degree drop. Was running about 80 with no lights on. The Apex does a good job of regulating the chiller. If you have the means, get a controller, highly recommended.