Gelo's new tank

[tsinkoy]

I have started on my journey to attaining FOWLR-hood.

Yesterday, I filled up my 75gallon not-reefready tank with water, and added salt. I turned on the powerheads (2 maxijets 1200) to help the salt dissolve. Hygrometer readings read on the low side (1.016) but I think that should be ok, since the temperature was at 70degF.

I placed a heater on there today and added in my live sand and live rock. I think I might have 40lbs of live sand and about 25lbs of live rock.

I meant to take a picture, but since after adding the sand, the water has been cloudy, and all you see is almost milky-white water. I still have the powerheads on because I want the tank to heat up uniformly.

I intend to keep the temperature at 82degF, and will turn off the powerheads later so the sand can settle.

Any advice would be helpful and greatly appreciated.

 

[NYreefNoob]

tank

out of curiousity, why didnt you pre mix the salt and water ? and why 82 degree's on the tank as well as why didnt you put the sand in and then add water ?

 

[tsinkoy]

Why didn't I pre-mix the salt and water? I don't have a container big enough to mix in at least 5 gallons of water. What I did was add salt to about 50G of water in the tank, and utilized the powerheads to help dissolve.

Why didn't I add the sand first, then add the water? For one, I didn't have pre-mixed water. Another is, I had live sand, and I didn't want to place the live sand into the aquarium when the salt wasn't mixed in yet. I figured that the organisms in the live sand were halophiles, and actually need the salinity in order to live. I didn't want to compromise that.


The reason I'm setting the temp to be at 82degF is that I want the tank to cycle faster. Also, 82degF is not exactly the upper limit for temps (from my readings, it's a little bit above average), so I thought it would be optimal. I also heeded the advice on temps from a previous question I asked on cycling and temps.

 

[tsinkoy]

It's been almost 48 hours, and it hasn't cleared up yet!

should I stop running my powerheads? I was told to keep it running for circulation.

 

[Deanos]

Keep them running. Once bacteria has coated the particles, they will settle out. Be patient.

 

[tsinkoy]

Thanks. Will do.

 

[masterswimmer]

I don't have a container big enough to mix in at least 5 gallons of water. What I did was add salt to about 50G of water in the tank, and utilized the powerheads to help dissolve.

Good luck on your new setup. I wanted to comment on your statement here. Please be sure to get AT LEAST a 5 gallon bucket to pre mix saltwater for water changes. When your system is live you don't want to add salt to the tank directly. You ALWAYS want to do your water changes with pre mixed saltwater (preferably aged at least 24 hrs).

Like Dean said, patience and your milkshake will clear up. Yeah, it is painfully slow, but it will be clear before you know it.

Post some pix, we'd love to see your setup.

Russ

 

[tsinkoy]

Thanks Russ. I will be acquiring a 5G bucket soon. I think the salt bucket will work too. Have to do my calculations.

Thanks!

I'm going to try to take some pics as soon as I get set-up.

 

[Awibrandy]

Thanks Russ. I will be acquiring a 5G bucket soon. I think the salt bucket will work too. Have to do my calculations.

Thanks!

I'm going to try to take some pics as soon as I get set-up.

PICs PICs PICs PICsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

Gelo, I have a bunch of 5 gallon buckets. You can have one of mine. I can probably even drow in a lid. Just let me know...

And my very best wishes for a healthy FOWLR!!

 

[tsinkoy]

Thanks Awi!

I will take pictures ASAP.

 

[tsinkoy]

some photos...

I realized that I am in no way a good photographer when it comes to immobile objects. lol.

here's a couple of photos of my tank and overflow box (Quietflo from DrGonzo).

I haven't set up my plumbing yet, as I am not decided on what to use. Either PVC or the flexible type. Any thoughts on this?

 

[crox99]

Is it me or those baffles aren't straight?

 

[nycsicktank]

Is it me or those baffles aren't straight?

i was like EHHH? :banghead:

 

[noodleman]

Is it me or those baffles aren't straight?

straight baffles are so last season :p besides don't think it makes much of a difference

 

[tsinkoy]

I am so sorry. BUT, what are baffles?

 

[masterswimmer]

I am so sorry. BUT, what are baffles?

The glass/acrylic panels between each sump chamber, between overflow, skimmer, fuge, return. Bottom line, just a piece of material used for separating the compartments.

swimmer

 

[tsinkoy]

lol. I am embarassed. by it.

---

On other news, I came home tonight, and the tank's cleared up! After 11 days! I also checked my live rock, and there's stuff growing in them. Green and red stuff. I think they're called coralline algae?

I definitely need to get my plumbing work done in order for my tank to start cycling faster. Any thoughts on which is better to use, PVC or some other flexible tubing?

My criteria for the plumbing is that it can be easily disguised (since I want the tank to be viewed on three sides), would be immobile and secure (we have cats in the apartment), no vibrations, easy to work with, and cheap.

Thanks.


P.S. Can vinyl hoses be used with my return pump? I wasn't sure if vinyl is saltwater/aquarium safe and I saw a roll at HD for $12 for 10ft. Thanks again.

 

[masterswimmer]

If you're looking to go cheap, yes, you can use vinyl tubing as your return line.
When we do setups, we almost exclusively use flexible pvc. It is much more forgiving than rigid pvc. It is just as easy to work with and looks fine.

BTW, congrats on it finally clearing up.

Russ

 

[tsinkoy]

Thanks Russ.

----

As for my plumbing, I am also looking into making the flow rate out of my return line adjustible. Is there some way I can do this with the vinyl tubing?

Also, I was at HD the other day, and I didn't see flexible PVC. Is that what it's called?

If you're looking to go cheap, yes, you can use vinyl tubing as your return line.
When we do setups, we almost exclusively use flexible pvc. It is much more forgiving than rigid pvc. It is just as easy to work with and looks fine.

BTW, congrats on it finally clearing up.

Russ

 

[masterswimmer]

HD doesn't sell flexible pvc. Lowe's does

You can use vinyl tubing with a barbed x threaded fitting to add a ball valve. This will allow you to adjust the return flow rate.

Russ

Thanks Russ.

----

As for my plumbing, I am also looking into making the flow rate out of my return line adjustible. Is there some way I can do this with the vinyl tubing?

Also, I was at HD the other day, and I didn't see flexible PVC. Is that what it's called?