220g Reef Tank Build

[Durk]

I got some nice dry pukani from BRS for about 3 bucks a pound - I cured it right in the new build display tank (3weeks) and seeded with some purple coraline that came from the LFS. BRS shipped me the size pieces I asked for and I really like the way it looks.

 

[Brando457]

I would say go with dry, save yourself some headaches with pest and unwanted things. I would say get the rock asap, throw it in a tub and let it cycle while you finish setting up your tank.

 

[BNagle]

Big update

I ended up ordering 200+ pounds of dry rock. About 100 or so from bulk reef supply and 100 from marco rocks. I really liked the pieces from brs. Pics of where i'm at with the build below.

Start of aquascaping process:

Adding rock to the tank:

 

[BNagle]

Sump up and running

Refugium (20lb of sand and 20lb of miracle mud):

<a href="http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/bpnages25/media/IMG_0405_zpsc804595e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a630/bpnages25/IMG_0405_zpsc804595e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0405_zpsc804595e.jpg"/></a>[IMG]

[IMG]<a href="http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/bpnages25/media/IMG_0406_zps2a46b15c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a630/bpnages25/IMG_0406_zps2a46b15c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0406_zps2a46b15c.jpg"/></a>

 

[BNagle]

 

[marklugo23]

the water level in the sump is when the pump is running ? if the pump shuts off you might have a overflow

 

[BNagle]

the water level in the sump is when the pump is running ? if the pump shuts off you might have a overflow

Already tested that. The sump does not come close to overflowing when pump shuts off.

 

[BNagle]

Anyone have any advise on reactors for GFO and Carbon? Considering 2 vertex 2.0 liter reactors.

Also the rock/sand was added March 1st. I started the cycle on March 4 with some table shrimp in the refugium. Wondering if anyone would be able to help me seed the tank to speed up the process?

Last resort will be to go get some live rock from the local fish store to put in the sump

 

[BNagle]

Ok so i'm concerned that I do not have enough flow even with two mp40's. I know the tank is already filled but I have the crazy idea of adding a CL to add more flow. I would have 2 intakes on the back left and right feeding the pump and then the returned through either seaswirls on the top of thank or drill holes in the back for the return. Can anyone provide some advice? Is it crazy to do this at this point?

I am not getting a lot of flow through the sump due to the small overflows (which isn't a bad thing, but is not helping in the flow category)

 

[BNagle]

Major Update

I apologize for the lack of updates but this will be a big one.

RE-DID ALL OF THE PLUMBING

 

[BNagle]

Canopy

CANOPY BUILD

 

[BNagle]

Canopy on tank with lights

 

[BNagle]

Cloudy water help?!

So a couple days after the canopy was put on the tank the water became really cloudy. I have no idea what the cause is. Ammonia / Nitrites / Nitrates are all ZERO! phostphates are high around 1.0 but thats simply due to the dry rock and i havent plumbed my reactor yet. PICS BELOW

 

[BuGG]

Nice aquascape!!

 

[SanmanReefer]

So a couple days after the canopy was put on the tank the water became really cloudy. I have no idea what the cause is. Ammonia / Nitrites / Nitrates are all ZERO! phostphates are high around 1.0 but thats simply due to the dry rock and i havent plumbed my reactor yet. PICS BELOW

Maybe you have a bacteria bloom. Happened once to me on a 120 gallon tank due to overdose on the biopellet reactor. I used a full amount on a new tank instead of using half the recommended amount. Hope this helps.

 

[Jim]

I noticed in post #24 you have a brass gate valve on the left side. I would remove that and replace with PVC.

 

[BNagle]

I noticed in post #24 you have a brass gate valve on the left side. I would remove that and replace with PVC.

If you go through page 3 of this thread you will see that I completely re-did the plumbing and used schedule 80 PVC and all spears gate and ball valves.

 

[BNagle]

So I turned on the UV last night and the cloudiness is slowly starting to go away. Wasn't planning on keeping it on till I put the first fish in but i guess ill keep it on now.

 

[cmantis]

Nice aquascape!!

I see someone was taking notes at the lecture last swap!

 

[BNagle]

Just added my first fish!! Ended up going with a couple Bangaii Cardinals and a pair of clowns. Pics to come.

On a different note...my PH seems to pretty low around 7.9-8.0. I am looking into getting a Kalk reactor to connect to my litermeter for auto top off. Anyone have any suggestions? looking at the Geo Kalk reactor. Any help is appreciated