And it begins - Tank Build - 70 Gallon reef (1 Viewer)

[TiAg]

Alrighty, I noobie aquascaped the hell out of my tank and it's officially cycling (dead critter and all). So I guess it's water changes and tests for the next two weeks. Wish me luck!



Big thanks to Dennis at FJW and David/Donnie at CP!

 

[Diesel]

So far so good! I'm using the HANNA testers with a big success. No more guessing!
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/test-kits-electronic-testers/hanna-instruments/hanna-tester
And yes testing is the key here in the next week or two.

 

[TiAg]

Yeah, I found such a huge discrepancy between what I was reading (colorblind) and my wife on my test kits, I'm going to have to break down and order the Hanna's. Wouldn't be a big deal if she didn't travel so much.

 

[trb]

On your rocks, you are going to have a problem keeping the glass clean where your rocks are. You should leave enough room for your mag float or other glass cleaner to clear. I have one spot on my tank that is about 1/4" too close, but I don't want to move the rocks just yet, so it only gets cleaned when I use my long handled scraper once a month or so.

 

[TiAg]

Thanks, that's a good point, it's a tight fit there on the side. I'm not too worried about the back since it's black, but I will probably have to move the ones on the sides an inch or so.

 

[TiAg]

Lighting question - but an easy one....I think. I have a 250MH light, how high should it be off the water?? With the hood on mine it's really low, just a few inches off the top.

Oh and TRB thanks again, I moved the rocks around some and not only can I clean the glass now but it looks better

 

[TiAg]

Oh and to help visualize - a pic of the new rock-scaping and the light. It came with the aquarium and stand so was how the last guy had it setup.

 

[steveb]

Lighting question - but an easy one....I think. I have a 250MH light, how high should it be off the water?? With the hood on mine it's really low, just a few inches off the top.

Oh and TRB thanks again, I moved the rocks around some and not only can I clean the glass now but it looks better

I like 12". I would be concerned about heat transfer(How are your temperature swings before lights on vs. four hours after lights on?) and also a little concerned about water splashing on the hot glass causing it to crack.

 

[TiAg]

It's about 4 degrees from 78 to 82. I've got a digital thermometer coming that will get my reading a bit better.

 

[trb]

That is a pretty big swing for wintertime. I keep mine between 78 and 80. My heater and PC cooling fans are hooked into a Ranco temperature controller so as soon as the temp drops below 78, the heater turns on. Above 80, the fans turn on to cool it down. Once summer comes I could see your tank reaching 84 or so if you don't put some fans on it or have a controller to turn off your lights when it starts getting hot.

 

[TiAg]

I do have a controller actually and I'm going to raise the light above the stand to get it higher before I stock things in a week or so. So I'll be able to turn the heater on/off and have an emergency off on the light if temp gets too high. I got my probes and stuff today for my reefkeeper so I'll be able to start monitoring things a little bit more accurately.

 

[Tangs]

ya good luck with your tank. Looks like you are on the right track. Jim

 

[TiAg]

Actually I might not have to raise the light, at least not during the winter months (IE till March). The temp swing now that I'm able to monitor it constantly goes from 77 to 78. I've got the heater set to turn off at 78 so it isn't running when the light is on. Also have a fan I'm going to setup in the RKL to turn on when the temp is at 78 and off at 77 (so basically when the light is on).

Thanks Tangs, I'm trying Feel like I'm slowly making progress.

 

[emixa]

As for your lighting question, I like the 12 inch suggestion. You are running only a 70 gallon which is around 19-20 inches high? With the 250w, you should get some good light penetration. Even if you have SPS on the bottom, which you really shouldnt have, the light spectrum should be good. I have a dual 150w MH light set-up and was suggested to have my lights down to at least 6 to 8 inches above my tank with my SPS around mid to higher level on my tank. They did great with PE. With your light, you can easily get some nice coral growth. Main thing you really want to pay attention to is your corals. Do like the rest of us and just stare. With a 250w and SPS on the very top, you might just bleach them out. during the first week, watch your corals and if you get good extensions with the right amount of water flow, you are golden. your LPS and softies will do awesome towards the bottom. Just my 2 centavos.

 

[TiAg]

Ok I need your opinion....I'm color blind. I've got my Hanna checkers now but they're only good for a couple things (ammonia not being one of them). My wife's been out of town most of the last 3 weeks so hasn't been much help to me in doing my tests. My tank has been cycling for 3 weeks as of today. The last 2 weeks with dead critters in there and the last week with a blue damsel (thats doing quite well). She just got home and we ran the range of tests.

Tank is becoming an algae colony, I'm cleaning the glass ever day. I have been trying to test on my own for ammonia and think I was getting a reading a few days ago but can't be sure as I can't really see the colors on the charts (Thanks Grandpa).

So I'm curious if you guys think the tank has cycled at this point or should I let it go another couple weeks. There are still some shrimp remains in the tank that haven't completely vanished yet (was a big shrimp). Was thinking about picking up a CUC this weekend, some Chaeto and maybe a wrasse to see how things are. If three weeks isn't patient enough I can wait more. Don't want to rush things.

 

[TiAg]

UPDATES

Well I've started adding some livestock. Got a nice CUC a couple weeks ago and added to it further this last weekend. Only mistake probably was this little guy, but he's been doing really well and I'm feeding him ground up frozen shrimp buried in the sand twice a day. I also moved rocks around to give him more room to dig and play. Pictures are from my droid so I'm limited on what I can do to filter and make them look better.

Now I picked up a starfish, 2 True Onyx Clowns, a sea slug (what an algae eating little hideous creature he is), some Florida Richordia and an Aussie Duncan.

He loves this hole in the rock and is supprisingly getting along great with the two clowns.

Now I need to look at building an ATO. I've already go the float switches but am open to suggestions. Getting tired of manually topping off every day. Loosing probably 1/2 gal or more a day to evap.

 

[trb]

Looks good! Yes, my simple single float ATO was probably the best thing I got for the tank. Much easier to fill a 5 gal container every 5-6 days than filling the tank every day.

 

[fjwaquarium]

Fishes and corals looking good.
Dennis

 

[TiAg]

Of course, you sold them to me Nah they look great and are doing well. Thanks for your help!

 

[TiAg]

Ok well another week and another trip to FJW to help Dennis keep the lights on. I also hit another LFS and picked up a nice flower pot, daisy and torch. I got a really pretty wrasse I can't get a picture of, two purple faces firefish goby's and a brain from Dennis. I was worried about the brain but I think I finally got him someplace he's happy. I was surprised with the flower pot, they're supposed to be high flow and medium to high light, but he gets pissed if I put him anyplace but the sand bed.

Here is the tank as it is now.

The Brain

Seemingly happy (Now) flowerpot

Torch

Daisy

Can't remember for the life of me what this is if anyone can clue my dumb arse in I'd appreciate it

Plecosaurus out for a swim in the 200 Fresh

Happy Discus (we now have 2 breeding pairs!)

And lastly, the big questions - What do you guys think would be good additions passed this point. I've got the two shelves that are empty as you can see below, mid to high light and pretty high flow - what corals would be good to seed? Wife really wants me to put something in the tank that isn't green - reds, blues etc.

Probably won't add anything else for a couple weeks, let everything balance out. Seems to be doing well so far, water tests are ok - maybe that Mangrove and chaeto are as good as everyone says

In a couple weeks though I'd like to add another fish, what do you guys think would be a good addition with the current livestock? The yellow tail damsel gets along great with everyone, I've seen no hostility between anything. I like colorful and hardy. Thoughts?? (tank is 3' by 18" by 30" tall)