It starts here - First time reef build log

[SparKy697]

OK, I think I'm ready to get started with my reef tank. For the last two months or so I have been reading and asking questions. It feels like every answer just creates two more questions but in spite of that it's just time to start.

For better or worse, this will serve as a log of how things progress. I can't imagine anybody knowing much less about how to do a reef tank than I do so hopefully this will help others as well.

The overall concept is to make a 29 gallon reef tank with a 20 gallon sump/fuge. The good news is that this does not have to look pretty. It's more important that it is functional and accessible. An experimental tank if you will.

Since I already had a 29 gallon tank I decided to try my hand at drilling holes in it 8O . This turned out to be a lot easier than expected. The best advice I got was to use lots of water and go slow, applying almost no pressure with the drill.

Now we get bulkheads and decide how to make the skimmer for the intake.

 

[Marconis]

The man has done it, he's brilliant.

 

[sayuncle]

Nice hole! One of the better I have seen...

 

[neilanh]

I can't imagine anybody knowing much less about how to do a reef tank than I do ....

You forgot about me there, Sparky.

You're on your way. learn it all cuz I'll need help when I do mine in a few months!

 

[chase33]

Good luck, thanks for the pics and keep em coming as you advance through the stages.

 

[lando]

Great start. This will be interesting to follow as you go along.

 

[melosu58]

I agree great start. Keep up the good work.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Awesome! I can't wait for updates.

 

[SparKy697]

9/6/2007

After what seemed like a long wait for the Labor Day weekend to pass, my liverock is here!

I went with 30lbs of the lalo rock from F&S. I know this is uncured rock but I was a bit surprised at how dry it was when it got here. There was a couple sheets of wet news paper in the bag with the rock to provide some moisture, but for the most part everything seemed quite dry.

The rock has some beautiful red, blue, and green colors on it for now. Time will tell how much of it stays and how much of it dies off I guess.

While the rock begins it's cycle I still have much work to do on the tank and sump... More updates to come.

 

[David14259]

Looking good....How longs this going to take?

 

[SparKy697]

I believe the plan is to get the bulk of the dead stuff off by brushing and changing water. At some point I want to transfer this rock to the tank so that it and the tank will continue to cycle together. Unless I hear otherwise I plan on placing the rock in the tank in a week.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Sounds like a plan to me!

When I got my lalo rock, I thought the same. "wow, what a rip, this stuff is dry" but I am quite surprised at the amount of life that is still on it after a, I'm sure, extreme amount of ammonia exposure. Little critters are tough.

The rock looks colorful now, and will probably turn stark white after you put it in your tank, but no worries, it will color up within a few weeks of light exposure and more colonization by other critters.

Thanks for the update.

 

[MT79]

The fact you got a piece at least 2x's as big as your hand says something- especially in a 30 lb lot. Looks like great rock- Good luck!

 

[neilanh]

Excellent.

That one large piece was for me, they just sent it to you to hold for me until I'm ready!


Congrats!

Now, stop messing around and get the tank together and get that cycle going.

 

[SparKy697]

So here we are 30 hours after placing the rock in its curing tank (garbage can). I decided to check the water to see if things have gotten started yet....

Ammonia- 8ppm
Nitrite- 3ppm
Nitrate- 20ppm

Is this typical? This does not follow the traditional thinking of cycling a fw tank. I'm thinking of doing a water change just to try and keep the initial shock to a minimum.

Thoughts?

 

[Devilishturtles]

I'm guessing the high ammonia is the cause. Sounds like plenty is rotting off of that rock though. I'd change out the water for new water soon.

 

[SparKy697]

I gave the rocks a scrub and changed the water Sat. Now 24 hours later things do not seem so catastrophic.

Ammonia: 2
Nitrite: 2
Nitrate:15

Those are still some high levels but not nearly as bad. I suppose it's good to see that there are bacteria present at all levels.

 

[donk1667]

now in a couple of months at the hands of this "mad scientist" this tank will probably look like a show tank for "the great barrier reef" if i know sparky!!! good luck there c ya later

 

[David14259]

/me taps foot impatiently.

 

[SparKy697]

9/13/2007

Made my second water change and the smell is almost gone (or I am used to it). We'll find out once the wife goes into the laundry room. I moved the rocks from the garage into the house

Ammonia and nitrites are coming down nicely and nitrate is on it's way up.

Rocks in their new home with fresh (salt)water.

There is still some color on them which surprised me...

Can anybody tell me what I am looking at?