45 gallon tank upgrade w/ pics-Updated 2-25-07

[Devilishturtles]

Even though I've had my 29 gallon reef set up for about 4 years now, time has come to upgrade. I was unhappy with the size for a while, just not much to do there! I've had a 45 gallon tall sitting around for a while, so finally started the long, thought-out process of upgrading.

Specs for the new tank, are as follows:

45 gallon tall (36x12x24)
Aqua-C Remora skimmer
2 Aquaclear 70 powerheads
(gonna try 2 of the new Hydor pumps too, I think)
Nova Extreme 4x39 watt T-5 HO

Everything from the 29 is gonna go into it. I must get rid of the tank.

Anyways, here are some pics of Day 1

 

[Devilishturtles]

Day 2.

Added some liverock and PC lights. Sand cloudiness still settling.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Day 3

Sand has settled and tank looks clear. Hoping to begin moving over some rock today from the established tank.

Parameters as of this morning

NH3-.25
NO2-0
NO3-0
pH- 7.9 (Low cause of the cycle)
Alk - a little high at 13 dKh.

 

[vsnsofadrgn]

congrats!! looks great so far!! def more pics as you go along.

 

[melosu58]

Looks liker things are progressing nicely.

 

[tecwzrd]

Looks good, are you keeping your water level lower to keep salt creep down during the cycle?

 

[roka64]

Lookin good! I'm really interested in how long the cycle will take, with that established rock.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Thanks guys!

Micah, I was keeping it low so I'd have plenty of room to dig my hands around and add new rock. I topped it off yesterday.

I moved over about 80% of the old liverock yesterday. Water parameters this morning are:

NH3- .5
NO2- 0
NO3- 10
pH- 7.8

Odd readings...and I'm questioning my NH3 kit... but we'll see.

I'm still working on the aquascape...evident by the small rocks sitting on the sandbed. We'll see what tonight brings.

 

[Ziggy953]

Cool!! I've been looking at my 55g FW planted tank with thoughts of another reef tank....

 

[vsnsofadrgn]

aquascaping sure takes awhile to figure out!! at least for me it does

 

[30_gallon_guy]

Hey
Im gonna be doing the same thing you are, iv got a 35 gallon reef tank wiht sand bed and about 40 pounds lr in the tank and another 40 in a rubbermaid that has since turned white. anyway i was thinking when i transfer the sand and water to my new 65 gallon id put the sand in first and slowly, carfully add water so as not to make the water so cloudy.
Is this ok?
or is it nescessary to make the water like that (i did it that way when i started my tank the first time) but now i have a fish i dont think hed like living in that.

And also whats the best way to seed live rock that is cured but has lost valuable organisms?

thanks any help appreciated
keep the pics coming

 

[melosu58]

Add more LR to it and some of the organisms will transfer to the other rock.

 

[newfound77951]

Looks great DT, I'm a couple of days behind you with my 30 gallon, same lights, very similar setup. Hoping to start moving my LR this weekend.

 

[lando]

I like it! Can't wait to see some more pics.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Thanks guys! I moved everything over tonight. Took me about 3 or 4 hours, but so far everything looks nice!

I kept getting really wacky readings with my test kit, and I couldn't figure out why. I thought for sure that I'd be an instant cycle with my already cycled liverock. I thought I'd test against my already cycled 29 gallon tank for ammonia, and I got the same results. Thankfully, I have a back up kit, the same kit. AP Saltwater Master Test Kit, just bought at different times.

Wow! The colors were soooooo different. On the newer test kit, the color chart was on key for 0 ppm ammonia. I was pleased.

I'll take more pics in the morning and post them. I'm quite happy with the way the tank looks now, just hoping the newer lights come in tommorow.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Day 5

About 95% of eveything is moved over to the new tank.

Parameters are

NH3-0
NO2-0
NO3-10
pH-7.9
Alk-13 dKh

Everything is still alive this morning, which is great!

I was hoping the lights would come today as well as the new powerheads and heater, but they didn't. Not yet anyways. Monday I guess.

Here are some pics right after I turned the lights on this morning.

 

[roka64]

Very nice!

 

[Devilishturtles]

Thanks!

I was full up with corals in the 30, but now I have sooo much more room that it's like... I need to buy corals to fill it up!

Anyways, I was considering a trio of pajama cardinals for this tank. Does anyone have any comment on them? From what I understand, they are rather docile, animated, etc. and reef safe!

Also, I wanted a larger fish to put in this tank, but with it's footprint (36" long, 24" tall, 12" wide) I'm not sure how one would do. Does anyone have any suggetions?

Thanks!

 

[melosu58]

I was full up with corals in the 30, but now I have sooo much more room that it's like... I need to buy corals to fill it up!

I said the same thing when I switched from my 55 to my 125. Needless to say if you view my tank you`ll see that I`m now looking for a bigger tank. I hope all goes well Lindsay.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Here's a new pic with the T-5's and new powerhead. I'm just ending a diatom bloom, and things seem to be settling down finally!

Do you guys think a school of Pajama Cardinals and a Sixline wrasse would be too much fish for this tank? I want to also add in a sand sifter goby after my sandbed matures a little more.

Things still aren't where I want them yet, but I want to wait and buy some more corals before I decide final resting places for everything.