55 Gallon reef build

[Justin1989]

Well it is all slowly falling together. I am kinda disappointed that I don't have a bigger stand for a sump. I don't know where to begin on ordering a custom one to fit in this stand. Might have to build a stand beside the tank or something not to sure.

Equipment:

55 Gallon stand (oak)
55 Gallon tank (all glass)
Coralife Super Skimmer 65 (will be upgraded, such a waste now. hmm)
Hydor L40 pump (inline, closed circuit)
Koralia #4 and a Koralia #1 (Yes I was advised from here to not get a #4, however I have been informed from reefcentral.com by multiple people it would be ok at long as sand wasn't blowing around; which it's not)
Lifegard custom flow kit hooked up to the Hydor L40
Current Nova Extreme Pro 48" (324Watts; 3 actinics and 3 10,000K)
44 lbs of Fiji LR (will be adding more)
80LBs of Live Sand (LFS messed up on this order and I realized it after I had it home. She only rung up 1 bag out of the 4 I bought)
Digital Thermometer
200 Watt heater

First things, here is the stand I bought. Now that I look back on it; I ask myself why didn't I just get bigger :P




I had all the salt water mixed in a 45 gallon trash can in my closet (haha i know right) Pumped the water out of the trash can into the tank; hooked up the skimmer and koralia to get them running.



The next step was installing the background



At this point I didnt do anything for about a week; then I finally went and bought 80lb's of sand and a bag of salt. I had taken most of the water out of the tank, then put the sand in. I was told there was no need to rince it since I was just starting this tank; however I some times wish I did at this point. **** LFS.



After about 2-3 days the water cleared up



At the point of putting the sand in I had returned my Seaclone 100 and traded it out for a coralife superskimmer. After about another week I ordered the LR and Lights. They both came on the same day (w00t). The piece on the left was directed by my mom to be stood up. Its how she liked it, so I left it. Waiting to order more.



After that was done, I tested my lights. After regaining my vision, I installed them on my tank.



Like i said before hopefully I get a bigger stand or a custom sump for this thing. It will look much better.

Parameters:

PH : 8.2-8.3
Ammonia : .50-1.0
Nitrite : 4+?
Nitrates : 20-40

I did not think Nitrite and Nitrates would be so high so soon? is this usual?

I'm gonna allow it to stabilize more, and purchase a few snails/hermits. I don't wanna buy to many yet. Also the LR.

[Justin1989]

Parameters:

Ammonia : .25-.50
Nitrite : (Having a hard time distinguishing between 1.0 and 5.0; going to assume for right around 5)
Nitrates : Anywhere from 20-80

Could this be right? Kind of at a loss of words here at the moment because of how high my nitrates actually are right now.

Second off; having a custom stand built. Anyone have some suggested dimensions, also a size of a sump and separate refuge?

[melosu58]

Looks like it is coming along. Readings look OK.

[Justin1989]

Thanks for the reply. For the new stand I'm looking at 48"x18"x32".

Current stand is 48"13"x28"

This will allow the tank to be higher, better viewing. Also will about me to fit sump in there. I have a 15gallon tank here which is 24x12x12 which easily would fit. I would like to fit a 20+ gallon tank under there; however just concerned on getting it in there. Any suggestions for this?

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...d_Template.jpg

Using that stand template as a general guideline, only for the design not actual lengths. I calculated the total amount of weight being around 700lbs, 500 for the display and possibly up to 200 for the sump. I could only imagine that being at most due to the fact the sump would be possibly a little over half full.

Ammonia seems to still be at .5-1.0
Nitrites at around 1 (asked my father to look at the charts for his opinions also)
Nitrates definitely down to 20 if not slightly lower.

[GhostKnife]

Hey justin your tank looks good man. I like the large piece of LR. That will be awesome for you to work with later on with all the offshoots it has on it. Nice work!

[Tank2379]

Looks Good Justin Welcome to the 55Gallon Club....

[Justin1989]

Thanks, as stated before I still need to purchase more LR. This next LR purchase will cure in the 45 gallon trash can I have.

I have also noticed a slight issue. I have my current heater (200watt) set to 75-76 degrees while curing. I tested how much heat the lights will add, and currently it is sitting at 80 degrees. My digital thermometer read about 75.2 earlier today when I turn the lights on; and currently it is at a around 80.3; isn't this quite an issue? Most I can do would be to open up the windows in my room on cool days or windy days in order to air out the room some more. Maybe this won't be so bad when i add an extra 20 or so gallons for a sump?

Really looking into melev's considering he makes sumps. But what I would like would cost slightly to much for me considering the shipping cost, and the rate ranging from 300+; couldn't argue they look amazing.

Looking into Glass-Holes.com; they seem to be fairly priced for what I will need. I will look into it more.

Just looking at a simple design from left to right or right to left whichever. a refuge area, along with a area for protein skimmer. The sump is being built for the reasons of getting a lot of stuff out of my display tank.

Will end up creating a 3d picture of the stand; and also a sump im looking into. Will be fun, havent messed with cinemad 4d in a while :P

[GhostKnife]

I would say turn your heaters down then to get a good temp day time and night time. You are right I think the sump does help with water temp. Mine stays at 80 all the time.

[Justin1989]

A lot of it has to do with the fact it is in my room. It is hotter in our second floor compared to the first or of course basement. Second off, I end up leaving my door shut which will slow down a lot of circulation for heat and so forth out of the room. I will solve that simply. I originally had the heaters set at 80 degrees and the temps rose to around 82 degrees. I will turn the heaters off now, and also the lights of and wait for around 1-2 hours and check the temp.

Looking closely at some rocks I see a sort of hair growing in groups; however they are not green. Is it hair algae?

One consideration I am also looking at would be making a separate refuge compartment under my stand. For instance using a 15 gallon sump and 10 gallon refuge. I don't know yet, I will look into it. Not to much into drilling a hole for a glass tank lol.

[GhostKnife]

Me either. Many have done it Im too scared! I would say turn the heaters down to a point where(if possible) at day they shut off because your lights are keeping the tank where you want it and at night the heaters automatically kick on because your lights are off thus keeping the tank where you want it temperature wise.

[Justin1989]

I am also questioning on my return from the sump to display tank.I will be using a Mag 7; the overflow is fit for 600gph; unless I step it up to 800gph. The mag 7 will work for the 600gph overflow however if using the 800gph overflow I would upgrade to the mag 9.5. Saves me some money using the 600gph overflow along with the mag 7.

The overflow is CPR CS90 (600gph)
Return pump Mag 7 (700gph; 480 at 4ft, estimating 440-460 at 53" high for return pvc. My return would have to either have 2 90 degree elbow, or 2 45 degree elbows; now I know 45 degree elbows are less restrictive but would I still get sufficient flow from the MAG 7? Or should I upgrade to the Mag 9.5 using a ball valve to restrict flow? I can also use vinyl hose; however just looking for recommendations.

Possibly just using flexible hosing for overflow, unless recommended against?

Return pump will have 1/2" pvc, check valve; possibly ball valve (would this be needed?)

using the mag 7 which has a MPT outlet, so using a Female adapter fitting to slip would work correct? Sorry i am not the best at plumbing. I would then use a 45 degree elbow; another piece of PVC which would leave the PVC at a 45 degree angle exiting the back of my stand (if it will work properly); then adding another 45 degree elbow to direct the PVC pipe directly up. Then using a 90 degree elbow from slip to female adapter; which connects to a male 1/2" loc-line adapter. Sound good?

Then when using slip fittings I know of two items we have here in the house used to clean the end of pvc pipes, then glue to seal the pvc pipes. Maybe these aren't aquarium safe; advice here?

CPR Over flow
Tom Aquatics Aqua lifter pump
Aqua Lifter pre-filter (stops clogs)
mag 7
female adapter to slip fitting
45 degree elbows, (2) slip fittings.
90 degree elbow : from slip to female adapter
Loc-Line 1/2" ball socket with Male connector
Loc-Line 1/2" ball socket flexible tube
Loc-Line 1/2" flare
Ball Valve 1/2"
check valve 1/2"

As far as I can tell, the only plumbing I am missing is the actual PVC piping itself from the list.

Anything I am missing?

looking at close to $300 for plumbing lol. I think I will stick with a glass aquarium of 20-30 gallons.

[Justin1989]

I have also changed my mind on the CPR overflow. I will be using a life reef overflow rated for 600gph which uses a Utube. I have heard good things about that overflow on reef central, and the CPR I have heard nothing but bad. Not because of the company, however just the design.

[Justin1989]

Also on the heating issue. Lights and heater have been off. Water is a steady 80 degrees. This is really odd, however maybe this would be correct? I do believe the temp in the house is 74. Maybe my hydor closed circuit pump and skimmer are doing this?

[Justin1989]

Back to some updates. I have added a sailfin/algae blenny, which seems to be doing rather nice. He keeps to the rocks that's for sure lol. I have caught him in front of the tank swimming half way up the tank wall and back down. kinda like hes jumping. interesting lol.

When receiving my CuC today I had come across 2 casualties. A emerald crab was dead on arrival, and I had a peppermint shrimp which has seemed to die while molting. I am not sure if I caused this or what. I acclimated them to the temperature, and then acclimated them in a 5 gallon bucket. The 2 peppermint shrimps were acclimated in a separate container. I may have stressed him to much getting him into the tank. Not sure. The other peppermint shrimp seems to be doing just fine. He is actually resting on the magnet of my power head. They acclimated for a good 1-1 1/2 hours.

My banded shrimp has been sitting in this corner for a while now. He was there for probably about an hour and then moved around on the rock work for a good 2-3 hours and then went back to his corner lol. turned off the lights and he came out of his corner.



My lfs guy tried to sell me damsels and chromis before this blenny. I understand where hes coming from, however he just would not except the fact that my cycle had completed and i also had put in raw shrimp in order to assure myself the cycle was complete. Did multiple tests and my cycle had been completed. Put this little guy in and he went away to hide for a while. he stuck his head out and now swims about all the rock work. I haven't really seen him on the far left or right side of the tank though. I have seen him picking at a lot of stuff on the LR. seems to be keeping him happy. I have fed him flakes of spirulina. He nibbles at it, then will go back to eating whats on the LR. (not a very good pick, I will have to get a better one)



The emerald crab has kept to the back of the LR for the day. He came out at night to the front of the LR and started eating away. loved this little guy, as freaky as he is lol.



Picture of the blenny and emerald crab in the same pic


The snails (there are quite a few lol)

They have kept to themselves, climbing the glass and digging themselves into the sand. My hermits, well i figured they would be quite a bit bigger however I don't mind it.

There are 4 mexican turbo snails
8 Nessarius snails
8 Cerith snails
5 dwarf blue leg hermits

The cerith snails were quite interesting to watch them dig into the sand. 2 mexican snails have been up at the top of my tank for a while. Do i need to place them back on the sand?

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Edit
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Bought some more items today

Vortex XL Diatom Filter (99.99)
Diatom powder (5lbs, 12.99)
Phosban Phosphate reactor 150(48.99)
Sybon Refractometer with Automatic Temperature Compensation (49.99)
2 45 degree elbows (slip)
1 95 degree elbow (slipxftp)
some loc-line fittings
check valve (slip)
ball valve (slip)
30gallon long tank (sump)
all I have left to purchase is the return pump, overflow, pvc pipes (or vinyl hose) and 12x12 glass pieces for my baffles. w00t.

Will be stopping by the local fish store buying a 30gallon long tank for sump.

[Justin1989]

Some updates. Sand sifting starfish added, along with Gold Headed sleeper goby. My Diatom XL filter got here, along with my little fishes 150 phosban reactor, and refractometer.

Gold headed sleeper goby. I love how this guy looks.

[GhostKnife]

The tank is looking good!

[Justin1989]

Thanks. One thing I have found out about live sand is the amount of shells that are in it. I had gotten rid of most of them, however the snails and star fish have sifted through the sand and dug up even more shells.

[Justin1989]

Few updates.

On May 2nd I purchased the Gold headed sleeper goby. He comes out a lot more, especially during feeding times

Everything for the sump has arrived except for the return pump, overflow and stand. Those will not be purchased until the stand is ready. Who know's how long that will be though . The sump itself is built, I need to add two more baffles though.

Here the equipment goes.

Left part of the sump. Include the filter sock, and also the to little fishes phosban reactor. Anyone know of a good pump to use with this reactor?



30 gallon long sump.



XL Diatom Vortex filter (used for weekly cleanings)


New refractometer


Coralife Super Skimmer 65 doing a decent job?

[Justin1989]

On May 9th I purchased 3 corals, and a coral beauty. I figured nows the chance to see if a Coral beauty would munch on corals.

I couldn't tell you which ones I purchased exactly, when I went to the aquarium store i actually didn't plan on purchasing anything. After looking and talking to the guys there, I convinced myself to attempt it.

I have watched the corals extensively along with the coral beauty. Very colorful fish, love it. The drive home was a total of 3 hours.

(Sorry for the poor pictures)

The first was a tree coral of some sort, the guy did tell me what it was however I can not remember the full name.



The second coral picked was I believe a zoanthid coral (look like polyps? maybe some one can describe the differences) The color of this coral is green, and I love the green/red/blue zoanthids.



The last coral was a Mushroom coral, however I believe this coral may not be doing so well. My mom said this has looked rather neat so I picked it out. It was a 3 for $70 deal. So due to my mom picking this one out, I didn't pay much attention to what it looked like until I actually got it in my tank. So i am not sure if this is how it is supposed to look or not.



The final picture is of the coral beauty. I couldn't get a really good shot, however I did what I could lol.

[GhostKnife]

The coral beauty is awesome! Did you see my latest pic ups got em from the same guy I got the LR from. Check em. 75 reef reverse build. Mated pair of clowns and a BTA.