58gal New Tank Build!!

[UkrainianReefJunky]

The only thing is I don't think this unit is DI. Just RO and the other one with no pump said DI. But this one has a GAC (granular activate carbon) pre-filter. I'm not sure if I need the DI, this one sounds pretty good.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Well I mounted it in my garage and started in up....only one leak! Not too bad, I was expecting more. LOL



So now I'm letting the water drain into one bucket because your suppose to discard the first 10 gallons, so now its wait time. Its a 50 a day so hopefully tommorow I'll finish. I got the heater and salt ready!!!!!

[UkrainianReefJunky]

So while I'm waiting on the RO to give me water...... I decided to put my substrate in. I got a 40lb bag of Sea Floor Special and (2) 15lb bags of Bermuda Pink.





I bought the extra bag of Bermuda Pink because I didn't like the depth the other bags gave me. I thought I needed a little more.



I also got a tester kit for Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, and pH. So I'll start my cycling!!!!

[UkrainianReefJunky]

I just starting to fill my 20 gal trash can I bought to mix the water. I made a mark at 18gal and will stop and add salt, heat it, and test it. I figure I might get to mix the first batch tonight. Everything seems to be going good with the RO unit.

Hope everyone is enjoying my thread!

Go to the beginning to see my project from the start.

[ChrisPrusha]

Looking good!!!

[Cuda]

Looking good. I just noticed you have your tank right up against a window. If you have the ability to rearrainge your room, you might want to consider doing so because, the sunlight directly on the tank can lead to excessive algae outbreaks and you will also probably overheat the tank in the summer and in the winter the heater will have to work extra hard. If that's the only place the tank can go, you may want to put a backing on the tank to block the light and if you don't open that window a lot, you can get clear sheets of heat shrink plastic at HD/Lowes that form a temperature barrier to protect the tank from big temp swings with the seasons. Just something to consider.

[VWD]

Water almost, I can't wait!

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Cuda,

Thanks, I was thinking about the window, this really is the best place for the tank unfortunately. I do have a dark thick curtain over the window, that is pulled back for better lighting during the pictures. That and the fact that the light only hits that window at night, so the really hot sun isn't so much an issue. I also got a higher wattage heater so it doesn't have to work so much. And I'm planning on a chiller before summer gets here. Hopefully I won't have to much trouble.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

I know Vinnie, I should have some LR in a few days!!!!!

[Cuda]

Sounds like you have the bases covered. Keep us posted.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Well this morning I checked the water temp of the first batch of RO and it was 60.3 F....so I put the heater in to warm it up! I hope it doesn't take to long we have Easter plans and I was hoping to get this first batch done and the next started before we leave.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

How exciting I'm finally adding water, this is all the first batch filled. I'm working on the second batch right now. The first batch had a S.G. of 1.027 so the next batch I'm gonna cut back on the salt. I did as instructed, I've also heard that the plastic float hydrometers can be inaccurate. I don't have 2 to check each other, but on this next batch I'm gonna check the S.G. of the plain RO water. Maybe I'll buy a different hydrometer tomorrow just to make sure.

[VWD]

Yahoo!!, I don't have to hold my breath anymore, what a nice feeling, I almost past out. Really cool.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Is this how you went Vinnie?

[ouccmich]

I love the mahogony color! Wow, that's a lot of work but in hte end it's worth it. You're very smart---do it right from the beginning. Easier than fixing problems later.