| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
12-06-2005, 11:41 AM
|
#1
|
|
my buddy Tyson
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 475
|
Beginner 52 Half Hex
New to TRT & saltwater period.  Great site!!! Informative and easy to navigate.
Attached is a pic of my humble beginning. So far things are going pretty good. Not too many screw ups yet. My LR has been in for 2&1/2 weeks.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0.4
pH - 7.7
My equipment is in the process of being upgraded. What I currently have: Magnum 220 canister (no media, just flow & filtration), MJ900, 35lbs LR, 40lbs CC. I have ordered the RemoraC skimmer w/ MJ1200, it should be in this week.
Future plans: another MJ900, sump, & MH lighting w/ DIY canopy.
Feel free to give any advice and I'm sure I will be asking some questions if ya'll don't mind. Thanks!!!
|
|
|
|
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 11:43 AM
|
#2
|
|
Duper Mod !
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 14,012
|
Welcome to TRT
__________________
Kelli
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 11:45 AM
|
#3
|
|
Rockin-Roll Mod
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Coal Valley Illinois
Posts: 5,381
|
Welcome to T.R.T   Tank looks good! you should get some more rock that will help to start.
Brent.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 11:51 AM
|
#4
|
|
my buddy Tyson
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 475
|
Yeah, I am setting aside $30.00/week to spend on this new found (and very addicting) habit, I mean hobby. I will be adding more LR and a clean up crew in the next couple of weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 12:34 PM
|
#5
|
|
The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,553
|
Welcome to TRT! looks good! Sounds like you have a good plan! I have a few suggestions, the Live Rock, is it sitting in the sand? If so It would be best to cut PVC "risers" for it to sit on. Otherwise, detritus will collect around the area where the two meet and create an issue with phosphates. Its easy, just cut sections of 1 1/2" or 2" pvc just a little taller than the sand is deep, then place the rock on them like stilts. This will allow water flow around and under the rock and make it easier to siphon detrital build up.
Just read your post again, I see that you have CC for substrate. That can be an issue as it is hard to keep clean. The CC tends to hold on to detritus and can become an algae issue. It will just take a little more attention to keep clean.
You said you plan on a sump, thats a good idea! Start looking around for ideas. Sumps are easy to DIY and dont have to be expensive. You could use a 20l tank with a few baffles for example. Do a search here on sump and look at what folks have done. Then plan for your return pump and how you want to set up the return plumbing. You have plenty of time so dont feel like you have to fiigure it all out in a week!
Never hesitate to ask questions here! Even if you think its a silly question, chances are most have had the ? before and you WILL get a ton of good info! The key thing to reef tank is patience! The longer you wait to start filling the tank with critters the better, it takes a tank quite a while to truly establish so dont get in a rush! Use this time to research and decide exactly what you want to do.
Again, WELCOME to TRT!!
Robert
__________________
If you feel so empty, so used up, so let down,
If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on,
You're not the only one refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 12:48 PM
|
#6
|
|
I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25,586
|
Welcome to TRT! Yes more rock and you mite want to change and order the Pro for the size tank you have.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 01:13 PM
|
#7
|
|
Rockin-Roll Mod
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Coal Valley Illinois
Posts: 5,381
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by rdaled
Yeah, I am setting aside $30.00/week to spend on this new found (and very addicting) habit, I mean hobby. I will be adding more LR and a clean up crew in the next couple of weeks.
|
I agree very addicting hobby, well just take your time & it will all come along.
but it looks great,
Brent,
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 04:16 PM
|
#8
|
|
my buddy Tyson
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 475
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Loverotties
Welcome to TRT! Yes more rock and you mite want to change and order the Pro for the size tank you have.
|
Really...? I know that manufactures typically rate their equipment for more than they should, but I figured that since it was rated for up to 75 gallons then it should handle my 52 just fine. But I guess if I add a sump then I will be right at the 75 gal mark.
BTW, I love rotties too. I have two.
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 04:49 PM
|
#9
|
|
Tang Lover
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 7,283
|
just wanted to extend a warm welcome as well!
tank looks good! ditto on the more LR, but sounds like you already knew that!
and on the CC substrate topic...it can be an issue, but as long as when you do your water changes, you vacuum it (don't ever skimp on this), you'll be fine. I have CC myself...and completely understand how it CAN be an issue, but as long as your have good husbandry (reef habits), you'll be fine!
Glad to have another newbie with us! and good luck!
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 04:52 PM
|
#10
|
|
The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,553
|
On the skimmer issue, its a REALY good idea to get the biggest and best that you can. The skimmer is one of, if not the, most important piece of equipment youll put on the tank. Go for the gold and get the absolute best you can!!!
Robert
__________________
If you feel so empty, so used up, so let down,
If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on,
You're not the only one refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 05:07 PM
|
#11
|
|
my buddy Tyson
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 475
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by motorslave
On the skimmer issue, its a REALY good idea to get the biggest and best that you can. The skimmer is one of, if not the, most important piece of equipment youll put on the tank. Go for the gold and get the absolute best you can!!!
Robert
|
Well dern, now you tell me! I ordered one from Marine Depot and it's supposed to be here this Thursday. I thought for sure the Remora (75) would be plenty. Maybe I will check and see what their exchange policy is.
What would be a tell-tell sign that my skimmer is undersized and that I need to purchase a larger one?
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 05:18 PM
|
#12
|
|
The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,553
|
Hmmm, the only tell tale sign I know of is that they make bigger ones! You could maybe get bood results from the one you have coming, but if youre like most of us, and since youre already talking sump you are, youll be looking at bigger tanks in the future! That will equate to another skimmer purchase! Im on my third skimmer and second tank. The skimmer I have now, a My Reef Creations MR-2, is expandable so when I get an even bigger tank (notice I didnt say "if"!) All I have to do is add a section to the reaction chamber, riser, or a second beckett inject and Ill be set without investing a ton more money!
Robert
__________________
If you feel so empty, so used up, so let down,
If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on,
You're not the only one refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 09:19 PM
|
#13
|
|
BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,904
|
Welcome to TRT!!!
Nice looking tank.
__________________
Vince aka VINNIE
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 10:26 PM
|
#14
|
|
my buddy Tyson
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 475
|
Thanks, got a long ways to go yet.
|
|
|
|
|
12-08-2005, 01:25 PM
|
#15
|
|
my buddy Tyson
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 475
|
New Skimmer
Got my AquaC Remora w/ MJ1200 today. Rinsed it off, mounted it, and plugged'er in. First observations are the noise and micro bubbles. But the directions say there is a 1-2 week break-in period and that both will die down. I'll let cha know in a couple of weeks.
I also ran some tests:
pH - 7.7
ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
nitrates - 40
Alright to start adding some cleaners? Which ones are good for CC substrate?
I have been using tap water for changes and top off and treating it with Prime. I know this isn't a good idea but right now I don't have much other choice. Is there a sterlized water I can purchase at the local grocery store that would be better? Or do I just need to purchase ro/di from the LFS? |
|
|
|
|
