My 120 Setup

[russbriscoe]

I have been working on getting my tank setup for about 3 months. Thanks to TRT and my ReefCoach , things are progressing well.
I will post pics of everything, or supply a link, but first here is a list of my setup:

Here is where I am today.
Tank: AG 120 (48x24x24)
Lights: DIY with material that I got from Doug
48” Polished Reflector for MH
2 - HAMILTON VHO SUPER ACTINIC BLUE 48" 110-WAT
SUPER VHO ELECTRONIC FLUORESCENT BALLAST
Will add 2-400w MH latter
Sump: Rubermaid 100 gal. I will build a bubble trap for it. I am also thinking about DIYing a HUGE one later.
Skimmer: Percision Marine Bullet 1 - I am working on getting something different
Stand/Canopy: DIY Cherry wood Stained dark brow.
RO/DI: The filter Guys
Heaters: 2-500W
Flow: 2 - TUNZE 6100
Sand: 120 lbs of live sand.
LR: 80 LBS Tonga Kaelini and 120 LBS of Buna Branch

[russbriscoe]

Here are a few pictures of my stand. I started to setup my lights today and realized that the inside dimenisions of the stand are too small. Now I am working on retrofitting the canopy to receive my reflector.

[russbriscoe]

I ordered my LR a couple of weeks ago and was not ready. I had about 100gal of RODI water made and was about 3/4 through with the plumbing. I thought it would take about 1 1/2 weeks to get here. NOT!!! It came in last Saturday. Thankfully I was called a couple days ahead and told they were going to get it to me fast. I worked really hard and got the plumbing done, for now.

Here are somoe pictures of the plumbing:

[russbriscoe]

WOW!!! What a smell...

I ordered my rock thinking I had enough time to finish getting everything setup. NOT!!! I got a call the day after i placed my order and was told it would be there the following day. Can you believe it came from Tonga to my door in Two days. WOW!!! I got 80 LBS Tonga Kaelini and 120 LBS of Buna Branch. I ordered it from Reefer Madness and they are a top notch company with exceptional Customer Service.

The rock came in last Saturday (1 week ago) and the boxes had Walt Smith's name all over them. When I opened them it was full of color, life, and odor. I gave the rock a good look over and took off all the black stuff and shoved it into my sump. My water went from a little cloudy to, "I know there is a heater stick about 6" from the glass somewhere." My house went from normal the Stinky. I had NO IDEA what was doing but turned on my little skimmer and did the best I could getting it tuned. After about 8 hours there was about 2 gal of NASTY stuff in my 5 gal bucket so i must have done something right.

Here are some pics of the Rock Cure.

[russbriscoe]

After a week my water is getting much clearer and the smell is much better. Actually you can't smell it unless you are standing over the tank. I have moved most of my rock from the sump to the tank and will Aquascape it this week with my ReefCoach.

Let me know your thoughts and if you want any othe Pics let me know.

[VWD]

Very nice, You are right on reefer madness, Chris and Christine are great to deal with. I have in the past and was very happy with the rock and service I got from them.

[Loverotties]

That looks so nice!Great job!

[Doug1]

Nice progress

[russbriscoe]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I started to setup my lights and realized that the inside dimenisions of the canopy are too small. I got a workaround and am almoost done with is. Now I need to finish the newly routed wood. Someone told me that the dark stain inside of the canopy was not good and that i should consider painting it white? Any thoughts? Will you be able to see the white from the front of the tank?

[russbriscoe]

I have been testing my water and I think thins are progressing? My Amonia levels, according to the test script, are at 0, but when the test strip dies it says it is at .25. However, ny Nitrates and Nitrites are crazy high. My Nitrates and Trities, were coming down but when my Amonia dropped they have spkied again. Is that Noraml?

Also, My PH and Alk have dropped. Is that Normal?

[skeety]

Originally Posted by russbriscoe

I have been testing my water and I think thins are progressing? My Amonia levels, according to the test script, are at 0, but when the test strip dies it says it is at .25. However, ny Nitrates and Nitrites are crazy high. My Nitrates and Trities, were coming down but when my Amonia dropped they have spkied again. Is that Noraml?

Also, My PH and Alk have dropped. Is that Normal?

It is normal for your trites and trates to spike when ammonia goes to zero. you should now see your nitrItes starting to drop over the next couple days...then eventually, your nitrAtes. Sounds like all is progress as it should.

As for pH and Alk...can't say if that's normal or not. But I can say I wouldn't worry about it until the cycle's over. A LOT is happening in your tank right now (whether you can see it or not). So the pH and Alk value really can't have much meaning just yet. Things are dying. Things are breeding, etc.

As long as your pH is at a decent area, you should be fine. (7.8-8.2 or near there).

If your pH is dropping way below that...then be concerned...but for now, just relax. Sounds like all is going well! Congrats!!

[russbriscoe]

I am getting SOOO close to my tank cycle being complete I can taste the Salt water for the 100+ Gal water change I am going to do. YEAH!!!! I think by Friday I will be ready.

In a couple weeks I am going to be doing a COMPLETE makeover of my Sump room. I will have 300 Gal in my sump and a 100gal water change tank. Also, I will plumb my new 6' tall skimmer, add a UV, and Aquascape. YEAH!!! I am about to have a reef tank...

I finished the work onmy canopy

[theplatypus]

Sounds great.

[tims]

WOW everything is coming along !

[ChrisPrusha]

You are on your way...look good!