08trdoffroad's Rimless 60 gal Mixed Reef Build

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 7, 2024

One more batch of water to go. There is right around 60 gal in there now. It started running through the over flow and return line to the sump. My siphon break on the return worked perfectly with only a gallon or two back siphoning into the sump! Tomorrow (or tonight if i can get enough water made) I will power on the return and complete the leak test!

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 8, 2024

Water test has so far been a success! Only have one small drip on a threaded fitting I can easily fix as soon as I can find (or buy) a new roll of Teflon tape. Total system volume is right around 75 gallons based on my unscientific figures as it took me 15 buckets to fill the system.

I currently have 2-150w heaters that are proving to be too small. They have been plugged in about 14 hrs and have only raised the temp to 72°. I will probably have to order two larger heaters, although I'm unsure how large to go...think probably two 300w just to be safe as I keep my house cold during the winter months (63° at night, 67° during the day).

So far I am impressed with how quiet I can get the overflow with the gate valve. Have never used anything but old fashion ball valves to throttle my drain on previous builds. I was able to get the main drain dead silent at full siphon with just a trickle in the secondary drain, even with just freshwater in the system. Might look at upgrading my return to a DC jabeo pump in the future for a bit more flow.

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 9, 2024

Salt is in! Dug another 150 W heater out of storage, if the 450W prove to be adequate I will look at replace the 3 with a single 500w or dual 250w solution.

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 9, 2024

View from the couch!

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 9, 2024

Found my Teflon tape and some heater suction cups. Fixed the drip and moved the heaters to the sump (to their permanent location until I figure out what I am doing) for a more organized look.

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 11, 2024

Rock went in today!

Then the sand...what a mess!

I went with the Ocean Direct sand after watching the BRS biome series....but I already think I am going to regret it...it is super fine and is duning a bit. I might try mixing a 20 lb bag of special grade in with it as I think I need slightly more sand. But will make a final decision once the tank clears and I can more accurately evaluate overall depth.

@JoJosReef - you are a wrasse guru, how deep of a sand bed do I need for sand dwelling wrasse, such as a coris?

JoJosReef · Mar 11, 2024

08TRDOFFROAD said:
Rock went in today!

Then the sand...what a mess!

I went with the Ocean Direct sand after watching the BRS biome series....but I already think I am going to regret it...it is super fine and is duning a bit. I might try mixing a 20 lb bag of special grade in with it as I think I need slightly more sand. But will make a final decision once the tank clears and I can more accurately evaluate overall depth.

@JoJosReef - you are a wrasse guru, how deep of a sand bed do I need for sand dwelling wrasse, such as a coris?

Oh no, guru no! Aficionado, yes. @Slocke is the guru for all things sand sleepers or @Crabby48 too.

For my sand sleepers I have an inch everywhere and dunes that reach about 2 inches in places. Goal was about 1.5", but the sand moves about as you know. The wrasses have already picked their spots and looks like they have enough where they're at.

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 11, 2024

JoJosReef said:
Oh no, guru no! Aficionado, yes. @Slocke is the guru for all things sand sleepers or @Crabby48 too.

For my sand sleepers I have an inch everywhere and dunes that reach about 2 inches in places. Goal was about 1.5", but the sand moves about as you know. The wrasses have already picked their spots and looks like they have enough where they're at.

Ok, good to know. I have at least an inch if not 1.5" everywhere. Definitely will have 1.5" if I add another 20lb bag ( I have another 20lb bag of the ocean direct on hand, but might save it for a nano build later on and pick up a bag of special grade to give it a little more "weight" and maybe help keep it from blowing around as easy.

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 11, 2024

Playing hookie today because my boss would have frowned upon all the overtime they would have had to pay me otherwise...Tank is clearing slowly...still pretty disappointed with the sand. ..shoulda, woulda, coulda...oh well.

Will add Fritz ammonia tonight and then the bottle of turbostart to officially start the cycle!

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 13, 2024

Ammonia and Turbostart are in! Let the cycle begin!

Crabby48 · Mar 13, 2024

Tank looks small for a wrasse.
Now to the question. I keep sad shallow. About the thickness of the wrasse. They find deep spots and learn to dive gentle. Bit it should be an inch or more.

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 16, 2024

Tank has cleared up nicely. Still dealing with a little bit of a hazy film covering everything. Don't know if it is bacteria or muck from the sand. I evenly spread the sand and turned down the flow a bit. The sand is kinda growing on me. My wife gave me the green light to replace it, but I can't find special grade on sale anywhere and don't want to spend $25 a bag for it.

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 16, 2024

Ran to a LFS this afternoon I hadn't been to in years. They had even moved to a new location during that time. I was very impressed. They had a TON of frags (very few over $20, so extremely affordable). Had some very nice show pieces too. Snapped a pic of this clam and a couple torches.

I picked up an ammonia test kit to monitor the tank cycle and a Flipper Edge magnet to keep the glass tidy. I dig the art on the magnet too!

Have an ammonia test cooking right now. I can already tell by the color I am still in the very early stages of my cycle...

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 16, 2024

Welp...there must have been some ammonia in the sand...it is off the charts. I dosed for about 75 gal to 2 ppm (15 ml)...this cycle might take a while...

08TRDOFFROAD · Mar 19, 2024

I spent a few hours this afternoon getting familiarized with the settings on the Maxspect Gyre Xf230. I think I have settled on random mode with peak at 50% for now. But, might also try one of the preset LTC or OTC modes for a few days too.