Once a reefer always a reefer Scott’s 47g Tideline

[skey44]

Hello
First post here. I have an account on another website from the ancient days of reefing, but it seems like this forum has more discussion and content. I have a 40 breeder stand but I’m wanting to try something different for me. All
My research has led to a Tideline 47g lagoon. It fits on my home built stand and should work for the equipment I already have to some extent. I have Kessil lights and a Tunze skimmer that I hope fits. Working on a garage RO setup. Plans for an mp40. Shallow sand bed and old dry live rock. An ato and eventual a+b system. Will start with basics and water changes though. I want to focus on inverts and soft corals in this system. A good handful of fish. Focused on a learning experience for my 6yo, who actually reignited the idea in my heart due to her desire to care for aquarium animals. Also trying to change my partner’s view of the hobby. Want it quiet and attractive. I’m still probably a month out on the tank. Focusing on getting my RO setup going and making sure I have all the equipment needed to get going. I’ll start with some pics of my stand.

How this idea started

 

[luis angel]

Hi, welcome to R2R, I hope you can share more photos about the process, good luck in this new adventure and you can enjoy this beautiful hobby with your family.

 

[skey44]

Did the thing today. Now to see when it gets here.

 

[skey44]

Getting ready to setup my water station in garage. RO system is here. Tank delivery is now estimated for mid May to my LFS!
Getting excited. Looking to get some live rock soon and start cycling it in a brute.

 

[skey44]

Got the Brutes. If all goes well I’ll
have some reef crystals mixed by Monday and order some Aussie rock pets next week too!

 

[skey44]

She definitely thinks I’m crazy right now.
“Pet rocks on the way, gotta get ready!”

 

[skey44]

Got this old rock in a brute of sw and a pump. It’s really porous and I love the shapes.

Garage smells like a dirty beach. Looking into bacterial dosing/phosphate on it so I don’t have to spend so much money and work on saltwater changes. Will definitely be adding a bag of carbon too.

I still plan on getting 20lbs of Aussie LR for my display and add this once it becomes nice and clean.

Love it! I feel like the tank has started even before it’s delivered.

 

[skey44]

Added a bag of carbon and started dosing microbacter clean today. Hoping some of this smell dies down soon with the carbon. Tank scheduled for 16th or 17th delivery to LFS. Getting excited. Glad I’m curing the rock in a brute/garage and not in the display/house!

 

[skey44]

Smell is still there, water still yellow. Maybe I should have bought a bigger bag of carbon or maybe it’s just still releasing smells and color. Saw the Microbacter clean recommended for rock curing by BRS and decided to try it. I’m doing the more intensive regimen of daily dosing for a week of the two use case instructions. Anyone have experience with Microbacter clean? Good/bad, tips?

Dried old LR in a 32g brute with decent water flow. Salt water SG a little low at 1.021, temp 76 f, seachem matrix carbon 75 in a bag. I’m hoping by this evening when I get home I’ll see some results… at least water color and smell improvement.

 

[skey44]

Definitely noting improvements, smells like fresh ocean now. I added more rock (10-15lbs) the day I started dosing. The activated carbon is definitely helping, but after today’s dose of microbacter clean I’m really seeing a difference. Started rock on may 4 started dosing on may 7 also added more old live rock that day. So far I’m impressed with microbacter clean. I have no reason to test until my tank gets here and and I add some premium live rock that I’m not going to cure. Will add this rock to display once it’s cured. I’ll have extra but that will be great for aquascaping.

 

[skey44]

Sorry the light changed color but trust me there’s improvement.

 

[skey44]

Well I’m quite happy with how my old pet rocks are looking after two weeks dosing microbacter clean and 1x100pct water change.

Now for the tank to get here…. Confidence is low due to lack of communication. LFS was told to expect delivery today two weeks ago. No update since then from Planet Aquariums/Tideline. LFS reached out to them yesterday so hopefully I’ll know more soon.

I am also currently trying to negotiate a Nero 5 and osmolator used of FB. Wish me luck.

 

[skey44]

Used equipment plan fell through. Owner keeping setup as total system for now.

 

[skey44]

Well I wish my tank was up and running as planned but a late tank is probably a blessing in disguise to help me keep planning ahead. I painted the interior of my stand this week and added a floor to accommodate a 10g standard tank as ato and some eventual dosing reservoirs. Love the “orca” look. I’m now inspired to add a false wall for a controller panel/wire management. I still need to mount my 10 outlet switchable power strip and interior LED light. This is gonna be an epic tank using all of my previous knowledge on one smallish system. I’m excited.

 

[skey44]

Hmm wondering about that false wall… ATO and switchable outlets most important at this point.
Just need a shelf at least. Will figure it out.

 

[skey44]

Ok now I’m seeing add power strip to top back and then false wall to right

 

[Hooz]

One thing I would test before adding that rock to a tank is phosphate. Rocks can hold a ton of phosphate and then leach it back into the water. Even if the MB Clean got most of the organics, it's still worth checking for sure.

Otherwise, I'm following along!

 

[skey44]

Ok I’m with you, good idea. Go ahead and get a quality phosphate tester now since I know it’s something I’d like to keep track of. I haven’t tested anything yet.
On another note got my power strip and interior light mounted. Ordered screw in saddle mount cord managers off Amazon today. This delay is making for the most planned/ thought out tank I’ve ever done.
Probably going to get the kreative reefer ato lid and tunze ato here soon too. I want that ready to go bc I have a beach week in early June.
If this delay goes another month I’ll probably end up with a shelf, reservoir, and dosing pump too!

 

[Hooz]

Ok I’m with you, good idea. Go ahead and get a quality phosphate tester now since I know it’s something I’d like to keep track of. I haven’t tested anything yet.
On another note got my power strip and interior light mounted. Ordered screw in saddle mount cord managers off Amazon today. This delay is making for the most planned/ thought out tank I’ve ever done.
Probably going to get the kreative reefer ato lid and tunze ato here soon too. I want that ready to go bc I have a beach week in early June.
If this delay goes another month I’ll probably end up with a shelf, reservoir, and dosing pump too!

If you find yourself with crazy phosphates, just run GFO while you cycle your rock. I'd run a reactor and change it often if needed. Passive (in a bag) won't be nearly as affective.

 

[skey44]

Little teaser