5ft of questionable decisions....

[Bpp124987]

Not being cheeky, but this is 18 months from start to first water in tank?!

looks absolutely killer though!

 

[Knology]

3 kids, a war with my HOA on the new house, I have a few project cars that got in the way, plus ADHD.

*shrugs* I've got problems.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Hey. My build took two years from purchase to water. 18mnths is pretty good!

 

[Bpp124987]

I’d call that estimable patience!

 

[Maxx]

read the whole thread...looks good.

Couple of thoughts....

You didnt mention it, but do you have a plan for when a large amount of water spills/overflows down in your fishroom? I did not see a drain.

Might seriously consider walling off your HVAC from the fish room entirely. The salt spray can travel quite a distance and will eat your HVAC up in short order...ask me how I know.

Look into Brightwell's Microbacter XLM to get started. Also watch the Dr Tim video from BRS at MACNA....lower salinity of 1.018 and higher temp (84F) will allow you to best cycle the tank. Using Ammonium Chloride, you will get the best results for starting an aquarium. Using a shrimp you are actually culturing the wrong bacteria and it will take awhile to get the proper bacteria going.

Looks great, cant wait to see the system progress!

 

[Knology]

The HVAC room is completely separate from the fish room. No worries there.

I'll take a look at the Microbacter XLM. That is much cheaper than the Dr Tim's.

 

[Maxx]

Good to go. I love the thought you've placed into every aspect of this set up.

Take a look at the Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride to dose the Microbacter with.

 

[Bo.]

I used dr tim's and the cycle was very controlled and predictable. That being said I've heard biospira is similar and doesn't sit on shelves as long.

 

[Knology]

Well, we are up and running. Dropped two raw shrimp in there a week ago. Added MicroBacterStart XLM after a few days.

We have ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate showing up in testing now.

I am going to tape off the counter top this week and paint on the white epoxy. Now that most of the work in the fish room is done.

I'd like to get some cheap hardy clownish in to help keep the cycling going but none of the LFS are open I can imagine. So, should I keep the raw shrimp in there to keep the cycling going?

 

[Maxx]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/macna-2019-dr-tim-hovanec/

Worth watching.

Adding shrimp to rot in the water doesnt work as well as you think. Look at getting some Ammonium Chloride to add to the tank.

To be clear, it works, just not as well.

 

[SharkBait72]

This build is amazing! Your build makes mine look like amateur hour. But I’m also doing a basement sump build. Put in sand and water last night. Rocks should arrive on Friday. Hopefully start the cycle over the weekend. What are you using for a return pump. I have the Syncra 9.0. SDC. At 100% power I’m pushing around 550 gallons. (Rough initial estimate using 5 gallon bucket and a stopwatch). 90 gallon DT. I’m a little concerned that I undersized my pump. Opinions anyone? Might start a new thread... don’t want to hijack this amazing thread. I really just wanted to know what pump you are using. Beautiful work.

 

[Knology]

Thank you.

I am using 2x Jebao DCP-20000. They are DC, inexpensive, and can push 5k+ GPH BUT they can take up to 31ft of head pressure. As I have about 15ft to deal with going up to the tank, I wanted to make sure I got what would fit the bill.

I have them both at about 50% and I think the flow is great. If it isn't in reality, I can always turn them up. They are also pretty quiet.

 

[AaronFReef]

Was that all marine grade plywood for your fish room construction?

 

[Knology]

Nope. Not needed. General plywood and 2x4's and 2x6's construction sealed with oil-based primer and then a thick coat of acrylic enamel. All seams sealed with silicon before painting.

Counter top will be coated with epoxy next.

 

[wackyreefer]

Great build! Following!

 

[Knology]

...and the fish room is done. I mean I still need to run power, when it comes time to need more power, but the room is completed. Sink will be plumbed next but I need to source a utility sink style basement sump pump first.

 

[Maxx]

That looks really solid man. I like your attention to detail.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Very well done.

 

[Bo.]

Definitely fish room goals! I really enjoy all of your updates.

 

[Knology]

Ok, so we are in about week 3 of cycling. Added two raw shrimp and then about a week later I dropped in a bottle of Microbacter StartXLM.

Here is how testing has gone so far. Shrimp is still in the tank to feed the cycle as I have no fish.

Red Sea test kits

4/20
Ammonia - 0.3
Nitrite - 0.1
Nitrate - 3

4/26
Ammonia - 0.2-3
Nitrite - .3
Nitrate - 5

4/28
Ammonia - .4

5/1
Ammonia - .2
Nitrite - 0.75-1.0
Nitrate - 10

5/4
Ammonia - 0.2
Nitrite - 1
Nitrate - 10-20