ReefDreamer1126
Community Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2018
- Messages
- 80
- Reaction score
- 68
For the past three years I have had a 40 gallon IM Nuvo tank. During this Time I have learned a lot about the hobby and the care of a reef. I have decided to convert my current DT into a QT and purchase a new 65 gallon tank. Because of all the information and support that I have received from all of you I have decided to document my progress of the build, cycle and maturing of my new tank.
October 3, 2018- The first step of the new build was to find a tank that would fit into my apartment and not make my wife want to kill me hah. I found a 65 gallon cube that was for sale with a sump and custom stand.
October 5, 2018- Once I got the tank into the apartment now it was time to start my planning. I knew the first step that I wanted to do was find that dry rock and sand to add to the tank. The reason That I decided to go with dry rock was due to the fact that many of the early problems I dealt with in my last tank where from pests that had found their new home in my tank. I went to my lfs to find the rock and sand. I bought about 50 lbs of rock and 40 lbs of sand. I got home only to discover that I did not have enough rock. This was the look of my first aquascape that I was not fond of at all.
October 6, 2018- After adding the extra 30 lbs of rock that I had gone and bought I had an end weight of 83 lbs of rock and 40 lbs of sand. Now it was time to begin to assemble the aquascape to a functional rock space for good coral growth.
October 7, 2018- Now that I had found the tank and made my aquascape it was time to put the plumbing and electronics into the tank. For the plumbing I decided to hard plumb it. I have always liked the look of hard plumbing instead of hoses. I also added a power strip that had individual switches for each plug. I have always liked the look of this and the functionality of it.
October 8, 2018- Now we have finally made it to today. Today is the day that the water is being added to the tank. I do not have my own RODI system so I was left with two options. I could go and rent jugs with water to fill the tank. My other option that I had was to hire a company to bring water out and fill that tank for me. The second option was the way that I went. I chose this because the costs were similar for both services and I would not have to lug 80 gallons of water up my stairs hah.
Now that the building side of the tank has finished I am moving onto phase two. THE CYCLE duh duh duh..... hah. Because of the fact that I have dry rock I am planning on doing a true cycle with dead shrimp. On top of this I am going to be adding Macrobacter a couple times a week. Once I have worked through the cycle I will add my CUC for two weeks then introduce my current clown and wrasse into the tank. Once these have been moved over I will then empty my other tank to create a permanent QT.
If anyone has any tips or comments definitely let me know.
October 3, 2018- The first step of the new build was to find a tank that would fit into my apartment and not make my wife want to kill me hah. I found a 65 gallon cube that was for sale with a sump and custom stand.
October 5, 2018- Once I got the tank into the apartment now it was time to start my planning. I knew the first step that I wanted to do was find that dry rock and sand to add to the tank. The reason That I decided to go with dry rock was due to the fact that many of the early problems I dealt with in my last tank where from pests that had found their new home in my tank. I went to my lfs to find the rock and sand. I bought about 50 lbs of rock and 40 lbs of sand. I got home only to discover that I did not have enough rock. This was the look of my first aquascape that I was not fond of at all.
October 6, 2018- After adding the extra 30 lbs of rock that I had gone and bought I had an end weight of 83 lbs of rock and 40 lbs of sand. Now it was time to begin to assemble the aquascape to a functional rock space for good coral growth.
October 7, 2018- Now that I had found the tank and made my aquascape it was time to put the plumbing and electronics into the tank. For the plumbing I decided to hard plumb it. I have always liked the look of hard plumbing instead of hoses. I also added a power strip that had individual switches for each plug. I have always liked the look of this and the functionality of it.
October 8, 2018- Now we have finally made it to today. Today is the day that the water is being added to the tank. I do not have my own RODI system so I was left with two options. I could go and rent jugs with water to fill the tank. My other option that I had was to hire a company to bring water out and fill that tank for me. The second option was the way that I went. I chose this because the costs were similar for both services and I would not have to lug 80 gallons of water up my stairs hah.
Now that the building side of the tank has finished I am moving onto phase two. THE CYCLE duh duh duh..... hah. Because of the fact that I have dry rock I am planning on doing a true cycle with dead shrimp. On top of this I am going to be adding Macrobacter a couple times a week. Once I have worked through the cycle I will add my CUC for two weeks then introduce my current clown and wrasse into the tank. Once these have been moved over I will then empty my other tank to create a permanent QT.
If anyone has any tips or comments definitely let me know.
I really like your stand. And that crystal sump looks amazing
