Another JBJ 45 build!

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Really nice build!

One comment before you get too far is that you need to seat your rock all the way down to the glass. It looks like it is sitting on top of the sand. The sand can (and will) shift around and you don't want to see things come tumbling down as a result.

Thanks! That's a good idea. During assembly I was more worried about the rock causing pressure points on the glass and cracking it. Im not so worried about the cave structure because its epoxied together and basically one big rock. The tower is a little precarious though, I think I'll bury that base a bit more.
 

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Thanks! That's a good idea. During assembly I was more worried about the rock causing pressure points on the glass and cracking it. Im not so worried about the cave structure because its epoxied together and basically one big rock. The tower is a little precarious though, I think I'll bury that base a bit more.
No need to worry about the glass. The rock sitting on it won't cause a problem. The rock falling into it however is a problem :)
 

Bob Escher

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I keep extra bags. I liked the ones that Seachem makes ( has a long plastic tie that can be reused, sold separately. I also use Red Sea test kits. I used to use API but didn't trust them as far as accuracy so I went to Red Sea, a pain in the butt to do but I like them ( add from two to three different liquid bottles powder per test) but I like them super accurate. My sand has also settled so test time to do the Red Sea Mature kit.
Got the Apex controller installed and probes are up and running. Ph is a little low but will retest. Sorry about the Brown.
I used the the light eggcrate for my rock. Put the rock in then the sand. I believe I will need another 40 lbs of sand though. I wonder if your brown isn't diatoms blooming?
 
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Oh, it's absolutely diatoms! If I leave the radion on you can almost Watch it grow!
 

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Then I guess if you turns the lights off then you can't see them and Maybe just Maybe they'll stop growing LOL
 

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Well I'll tell you what how about if you looked at this one for hours on end? Just taken cycling for one day getting ready to start the Red Sea reef mature kit

image.jpeg
 
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ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1459943088.940701.jpg


Alright, you guys win. We've gone lights out. Here's an updated photo, it looks clean around the tower because I buried the base a bit and it stirred the sand up. I'm sure it will be brown again this evening haha.

I'm wondering if I should have given the rocks an acid bath, maybe this new dry rock is leaching massive amounts of po4. I'm considering adding phosguard to the other media basket. If that's the case, I wonder how long this will go on...
 

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Nice work. I don't like to add anything during a cycle. My current tank is the most stable I've had and I let it do its thing with no intervention until it was ready.
 

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Just curious why does the area in front of the rock look like the sand is built up. Do you have a PO test kit?
I would look into maybe a innovative marine mini reactor with bio pellets that will do a double whammy.
I would leave the lights off for another couple days and see what happens.
I'm on the second of the Red Sea mature kit and have 12 more to go.
Here is my tank day2
image.jpeg
 
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That's just an illusion, the brown makes the rock and sand blend. I do not have a phosphate test.

Your tank is looking good. I'm not familiar with the Red Sea kit you're using, is it elements to dose or what?
 

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Doob: it helps cycle the tank better and faster. Two weeks to adding fish. I have their other tests nd I like them very accurate. But I was going to ask you if you don't have test kit how do you know it's the phosphates are high?
Keep those lights off
 
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From what I've read, certainly not from experience, phosphates are inevitable in new tanks, starting with new dry rock can contribute to this, and diatoms are always an indication of high phosphates and silicates, which is why new tanks always have a brown spirt. I have also read that po4 test readings are to be taken with a grain of salt, because they are not very accurate, so I've never bought one.
 

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I have heard the same except for tests. I expect my tank to be in full bloom on Sat, just keeping trucking
 
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ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1460032119.089618.jpg


Still trying to figure out doors for this thing. The glass shop was able to cut my 1/2" glass, but they were unable to find me suitable hinges. They suggested 1/4" glass and "entertainment stand hinges". I don't like it, 1/4" glass with pets, hinges that are not "soft close" can be slammed. I want to maintain the modern look I've been going for, and I don't think that's the ticket. I may have to build something from wood and let my wife paint it like she did with my temporary cat blocker in the photo.
 

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ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1460032119.089618.jpg


Still trying to figure out doors for this thing. The glass shop was able to cut my 1/2" glass, but they were unable to find me suitable hinges. They suggested 1/4" glass and "entertainment stand hinges". I don't like it, 1/4" glass with pets, hinges that are not "soft close" can be slammed. I want to maintain the modern look I've been going for, and I don't think that's the ticket. I may have to build something from wood and let my wife paint it like she did with my temporary cat blocker in the photo.
What type of surge protector is that?
 
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Today's params...
Nh3: 0
No2: 0
No3: .5
ALK: 6.5 dKH
Ph: 7.9

The low ph I'm used to seeing. The low ALK is new. Can diatoms contribute to this?
 

DO YOU THINK TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS ARE MORE HELPFUL OR HURTFUL TO REEFING?

  • More helpful.

    Votes: 13 34.2%
  • More hurtful.

    Votes: 3 7.9%
  • I think it depends mostly on the technology.

    Votes: 16 42.1%
  • I think it dependsmostly on the reefer behind the technology.

    Votes: 13 34.2%
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