Crusty Cube

[Heathd]

Picked up a used saltwater tank today that had been sitting stagnant for a while, no livestock. Ill be tossing the wet dry, making a new sump, adding a skimmer, etc. For now, all Ive really done is scraped the glass clean and filled it up for a leak test.

Once its pass the leak test, I will drill a second hole for another drain and add an overflow. Not sure I understand why the return was done the way it was on this tank, but im probably going to patch that up and drill another hole for a return up higher.

 

[reefernc02]

First picture looked like my porcelain throne after a Nigh of whiskey and brisket cleaned up nice though

 

[Heathd]

First picture looked like my porcelain throne after a Nigh of whiskey and brisket cleaned up nice though

Lol.... Man I showed up and saw the LR and instantly knew I was going to have to acid wash and bleach them. Hard for me to complain though, since I got all this for 75 bucks.

 

[reefernc02]

That is a great deal man I’m always look for more tanks to feed the salty addiction

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Lol.... Man I showed up and saw the LR and instantly knew I was going to have to acid wash and bleach them. Hard for me to complain though, since I got all this for 75 bucks.

That's not a bad deal for $75!

 

[Heathd]

Passed the leak test. Ordered new bulkheads, plumbing bits, etc. While I wait for stuff to show up, I acid washed the rock. Its now sitting in some bleach. I really dont like having to go with the nuclear options of stripping this rock, but it was just hideous. If you need a reminder, many pieces were the same color as the home depot bucket.

 

[Heathd]

Worked on stand some while waiting for stuff to show up. I modeled and printed a drill template that will index off the existing hole so I can control where I drill the second drain. The existing one, lower down, will be for a full siphon drain, and the new hole will be higher up and be gravity feed. Both of these are using 1" hole bulkheads, and are more then capable of handling the full flow of the pump I bought.

I cut a new top for the stand, since the old one wasnt really dimensionally correct. I cut down the old top and attached it to the back, so I can have something to attach reactors to. Maybe it will also help keep my cats out of the sump area.

 

[Heathd]

Finally got the stuff in that I ordered. Drilled my new holes, installed the overflow, baffles, and plumbing. Will give glue come time before water testing. I know step down in plumbing size looks goofy, but I have to work with the size hole that was originally there.

 

[Heathd]

Guess we are on to the cycling phase. Made a rock pile last weekend and used some superglue and putty to get it to all stick together. Took and cut a rock in half to have a "shelf" like surface for one of the pieces. Im dosing microbacter in addition to seeding with some LR from a LFS. A sacrificial shrimp is resting on the bottom.

 

[Heathd]

well enough time has passed by that I was comfortable with the test results when introducing ammonia sources. did a big water change and nabbed some fish. the three clowns were in a cube together already and didnt demonstrate any aggression, and i got a "package deal" on them. I have an order coming in next week from IPSF for some worms, mini brittle starfish, etc.

 

[JohnNYC8]

well enough time has passed by that I was comfortable with the test results when introducing ammonia sources. did a big water change and nabbed some fish. the three clowns were in a cube together already and didnt demonstrate any aggression, and i got a "package deal" on them. I have an order coming in next week from IPSF for some worms, mini brittle starfish, etc.

Love to see a peaceful clown trio

 

[Heathd]

Got my IPSF order in. Always love what I get from there, even if its things I wont typically see, like mini brittle stars and amphipods. Ordered a lime green leather and got some blasto merlettis in the box as well. Theyre not in their final location but everything is open and healthy. Really like the blastos, and I wasnt expecting them.