DJs Aqua reef 400 adventure

[dj23bol]

So I've been out of the hobby for around 12 months and recently got the itch Real real bad again, so picked up an aquareef 400 local to me about 4 weeks ago and apart from a couple issues (bulkhead snapping and seriously un-level floor) I'm finally getting it wet..
Here's pictures from when i got her and did a test fill
GUESS WHAT it leaked haha only from the bulk head that was on its way out and snapped [emoji849] sorted now

 

[dj23bol]

I will be running the original 4 tube T5 unit with two extra t5 tubes on a separate ballast and then a couple Fiji blue aqua-rays for the coral pop.. (might eventually upgrade to LEDs like i did on my old tank but not 100% on that yet)
So now the fun part Rock I went and picked up two lots so i had some good variety.

 

[dj23bol]

Got the scape built in one try and TBH I'm stoked with it! So I started to fill with RO (this was 2 days ago)

 

[dj23bol]

Last night I salted it and then this morning added sand and now I'm looking at a super cloudy tank and a sump full of filter floss haha, will add pictures once it's clear and then it's the super long wait for the cycle

 

[saintsreturn]

Did you leak test that thing inside? That would be crazy!

Glad you are back and enjoy the new setup!

 

[mattgsa]

The tank is looking great. Looking forward to following along.

 

[dj23bol]

Did you leak test that thing inside? That would be crazy!

Glad you are back and enjoy the new setup!

Yeah I like to live on the wild side! Haha only flooded the front room 3 times from the wier [emoji23][emoji23].

Ps my Mrs already hates my hobby I'm good at throwing water about I had a 25ltr drum explode out of my hand once while carrying it from the kitchen [emoji23][emoji23]

 

[saintsreturn]

you sir, are insane! HAHA. My wife would have already killed me, twice. sounds like you found a keeper!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Ha! My wife is tolerant, but if the house floods some day I am doomed.
Dooooomed!

Tank looks great. You have a lot of interesting shapes of rock.

 

[dj23bol]

Thanks buddy!
Tanks nice and clear this morning just adjusting salinity a touch to find her sweet spot

 

[dj23bol]

Tank seems to have settled quite well and I'm pretty chuffed with it so far I still need to pick up a few bits, test kits mainly and little things like nets, long handled grabbers that sort of stuff. My only gripe with it is the noise of the water getting back into the sump! The durso overflow method is a PITA!! The joys of a single overflow I'm sure I will get used to it.

 

[dj23bol]

Hitting the Diatoms stage next stop the ugly stage lol

 

[dj23bol]

So evidently when i cleaned the skimmer I didn't do a good enough job, id noticed it wasn't skimming right and didn't look like enough air was being made so when i checked the venturi tube and in the plastic part there was a collection of what looked like black crystallized salt, anyway smashed it out and boom working better!
Pic because it's rude not to post a pic

 

[dj23bol]

Hmm so still struggling with the skimmer and I was like, the water level doesn't change with the adjustment knob, and it just doesn't look right! Turns out after studying photos online I'm missing the bung for the second hole on the skimmer body! Made a temp replacement and its now holding level in the skimmer neck. I've also put the skimmer in the return section of the sump as im wanting to turn the centre section into a fuge.

 

[dj23bol]

Sooooo starting to get bits of green algae so here comes the good stuff went and picked up some hermit crabs and snails today also got an utter chaos frag and a large rock of GSP (mainly got it to seed the tank with pods) still waiting for the Gsp to open but the utter chaos has opened straight up! Also got a new frag rack

 

[dj23bol]

GSP has started to open up today

 

[dj23bol]

Water change day so obligatory FTS

 

[dj23bol]

Rowaphos is a nightmare!! Omg now I remember why I stopped using it last time haha! Mainly my fault this time my reactor was too power full and I've managed to cover my sump in rowa not once! Not twice! But three bloody times haha so now it's sat in a media bag inside a smaller reactor I've got.... man it's tested my patience these past two days! Any way on my way to pick up a pair of clowns and some zoas of a friend later on who's shutting down his new tank ...

 

[dj23bol]

Added my first fish yesterday a little pair of juvenile clownfish

 

[dj23bol]

Today's FTS more corals needed!! Haha added some zoas from a friend who was shutting down and well they wasn't happy in his tank and after I tested the salinity of his water it was well over 1.030... so they havent fully opened yet but hopefully they will settle now.