HD's 144 1/2 Moon

[hdsoftail1065]

I have that fear of forgetting about it.

Is it full yet? Just had a terrible thought, after all this time, PLEASE remember to shut it of!!!

When I make RO/DI I run it right into 5 gallon jugs. I set a timer every time, but if I make a lot, sometimes I get mixed up. Came close a couple of times. Tile floor where I make it is tile though.

I have that fear of forgetting about it! I'm filling a 33 gallon brute for this fill, after this I have 5 gallon jugs for the tank upstairs. I'm lucky in the sense that my fill station is in the basement. I placed it right next to the sump. If I forget, it "should" flow towards the sump and get pumped outside and waters the lawn. But knowing how my luck runs it will pump outside after the rest of the basement floods.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I have that fear of forgetting about it.

I have that fear of forgetting about it! I'm filling a 33 gallon brute for this fill, after this I have 5 gallon jugs for the tank upstairs. I'm lucky in the sense that my fill station is in the basement. I placed it right next to the sump. If I forget, it "should" flow towrds the sump and get pumped outside and waters the lawn. But knowing how my luck runs it will pump outside after the rest of the basement floods.

I have about 6 more inches in the tank and then the sump. I'm real close!

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Filled! Waters pumping, spotted a small leak just above the gate valve at my return pump, looks like an easy fix. Excuse the mess just got it going and wanted to do an update, besides why dress it up for a pic, this is the real world baby!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Filled! Waters pumping, spotted a small leak just above the gate valve at my return pump, looks like an easy fix. Excuse the mess just got it going and wanted to do an update, besides why dress it up for a pic, this is the real world baby!

Nice! Thanks for some reality.
What comes next?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Next is mounting the lights and starting the cycle. Trying to decide what to use for the cycle, shrimp, Dr Tim's or something else. As always I'm open for suggestions. Shaun has a couple of tanks exactly like this and has given me some great ideas on the build. I really like how he hinged the lid and installed his lights, but my wife wasn't to thrilled with more holes in the wall. So I'm moving on to plan B! Still trying to figure out plan B!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Next is mounting the lights and starting the cycle. Trying to decide what to use for the cycle, shrimp, Dr Tim's or something else. As always I'm open for suggestions. Shaun has a couple of tanks exactly like this and has given me some great ideas on the build. I really like how he hinged the lid and installed his lights, but my wife wasn't to thrilled with more holes in the wall. So I'm moving on to plan B! Still trying to figure out plan B!

Only thing I would add is no lights for the cycle. I am cycled already it seems using live rock and matured dry rock, but still plan on ambient light only until I add photosynthetic life. Just my opinion of course.

EDIT: well, after about 2 weeks, and seeing the coral and coralline in my live rock, I am running my lights at a minimal level.

 

[StPeteReefer]

Next is mounting the lights and starting the cycle. Trying to decide what to use for the cycle, shrimp, Dr Tim's or something else. As always I'm open for suggestions. Shaun has a couple of tanks exactly like this and has given me some great ideas on the build. I really like how he hinged the lid and installed his lights, but my wife wasn't to thrilled with more holes in the wall. So I'm moving on to plan B! Still trying to figure out plan B!

I've done the old fashioned fish cycle, the ghost feed cycle, and the shrimp method in the past. On my most recent build I did Dr. Tim's Fishless Ammonia along with Aquavitro Seed bacteria and have never had such a fast and painless cycle. I'll never cycle a tank without it again.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

What's a good ATO that doesn't break the bank? The esshops sump has a float for one, at least that what I'm guessing it for but they don't provide any info on it.

 

[siggy]

Recommendation on a power head or wave maker? I have an Icecap 3k and planed in 2, but with the noise these things put out I don't think I can handle it. I will still keep the one along with whatever is recommended, but I don't want to break the bank.

Wow what a nice setup. A wife that buys you 100lbs of live rock? You lucky dog! ... I have the Atk top off and had my share of difficulties others swear by them, Ryan @BRS mentioned that his tunze has been running for years so that is the direction Im going when I get some time.

I have heard that the gyrees take time to break in and will quiet down. I have a mp40 and an octo 2 and they are both great pumps, I also have a wave puck and that was a good little pump for $129 and after 6 months died, Now it was due for a cleaning so to be fair thats all it may need. DR's F&S have Tunze's on clearance and those seem to be a staple and goto's for the more experienced guys and that says a lot.

I just used the Square trade warranty on an item I purchased on ebay and had my refund in 20 minuets so if you want to try an inexpensive or gamble on the wave puck I suggest grabbing that. The Octo's are new so to go all in is still a gamble but that is a good balance between price and performance. ....good luck and cant wait to see that beauty light up

 

[hdsoftail1065]

T

Wow what a nice setup. A wife that buys you 100lbs of live rock? You lucky dog! ... I have the Atk top off and had my share of difficulties others swear by them, Ryan @BRS mentioned that his tunze has been running for years so that is the direction Im going when I get some time.

I have heard that the gyrees take time to break in and will quiet down. I have a mp40 and an octo 2 and they are both great pumps, I also have a wave puck and that was a good little pump for $129 and after 6 months died, Now it was due for a cleaning so to be fair thats all it may need. DR's F&S have Tunze's on clearance and those seem to be a staple and goto's for the more experienced guys and that says a lot.

I just used the Square trade warranty on an item I purchased on ebay and had my refund in 20 minuets so if you want to try an inexpensive or gamble on the wave puck I suggest grabbing that. The Octo's are new so to go all in is still a gamble but that is a good balance between price and performance. ....good luck and cant wait to see that beauty light up

Thanks for the compliment! Yes I got lucky with the wife's rock order, she has been great on this build, but there is a trade off because I do most of the cleaning, testing and feeding on her tank. I am leaning towards another Icecap 3k, I turned it down some and seen the flow it was producing in the tank when I added the sand. I could actually see the flow with the cloudy water (suggestion for anyone setting up a new one if they want to get an idea of their flow). I mounted it on the back wall the curved tank ended up providing an excellent flow, if I put one high one oneside of the tank and one low on the other it should do fantastic.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Making sure I'm buying the right product for my cycle...this is the right one isn't it?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Making sure I'm buying the right product for my cycle...this is the right one isn't it?

Disregard, got it answered!

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Tank has been running for a couple of weeks now. I added shrimp a week ago, dumped in some Dr. Tims this evening. I picked up enough to treat 300 gallons, what a great deal I got on that stuff compared to some of the other prices I seen online. QT tank is set up & cycled and waiting for a pair of clowns. Game on!

I work for a Major Aircraft Manufacturing company in Wichita. I work around engineeers daily, some of which are some folks sub-contracted from India that I have become very good friends with. I introduced one of my new friends to Saltwater and took him into a few LFS's so he could see the display reef, he was fascinated to say the least. As a gift he is designing me a ATO system for my big tank. I have seen some of the electronic magic this guy can perform so I'm excited to see what he comes up with. I will keep you posted when its finished!

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Is it full yet? Just had a terrible thought, after all this time, PLEASE remember to shut it of!!!

When I make RO/DI I run it right into 5 gallon jugs. I set a timer every time, but if I make a lot, sometimes I get mixed up. Came close a couple of times. Tile floor where I make it is tile though.

Well I done it, filling a 5 gallon jug and discovered it doesn't hold more than 5 gallons, who would have thought! Ya, I'm kind of lucky my wife didn't see me carrying the mop down stairs. Haha

 

[NY_Caveman]

Well I done it, filling a 5 gallon jug and discovered it doesn't hold more than 5 gallons, who would have thought! Ya, I'm kind of lucky my wife didn't see me carrying the mop down stairs. Haha

LOL!

My wife recently texted me at work that the basement was flooded. I thought for sure it was reef related, but it turned out she got distracted filling a small tub for cleaning in the basement sink and flooded (I mean flooded) the entire basement. Since I reacted cool and calm, I feel like that gives me one free, banked flooding in the future.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

So how often does everyone have to clean their glass. On the wife's 32 it seems like every 2 days I'm having to scrape and clean the glass. Does it ever slow down? For such a small tank it takes to time, can't image how long it will take on our big one. Also, trying to decide in our next magnet cleaner, she has a aqueon I'm not impressed. Anyone using the flipper?

 

[Geebs19]

Curious how this tank is going? I am setting up a 100 gallon half round. Did you like the gyre? I am still stuck on what power heads I want.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Curious how this tank is going? I am setting up a 100 gallon half round. Did you like the gyre? I am still stuck on what power heads I want.

The tank is going fine, it is toward the tail end of the cycle. I haven't been in a rush, I'm just sitting back and letting it do it's thing. As a matter of fact I still haven't mounted my lights. I have discovered my evaporation rate does justify a ATO. I have a friend that is an electronic guru that is fabricating one, I'm not sure what to expect when he's finished but I have seen some of his other projects and I'm sure it will be first class when he's done. At first I thought about getting a different power head to go with the gyre because it was much louder than my wife's 1k, but I decided the flow was really good with the 3k. So I decided to buy a second one. I'm happy with it so far, the second one should be here today.

 

[B Mack8]

can't wait to see how this keeps progressing!!

Sounds like I have homework! Thanks I'll start researching. I figured the noise would be pretty much non-existent with everything in a room behind it.

i just got the exact same one used... and previous owner put in "silencers" on the drains.. if that helps. I haven't been able to set it up yet as Im in the process of polishing the plethera of tiny scratches on the inside but thought it'd be worth mentioning...

Also... seeing as i just got the same exact tank (looks like), can you take a few well lit pics in the stand for me so I can see how your professional looking stand is supported.... I got mine used and previous owner kept ranting and raving about the custom stand... while it seems kinda flimsy to me and Im possibly considering rebuilding the stand... smh

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Finally! We have light!