Lacy's 30 gal build thread!

[uncommonsalt457]

This is for the build of my first saltwater aquarium. I'm planning on doing a reef tank with a theme. Date started: 12/23/2018.

 

[uncommonsalt457]

This is for the build of my first saltwater aquarium. I'm planning on doing a reef tank with a theme. Date started: 12/23/2018. More to come!!

 

[uncommonsalt457]

12/30/2018:

Salinity: ~ 1.028/38 ppt
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0.25 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm
High Range pH: 7.8 - 8.0

 

[count krunk]

planning on corals? What are you going to use for lights?

 

[uncommonsalt457]

planning on corals? What are you going to use for lights?

Corals for sure. So far I have planned on green star polyps. I'm still in the very baby steps. I am going to build a live rock mountain and use the GSP as "Grass" and have black and white clown as my little "cows" to make a home on the range but reef style.

I am still working on finding the right kind of light and am waiting to purchase the light until I know exactly what else I will be putting in the tank to make sure everything has the right amount of lighting. The top of this tank is a tinted plexiglas so I may have to get a new top cut for it if it dims the lighting too much.

 

[count krunk]

I would certainly replace that tinted top with a fine screen mesh top.

A decent black box led off Amazon would work well for you I imagine.

 

[uncommonsalt457]

Would the fine screen mesh top greatly effect evaporation?

 

[count krunk]

you will see more evaporation with a screen top vs glass/acrylic, but most prefer the water to air circulation that provides as well as less heat is trapped in the tank.

You will find that ATO is a very useful piece of equipment for saltwater tanks. (automatic top off)

 

[A sea K]

The acrylic top must certainly go. With no sump and or skimmer for extra water to air surface area you must remove the top for sufficient gas exchange (oxygen levels). While I will agree that an auto top off is useful especially if your gone for days at time with a tank as small as 30 gal a daily routine should not be that bad to deal with and evaporation will probably be pretty low, maybe a pint daily as just a guess, your actual conditions will have a large impact in that area.

 

[A sea K]

The mesh top is a very good idea as ALL fish will jump and the mesh (1/4") is a true life saver. IMHO 1/2" mesh is useless over a tank.

 

[uncommonsalt457]

Thanks everybody for the tips on the top/lid. I havent changed it yet but may when I get a different light.

I did however.. find this super awesome dead clam when buying live rock and couldn't pass up buying it! When the tank settles from adding to it I will post more picks.

 

[Dub_G]

Good luck as you get started. I've had my simple 38g bow front with HOB filter and protein skimmer going for about 2 years. It has been a learning experience but a lot of fun. I've learned a lot from R2R and my local group.

 

[uncommonsalt457]

Everything is leveled out at this point. I have 3 snails and a hermit crab.

I still have yet to obtain a light for corals but I am not adding coral or fish at this time. I did get a little brittle star and asterina starfish as little hitchhikers with the live rock.

I'm happy to see everything living so far to this point. The tank is now 6 weeks into cycling.

And again... more to come. I probably won't do another update until I get the lights and coral.

 

[Hemmdog]

Everything is leveled out at this point. I have 3 snails and a hermit crab.

I still have yet to obtain a light for corals but I am not adding coral or fish at this time. I did get a little brittle star and asterina starfish as little hitchhikers with the live rock.

I'm happy to see everything living so far to this point. The tank is now 6 weeks into cycling.

And again... more to come. I probably won't do another update until I get the lights and coral.

Looks good! What’s your tests reading at now?

 

[uncommonsalt457]

Looks good! What’s your tests reading at now?

I haven't tested this weekend as of yet but last weekend ammonia, nitrate and nitrite were zero. Salinity is staying at 1.024 without any hassle which I am thankful for. We shaved the top of the lid so it was so tight because we had little to no evaporation.

 

[Hemmdog]

I haven't tested this weekend as of yet but last weekend ammonia, nitrate and nitrite were zero. Salinity is staying at 1.024 without any hassle which I am thankful for. We shaved the top of the lid so it was so tight because we had little to no evaporation.

Awesome!

 

[uncommonsalt457]

And thank you by the way! Lol

 

[Hemmdog]

for sure! Your tank has a lot of potential, I like the shape! And your scape is sweet!

And thank you by the way! Lol

 

[uncommonsalt457]

Thanks! The struggle of arranging the rocks the way they are literally almost had me throw in the towel. I also couldn't get any adhesive to stick.

I was planning on getting a yellow watchman goby, but the rocks are not as stable movement wise as I had originally planned. Instead of getting a goby I'm leaning towards a dragonet. I am hoping to get a copepod colony going in the next few weeks.


Once I get a powerhead and lights I the first thing I am going to add is the green star poylp.

 

[Hemmdog]

Thanks! The struggle of arranging the rocks the way they are literally almost had me throw in the towel. I also couldn't get any adhesive to stick.

I was planning on getting a yellow watchman goby, but the rocks are not as stable movement wise as I had originally planned. Instead of getting a goby I'm leaning towards a dragonet. I am hoping to get a copepod colony going in the next few weeks.


Once I get a powerhead and lights I the first thing I am going to add is the green star poylp.

Nice, you should have good luck with gsp(green star polyp) it’s pretty easy. The dragonette I might wait till the 6 month mark, they really do need a ton of pods to do well. I had/have a yellow watchman as my 2nd fish. They are sweet, and will help mix your sand around a bit for you. And they make friends with shrimp and coexist in little caves together, it’s pretty cool ! Lol.