Mark_Ames SCA 50 PNP Build

[Mark_Ames]

Reefdate 0001: Yesterday morning, I fired up the RODI for the first time to fill a 40 gallon tote. Meanwhile, the SCA 50 shipped from CA Thursday morning. It's now about 3 hours south of here in Kansas City. Delivery should be sometime next week. Also, aquacultured LR shipped from Salty Bottom Reef Co. via air cargo.

Reefdate 0002: Picked up LR from Delta Cargo in DSM. The shipment was well packaged as there was no breakage; contents were individually wrapped in newspaper and well hydrated. I ordered 55#, but there was >60#. It seemed to be teeming with life - sponges, tube worms, and tiny crabs. Also, I found what appears to be a live baby lobster.

Incubating until tank setup is complete:

A major find today! As I was scavenging for tank equipment in the greenhouse, I stumbled across a box of Fiji and Tonga branch LR from over 10 years ago (really, I don't remember saving this). Some of it had disintegrated into powder (mostly Tonga). I wonder what it would take to get it reef safe? Also, I found some salvageable equipment including a few pumps and refractometer.

 

[ndrwater]

Great start!! Try a water/bleach soak for the found rock. 5:1 or so. Follow that with a nice freshwater soak and some time in the sun and it should be ready for the tank!!

Keep the updates coming!!

 

[Mark_Ames]

Great start!! Try a water/bleach soak for the found rock. 5:1 or so. Follow that with a nice freshwater soak and some time in the sun and it should be ready for the tank!!

Keep the updates coming!!

Thanks! How long for the soak?

 

[NY_Caveman]

I did two weeks for bleach, two weeks RO/DI with dechlorinator. After that I cured in RO/DI for a little over a month until the Phosphate level stopped dropping and plateaued. 100% water change each week.

 

[Mark_Ames]

I did two weeks for bleach, two weeks RO/DI with dechlorinator. After that I cured in RO/DI for a little over a month until the Phosphate level stopped dropping and plateaued. 100% water change each week.

Thanks! Is there a phosphate test kit you’d recommend?

 

[NY_Caveman]

Hanna Instruments Phosphorous ULR (ultra low range) HI736 is what I use for my reef. They have a new ULR Phosphate HI774 version that gives results in ppm instead of ppb. They also have a Low Range Phosphate HI713 checker I used while curing since my levels were above the low limit of the ULR tester.

HI713 - low range tester range - 0.00 to 2.50 ppm
HI774 - ULR ppm tester - 0.00 to 0.90 ppm
HI736 - ULR ppb tester - 0.00 to 0.613 ppm (0 to 200 ppb)

 

[Mark_Ames]

Hanna Instruments Phosphorous ULR (ultra low range) HI736 is what I use for my reef. They have a new ULR Phosphate HI774 version that gives results in ppm instead of ppb. They also have a Low Range Phosphate HI713 checker I used while curing since my levels were above the low limit of the ULR tester.

HI713 - low range tester range - 0.00 to 2.50 ppm
HI774 - ULR ppm tester - 0.00 to 0.90 ppm
HI736 - ULR ppb tester - 0.00 to 0.613 ppm (0 to 200 ppb)

Thanks!

 

[Mark_Ames]

Reefdate 0006: D-Day!

 

[Mark_Ames]

Reefdate 0009: Tank set up and plumbing day

Moved the tank into the basement next to the utility room (potential fish room). After letting the plumbing set for half the day, it was time to do a leak test.

 

[NY_Caveman]

This came out great!

 

[Mark_Ames]

Reefdate 0011: Transferred LR to the DT

 

[DiscGolfRob]

Just found this thread. Following along, as I have the same tank, and we won't be far off on timelines. I'm planning on starting my cycle at the end of the June. Also, love the Sheltie in the profile pic!

 

[Mark_Ames]

Updated FTS