BamaCoastPyrat
Well-Known Member
Leading up to Christmas of 2021, my dad suggested that he give my four kids an aquarium setup. Twenty-five years ago, when I was in middle school, I had a 75g salt water tank. Back then the rules and setup seemed to be fairly simple. So when my dad said that he had a 40 gallon sea clear acrylic tank, light hood, and an aquaclear 70 filter, we thought we were mostly on our way. Add some salt to tap water with dechlorinator, some playsand, few pieces of live rock, and a heater and we will be up and running.
(The three oldest receiving the tank from their grandfather 1/14/22)
Since I build furniture on the side, I figured it would be no problem to build the stand myself. That part went well, other than the fact that I would change the design up next time. I also decided to paint the back of the aquarium blue. I used Benjamin Moore INSLX-STIX primer that I had tinted blue. I believe I used 4 heavy coats of the primer followed by two heavy coats of Rustoleum. I finished painting the tank and making the stand by January 23, well, other than installing the cabinet doors.
So here is where my old knowledge from 25 years ago start to bite me. The next day we added the play sand to cover the bottom, mixed up some tap water and Instant Ocean salt, and API stress coat. I was really confused as to why I could not find a regular dechlorinator at the store. I mean, that's just aquarium 101. I also added API Quick Start to get the nitrogen cycle going and began dosing with ammonia for a fishless cycle.
When I went to buy live rock on the 29th I learned about all of my mistakes. I tested my phosphates, and yes, they were crazy high. Between 1/29 and now (3/28), I have done two treatments with phosphate removing balls and have done enough water changes that there can't be much more than traces of whatever the tap water brought in. It is still to be seen whether or not the play sand will be an issue. For now, I like it. When we picked up the live rock on 1/29, we also got a hitch hiker asterina starfish. My little boy went nuts over that starfish.
(More to come)
(The three oldest receiving the tank from their grandfather 1/14/22)
Since I build furniture on the side, I figured it would be no problem to build the stand myself. That part went well, other than the fact that I would change the design up next time. I also decided to paint the back of the aquarium blue. I used Benjamin Moore INSLX-STIX primer that I had tinted blue. I believe I used 4 heavy coats of the primer followed by two heavy coats of Rustoleum. I finished painting the tank and making the stand by January 23, well, other than installing the cabinet doors.
So here is where my old knowledge from 25 years ago start to bite me. The next day we added the play sand to cover the bottom, mixed up some tap water and Instant Ocean salt, and API stress coat. I was really confused as to why I could not find a regular dechlorinator at the store. I mean, that's just aquarium 101. I also added API Quick Start to get the nitrogen cycle going and began dosing with ammonia for a fishless cycle.
When I went to buy live rock on the 29th I learned about all of my mistakes. I tested my phosphates, and yes, they were crazy high. Between 1/29 and now (3/28), I have done two treatments with phosphate removing balls and have done enough water changes that there can't be much more than traces of whatever the tap water brought in. It is still to be seen whether or not the play sand will be an issue. For now, I like it. When we picked up the live rock on 1/29, we also got a hitch hiker asterina starfish. My little boy went nuts over that starfish.
(More to come)
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