My First Build - 36g Bow Front

[Matty Ice]

Started my first tank beginning January 2022. I initially installed the equipment, set the rock up, added the sand and water then threw in a frozen shrimp with some API QuickStart. After a few weeks the cycle ran its course, I decided to change my aquascape since I wasn’t happy with it. After doing that I figured I should try to cycle it again using chemicals. So I got a bottle of ammonia and Dr. Tim’s one and only and cycled the tank again, which was only a few days. After that second cycle finished, Ammonia .25ppm, nitrites 0ppm, nitrates 10ppm. I figured I would dose the ammonia to 1ppm to see if my biological filter can handle the load before adding fish. So here I am on day one after dosing ammonia to 1ppm it now reads .5ppm and my nitrites are rising to .25ppm. I figured what better time to start a build thread?

I also started a cycling a 10 gallon Marineland starter pack, which I will use as my quarantine tank, using Dr. Tims ammonia and one and only.

I’ll probably be ready to add my first fish (pair of clowns) this coming weekend 2/19/22. I would really like to add a Diamond goby eventually but am unsure if the tank is too small. Definitely want to add a fire fish after the clowns. Maybe another fish or two after that. As for corals I like the look of the soft and LPS. I guess they’ll go in after the fish are in it for a while.

I still have to clean up my wiring and stand but it’s safe and functional right now.


Tank
- Top Fin 36 gallon bow front with stand, painted back black

Equipment
- Aqueon Quietflow 200 canister filter
- Aqueon pro 150w heater
- InkbirdSmart heater controller
- Eflux wave pump x2
- AI Prime 16HD x2
- HausBell Smart surge protector
- DIY acrylic lid with mesh screen

Substrate
- Caribsea live rock shapes 20#
- Caribsea live rock tree 20#
- Caribsea Arag-Alive sand, Bimini Pink 40#

Chemistry/Testers
- API Saltwater Master test kit
- Instant Ocean salt
- ATC refractometer (to double check the Hanna meter
- Hanna salinity tester
- TDS tester from Amazon
- AquaLife 75GPD RO/DI filtration

 

[Sean Clark]

Ambitious custom lid. Good work.

 

[Matty Ice]

Ambitious custom lid. Good work.

Eh…it’s not my best but thank you! I never cut acrylic before.

 

[Reeferjunkie]

Great job so far looking forward to updates.

 

[drummaster2245]

Matty, do you have Facebook? I just started an almost identical setup today . I’d really like to message you on Facebook and keep communication as to track both our progress. Thanks!

 

[Matty Ice]

Matty, do you have Facebook? I just started an almost identical setup today . I’d really like to message you on Facebook and keep communication as to track both our progress. Thanks!

Sorry I don't have Facebook. I try to stay away from social media

 

[drummaster2245]

Sorry I don't have Facebook. I try to stay away from social media

No worries! I followed your profile so I can keep seeing your progress. Shoot me a pm on here if you’d like. Very interested to see how we do.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Nice! Bravo! My 1st sw tank! I'm having the kudos butterflies. Lol. Nostalgia feel. Right on. Keep us updated!
-d

 

[Chargerdude7]

would you be able to shed some light on the lid making process?

Materials needed, estimate of the total cost and what not.

looks awesome! thanks!

 

[Chargerdude7]

would you be able to shed some light on the lid making process?

Materials needed, estimate of the total cost and what not.

looks awesome! thanks!

 

[Matty Ice]

would you be able to shed some light on the lid making process?

Materials needed, estimate of the total cost and what not.

looks awesome! thanks!

Sure!
-I purchased a small sheet of acrylic from Lowe’s (24in x 48in x .220). I had them cut it down to 30 1/4 x 15 1/2, which is the largest dimension my tank is
-sat the acrylic on top of the tank and traced the curve with a sharpie.
-then cut the curve using a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade
-sat the acrylic back on top to confirm my cut was good
-sanded down and rounded off the sharp edges
-cut out the holes on top for my filter, lights, heater and temp probes
-test fit then sanded and rounded off the sharp edges
-traced out the opening I wanted to place a mesh
-cut the inner part out using the jigsaw again
-sanded and rounded off sharp edges
-used my Dremel with the multi purpose cutting kit attachment to cut a groove for the screen spline
-installed the mesh (from RedSea diy lid kit) and cut off excess

It was definitely messy and a little time consuming. If I didn’t have the tools already it would have been pricey but I paid about $150 for everything. If I were to do it again I would get thicker acrylic so I could cut a better groove for the screen spline. Other than that it works good.

 

[reef_daddy]

Looks good, keep us updated.

 

[Chargerdude7]

Sure!
-I purchased a small sheet of acrylic from Lowe’s (24in x 48in x .220). I had them cut it down to 30 1/4 x 15 1/2, which is the largest dimension my tank is
-sat the acrylic on top of the tank and traced the curve with a sharpie.
-then cut the curve using a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade
-sat the acrylic back on top to confirm my cut was good
-sanded down and rounded off the sharp edges
-cut out the holes on top for my filter, lights, heater and temp probes
-test fit then sanded and rounded off the sharp edges
-traced out the opening I wanted to place a mesh
-cut the inner part out using the jigsaw again
-sanded and rounded off sharp edges
-used my Dremel with the multi purpose cutting kit attachment to cut a groove for the screen spline
-installed the mesh (from RedSea diy lid kit) and cut off excess

It was definitely messy and a little time consuming. If I didn’t have the tools already it would have been pricey but I paid about $150 for everything. If I were to do it again I would get thicker acrylic so I could cut a better groove for the screen spline. Other than that it works good.

Awesome thanks a bunch for the reply! I might have to give it a shot soon.

 

[Matty Ice]

Update.

I guess my stocking list is part of the build. Below is a list of what I’ve added so far. I just started checking my water parameters for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and phosphate. I’ve also started using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals salt. Hopefully in a few months once the tank matures a little more I can start adding some corals.

I’ve added:

1-Purple fire fish
2-Darwin Clown fish
3-Red leg hermit crabs
3-Blue leg hermit crabs
3-Nasarius snails
1-Green bulb tip anemone