Tony’s JBJ 65 build

[tonydig11]

Tank is ordered and set to be delivered Monday. All equipment except skimmer and mesh top are here. This is an upgrade for my Fluval Evo 13. All live stock from the Evo will be moved to the JBJ 65 once the cycle is complete. I am not going to rush it as I have put a lot of time and effort in my current stock. This weekend we will be moving the entire living room around so we have the perfect place for the reef so all can enjoy it. In the current configuration my wife,Myself and 2 daughters are fighting for the seat next to the nano. In the living room photo everything will be rotated 45 degrees clockwise and the tank will be going where the TV is now.

Equipment to be used on new build:
Hydra 32HD x2
Tunze ATO
Jebao OW25 and OW 15(from current tank)
Eheim Jager 200W heater
Maxi Jet 1200 for mixing salt and pumping for water changes
Stock return pumps
Caribsea Special grade Live Sand 40lbs
Caribsea Live Rock 50lbs
Skimmer CadLights PLS-50

 

[Peace River]

Nice! Congratulations on the new tank - it looks like you have a reasonable plan!

 

[tonydig11]

Got the living room rearranged. Tank goes on the empty wall near the current nano. Tank is due in tomorrow between 12-4. Hope all goes well.

 

[tonydig11]

Tank arrived today. The boxes were flawless and the driver even took it right to my garage and took the pallet. I am taken back by the quality of the tank and stand. The stand was boxed then surrounded in styrofoam then had the shrink wrap over it all. Then it has a fine film like you would find on new electronics on EVERY panel including the shelf. The tank was packed just as well. This is my first quality tank setup. I will have to get a 2 step step stool. I am 5'7" and can just reach the filter socks.

 

[Peace River]

That's awesome!!! It's great when it works the way it is supposed to! I look forward to seeing pictures as it transforms from a very nice glass box into your piece of the ocean!

 

[tonydig11]

A quick update. I can only make RODI water in 5 gallon batches at about 45 mins per 5 gallons. I was able to get 5 buckets of water in it last night. so far no leaks. Hope to have it filled with water and mixing salt by Friday then adding rocks and sand to start cycle by Saturday.

 

[tonydig11]

Was a long week slinging RODI by the 5 gallon bucket but the tank is filled up with water sand and rocks. I have the cycle started with Bio Spira and a bag of cycled ceramic rings. I dosed ammonia to 3 ppm and in less than 24 hrs was already down to .5. I am also showing Nitrites so this product is working. I have to be cycled by day after thanksgiving as the Christmas tree goes where the current nano tank sits. I am paying close attention to keeping it neat and organized. I also went and ordered a 2nd Hydra 32 as I was just not liking mixing a Prime HD and a newer Hydra. Up next is to build the Red Sea DIY mesh top and skimmer install. Stay tuned.

 

[tonydig11]

Its been a while but the tank has been up and running since November 9th. I have added a few new fish and corals to the stock that was moved over from my nano reef. Equipment and water has been spot on. Very little algae issues.