Well that escalated quickly!

[saltyfilmfolks]

I've had the flu for the last week, but have been making rodi water as much as possible. Just finally added the bucket that topped it off!

I was so excited. Turned on the pump and.... leaks!

Pulled the pug and walked away :(

I need a better light to see where it is leaking from. I think it's the unions. So frustrating. I was really careful putting it together.

Arrrrgggg.....

 

[Jofiel]

OMG, I'm so dumb.

I had raised the loc line return out of the water overnight because I was paranoid about siphoning...

So yeah, water was spraying out of it, running down the back of the tank, hitting the plumbing and it looked like everything was leaking.

So I cleaned up. Just need to get the anti-siphon hole in my loc line and try again

 

[Jofiel]

I think the fact that I finally ate something, had some pain killers, and caffiene helped :P

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I think the fact that I finally ate something, had some pain killers, and caffiene helped :p

With that combo Id look for the couch... Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Jofiel]

With that combo Id look for the couch... Hope you feel better soon.

But the couch is directly in line of sight of the tank and it's just sitting there silently judging me...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

But the couch is directly in line of sight of the tank and it's just sitting there silently judging me...

Hhahah
Id say its just asking for a whoopin...

 

[mmw64]

Following, looking good.

 

[Jofiel]

All right we have swishing, trickling, and gurgling!





The loudest part is where it trickles from the main display into the overflow. Not sure if there is anything to do to quiet that down.

I'm going to let it run and the water warm up for a bit.

 

[Jofiel]

Salt and bacteria added, let the cycle begin!

 

[Jofiel]

This part where the tank cycles is sooooooo boring!

 

[Jofiel]

I've added this substrate to the sump https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FO5H7MY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ,
a big bottle of Fritzyme, and I've been ghost feeding a few cubes of frozen food a week.

I haven't been testing at all, I'll probably start testing next week to see how things are cycling. I ordered a variety of Macro-algae an some more snails from Reefcleaners and will add those to the sump and display next week.

 

[Jofiel]

I picked up a Copper Band Butterfly from the local death row fish store and a nice longnose from the awesome fish store and they are almost through QT after quite a few ups and downs.

Saga detailed in this thread https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cbb-rescue-mission-help-please.290502/page-4#post-3625910

 

[Jofiel]

If the tank is cycling ammonia well and the macro settles in, I will order the BOGO from Algaebarn to kick start my pod population.

And I'm setting up to hatch BBS in my bathroom!

 

[Jofiel]

Oh! And I grabbed a Tunze 7095 multicontroller for my pumps on Ebay for $40! I still need an ATO, I've been scouring for deals but may finally have to relent :/

I still need to hang the light though I bought the hardware and found a nice shade to camouflage the fixture.

 

[Jofiel]

Oh, and I need a lid. I would really like one of these http://octoaquatics.com/octo-lids/

 

[Jofiel]

Got so much done this weekend!

 

[Jofiel]

Yesterday I spend some time crammed in under the stand. installing GFCI and then running it to the dj strip.

I bought two el cheapo mechanical timers from harbor freight and put the sump light on one. The other will be for the main display light. I cleaned up the wires on the right side of the tank and used velcro fasteners to keep everything in place.

I set up the temperature controller with my titanium heater. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V4TJR00/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm waiting on a couple of these http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/controller-pump-cable-7092-300-tunze.html before I can put the powerheads on the controller and then do the same with those cables (they are the messy ones you see in the picture).

I also cleaned the nano tank and qts, did large water changes on those, and consolidated the butterflies.

I ordered a variety of macros from Reefcleaners and a BOGO pods/phyto pack from Algaebarn.

Today I wired the $25 light fixture that instigated this whole fiasco, put my free shade on it, and hung it from the ceiling.

Yup, plenty of light lol! I put a shade on it to help protect my eyes.

 

[Jofiel]

I think I'm finally mostly happy with the aquascape.

 

[Maritimer]

Those stacks look amazing . . .

~Bruce

 

[Jofiel]

Ok, first life is in the tank!

I ordered a ball of cheato, some tiny periwinkle snails, and a small variety of macro algaes for the display. All from Reefcleaners.

I also ordered copepods and phyto from algaebarn but the shipment is delayed! I sure hope they all survive.